Small things and self-control

I'm just discovering that I didn't post on last week's reading! Here's are some quick comments:

Reading: Alma 36-39

These chapters are addressed to Alma's sons, Helaman, Shiblon and Coriantum.  The latter two are missionaries at this time.  Alma tells Helaman about his conversion, which we discussed in the Mosiah chapters and also counsels him to keep a good record of the dealings of his people, reminding him that doing so may seem like a small thing, but such a small act can make a great difference (v. 6-7):


 6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

 7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

These vereses are humbling verses for me and always remind me that the seemingly small things that I do are important.  This is an especially helpful thing to remember in a world that glamorizes all the BIG things that happen or even glamorizes little things.  This scripture says to me: your little things are important and really the only person who needs to know is God.

Chapter 39 is addressed to Corianton, who while serving as a missionary, fell prey to the teachings of the anti-Christ's: 1) that this life is the only life, so when you die that's the end, so live it up now, and also 2) there is no Christ, so there must be no Savior from sin, so there must be no sin and no moral code to live by or offend.  So Corianton commited moral and spiritual sins.  Alma, whose father once implored him to repent, now find him in the same position, asking his son to repent and change.  I particularly like the word he uses to teach Corianton to stop his sinful behavior: "cross yourself:"

 9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things.

The footnote to the first "cross yourself" is a reference to the Topical Guide for "self-mastery."  In other words, have some self control.  I think self-mastery is the quest of life, as we are to overcome the "natural man" or our human tendencies to be stubborn, lazy, selfish and other behaviors of self-interest.

The next few three chapters are spent explaining to Corianton how and why to turn to Christ for help, because as verse 17 indicates, every soul is precious and needs to be clean in order to see God again.  If we follow His plan, we will be clean.