Worthiness vs. worthiness

I have been thinking about worthiness vs. worthiness.  It is minor thing but worth exploring.

The Church’s modern definition of worthiness has to do with a standard that has be set that we can compare ourselves against.  For example, if I am temple worthy I have stated that I meet a certain standard set by the Church.

On the other hand, the word ‘worthy’ in ancient times is used differently.  They would still compare themselves to a standard but would always find themselves coming up short.  Alma the Younger taught his son, Shiblon, the following:

Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times. (Alma 38:14).

So, we members of the Church, these days, say that we are worthy members of the Church and Alma teaches to always acknowledge our unworthiness before God at all times.  Why is there an apparent discrepancy?  Or, is there?

The obvious answer is that we are talking about two different things.  One is a standard set by the Church and the other is a set by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Although this is true, it can be confusing.  If I am worthy before the Church, why am I unworthy before God? Shouldn’t I be worthy before God?

We will always be imperfect creatures.  Even if we were to get pretty close to perfection (completion) we still have sinned and do sin.  Without Christ’s atonement those sins can never be washed away.   We can never go it alone in this life.  Does this make us unworthy?  Yes, because we all require Christ’s infinite atonement to make it back. Without Him we are nothing.  We are less than the dust of the earth. (Helaman 12:7-8, Moses 1:10)

The fact is that we all sin.  So, what can we become perfect at?  We can become perfect in our faith in Jesus Christ (Jacob 9:23).  To develop faith, a main requirement is to be meek and lowly in heart (Moroni 7:39,43).  Being humble and acknowledging our unworthiness before God at all times go hand in hand. Other prophets describe perfect faith as unshaken faith in Christ, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is might to save (2 Nephi 31:19).  Others  describe this faith in Christ as “relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith. (Moroni 6:4).  And humility is always the prerequisite (see v.2).

It is very humbling to know that you are nothing without Jesus Christ.  This may even go against modern thought.  Here’s the kicker: when we are connected to Christ, we become perfect in Christ (Moroni 10:32), even in our unworthy state.  Of course, because we love the Lord for what He has done for us, and we love His ways, and we want to change.  This is all implied in our Christian discipleship.

Do not make sin and shame the center of your life.  Make Christ and His merits and His grace your center.  We will always be unworthy, imperfect creatures.  That is not the focus.  Letting our lives be lit up by Christ (the Light) will show our sins in the right perspective.

Being Church worthy is a wonderful first step on the path of being a humble follower of Christ.

Scott

What is Wickedness According to Alma?

As I read the Book of Mormon over and over again, I come up with new insights. Today, I was reading Alma 6. Here, in verse 3, we are told that those who did not repent of their wickedness were blotted out and not numbered among the righteous. Here's the verse in full:

And it also came to pass that whosoever did belong to the church that did not
repent of their wickedness and humble themselves before God—I mean those who
were lifted up in the pride of their hearts—the same were rejected, and their
names were blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the
righteous.

I asked myself, how does Alma define wickedness? What is his criteria? I went back a chapter and found where Alma was using the word 'wicked' or 'wickedness'.  Alma tells the people in Alma 5:56-57 the following:

And finally, all ye that will persist in your wickedness, I say unto you that these are they who shall be hewn down and cast into the fire except they speedily repent.

And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things; and behold, their names shall be blotted out, that the names of the wicked shall not be numbered among the names of the righteous, that the word of God may be fulfilled, which saith: The names of the wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people;

This particular group of members of the church in Zarahemla were behaving so bad that Alma chose to use the above words!  What in particular were some of these members doing that Alma called wicked? Do the scriptures actually say anything specific? I went back a few verses in Alma 5 to find out. Alma does get specific! Here's verses 53 - 55:

And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches?

Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of God, wherewith they have been brought into this church, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works which are meet for repentance—

Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them?

In verse 53, Alma asks the members whether they, after explaining their sins, will continue to avoid the issues at hand. As they 'lay aside these things', they 'trample the Holy One under their feet'. This must mean that there are certain things that a believer cannot do - things that are so contrary to true discipleship, that if you do them it's as if you trample the Holy One under your feet!  He then outlines what trampling the Holy One means:

1. Puffed up in the pride of your hearts
2. Wearing costly apparel
3. Setting their hearts on the vain things of the world
4. Setting their hearts on their riches
5. Supposing that they are better one than another
6. Persecuting their brethren (who humble themselves and walk after the holy order of God).

In item 6 of the outline above, Alma introduces another group of members.  The contrast is stark and real. This other group of members are bringing forth works which are meet for repentance.  They have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  They have caught the vision of what it means to be a saint.  The 'wicked' group can't grasp this happiness.  It looks foolish to them and they fight against it (persecute their brethren).

7. Turning their backs upon the poor, the needy and withholding their substance from them.

Alma calls these things 'persisting in your wickedness' in verse 56.  Is there a message for our day as members of Christ's true church.  I'll let you decide.

I changed my mind.  The message is obviously the same for our day.  One problem (that is really hard for us to see) is that when we are puffed up in pride we don't think we are (see Alma 26:21).  When we can afford really nice things (costly apparel being the metaphor), we don't think twice about how it effects our discipleship.  Are we laying aside the temporal doctrine of Christ?  When our goal is to obtain riches and get the things of the world, do we do it for the right reasons (see Jacob 2:19)?  If we have riches, do we quietly or not so quietly believe that somehow we are better than those who are struggling?  When these things are brought to our attention do we resist, discounting the person telling us of the doctrinal inconsistency that we might be living?  The resisters of the past would say 'away with him!  He has a devil!'  Do we inadvertently withhold our substance the poor and needy by having so much debt that we can barely give or by diverting our funds into whatever (investments or toys) so it's as if we are turning our backs upon them, walking by them and noticing them not (see Mormon 8:39)?  Could we be mocking the poor just by 'adorning ourselves with costly apparel (again, a metaphor)'?  As we 'lay these things aside' do we 'trample' the Savior under our feet?  To 'lay these things aside' means to not want to think about them.  It means to avoid these weightier matters and focus on other lighter things.

These are questions I have mostly for myself.  It takes time for me to shift my thinking to Book of Mormon thinking.  It feels like I am going against everything I was modeled and taught.   I remind myself that the ways of God are considered foolish to the natural man (see Alma 26:21)  and that gives me courage to persist in practicing my discipleship. The promise is happiness (see 2 Nephi 9:42-43).

The Cause of Amalickiah's Dissension - Part 2

The Cause of Amalickiah's Dissension - Part 2

In our previous discussion (Part 1) Helaman and his brethren went around the land prescribing rules and order (regulation) for the church.  What they were preaching offended a segment of church members.  These members were proud and exceedingly rich and would not walk uprightly before God.(see Alma 45:24)

As we move into in Alma, chapter 46, this dissension evolves into an all out battle.  The dissenters got so angry that they wanted to kill their brethren.  Why?  We don't have enough information to know exactly what their gripe was but it looks like two opposing paradigms are clashing.  As I think about the opposing paradigms, I make the following observations.

1. Both paradigms have large followings.  
2. The rich church members, that are proud, prefer one paradigm.
3. The balance prefers what is being preached by Helaman and the brethren.
4. Helaman is preaching what his father preached.(see Alma 31:5)
5. Alma, Helaman's father, preached hard doctrine against the rich that are proud.
6. One of Alma's definitions of walking in the pride of one's heart was the wearing of fine twine apparel, thus making a mock of their brethren.(see Alma 5:53,55)
7. Alma preached that the true temporal tenet of Christ's gospel was living in equality, voluntarily giving of one's surplus to the priests to be redistributed to those in need. He taught what his father taught. (See Mosiah 18:27-29)
8. This doctrine clashes with the 'I earned it and do what I want with it - and I am surely not going to give it away!' doctrine of the world.(see Alma 30:28)
9. A Christian in 73 B.C. not wanting to live this doctrine yet wanting to be a member of the church for all other reasons, good and bad, ended up having their 'I'm a member in good standing' paradigm put into question because of Helaman's preaching of the word in its purity.(see Alma 45:23)
10. A good way to get rid of the offending doctrine is to either kill off the other group or establish a king to take charge and change the religious laws of the country.(see Alma 46:1-2)

It appears to me that church had great influence in Nephite government.  Perhaps, at this time a majority of the people were members of the Christian church.  The reason why I note this is for some reason, dissension from the church moved immediately into the political arena, dividing the people into two camps.  The division becomes a revolt.(Alma 46:1).

Those that will not change their ways and hearken to the words of Helaman gather against  them.  They were so angry with their believing brethren that they want to kill them.(Alma 46:2).  Now the leader of this division was Almalickiah.  They wanted him to be their king.  He and his party had political control over much of the government.  His words were so convincing that many members dissented from the church.

And we know the rest of the story.  Almalickiah defects to the Lamanites and eventually through intrigue and fraud becomes their king and starts another war with the Nephites.

Whether or not Almalickiah was a Christian himself (which seems to be inferred) he didn't like what Helaman was preaching and preached against it.  Amalickiah's teachings were probably Nehor doctrine similar to what Korihor taught.  I can imagine what he may have taught: everyone ought to have their agency to decide how to use their riches.  You created your wealth through your own industry and you should enjoy the fruits of your labors.  Don't fear the priests or some unknown God.  In fact, redistribution to the poor is kind of foolish.  They brought  their financial woes upon themselves.  And the agency argument goes on and on.  It reminds me of a scripture in 2 Nephi.  2 Nephi 9:30, 42-43.  The things of the wise and prudent are always hid from the rich that are proud.

The Cause of Amalickiah's Dissension - Part 1

What was the cause of Amalikiah's dissension?

Amalickiah was a leader of group of dissenters that sought for governing power over the Nephites (Alma 46:4).  But, what led up to this rift that produced a new war between the Nephites and the Lamanites?


The Nephites had successfully repulsed the Lamanites in 73 B.C.  They fasted and prayed, rejoicing of their deliverance from the hands of the Lamanites.  Alma confers the preaching of the word to his son, Helaman and departs ((Alma 45:19).  Helaman realizes that regulations (corrections) needed to be made in the church and goes forth to establish the church again throughout all the land (v.21).

After appointing priests and teachers over the churches, dissensions begin to occur.  Some members wouldn't give heed to their words (v.23).  What were the words that these members rejected?  It has to do with growing proud, having exceedingly great riches and growing rich in their own eyes (v.24).  This pride (growing rich in their own eyes) caused these members not to give heed to their words.  What were the rich all upset about?  


The church in Alma's time had adopted a tradition (a doctrinal tenant) that had been passed down from the beginning of the Nephite civilization.  Jacob taught it ( Jacob 2:17-19). King Benjamin taught it (Mosiah 4:26); Alma the Elder taught it (Mosiah 18:27-29) and Alma required obedience to it (Alma 4:12,13,15, Alma 5.53-55,59-60) or have their names blotted out (Alma 6:3).  The tradition goes something like this: We as Christians, having good desires towards God and towards our fellowman, choose to walk humbly before God, manifesting our faith in Christ by giving our surplus riches to the poor in order to help them and maintain a temporal equality among the members of the church.


The rich that grew proud in their own eyes did not like this doctrine.


We will see in Part 2 of this discussion that Amaliciah was part of this group of dissenters and became their leader.

Modern Day 'Scientific' Views Toward Religion Nothing New - Part 1

Introduction

As in America, during the reign of judges in the Book of Mormon, everyone was on equal grounds with respect to the law.  A man could believe what he wanted.  Korihor, an unbeliever, began to preach  to the people.  He reminds me of conversations I have had with those that no longer believe.   Based on science, evidence and empiricism they preach almost exactly the same thing regarding those who have faith.  After the unbelieving empiricist establishes the apparent foolishness of faith, they then begin to teach an amoral, carnal way of life (since a higher faith is out of the picture).  A basic tenant of their doctrine is that it is obvious that there is no God since God has not revealed Himself unto THEM.  Their logic is, since God hasn't revealed Himself to them, he hasn't revealed Himself unto anybody, past, present or future.

Here's a summary of Korihor's faith-based attack:

1. You are bound down by a foolish and vain hope.
2. No man can know that Christ really came (or that he will come again).
3. Prophecies are foolish traditions handed down from older people.
4. No one can know with surety anything about the future.
5. This is because you cannot know the things you cannot see.
6. Therefore, no one can know that there be a Christ.
7. Looking forward for a remission of your sins is the effect of a frenzied mind.
8. A believer has a deranged mind because he believes in the 'traditions of the fathers'.
9. This faith leads the believer into a belief of things which are not so.
10.  Thus, there is not atonement made for the sins of men.

I have been told that everyone who has received internal and external manifestations from the unseen world is having a hallucination.  Korihor used frenzied and deranged to describe the same thing.  The unbeliever says that since the scientific process 'can't' measure these phenomenas they really don't exist except as figments of our imagination.  They call this freedom.  They can now do anything they want.  They surmise that following their natural impulses is right.  No more higher faith-based laws to live by!

This isn't freedom!  It is captivity of the worst kind.  The Book of Mormon describes this condition as the chains of hell.  The chains of hell connote a state in which a person knows nothing of the things of God and considers all things related to faith, hope and righteousness as foolishness.  A person who knew the truth always falls into this condition by degrees.  They give into their natural proclivities (vices, sin, cynicism), the Spirit which they previously felt dims until one day this light is completely extinguished.  People around them can see the decline but the individual, for some reason, can't.

The Answer

Plant the seed of believing back into your heart.  It will begin to grow.  When you feel these swelling motions inside, know that the seed is good.  If you can only hope to believe, that is the place to start. Start doing (changing) something that you know you need to do (change).  You will get the witness from God once again in you life.  Let this grow and soon all the light and truth will return.

The Amazing Nephite Monetary System

After looking at blogs that show the merits of the Nephite money systems, I went and did my own analysis. What I found was even more amazing than what I remember reading. In a way, it reinforced my testimony of the divine origin of the Book of Mormon. For a man to come up with a unique (and possibly the best ever devised) monetary system that has very minor overall significance to the book would be ludicrous. Why take the time to think the system through? Unless, it was a known fact by the author that could be easily put forth to enhance the overall understanding of Amulek's legal hearing.

On the blogs I have read, I am told that the Nephite system of 1, 2, 4, and 7 and the Egyption system of 1,2, 4 and 8 are the best for making a purchase since they require the least amount of coins (units of measure) to make any number. For example, to make 14 you would need two 7's in Nephite money, and 8, 4 and 2 in Egyptian money and dime and four pennies in American money. So, it take 2 units of money for Nephites to make the purchase, three units for Egyptians and five units for Americans.

I have run the numbers here for myself. Price is the first column. It represents the amount of money asked for. 'N' is for Nephite, 'E' is for Egyption and 'A' is for American. These columns show how many 'coins' of each monetary system it takes to pay the price in the first column.

Price N E A (NSC)
1 1 1 1
2 1 1 2
3 2 2 3
4 1 1 4
5 2 2 1
6 2 2 2
7 1 3 3
8 2 1 3
9 2 2 4
10 3 2 1
11 2 3 2
12 3 2 3
13 3 3 4

Tot 25 25 32

14 2 3 4
15 3 4 2
16 3 2 3
17 4 3 4
18 3 2 5
19 4 3 6
20 4 3 2
21 3 4 3
22 4 4 4
23 3 5 5
24 5 3 6
25 4 4 1

Tot 42 41 47
GTot 67 66 79

Up to 13, the Nephites and Egyptians are neck and neck. The Americans lag behind. Up to 25, if I did my numbers right, the Nephites lag behind the Egyptians by one coin. But, there is more to the story! We aren't using the Nephite small coins here.

So, here's what I found. The units used above are more like dollar bills, two dollar bills, four dollar bills and seven dollar bills. In the text, the author, after showing the denominations, the author starts into the small coinage. Everything is based on a senum of silver which equates to a measure of barley. Let's call a senum a 1 unit. This would make the smaller units as follows:

1.0 = 1 senum
.50 = 1 shibon
.25 = 1 shiblum
.125 = 1 leah
1.5 = 1 antion

So, let's say these were coins (no coins are mentioned in this chapter).

a leah would be take the 1 coin position
a shiblum would take the 2 coin value position (it is twice the value of a leah)
a shiblon would tkae the 4 coin value position (it is four times the value of a leah)
the senum would take the 8 coin value position (it is eight times the value of a leah)
and the antion would take the 12 coin position (it is three times the value of a shiblon)
a seon (of the large coin system) would take the 16 position (it is twice a senum)
a shum would take the the 32 positon (four times a senum)

Because the Nephites added an antion which is three shiblons, they have created a twelve coin denomonation for making small change. With this new coin, it takes only one coin to pay for something that cost 12 and two coins to get to 13. The Nephite psuedo Egyptian small coin system beats the Egyption regular system by 2 coins!

I have added the Nephite Small Coin (NSC) system to the chart below.

Price N E A (NSC)
1 1 1 1 1
2 1 1 2 2
3 2 2 3 2
4 1 1 4 1
5 2 2 1 2
6 2 2 2 2
7 1 3 3 2
8 2 1 3 1
9 2 2 4 2
10 3 2 1 2
11 2 3 2 3
12 3 2 3 1
13 3 3 4 2

Tot 25 25 32 23

14 2 3 4 2
15 3 4 2 3
16 3 2 3 1
17 4 3 4 2
18 3 2 5 2
19 4 4 6 3
20 4 3 2 2
21 3 4 3 3
22 4 4 4 3
23 3 5 5 4
24 5 3 6 2
25 4 4 1 3

Tot 42 41 47 30
GTot 67 66 79 55

The Nephite Small Coin system far surpasses all past systems by 11 coins! The Nephite system is far better at making change then our American system (by 24 coins).

So, there's my (partial) analysis of the Nephite small denomonation monetary system.

By the way, when Zeesrom offers Amulek six onties, he was offering him 42 measures of barley, perhaps (depending of the size of a measure of barley) a month's labor or for a common man (if a measure of barley can feed a man for a day). If it feeds him for one meal, than Amulek was offered enough food for eight days.

Alma 48:12 - Being Grateful to Serve with Your Gifts

In speaking of Captain Moroni, the narrator says an interesting thing:

12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.

As Moroni gave his service as the commander of the armies of the Nephites, he viewed his abilities as privileges and blessing that he could bestow upon his people. He willingly used his gifts and talents to help others. He was grateful for the opportunity to serve and make a difference.

Do our hearts swell with thanksgiving when we are priveliged and blessed by the Lord?

Is Captain Moroni charging for his services? If you have a gift from God, do you bless the lifes of others with it? Do you believe that it should be given freely for the benefit of all? Does this apply to temporal gifts as well as spiritual gifts? Whatever we are gifted in, we use that gift for the benefit and welfare of others. I think some of us draw the line between spiritual gifts and temporal gives. Spiritual gifts are used to benefit others but temporal gifts (the ability to make money or grow wealth) are used for our own benefit. This seems to be a faulty paradigm. Either we serve God or we serve mammon. You see, it's a paradigm shift. Instead of believing everything that I do temporally is mine and I can do with it as I please, we believe that all gifts both spiritual and temporal are gifts from God and it is a great privelege and blessing to bestow upon others so they can be rich like us. Now, that I believe is following Christ and a major tenant of the gospel.

How To Find Rest To Your Souls?

How does one find rest to their souls? Alma teaches his son that the way to rest is "... repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ". He then says that we should be "... humble ... [and] ...be meek and lowly in heart [and] to withstand every temptation of the devil, with [our] faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. "(Alma 37:33) What I see here is the need walk the low road, to have a certain attitude.

Alma than tells us to ..."never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls." (v.34) So, rest is found by those who do good works and are very humble. He then adds that we start doing these things at an early age.

How do I walk with meekness and lowliness of heart? This requires coming unto Christ on a daily basis. In verse 36 Alma says, "Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. " In order to walk with God, we must always remember Him in all that we do. Alma continues the same counsel in verse 37, "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God". And, "if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. "

This is the gospel way of life in a nut shell. Alma explains it very clearly. There isn't any compartmentalization of parts of our life. In our business we act one way and in our home we act another way and at church we act another way. We act the same at all times and places. Nephi declared, "May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!" (2 Nephi 4:32)

Rest to our souls comes by walking the humble path of life, every increasing our reliance on the Lord. This approach to life is foolishness in the eyes of the world.  The natural man in each us cries out NO WAY as we consider and contemplate these deep changes in our disicipleship.

Singing the Song of Redeeming Love

I was reading in Alma 26 the other day. Ammon is talking about what it mean to be converted. He compares and contrasts the humble follower of Christ with the natural man using the converted Lamanites as examples. He starts out by saying that his Lamanite brethren "were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God!" (v.6)

Ammon goes on to say that the Lord has loosed these brethren "from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love..." (v.13) What will it take for me to sing redeeming love? I believe in the gospel. I have been a member for a long time. But, I don't think I have come unto Christ to same degree as the converted lamanites.

What does it mean to be "loosed our brethren from the chains of hell"?(v.14) "Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love..." (v.15)

I want to be in that amazing state of love and peace! I want to view life the way Ammon is describing it. Sure, you have your troubles, trials and afflictions. But with this foundation, the problems of life take on a different feel. You know that Christ is with you and you can rely on Him. You don't view adversity with any degree of trepidation. In Alma 27:28 we read that the people of Ammon "never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it."

Ammon then relates his own experience of God and His mercy. He says in verse 17, "Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?...why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair?... Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls." Why did God snatch Ammon and his brethren? Maybe, the bottom line is that God is full of grace and mercy. Maybe He knew their souls and knew that they their immediate repentance and faith had the substance of permanency. For some of us the grace comes more slowly and in God own due time. Getting a perfect knowledge too early would only condemn us. Why? Because we would probably go back to our old ways. Some how our anchoring has to be sufficient for the snatching to occur.

There are only two ways to live our lives on this earth: the natural man way or the humble follower of Christ way. There is a struggle that everyman must have to cast off the natural man and come unto Christ. The process seems to be slow for me. I keep on dipping my toe in the water and pulling it out over and over again. I also get stuck at various half way houses along the way. I seem to think that a particular stage of arrivedness is all that their is. The level is comfortable. But, the natural man is still lurking underneath my outward facade. I am surprised when I my natural self makes a surprise appearance when I least expect it.

Anyways, Ammon is talking about a complete transformation away from the natural man when faith and repentance meet mercy, grace, cleansing and healing. Something might changes within us. In verses 21 and 22 we read, "And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent. Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God..." I believe the first great mystery if our own conversion. We are no longer walking in darkness. We have sung and are singing the song of redeeming love. When this happens in our hearts then great things begin to happen in our lives: "... yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. " We have become men and women of God. We life completely different than our old natural selfs. We are amazed at the new vistas that we see. We want everyone to come and partake of the same fruit. We are part of the ransomed host.

Planting a Delicious Seed

I was reading in Alma 32 and wanted to share with you some of my thoughts. Look at verse 27:

But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

This is the beginning of testimony, just a desire to believe. It sometimes seems foolish to believe something that I cannot see. But, when anyone does it with real intent and a sincere heart something wonderful happens! Look at verse 28:

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

This is how I felt about the church and the gospel when I was a teenager. The doctrine tasted delicious!

29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.

To simply believe will bring a good feeling. To exercise faith will bring it even more. Then comes repentance (turning away) from anything that make that good feeling withdraw. Skepticism will sometimes enters into our hearts. We can become cynical. Here's what Alma says:

38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.

We need to continue working on your testimony using the pattern above. I still make alot of mistakes and say stupid things - but, I know many things to be true regarding the church and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also believe many things to be true. I let go or put aside the rest.

Let Your Hearts be Full

Alma 34:27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

In Chapter 32 and 33 Alma tells the Zoromite poor that they don't need a physical church to worship God. It doesn't matter that they were kicked out. In fact, this is perfect since they need to learn to be humble. An offence has occurred. They helped build the place of worship but now they can't enter. They are in a perfect place for God to bless their life! In fact, the worst think you could do is, "...revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them." The blessings from God come through "...patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions". (v.40)

We can worship our God continually, everyday by letting our hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually. This is what we would call having a prayer in your heart. It might be what the words in our sacrament prayer mean, "that we always remember him". We do this at all times - during the good and bad times. We shouldn't start remembering the Lord only when we are forced to be humble - because it feels hypocritical to feel after the Lord only in rough times.

So one of the messages that I get from these verses is that the tough times are good. If we have been exercising faith, then these times are when the miracles occur, when we can expect God to bless our lives. Can I stay humble, trusting in God when an injustice has occurred? Will I complain and murmur and believe that God has forsaken me? Can I continue to believe and be believing. This is the message of the gospel. We can have peace in our hearts in the hard times. Don't despair. Stay planted in the gospel sod!

Understanding the Mercies of the Lord

The prophet Zenock said, "thou are angry, O Lord, with the people because the will not understand thy mercies, which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son."

So, its all a lack of understanding! Mercy is extended but don't get it. Throughout the scriptures the Lord says that he is merciful to those that believe. Do we really believe that He is there and will take of us as we have faith in him? Sometimes our faith has to be tried. The mercy doesn't come until have the trial of our faith.

There is a God. He is merciful. We don't have to go it alone in this life. We must cast off our unbelief and begin to believe in an unseen God. The blessings and miracles won't come unless we do this. In fact, we will not know that His arm was extended because we didn't take it.

The first principle of the gospel is to have faith (believe in His words and give them place in your heart). We will then begin to understand how merciful the Lord really is.

Alma's Church - No Inequality (Alma 16:16)

After the Ammonihah mess, the word of God is preached throughout all the land. The church became general throughout all the land (v.15). Remember, the word 'church' in Alma's day had a strong economic aspect to it which I have discussed in previous blogs. In verse 16 of Alma 16, it says:

'And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming—'

Some people might define 'no inequality' as some superficial or symbolic equality where we all pretend to have a similar social economic status but it really isn't so. I believe we wrest the scriptures when we think this way. When people became members of church of God in Alma's time, one of the tenants of their belief in Christ, was to help the needy and the poor. This meant to them that those that were prospering took what they needed and willingly gave their surplus to be redistributed to the poor and the needy. It demonstrated their faith in Christ. How? Well, it sure isn't a natural man thing to do! From a natural man perspective it just isn't fair! Christ isn't about fair (the law of Moses is a good example of fairness). The natural man just doesn't believe that a higher power will take care of him (and the society in which he lives) if he will cast off his unbelief and give the law of the gospel a try.

There's a verse in the Doctrine and Covenants that speaks very clearly what will happen when a society decides to follow Christ more fully with regard to temporal matters.
It is found in D&C 78: 5-6. It says,'That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;'

And in in D&C 70:14 we read, 'Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld.'

There are great blessings from heaven when a group of people are equal in temporal things. When we are not, the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit are withheld.

One last verse in D&C 49: 20: 'But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.'

Is it really sin when we possess that which is above another? Our society definitely doesn't see it that way. Do you?

In conclusion, the equality exhibited in church established by Alma brought down the blessings of heaven and many were able to enter in His rest (v.17). This was the state in which the righteous portion of the Nephites were in when Lamanite wars began in earnest. They were prospered temporally, prospered spiritually and prospered with protection and strength beyond their own.

Alma 1:30 Don't set your heart on riches

The key to the whole problem is not to set your heart on riches. It's like we either are thinking about riches or thinking about how we can help others. The love of money is the root of all evil. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. The natural man and spiritual man can't exist in the same space. I find myself jumping from plane to the other. I sometimes slide of the spirtual plane and find myself on the natural plane. This verse in Alma 1 shows what happens when a group of people actually get it. God blesses righteous union and equality.

30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
31 And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.

When everyone works together, caring for each other, not setting their hearts on riches, wonderful things occur. I believe that God smiles down on such a group and blesses them with even more properity. I yearn for that day.

Alma's Church - waxing proud brings scorn

After a battle with Amlicites which brings on a war with Lamanites, many Nephites are killed and the crops are destoyed. The people humble themselves and many join the Church of God. After about a year things become extremely prosperous, ... and the people of the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches... which they had obtained by their industry (Alma 4:6). Having the things of the world has always been a strong elixir. What do these members do with their prosperity? They are lifted up on pride of their eyes [and] they began to wear very costly apparel (v.6). They like to show others that they can afford the nice things. They like the feeling of being above others.

But, it doesn't stop there. After being "lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, ... they began to be scornful, one towards another..." Don't judge me for liking nice things! To scorn is to deride; to make a mock of; to ridicule as contemptible. The proud members were scorning the humble members for doing something that they didn't like.

What were the humble members doing? They may have been just as industrious as the others. I believe they were holding to the teaching that to believe in Christ means to only use riches to help others. They didn't use their riches to buy nice things. They freely gave of their substance to create an equality among men. They did this because they believed it and it feels right.

Jacob gave was the first who give the mandate. King Benjamin repeats the mandate and Alma and Alma the Younger make it a requirement for continuing membership in the church. What is the mandate? Here it is. In Jacob 2:16 Jacob ties pride with the destruction of the soul, "O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!"

He then gives the mandate,(v.17)"Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you."

Jacob then clarifies that we must first seek for the kingdom of God. He talking about receiving the change of heart, the rebirth. He says (v.18) "But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God." It is definitely hard to be free with substance until you have cast off the natural man!

Jacob then reasserts the mandate. We read (v.19)"And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted." After we are self sufficient and then are blessed with riches, the sole purpose of these riches is to help others. This mandate is passed done from one generation to another until Alma uses it as one of the tenants in establishing the church of God.

Let's get back to Alma 4. The last part of verse 8 say, "and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure." Anybody who speaks against this new doctine of acquiring wealth for personal enjoyment without regard to those around them was persecuted. The proud look good; they are look confident; they don't understand the things of the Spirit. They like how they look; they like how they feel. My industry got me where I am now. Its mine. I earned fair and square. Thus, I can wear nicer things than YOU. You are judging me for wanting nice things!

But they still want to come to church. They still want to be part of the community of believers. Isn't it interesting that the wearing of costly apparel in Book of Mormon times indicated to spiritual leaders of the church that the member was walking in the pride of his or her heart! We say in our day that one can't use the same measuring stick because you can't tell what is in the heart. I agree to a point since we, as a church, might not be sufficiently instructed regarding what the living the gospel really requires of those who choose to follow their savior. But, I sometimes wonder if unknowingly walk in the pride of our hearts. We have been so steeped in a competitive dog eat dog (American) paradigm that we can't comprehend anything else. On the surface it (dog eat dog) seems like a fair way to do things. But Christ isn't about fair, He's about love. And love demands treating each other as if we are each other's brother and sister. That we share freely. That we desire our brother to be like unto us. Christ wants equality. When we become part of the ransomed hosts these disires of brotherhood, love and temporal equality feel natural and desirable to us. The natural man thinks all this is foolishness.

Alma then gives a discourse in Zerahemla that helps everyone who reads it measure their own pride and discipleship. I will tackle this on another day!

Send me you comments! -Scott

40 Years in the Wilderness

I have had a feeling or impression for many years that the outward rules and commandments of the Church are in a way like the Law of Moses in the Book of Mormon. This isn't an exact comparison since Christ has already come but I think it fits. Like the Law of Moses, we keep the 'check list' as it were until the time comes that we are told by the prophets to modify our position. We can move ahead a follow Christ more fully but we also continue to do those things that are intended to point us to Christ. Sometimes these things are a little strange but many aspects of the Law of Moses were strange.

I have noted down the following verses. Sometimes I will substitute phrases like, "outward commandments' or 'outward rules' in place of the Law of Moses in these verses. I believe, as these verses say, that everything the Church does points us toward Christ.

It sometimes feels, to me, like we the Church stepped back a pace a hundred years ago and began to teach 'school master' teachings to help our ancestors prepare to come unto Christ. Maybe we have been wandering, figuratively speaking, 40 years in the wilderness. I have noted that talking of Christ has increase dramatically over my life time.

Here are the verses:

> Alma 25:16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses;
> but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus
> they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon
> the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come.
>
> Alma 25:15 Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient
> that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled.
> But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of
> Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and
> believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that
> he should be revealed unto them.
>
> 2 N 25:24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of
> Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall
> be fulfilled
>
> Jacob 4:5 And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our
> souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness,
> even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto
> the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of
> God and his Only Begotten Son.
>
> Jarom 1:11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did
> labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence;
> teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading
> them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though
> he already was.
>
> 3 Nephi 15:2 And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he
> perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he
> would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that
> old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.

It seems very reasonable to me that Christ would have His Church move forward at pace commensurate to the spirtual level of main body of saints. Introducing higher laws too soon would not be in the best interest of the Church's progress in the last days. The Lord clearly explains in Jacob 5:

[65] And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.

[66] For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard....[73] And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof.

As we become more righteous, the time will come when greater things will become the standard. As always, these laws will probably be introduced slowly at first.

Alma's Church - Korihor's Inferences

In Alma 30 Korihor, the anti-christ, in his argument with Alma the Younger, says some things about the church of the day that I thing is very revealing. Korihor says the following in verse 27-28: 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. Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own lest they should offend their priests, who do yoke them according to their desires, and have brought them to believe, by their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do according to their words, offend some unknown being, who they say is God—a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be.

In verse 32 - 35, Alma responds only to Korihors accusation of glutting themselves on the labors of the people but surprisingly remains silent regarding the people not enjoying their rights and privileges and not making use of that which is their own. Here's what Alma says:

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? 35 Then why sayest thou that we preach unto this people to get gain, when thou, of thyself, knowest that we receive no gain? And now, believest thou that we deceive this people, that causes such joy in their hearts?

Alma could have said, the people can do whatever they want with that which is their own. But, at least in this record, he didn't. When these verses are juxtapositioned against earlier verses in the chapter where Mormon explains Korihor's doctrine, one can see why Korihor has such contempt for the church. In verse 17, Korihor preached:

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.

Korihor taught that everyone fared in this life according to their own abilities. The greater a person capacity for creating wealth, etc., the more was his increase. It was his to do as he wished. Looking at this doctrine, Korihor's accusation of the people not enjoying their rights and privelges to use that which is their own and Alma's silence on the matter, I conclude that what Korihor was asserting about the people (of the church) was very close to the truth. The church wasn't just a congregation of believers meeting together oft but an organization that was involved in creating temporal equality through the redistribution of the wealth of its members. Whether the people feared offending their priest or God or voluntarily contributed is where Korihor probably got it wrong. Like any organization, there will always be some who are not as strong as others. But, it definite was a Christian tenant of the time that everything is held in common in the church.

I like to look at opposites. Mormon decried the Korihor doctrine of every man faring according to the management of the creature, thus prospering according to his genius. The opposite of this would be that everyone fares collectively based on individual management and genius. We all prosper equally together! I would even go as far and say the ability create wealth or manage a business or see profit making potential is just another gift of God. These gifts are used like all other gifts in the service of others. We, today, are believing false paradigms taught us by our fathers. We can't even imagine a better way. They true of living together seen down right foolish! I made my money so it is mine!

What's amazing is the miraculous blessing bestowed from heaven when everyone chooses to live equally temporally. The people are prospered beyond their wildest imaginations by the Lord. I bet many social ills would be remedied. The stress level exhibited by most people would just disappear. It would be an amazing world to live in.

Alma's Church

We Latter Day Saints tend to picture the church that Alma The Younger's organized as similar to the church we belong to today. The Book of Mormon tells of a church that was quite different than the one we are accustomed to. In Alma's day the be a christian you had to believe that a Christian choses to have all things in common with his fellow saints; to wear fine twined apparel amounted to pride; that it offends God to use your substance if the way you seem fit; that withholding your substance from anyone is need was a sign that you haven't any interest in the Kingdom of God; that prospering according to your own genious (free market system) was anti-christian; that prospering collectively is God's plan; that class stratafication is a sign of the church failing in its progress; that following the all in common approach yield tremendous blessings from God on the collective whole; and that the strength of the Lord is with a nation collective and people individually causing all enemies to be frustrated in their attempts to fight, bring into bondage, etc.