Ether 12:27

And if men come unto me
I will show unto them their weakness.
I give unto men weakness that they may be humble;
and my grace is sufficient for all men
that humble themselves before me;
for if they humble themselves before me,
and have faith in me,
then will I make weak things
become strong unto them.

Random Shots

Happy Birthday, Meleah!!!

Happy Birthday, William!!!

Week 23 - Looking Back

We covered a lot of ground this week in seminary – planted some broccoli seeds and HOPEFULLY, planted some seeds with faith in our hearts. Alma rounded up an impressive group to try to reclaim the apostate Zoramites. It is interesting to note that Alma sought to solve a political problem with a spiritual cure. The Nephites were worried that the Zoramites might stir up the Lamanites to war against the Nephites. He felt that the best way to prevent that was to preach the gospel to the Zoramites so that they might experience a change of heart. Alma chose to work on the cause of the problem, not the symptoms (see Alma 31:5).

In a talk entitled “The Power of the Word,” Pres. Ezra T. Benson counseled priesthood leaders about working on the roots of problems in the Church: “Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow” (Ensign, May 1986, 81).

“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. . . . That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” (Pres. Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1986).

Even though Alma and his brethren experienced much success among the Zoramites –those who had been humbled, at least – an alliance between the Zoramites and the Lamanites was formed and war loomed on the horizon. After those who had repented were moved to a safe place and Alma and the others returned to Zarahemla, the record states that Alma was grieved when so many refused to repent and the rumors of war grew louder. Therefore, he caused that his sons should be gathered together that he might give unto them every one his charge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness (see 35:15-16).

He began by counseling individually his two faithful sons, Helaman and Shiblon. The counsel that we have in the scriptures begins with Alma sharing his conversion story with his son, Helaman. It is of great interest that he chose to use a Hebrew literary form called chiasmus, or inverted parallelism, to do that. It is a literary device wherein words or ideas are arranged in a certain order so that those words and ideas may be emphasized. The main idea is then most often located at the center of the chiasmus. The presence of this Semitic form is an external witness that the book is what the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that it is: a translation of an ancient text written in a Middle Eastern language. And what is the central message of Alma’s conversion story using this inverted parallelism? It is this: And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart; O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death” (36:17-18). Not only was that Alma’s primary focus as he taught his son, it is the primary focus of all scripture. Before Jesus Christ was born and atoned for our sins, all the prophets testified of that future event. After his mission was complete, all the prophets have repeatedly reminded their people to always remember what He has done for us. Indeed, the central doctrine of the restored gospel is that Christ came, paid the price for our sins, and will extend mercy to each of us as we repent and strive to live faithful and obedient lives. We need Him. We must never forget that we do.

Alma, knowing that he would soon pass from this life, then commanded Helaman to safeguard the plates and other things, and also to continue the spiritual record of his people. Repeatedly in the chapters we studied this week, Alma and Amulek taught the importance of the scriptures in our lives.

We ended the week with the words of Alma to his other faithful son, Shiblon. He commended him for his goodness and faithfulness. And then he warned him to not let things creep into his life that could destroy him. Isn’t that always how it is? No matter how good we’re trying to be, we must never let our guard down. One of the things he commanded him to do was to “bridle all your passions” (38:12). The following helps us understand what wise counsel that is:

A bridle is the headgear used on a horse. It includes reins and a bit, which give the rider control. Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the Seventy and his wife Marie explained that a bridle was meant to direct, not destroy desires and passions. “Is self-denial wise because something is wrong with our passions, or because something is right with our passions? Alma taught his son: ‘See that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love.’ (Alma 38:12; emphasis added). He did not say eliminate or even suppress your passions, but bridle them – harness, channel, and focus them. Why? Because discipline makes possible a richer, deeper love” (The Belonging Heart [1994], 302).

Week 22 - Looking Back

Looking back over last week -- a week in which we didn't meet a single time as a seminary class -- there have still been lessons taught -- very vivid and personal ones that should make us so grateful for our understanding of the "great plan of happiness" (Alma 42:8). Four of our class members watched sorrowfully as their grandfather transitioned from this earthly existence. The rest of us feel sad that a good friend and a good example is gone from our presence. A man who served faithfully and cheerfully to help build the kingdom in this area ever since he and his wife opened their door to the missionaries and their hearts to eternal truths. Arthur J. Hale passed through the veil on February 16, 2010. As difficult as it has been to let him go, it's a wonderful thing to think about his indomitable spirit that is now unencumbered by a body that became too weak to go on any longer.

And then, in the middle of all that, new life -- a brand new baby girl by the name of Kelsi Lyn Caten, sister to another member of our seminary class. Life really does go on. And with our spiritual eyes, we see that it never really had a beginning and it certainly has no end.

How thankful I am for my understanding, limited as it is, of "the plan of our God" (2 Nephi 9:13). The most important questions anyone ever asks are these: Where did I come from? Why am I here? What am I to do to get to where I want to go? I think almost everyone asks those questions at some point in her/her life. I know I did. I have been so blessed to have found the answers - maybe in their simplest form, but answers nevertheless. The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ helps us to understand birth and death and the importance of all that happens in between.

Remember these words from a song at the beginning of the seminary year:

The Plan

One can't help look at an infant's face
Just minutes old and wonder
From where did you come
Was your birth but grace
Or are you part of something larger

What do you know
What could you tell
Something grand and eternal
Birth and death mark mortality
What promises little one would you share with me
What could you help me see

Then at death the questions come
Is this the end
Is there a purpose
Is there more to our existence
Tell me what does it mean
Does the way we choose to live our lives really matter
Speak to me of family and love sublime
Will these things continue in a life hereafter
Are those who leave us lost
beyond the bounds of time

As children of a loving God
What He's become we may be
Our families on earth are extensions of
An all embracing tie through eternity
As God's family

For our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting
The soul that rises our life's star
Hath elsewhere had its setting
And cometh from afar
No not in entire forgetfulness
And no not in utter nakedness
But trailing clouds of glory
Do we come from God
From God who is our home

As children of a loving God
What He's become we may be
Our families on earth are extensions of
An all embracing tie through eternity
As God's family

Ether 12:6

And now, I, Moroni,
would speak somewhat concerning these things;
I would show unto the world
that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen;
wherefore, dispute not because ye see not,
for ye receive no witness
until after the trial of your faith.

Week 21 - Looking Back

“. . . what we insistently desire over time is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity . . . it is our own desires which determine the sizing and the attractiveness of various temptations. We set our thermostats as to temptation” (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, Nov. 96).

“Korihor was arguing, as men and women have falsely argued from the beginning of time, that to take counsel from the servants of God is to surrender God-given rights of independence. But the argument is false because it misrepresents reality. When we reject the counsel which comes from God, we do not choose to be independent of outside influence. We choose another influence. We reject the protection of a perfectly loving, all-powerful, all-knowing Father in Heaven, whose whole purpose, as that of His Beloved Son, is to give us eternal life, to give us all that He has, and to bring us home again in families to the arms of His love. In rejecting His counsel, we choose the influence of another power, whose purpose is to make us miserable and whose motive is hatred. We have moral agency as a gift of God. Rather than the right to choose to be free of influence, it is the inalienable right to submit ourselves to whichever of those powers we choose (Pres. Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, May 1997, 25).

3 Nephi 27:27

And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people,

according to the judgment which I shall give unto you,

which shall be just.

Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?

Verily I say unto you, even as I am.

Week 20 - Looking Back

We began our study of Mosiah's sons' work among the Lamanites in Alma 17. A preface to that chapter states: An account of the sons of Mosiah, who rejected their rights to the kingdom for the word of God, and went up to the land of Nephi to preach to the Lamanites; their sufferings and deliverance -- according to the record of Alma. Comprising chapters 17 to 26. Those chapters represent a time period of about 14 years. They are filled with a story of faith and love. Pure doctrine is contained there. The plan of redemption is taught. It's a story about people whose "hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil" (19:33). It's a story about one who said, "I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy" (21:15). It's a story of a people who "as many . . . as believed . . . and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away" (23:6). And sadly, it's a story of some whom "we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known . . ." (24:30). It's a powerful story of how "the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people" (24:27). It is a story of servants of the Lord who believed the Lord's promise: ". . . bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success" (26:27).

The story culminates with Ammon's summary in chapter 26 of what had happened over those many years since he and his brethren had themselves been converted. He said, "how great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have supposed when we started from the land of Zarahemla that God would have granted unto us such great blessings" (v.1) . . . "and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work (v.15). . . . Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel" (v. 16). Is there any more beautiful story in all of scripture that is so full of eternal truths? Is there a story anywhere that helps us to see that as we seek to be instruments in the Lord's hands that He will bless us - and those we serve - in ways we never imagined? We will find ourselves looking back over the years of our lives, and with Ammon, declaring these words: "yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name" (v. 35). . . . yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever" (v. 37).

Read Alma 26 again. Go to a quiet place and really read it. Imagine yourself in the story. Try to feel Ammon's words in your heart. And then, review the following testimony that we read together in class:

Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy shared how his reading Alma 26 as a young missionary impacted his testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon:

“I was reading again the twenty-sixth chapter of Alma and the story of Ammon’s mission. I read out loud, as I sometimes do, trying to put myself in the position of the characters in the book, imagining that I was saying or hearing the words, that I was there. Once more I went over the report, and, with a clarity which cannot be described and which would be difficult to comprehend by one who has not experienced it, the Spirit spoke to my soul, saying, Did you notice? Everything that happened to Ammon happened to you?

“It was a totally unexpected sentiment. It was startling in its scope; it was a thought that had never occurred to me before. I quickly reread the story. Yes, there were times when my heart had been depressed and I had thought about going home. I too had gone to a foreign land to teach the gospel to the Lamanites. I had gone forth among them, had suffered hardships, had slept on the floor, endured the cold, gone without eating. I too had traveled from house to house, knocking on doors for months at a time without being invited in, relying on the mercies of God.

“There had been other times when we had entered houses and talked to people. We had taught them on their streets and on their hills. We had even preached in other churches. I remembered the time I had been spit upon. I remembered the time when I, as a young district leader assigned by the mission president to open up a new town, had entered, with three other elders, the main square of a city that had never had missionaries before. We went into the park, sang a hymn, and a crowd gathered.

“Then the lot fell on me, as district leader, to preach. I stood upon a stone bench and spoke to the people. I told the story of the restoration of the gospel, of the boy Joseph going in to the grove and the appearance of the Father and the Son to him. I remembered well a group of teenage boys, in the evening shadows, throwing rocks at us. I remembered the concern about being hit or injured by those who did not want to hear the message.

“I remembered spending time in jail while my legal right to be a missionary in a certain country was decided by the police authorities. I didn’t spend enough time in prison to compare myself to Ammon, but I still remember the feeling I had when the door was closed and I was far away from home, alone, with only the mercies of the Lord to rely on for deliverance. I remembered enduring these things with the hope that ‘we might be the means of saving some soul’ (Alma 26:30).

“And then on that day as I read, the Sprit testified to me again, and the words remain with me even today: No one but a missionary could have written this story. Joseph Smith could never have known what it was like to be a missionary to the Lamanites, for no one he knew had ever done such a thing before” (Heroes from the Book of Mormon, 124-125).