Week 16 - Looking Back

When the Church and the newly-formed Nephite government were threatened by internal wickedness and contention, Alma knew that true reform could only come through a mighty change in the hearts of Church members. Many leaders might have attempted to alter the laws to change behavior. But Alma understood what modern prophets know: “The Lord works from the inside out. . . . The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature” (Ezra T. Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1985, 6).

Alma 5 is a good place to go when one wants to do a spiritual evaluation. Because of the 42 questions asked there, if we periodically review those, we can better gauge our spiritual progress. Verse 14 really gets to Alma’s central message:

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?” In verse 26, Alma asks when we should be able to answer yes to those questions : “now.”

And perhaps, the most thought-provoking question that Alma asks (which he does three times in verses 16-18) is, “Can you imagine?” What do we feel and think if we allow ourselves to seriously imagine what it will be like to stand before God and make an accounting of how we spent our time here on earth? What if we imagined that day regularly? Do you think that exercise could have a terrific bearing on the day-to-day decisions that we make? It would.

After Alma preached repentance among the people of Zarahemla (with some success), he went among the people of Gideon who were walking in faith. Because of that, he was able to teach them the “meatier” things of the gospel. Our final lesson before Christmas break was remarkably relevant as we learned what he taught them. In verse 7 it reads:

For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold there is one thing which is of more importance than they all – for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people.

Alma delivered that message to the people of Gideon eighty-three years before the Savior was born. He continued by giving them a few of the details regarding that birth, what their responsibilities were to prepare for it, and the purpose of that birth which was of more importance than they all:

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.

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.

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 (vss 11-13).

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and remember Him as the babe in the manger, let us also see Him as the Savior of the world -- the One who loved the Father so much that he allowed His will to be swallowed up in the will of the Father – the One who loved us so much that he subjected himself to unspeakable sorrow and anguish – the One, who because of His unfathomable love and complete obedience, has made it possible for each of us to have everything that really matters – not only in the “next” life, but also for the here and now. It is my testimony that Alma’s testimony was and is true. The most important thing for us that has ever happened was the birth of Jesus Christ and the subsequent atonement the he wrought for you and me. As we make our list of resolutions for the New Year, may we resolve to try to be more like Him than we ever have been before. He wants us to do that so that He can bless us in ways that He’s never been able to before. Merry Christmas to you all!