Alma 38:1-6
Here at the outset of Alma's remarks to his second son, Shiblon, there a couple of things that stand out to me: first, that Shiblon already was possessor of an intimate witness of God and that his father, Alma, was also aware of that personal testimony that his son possessed. (see vs 4-5)
Second, Alma doesn't take credit for the knowledge that he had obtained from God. Rather he says things like this:
This is again another great Gospel paradox: We must strive to be worthy, and work hard to qualify for the gifts and blessings of heaven (which God is freely willing to give), but when the gift does come, it is not us who successfully obtains the gift. No rather, it is God who gives the gift. It is God who selects and imparts that portion of the word that is expedient for us to have in His allotted time table.
This is entirely in harmony with Alma 12:9 which reads:
and President Russel M. Nelson's recent conference address:
Here at the outset of Alma's remarks to his second son, Shiblon, there a couple of things that stand out to me: first, that Shiblon already was possessor of an intimate witness of God and that his father, Alma, was also aware of that personal testimony that his son possessed. (see vs 4-5)
Second, Alma doesn't take credit for the knowledge that he had obtained from God. Rather he says things like this:
I would not that ye should think that I know these things of myselfand
it is the Spirit of God which is in me which maketh these things known unto meand also
if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things.Is all spiritual knowledge then a gift from God? What does Alma mean when he says that it is the Spirit of God which maketh these things known, contrasting that with knowledge that could have been obtained of one's self? What does that do for ownership of one's own testimony?
This is again another great Gospel paradox: We must strive to be worthy, and work hard to qualify for the gifts and blessings of heaven (which God is freely willing to give), but when the gift does come, it is not us who successfully obtains the gift. No rather, it is God who gives the gift. It is God who selects and imparts that portion of the word that is expedient for us to have in His allotted time table.
This is entirely in harmony with Alma 12:9 which reads:
It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
and President Russel M. Nelson's recent conference address:
Oh, there is so much more that your Father in Heaven wants you to know. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, “To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe!”
Comments
Post a Comment