Being asked to have faith is merciful

Reading: Alma 32-35


Last week we talked about Alma and Amulek observing the worship habits of the Zoramites, a people who decided not to believe in a redeeming Savior.  They worshipped only on church days and only while at church.  They began to judge people according to what they had and how much of it they had, placing the highest importance on those who had more.  Therefore, the people who had less, the poor were cast out of the synagogues and out of society.  Alma and Amulek are approached by this poorer class of people, requesting help with their problems.

Alma 32:5-6
• People were despised because of poverty (class system)
• Especially despised by priests (I’m sure they were wondering what kind of religion is this, where the priests despise you?)
• We should at least be able to GO to the synagogue since we built it
• What shall we do? The want to learn, they want direction.
• Afflictions humbled them, they were prepared to hear
• Also, v 8 mentions that they were lowly in heart and therefore blessed

Alma and Amulek respond by telling them the benefits of their situation:
Alma 32:13-16
There are two ways to get to the point of wanting to learn: 1) being compelled to learn or 2) wanting to learn

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING HUMBLE AND BEING COMPELLED TO BE HUMBLE?

IS IT BAD TO BE COMPELLED TO BE HUMBLED?

WHAT THINGS COMPELL US TO BE HUMBLE?

Being compelled is part of human nature and life.  For example, the Israelites (over and over), David, Lehi, Alma (the man who is speaking), were all at one point compelled to be humble.  Being compelled to be humble is not the issue, but what you do with the compellation is.

The risk of being compelled is, wanting a quick fix, an easy answer, and answer that will not likely last or make a difference.

An internal desire to learn will more likely produce a lasting change.

Alma relates the quick fix risk to, as he says in verse 16, “stubbornness of heart, being brought to know the work, compelled to know BEFORE they will believe (seeing is believing mindset), and further explains the risk of being compelled to be humble by talking about signs.

Alma 32:17-22
Alma seems to make this connection:
• If you receive a
o sign (v17) (generally through physical senses), you then have
o knowledge (v18), you are
o held accountable for that knowledge (v19) and what you do with that knowledge (v20),
o making you subject to the law/justice.
o Following a receiving signs path omits the incubation period or really gaining wisdom
• If you exercise
o faith (v21), enough to

“real faith lets a man act as if he knows it is true when he really doesn’t. Therefore, faith is a real sense is power—power to act and perform without actual knowledge.” Hartman Rector, Jr., Oct 73

o believe (v18,19), you act on beliefs (incubation period)
o which eventually turns to knowledge, maybe better spoken as wisdom (v33-36),
o then you are subject to the law, but will receive mercy, which overcomes justice (v22)

So, perhaps Heavenly Father actually shows us MERCY by asking us to have faith in things that aren’t seen.  We get more chances to try and get things right, if we don’t already have the answer.  I never viewed the necessity of faith as a merciful operation.  I think I will try not to be so impatient to know more than I need to know now, and this gives me incentive to ensure I am close to Him so I can figure out the next step I need to take, what beliefs need to be solidified as knowledge.

In fact, the method that Alma outlines next is the process of what to do during the faith/belief phase.  He lists actions we should take as opposed to waiting for a sign or something to happen to you.

He challenges them to an experiment of planting a seed, testing for growth and tasting the fruits of the seed.
• Exercise a particle of faith (27)
• Desire to believe (27)
• Give place for a portion of my words (27, 28)
• Nourish it with great care (37)
• Diligence, patience, looking forward (41)

Evidence of a good seed:
• Swelling motions, sprouting, growing (28)
• Enlarging my soul (28)
• Enlightening understanding (28)
• Tastes good (28)
• Increases faith (29, 30)
• Brings forth it’s own likeness (once you know the gospel, you can expect gospel blessings) (31)
• Brings forth good fruit (31)

What will the seed do?
• Take root (41)
• Grow into a tree (41)
• Produce fruit (41)
• Tree will bring forth fruit UNTO you (43)

Alma explains this process further by asking if, after you follow the path of faith, is your knowledge perfect?

Alma 32:33-36
• Nourishing a seed takes time (swelleth, sprouteth and beginneth to grow), in fact, his analogy is for a tree, which develops very slowly compared to a weed or a zucchini plant.
• Then is your knowledge perfect? Yes, in that thing.  What thing?
o That the gospel is good following Christ is good.
o (v35) WILL YOU BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT KNOWLEDGE?   Yes, because it is discernible (by the Holy Ghost).
o (35-36) BUT is your knowledge in general perfect? No, because you exercised faith to PLANT the seed, there’s much more to do in order to make it grow.


To make sure the Zoramites get an answer to their question about whether to believe in a Christ or not, in chapter 33, Alma reminds the Zoramites of the teachings from the prophets of old,  namely Zenos and Zenock, testifying of Christ. At the end of the chapter, Alma indicates what doctrine they need to plant in their heart:

Alma 33: 22-23
Amulek adds his own testimony regarding this germinating doctrine, which is opposite of what the rich Zoramites and priests were teaching:

Alma 34:9-16
Mercy satisfies the demand of justice – by your belief and action from belief you receive mercy which “encircles them in the arms of safety."

So, Amulek emphsizes that if you can have all this, then begin to call upon the name of Christ to receive mercy and "arms of safety."

Alma 34:17-27
This group of scriptures was of particular importance to me this week as it was one of those weeks where I seemed to "sweat the small stuff" and I thought it was stuff too trivial to bring to God in prayer.  But after reading verses 17-27 I was reminded that He will listen to anything I have to say, I can pour out my heart to Him and He will still see me as what I can become and not just what I am now.  If I continue to turn to Him even for the small stuff it helps me to (v 38):

Contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

I also found this good quote which reminds me of the real purpose of prayer:

 The purpose of prayer, however, is not to appease a vindictive Deity; nor is it to court favors from an indulgent Father. It is to attune oneself with the spirit or light which “proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space.” ( D&C 88:12.)  Marion G. Romney, “Prayer and Revelation,” April 1979

Amulek adds a few other things:
o (v 28-29), after you’ve learned all this, help others.
o (v 32) “this life is the time to prepare to meet God
o (v 33) do not procrastinate the day of your repentance.

Amulek ends with good advice:

Alma 34:39-41
Watch and pray, be patient, bear your afflictions and have a firm hope.

The Anti-plan

Reading: Alma 30-31

This reading concerns a man named Korihor, who begins to introduce beliefs that are in opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is great to know the truths in life, but it's also good to know the opposition so that we may "taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good" (Moses 6:55). Korihor, in the end, says that he was deceived by the devil who appeared to him as an angel (Alma 30:53):

 53 But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me.

I find this and other things the devil taught Korihor to teach, so interesting, ironic and clever.  Essentially, the devil uses truthful doctrines so that they still sound like truth, but twists them just enough to appeal to human rational reasoning.  Here are some of the things that Satan, via Korihor, teaches:

13 Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.
 14 Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.

In a few sentences, he knocks down the belief in Christ, hope for better things to come and prophecies made by holy prophets, naming the beliefs as traditions only.

 17 And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime.
 18 And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms—telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof. 

In his line of thinking, since there is no Christ, there is no atonement, so there is no accountability and therefore no sins.  Also since there is no Christ, there wouldn't be a resurrection either so everything you do in this life is not answerable at any other time.

Following this line of thinking, Korihor attacks the performances and ordinances of the gospel at that time, saying that if there is no Christ, there is no need for ordinances or performances, so the priests must be requiring these things as an act of power and reign and to free ride off the works of the people:

 23 Now the high priest’s name was Giddonah. And Korihor said unto him: Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of your fathers, and because I do not teach this people to bind themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances which are laid down by ancient priests, to usurp power and authority over them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not lift up their heads, but be brought down according to thy words.
 27 And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires; and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges.

But, Alma responds well with proof that these things are not true.  The priests actually labor with their own hands for their own support:

32 Now Alma said unto him: Thou knowest that we do not glut ourselves upon the labors of this people; for behold I have labored even from the commencement of the reign of the judges until now, with mine own hands for my support, notwithstanding my many travels round about the land to declare the word of God unto my people.
33 And notwithstanding the many labors which I have performed in the church, I have never received so much as even one senine for my labor; neither has any of my brethren, save it were in the judgment-seat; and then we have received only according to law for our time.
 34 And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren?

The stinger for Korihor's line of thinking is that last verse, essentially saying, if the priests don't receive any temporal benefit, then they must be doing it because they just want to help people, because that's what Christ teaches!

Then Alma testifies and challenges Korihor:

 39 Now Alma said unto him: Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come.
 40 And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.

Korihor responds by requesting a sign indicating to him that there is a God, to which Alma replies:

 44 But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.

In a previous lesson, one of the BYU roundtable discussions mentioned that the Lord doesn't work in signs, he works by sending witnesses (most of the time).  But, because Korihor wanted a sign, he was given a very personal one - he was struck deaf and dumb and at that point realized he had been deceived by the devil.  He tried to correct his actions, but was driven out of the city and killed in another city.  Unfortunately, his teachings made enough of an impression that some of the people of Zarahemla took to the notion of worshipping their own made up Gods and doing it inconsistently and without much spiritual depth, if any at all.  In fact their construed "observances and performances" led to a class system where the poor people were despised and cast out and riches were valued above all and whatever it took to get them acceptable.

This chapter is an important one for our time because we hear often either that there is no God, or people have their own type of God, or that God's name is used so frequently and in such a flippant manner as to render his existence unimportant.  Interestingly enough, this question: "Is there a God?" is one question where the searcher must make a personal discovery.  As Alma said, "all things denote there is a God."  That is true, if you believe there is a God to take credit for it.  But if you do not believe in God, all things exist anyway, so what makes the difference in knowing there is a God?  A few thoughts - there are many more of course, you can start with the Bible Dictionary definition of "faith"

Acknowledging God brings stability to life (which we all need):
James 1:6-8

 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

You can have stability because God is unchangeable:
Moroni 8:18

18 For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.

It may be difficult to believe in something you can't see, but that is the essence of faith based on Jesus Christ which breed hope for a better world:

Alma 32:21:

 21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

Ether 12:4:

4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

When God is acknowledged and faith established, blessings come, because He is the giver of all blessings:

Hebrews 11:6

 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Burying weapons of rebellion

Reading: Alma 23-29


Last week we read about Ammon teaching the Lamanite King, Lamoni and his Queen along with people who were gathered to the conversion scene by a believing Lamanite woman, named Abish.  We also read about Aaron teaching the word of God to King Lamoni’s father, who was king over all the land.  These were Lamanites who were steeped in the tradition of believing that the Nephites were thieves and liars and therefore the Lamanites murdered many of the Nephites and introduced many wars.

In this reading, King Lamoni’s father grants religious freedom to all and commands that there should be no more stealing and murdering and such.  He also grants Ammon and his brethren access to all communities so they can preach the gospel, and because of this many were converted.

Alma 23:5-7
• Mormon gives us this pre-summary of what will happen with these people.
• This group of people “never did fall away” - this phrase makes it sound like a perfect people who didn’t have any problems.  But they did have problems, they just knew who to turn to for help and support.
• They buried their weapons – two kinds – weapons of rebellion against God and weapons used against their brethren. Weapons used in their heart and mind and physical weapons.

We will read and discuss why they never fell away and why they buried their weapons.

Alma 23:17-18
Explanations of the name: Anti-Nephi-Lehi
• No definitive answer, but here are possible explanations:
• Not likely the greek translation of the word “Anti” meaning opposite
• Not likely the Latin translation of the word “Anti” meaning before
• Possibly a proper noun.  Instead, Anti appears to be a proper noun in the Nephite-Lamanite language. Consider how many uses there are in the text of the morpheme Anti in Nephite and Lamanite proper nouns: Ani-Anti, Antiomno, Antionah, Antionum, Antiparah, Antipas, and Antipus; perhaps the Nephite monetary unit antion could also be added to this list. (p. 2095) Skousen, Analysis of Textual Variants of the Book of Mormon, Part Four, Alma 21-55 (FARMS, 2007), pp. 2092-2095.
• Also, King Lamoni’s brother, who inherited the whole kingdom from his father, changed his name to AntiLehiNephi, for reasons unknown.  The people chose to be known as the people of AntiLehiNephi (24:2, 24:5)

The Anti-Lehi-Nephies learned that other Lamanites were planning to attack the city.  This attack comes on the heels of their conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  So, in preparation for war, King AntiLehiNephi gives this speech, which begins to explain why they never fell away and buried their weapons.  I will ask you the reasons given.

Alma 24:7-11
WHAT ARE THE REASONS OR EVENTS THAT MOTIVATED THESE EX-LAMANITES TO PUT DOWN THEIR WEAPONS?
• Realized they were being loyal to traditions only
• Their hearts were softened (v8)

This declaration that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, that he was, that he is, and that he is to come, is, I think, the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A testimony of its truthfulness constitutes the only motive that I have ever been able to find which is strong enough to change the hearts of men from hate and wickedness to peace and righteousness. Rejection of that message, according to the words of the Lord, will bring scourges,. . . until the earth is empty, and the inhabitants thereof are consumed away and utterly destroyed by the brightness of coming. (D&C 5:19-20). “And Ye Shall Bear Record,” Elder Marion G. Romney, Oct 1948 Gen Conf.

• They were forgiven of their sin and murders (v10)
• Their guilt was taken away (v10) and they did not want to experience that guilt again.

But before their conversion, remember their state: they were living in what the scriptures call “open rebellion against God.” Their rebellious hearts sentenced them to live “in a state contrary to the nature of happiness” because they had “gone contrary to the nature of God.” When they laid down their weapons of rebellion, they qualified themselves for the Lord’s healing and peace, and so can we. The Savior assures, “If they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them.” You and I can accept His invitation to “return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal [you].” We must lay down our weapons of rebellion (and we each know what they are). We must lay down our sin, vanity, and pride. We must give up our desires to follow the world and to be respected and lauded by the world. We must cease fighting against God and instead give our whole hearts to Him, holding nothing back. Then He can heal us. Then He can cleanse us from the venomous sting of sin.  “Come Unto Me With Full Purpose of Heart, and I Will Heal You,”  Elder Patrick Kearon, Ensign, Nov 2010.

• All we could do (refer to 2 Ne 25:23 – For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.) Also note that they would be keeping the law of Moses, which is all they can do at this point in time, but since the atonement is eternal, their sins are removed just as ours are when we properly repent.

Alma 24:15-16
• Hide away our swords as a testimony (A declaration by a witness under oath, as that given before a court or deliberative body.)
• As a testimony that we have NEVER used them HAD THEY USED THEM BEFORE? YES! BUT THEY ARE CLEAN NOW. (does this mean that it is an acknowledgment of past sins forgotten by the Lord and also by them?)

Alma 24:17-19
• Alma 53:11 – “And because of their oath they had been kept from taking up arms against their brethren; for they had taken an oath that they never would shed blood more; and according to their oath they would have perished;”
• V 18 – it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men
• Vouching and covenanting with God: that rather than take away from a brother they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.

WHAT SORT OF A COVENANT IS THIS?  HOW IS THIS COVENANT DIFFERENT FROM OUR BAPTISMAL COVENANT? OR OTHER COVENATNS WE MAKE?

Bible Dictionary: Covenant. Sometimes denotes an agreement between persons (1 Sam. 23:18) or nations (1 Sam. 11:1); more often between God and man; but in this latter case it is important to notice that the two parties to the agreement do not stand in the relation of independent and equal contractors. God in his good pleasure fixes the terms, which man accepts. The same word is sometimes rendered “testament.”

What is the source of such moral and spiritual power, and how do we obtain it? The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him. A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God (see Bible Dictionary, “Covenant,” 651). In these divine agreements, God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments.
We enter into covenants by priesthood ordinances, sacred rituals that God has ordained for us to manifest our commitment.
In the covenant path we find  [1] a steady supply of gifts and help, [2]they produce the faith necessary to persevere and to do all things that are expedient in the Lord, [3] the bestowal of divine power.
In all the ordinances, especially those of the temple, we are endowed with power from on high.  This “power of godliness” comes in the person and by the influence of the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Ghost is part of the new and everlasting covenant. It is the Holy Ghost that bears witness of your words when you teach and testify. It is the Holy Ghost that, as you speak in hostile venues, puts into your heart what you should say and fulfills the Lord’s promise that “you shall not be confounded before men” (D&C 100:5). It is the Holy Ghost that reveals how you may clear the next seemingly insurmountable hurdle. It is by the Holy Ghost in you that others may feel the pure love of Christ and receive strength to press forward. It is also the Holy Ghost, in His character as the Holy Spirit of Promise, that confirms the validity and efficacy of your covenants and seals God’s promises upon you.  “The Power of Covenants,” Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, May 2009. 

After they made this oath or covenant, the Lamanites come to attack and the AntiLehiNephis did not resist them. Over 1,000 of them died, but there were over 1,000 Lamanites who were converted to the Gospel because of this demonstration of love and commitment to the Lord.

Mormon gives one of his “and thus we see” comments in verse 27 that “and thus we see that that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people.”

In chapter 25-27 describes how the Lamanite aggression spreads and although at first meeting the Lamanites held back in their persecuations and murders, they came back to the AntiLehiNephis to slay them all.  After asking the Lord what to do, Ammon advised the king that if the people of AntiLehiNephi were to join with the Nephites, they would be protected.  When they moved all the people to the land of Zarahemla, the Nephite people agreed to give the AntiNephiLehi’s some land and protection in return for a “portion of their substance to assist us that we may maintain our armies.


Alma 27:26-30 (point out indications of commitment to oath)
• Changed name to the people of Ammon (King AntiLehiNephi was no longer in charge?)
• Distinguished for the zeal towards God and men
• Perfectly honest and upright in all things;
• Firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end
• They never could be prevailed upon to take up arms against their brethren
• They were a zealous AND beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lord

Their zeal towards God likely reflects an eagerness to please God and worship Him with fervor and passion. Their zeal towards men suggests an ardent interest in helping and serving others. Being perfectly upright and honest in all things suggests that they held their covenants firmly and did not rationalize their commitments to God or man. We further know that they taught their children the gospel in their homes. We know that they buried their weapons of war, distancing themselves from temptations.  They must have frequently assessed the condition of their spiritually changed hearts. They did not simply assume that all was well. By figuratively examining their changed hearts, they could identify any early hardening or rejection and treat it.  “Preserving the Heart’s Mighty Change,” Dale G. Renlund, Nov 2009 Ensign.

WHY DIDN’T THE NEPHITES ENTER INTO THE SAME OATH OR COVENANT AS THE ANTILEHINEPHIS?  WHY DON’T WE?
I think Alma answers this questions for us: knowing God’s will for us.  The will of the Lord may have been, probably was, different than the will of the Lord for the AntiLehiNephies.  Also, were are all progressing at different paces along the path of life.  The Nephites were of course still good (they welcomed people who had previously been out to kill them), but recognized the need to protect and respect different people and different situations.

I was really impressed with Alma 29 (I always am) because I recognized this time that he is giving us a recipe to help yield or conform to the will of the Lord.


Alma 29:1-2 Your personal desire/natural man

Alma 29:3 Be content with what the Lord has given you

Alma 29:4-5 Know the laws of God and know God.
Respect the agency of men.

Alma 29:6 Understand your calling and responsibilities regarding your calling.

Alma 29:7-8  Yielding to His will, timing and purpose.

Alma 29:9  You may not know his purposes, but He has given you instructions; obey them  in order to be an instrument for his purposes.

Alma 29:10 Remember what the Lord has done for you – count your blessings.

Alma 29:11-13 Remember what the Lord has done for your fathers – other miracles/power of God.

Alma 29:14  Rejoice and respect the callings of others as they are instruments in the Lord’s purposes too.

Alma 29:16 Realize that the desire to bring others to the gospel will be fulfilled, but it won’t all be because of you.

Even though Alma's desire to bring all people to repentance and preach the gospel, was a righteous desire, it apparently wasn't meant for him to fulfill that purpose.  He was only meant to fulfill the purpose/calling the Lord gave him.  This makes me want to do a better job with what I have been given, because as Alma says: why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?  And if I am called to do more, then I have a new opportunity to learn more or different responsibility. "Line upon line, precept upon precept."

Genuine Questions

Reading: Alma 17-22

These chapters contain one of my very favorite and instructive stories that teach the power of asking simple and genuine questions to God.

In chapter 22, Aaron, a son a Mosiah, comes in contact with the king of all the Lamanites who had a previous exchange with another missionary, Ammon.  This king had been mulling over the things Ammon had taught his son and had some burning questions for Aaron.  Aaron taught the King about God (who the King called the Great Spirit) and once the King believed there was a God, Aaron taught his about the Plan of Salvation beginning with the experience of Adam and ending with being about to receive eternal life.  After hearing all this, the king asks (vs 15):


 15 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.

 16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.

So the King did exactly what Aaron said:

17 And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:

 18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.

From this point the King was struck dumb for a while wherein he was taught the things of the Spirit and was converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have always been profoundly moved by his genuine process of questioning and show of faith: Aaron told me that there is a God - and if you are that God, please let me know you, I would even give away my kingdom to know you.

It humbles me every time I read this.  I need to simplify my prayers and my desires.  If my simple desire is to know God, then I need help in simplifying my life a bit, because perhaps I'm doing a bunch of extra stuff that doesn't really matter.  Would I give away all that stuff just to know God?

Purpose of the Priesthood

Reading: Alma 13-16


"The principles and doctrines of the priesthood are sublime and supernal. The more we study the doctrine and potential and apply the practical purpose of the priesthood, the more our souls will be expanded and our understanding enlarged, and we will see what the Lord has in store for us." Your Potential, Your Privilege," Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2011 General Conference

I knew I wouldn't get too far through the readings during the lesson because when I read chapter 13, I was overwhelmed with how much information is given to us about the Holy Priesthood and Preordination.  Whenever a definition for the "Priesthood" is asked for in church, someone always says "the power given to men to act in the name of God."  This is true, but there is much more to that and I'm finding it is a definition that just won't suffice without explaining its purpose.

In my readings I discovered four purposes for this power given to men and blessings given to both men and women.  Bruce R. McConkie, in Mormon Doctrine, said: Women do not have the priesthood conferred upon them and are not ordained to offices therein, but they are entitled to all priesthood blessings (pg 594 Priestesses).  Women receive the same blessings men do from the priesthood, and this is more than just blessings that are conferred by the "laying on of hands."  So, in my estimation, just because women are not ordained to the priesthood, since the same blessings can be received there is no inequality here.  Neither women nor men should unrighteously pursue the priesthood authority for recognition or status.  The priesthood is given to help serve others, not to self serve.  Women and men can do this alike, there are just different modes of delivery at times.

Now to Alma.

In chapter 12, Alma and Amulek had just finished telling the people the plan of salvation beginning with conditions in the Garden of Eden and the fall of Adam and Eve.  He talked to them about spiritual death and temporal death, the consequences of each and the way to overcome both through the Savior.

As a review, here is the logic chain or pattern that Alma presents to the people:

Adam partakes of the fruit
spiritual death (separation from God) as well as physical death introduced
opposition and agency are essential to prepare to meet God
time given to repent and prepare to return to God
repentance comes through the atonement
judgment will come after this life

While recalling the stories of their ancient fathers, Alma asks the people to recall that it was at that time the Lord ordained priests.  Why would Alma talk about the Priesthood as the next step in the Plan of Salvation?  Because in order for the Plan of Salvation to be effective there needed to be teachers to teach the plan and organization for God's followers and both needed to be authorized from God.  The priesthood is the name of that authority.

The first purpose of the Priesthood:
Alma 13:1
1 And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people. (These things means, the Plan of Salvation that Alma just listed in ch 12).

Second purpose of the Priesthood:
Alma 13:2
 2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.

The manner that they were ordained refers to being ordained before this life, in a pre-mortal existence, to hold the priesthood. This is taught to us in verses 3-5:


3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

 4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.

 5 Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared—

I learned during my study that this is what "many are called, but few are chosen" refers to (D&C 121:40), explained by Harold B. Lee:

“God may have called and chosen men in the spirit world or in their first estate to do a certain work, but whether they will accept that calling here and magnify it by faithful service and good works while in mortality is a matter in which it is their right and privilege to exercise their free agency to choose good or evil. “. . . I fear there are many among us who because of their faithfulness in the spirit world were ‘called’ to do a great work here, but like reckless spendthrifts they are exercising their free agency in riotous living and are losing their birthright and the blessings that were theirs had they proved faithful to their calling. Hence as the Lord has said, ‘there are many called but few are chosen’” (Harold B. Lee, Decisions for Successful Living [1973], 169).

Third purpose of the Priesthood:
Alma 13:6-7

 6 And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest—

 7 This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things—



There needed to be teachers of laws and consequences, a channel of accountability for our choices.  Under the direction of the priesthood, this is the way it is and has been done from eternity to eternity.

Fourth purpose of the Priesthood:
Alma 13:13-16

13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.

 14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood forever.

 15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.

 16 Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.

This high priesthood is called the Melchizedek Priesthood in order to protect the name of whose priesthood it really is: Jesus Christ.  President Uchtdorf reminds of this by helping us remember the "why" of the Priesthood:

From the newest ordained deacon to the most senior high priest, we all have lists of what we could and should do in our priesthood responsibilities. The what is important in our work, and we need to attend to it. But it is in the why of priesthood service that we discover the fire, passion, and power of the priesthood.  The what of priesthood service teaches us what to do. The why inspires our soul.  The what informs, but the why transforms. President Uchtdorf, “The Why of Priesthood Service,” April 2012.

Again, this service and these blessings can be experienced by both men and women in our different assignments and responsibilities. How blessed we are.

Crucial Doctrines

Reading: Alma 8-12

These chapters in Alma set forth some very important beliefs.  These beliefs are so important they govern the way we live our lives.  Here is a passage in Alma 11:42-45


 42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

 43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

 44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

 45 Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.

Summarize:
42: The death and resurrection of Christ makes it possible for us to overcome death and and be resurrected as well.

43: Resurrection means our bodies and our spirits will be reunited at a designated time after death (implying that our spirit and body are united in earth life).  We will ALL be

able to stand before God after this life and account for our life "and have a bright recollection of all our guilt," or as I once read, having a bright recollection of our guilt, including when we have used the atonement to work through guilt.

44: Our bodies will be restored to perfectness - no sickness, maladies, physical issues! And we will be judged according to our works (works includes whether or not we relied on Christ's atonement to work through everything) before the three members of the Godhead: God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit - three separate beings, but all with one purpose - to help us!

45: After we are resurrected, we will be immortal, our bodies and spirits will never be divided again and incorruptible.

How does this effect how we govern our life now?  WHAT WE DO IN THIS LIFE MATTERS! This life is not as the Savior says in Luke 12:19-20:
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

This life is not just this life, there is more.  This life is a test to see if we will actually rely on God to get through and live and thrive.  While this seems like a simple way to live or to some may seem a pointless way to live, I can only say that once a person has asked God for help and that person receives help, there is a deep feeling, almost a remembrance that there is more to this life than just trying to survive from day to day.

Introspection: Have ye spiritually been born of God?

Reading: Alma 5-7

The fifth chapter in Alma is full of questions that make you think about your heritage, your life, your belief and you standing before God.  Alma asks a series of questions to help the people he's preaching to remember how the Lord delivered their ancestors from hardships and personal weakness.  He points out that reason for their salvation in Alma 5:13:
And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.

Then he asks pointed questions in the next verses (14-16):

And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?

I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?



After he asks these questions, he asks more questions but about whether we are engaging in wicked practices: envy, pride, murder, lying, mockery, persecutions and more.

You would think that Alma is using the desperate tool of inflicting guilt.  But I think he is using the optimistic tool of hope.  He is painting a picture of what we may possibly experience due to our human tendencies, but then after inundating us with this, Alma gives us hope (Alma 5:33-34):


33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

 34 Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely;



And in vs 60:
And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.


I sometimes have a hard time with this method of preaching, or at least what it seems to be: either you are good or you are bad.  No middle ground.  This breeds perfectionists or apathy because it seems too hard to be so good all of the time.  Thinking in such absolute terms though makes a person believe that the only way to gain exaltation and salvation is through our own works, actions and behavior; all columns in the "good" list checked and nothing in the "bad" column.  But if we read two chapters over, Alma explains, by way of prophecy, that we are not on our own to be good all the time.

Alma 7:11-16

10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

(notice Alma talks about the Savior understanding our pains, affliction, temptations, the bands of death and infirmities, before he even mentions sins in the next verse)

 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

 14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

(important note: that being born again is a process, not a one-time event) 

 15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.

 16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.


This set of verses helps me to understand that Jesus Christ is not just concerned with my sins, but He is concerned about my mental, spiritual and physical well-being and actually knows how it all feels to me and how to help me bear it all.  So, the black and white, you're good or bad, is an effective way of teaching to motivate someone, but if we are actually motivated to change, we find in the changing process that healing is not just overcoming the sin, but healing from the physical, emotional and mental effects of sin or distance from God.  That is hope that brings relief.

Priestcraft vs. Priesthood

Reading: Mosiah 29; Alma 1-4

I'm back from vacation and other time-consuming assignments and I've got some make-up to do.  So here I go.

I have been interested, during this read through of The Book of Mormon, in a man named Nehor, mentioned beginning in Alma 1.  After King Mosiah died and there was a new government set up - rule by judges - Nehor decided that he didn't like what was taught by the church at the time.  The teachings that King Benjamin and Mosiah taught.  The teachings that brought years of peace.  He decided that he didn't like that kind of peace apparently and wanted to redefine both religion and government.  Here's a bit of what he thought was a good idea:

Alma 1:3-4

 3 And he had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down against the church; declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people.

 4 And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.

And what's wrong with that?

Authority, that's what.  Nehor's ideas were priestcraft.  Here's a good definition of priestcraft (2 Ne 26:29):

He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.

So, essentially, priestcraft is promoting your own ideas about religion proclaiming that the ideas are from God, but really doing it to receive praise/recognition yourself.  This is a careful thing to watch in our own lives.  Many of us won't proclaim our way of thinking to others, but we yearn for the praise of our own ideas.  But I won't talk about priestcraft in this way, I'll talk about it more generally.

Conversely, here is a definition of priesthood:
John 15:16   (Jesus speaking to his apostles) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:21   And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History 1:68-69

68 We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying:

 69 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.


The above scriptures indicate that authority must come directly from The Lord, Jesus Christ, God's Son, as it is His priesthood to give.

This begs the question: How can one tell the difference between someone who has been given the proper authority to preach and organize, and someone who claims he has been give the proper authority?

First there are some indications.  Here are some indications that Nehor gave:
Alma 1:6  And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching.

In addition to this, Nehor ended up murdering a man named Gideon just because Gideon withstood and combatted Nehor's ideas with the ideas of God.  Nehor was put to death for this, but the priestcraft introduced by him was spread and grew so much, that missionaries in the next several years fought hard to help the people understand true priesthood leadership.

Besides the indications of selfish and prideful religious (or other group) leaders, the best way to tell if someone has true authority is to ask God. . . and really listen for the answer and study about what a true priesthood leader is.  Even the scriptures about priesthood that I listed above need to be prayed about.  Particularly the one about Joseph Smith reporting that an angelic messenger (later mentioned as John the Baptist) came to give him the Aaronic priesthood, which is the authority to administer the gospel of repentance and baptism.  Later he received the authority to confer the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the authority to organize the Lord's church, with all components of the gospel when Jesus Christ was on the earth, including apostles, prophets, temple worship and more.

Outlandish you say? Impossible you say?

Ask God. He would know.

I have. I believe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the proper authority. . . from God.  Does this mean I believe that all other churches are totally wrong and are engaged in priestcraft? No. There are many good churches doing many good things and teaching many good things.  But it comes down to the question of authority from God.  When I have asked God about the church and as I serve in the church and study the doctrines of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ I receive feelings confirming that I'm on the right track.