I am tackling the Book of Mormon in 60 days. My plan is to have the Book of Mormon studied by the end of 2011. During my challenge, I will post a daily blog of my reading, in this blog I will share with you... my thoughts, feelings, opinions and knowledge about the Book of Mormon. Do you have questions? Comments? Please... lets start a discussion. I would be more than happy to answer your questions, comments or concerns!
Request a FREE copy of the Book of Mormon: http://mormon.org/free-book-of
How the Book of Mormon came about: http://youtu.be/FMQEb9A9L2g
Scripture Thought (What I Learned):
Chapter 31: Alma heads up to visit the apostate Zoramites. The Zoramites believe that there is no Christ, they believe in false things, have set prayers. The missionaries are filled with the spirit so that they might go among them and teach.
We learn a very important principle about prayer and the Sabbath day. The Zoramites, were a people that went to church on Sunday, praised him for a few hours and then went back to their sinful life, all the while returning every Sunday to praise his name. But during the week in-between each Sabbath they did all manner of wickedness. Once they were in the church to praise God, they used vain repetitions, saying the same prayer over and over again.
Two things that we must learn from this...
1. WE are "mormons" 100% of the time, not just on Sunday. Not just around certain people, all the time. We must not compromise our values, they need to stay consistent regardless of who you are around or what time of the day it is.
2. We must be careful to not say the same prayer over and over again. Our prayers need to be meaningful.
Chapter 32: Alma teaches about Faith, faith he says; is a "hope in that which is not seen which is true". Alma testifies to the poor in the area, that because they were poor they were humbled, and because they were humbled they were better off than those who had not been humbled who were wealthy. Angels minister to men, women and children. By faith as a seed, grows into a tree... so will your knowledge of the gospel.
"Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth on the word of God, and is baptized without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe. Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe. Now I ask is this faith? Behold, I say unto you , Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath not cause to believe for he knoweth it. And now how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?" (Alma 32: 16-19)
I like the above verses, because it really shows that we do not need to have a knowledge of the gospel, we just need to believe on these things. That is it, for if we had a perfect knowledge of the gospel and the knowledge of God, and then we committed sin... we would be in big trouble!
Chapter 33: Alma quotes Zenos (a prophet of old), when he talked about prayer. Zenos taught that men should pray at all times and in all places; churches, homes, schools, work, etc... but also you can pray out loud or quietly in your head, God will always listen. The judgments and wrath of God are held back because of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Chapter 34: After Alma finishes his address... he sits down and Amulek stands up to continue the address to these people. He teaches that without the sacrifice (atonement) of Jesus Christ, all men would perish. He teaches that this eternal plan of redemption is based on faith and repentance. He teaches that prayer should be used in every aspect of our life, we can pray for:
1. Our fields and flocks (today: homes, valuables and family members)
2. Against the power of our enemies
3. Against the power of the devil.
4. Our fields and crops that they many yield more increase (today this can be applied to financial matters. Many ask if it is ok to pray for money? Yes. As long as we have good intent, we can ask God for help finding a higher paying job, or pray about what investment decisions we should make, etc.
(Alma 34: 17-27) - We can pray to God for anything, anywhere, anytime. He is our Heavenly Father and can/will guide us in everything!
Amulek ends his adddress, by telling everyone to not procrastinate their repentance to the last day; "For behold, this life is the time to for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life if the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given for us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have no power to possess your body in the eternal world." (Alma 34: 32-34)
We have this life to prepare us for eternity, we must not waste our time and procrastinate. Because when the judgment time comes it'll be too late.
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