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!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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.
'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.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Perspective Makes All The Difference!
1 Nephi 17:6,1-2
Nephi's perspective of difficult times compared to Laman and Lemuel's perspective of difficult times has a lesson that we all can learn from. According to Nephi, they...waded through much affliction in the wilderness.... " Nephi doesn't say that there wasn't any afflictions. Afflictions are a part of life. He also indicates that their "...women did bear children... and so great were the blessings of the Lord upon [them], that while [they] did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, [their] women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings." After their bodies were conditioned, the women had not need to murmur because they were as strong as the men! Nephi indicates that the women had no problem nursing their children. He views all this as blessings from God. He see things in a positive perspective.
In contrast, Laman and Lemuel, later in the chapter continue to show their belief that Lehi and Nephi were "... led away by the foolish imaginations of [their] heart..." They ..."have wandered in the wilderness for these many years..." Note the lack of direction by using the word 'wondering'. They don't believe they are going really anywhere. They don't believe God is directing them. They then say..." and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions." Laman and Lemuel see the exact aame wilderness event as a horrible experience. It would have been better that their women had died before starting then to have suffered so much.
We too view our trials, troubles and afflictions as growing experiences when we look back with a spiritual perspective or as negative experiences only to have been endured with not redeeming qualities when our unbelief kicks in. It truly is all a matter of perspective. We either believe that it is an illusion that God has a plan for us or that the despair of the world is the illusion.
Nephi's perspective of difficult times compared to Laman and Lemuel's perspective of difficult times has a lesson that we all can learn from. According to Nephi, they...waded through much affliction in the wilderness.... " Nephi doesn't say that there wasn't any afflictions. Afflictions are a part of life. He also indicates that their "...women did bear children... and so great were the blessings of the Lord upon [them], that while [they] did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, [their] women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings." After their bodies were conditioned, the women had not need to murmur because they were as strong as the men! Nephi indicates that the women had no problem nursing their children. He views all this as blessings from God. He see things in a positive perspective.
In contrast, Laman and Lemuel, later in the chapter continue to show their belief that Lehi and Nephi were "... led away by the foolish imaginations of [their] heart..." They ..."have wandered in the wilderness for these many years..." Note the lack of direction by using the word 'wondering'. They don't believe they are going really anywhere. They don't believe God is directing them. They then say..." and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death; and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions." Laman and Lemuel see the exact aame wilderness event as a horrible experience. It would have been better that their women had died before starting then to have suffered so much.
We too view our trials, troubles and afflictions as growing experiences when we look back with a spiritual perspective or as negative experiences only to have been endured with not redeeming qualities when our unbelief kicks in. It truly is all a matter of perspective. We either believe that it is an illusion that God has a plan for us or that the despair of the world is the illusion.
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.
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.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)