"Comfort Their Souls in Christ," Alma 31:24-38

Alma 31:24-38

I've read through this once. I will comment tomorrow.

Today's action item - Pray to perceive the reality of my situation with my own children and family members.

Day Two:

I'm struck by how torn up and afflicted Alma is because of the iniquities of the Zoramites. Verse 31 is the apex of Alma's petition.

O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people. (emphasis added)

Today's action item - Pray to find ways to help my children understand better that our stability is critically dependent upon our faith in Christ. Teach them that their success in life will be dependent upon their faith in Christ.

Day Three:

In the middle of Alma's prayer, amidst his request for comfort, in verse 32 he adds a request for success.

O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me— (emphasis added)

He also requests that his companions are comforted in Christ the same as he had prayed for himself. But then he returns to the request for success in verse 34, and adds a definition of what he would term as success in this mission:

O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. (emphasis added)

 The major issue with the Zoramites, in their pride and haughtiness, was that in their worship of God, they had separated the need for Christ from them. Worshiping the Savior, understanding His vital and critical role in our redemption, this is what was removed to accommodate their gross arrogance.

Today's action item  -  Pray for success in my daily pursuits in specific details. For example, pray for success in home teaching in the month of November that I may reach everyone on my assigned home teaching list and somehow point them to Christ.

Day Four:

I'm still stuck on verses 34. There is a footnote that leads over to 2 Nephi 26:33, which is a good reminder to me this morning of both agency and the universality of the plan.

Then as I continue on through the remainder of the chapter, my faith is strengthened even more. The familiar phrase of President Monson comes to mind, "It is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help." (To Learn, to Do, to Be, October 2008)