Day 17 - Alma 2-7; D&C 65-68


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Judging Others: Examining Ourselves

Scripture Text: Alma 5

Introductory Remarks:

In Alma chapter 5, Alma asks us some serious questions that we should ponder and consider on our journey through life. As we read these questions, let us picture ourselves sitting on the witness stand in a court room [The Judgment Bar of God] and having the prosecution [God our Heavenly Father] asking us the same types of questions that Alma is asking as He asks us to give an account of our lives. What would our answers be?

In this life it is so easy at times to be quick to judge others for their behaviors, but I submit that we should take some time and do a little cross examination of our own lives and after doing so, ask ourselves the question, "Have we experienced a mighty change of heart in our own personal lives?" Before we race to pronounce judgment on others, let us take some time to examine ourselves. To emphasize this point a little more, let us turn to the New testament book of Romans chapter 14.

Scripture Lesson: Romans 14:3, 10, 13

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

Whether we are realize it or not, we live in a very judgmental world. We are all judged in one way or another -- by the way we talk, the way we walk, the way we dress, the way we act or react in given situations, the people we associate with, the car we drive, the house we live in, the music we listen to, the type of job we have, our level of education, and on the list goes. Not only are we judged, but whether we are willing to admit it or not, we all tend to be a bit judgmental at times of others for one reason or another. The act of judging even reaches into the Church. Often times the level of someone's faithfulness as a member is unfairly based on the perceptions of others. Too often we are quick to criticize what we think someone else is doing wrong, but fail to see, or refuse to admit, our own short comings.

Before rushing to judge someone else, we should take a step back and place ourselves on the witness stand and do a little cross examination of our own lives. What makes us so holy, righteous and perfect? Are we doing everything that we are supposed to do to live up to the standards of the Church and in keeping the covenants that we have made?

During the cross examination of our lives we should perhaps ask ourselves questions similar to the following:

First, is the type of music that I listen to uplifting and edifying? Are the lyrics of the songs in harmony with the teachings of the Church and does the music I am listening to help to strengthen my testimony in any way? Is this the type of music that I would feel comfortable listening to if my Bishop, Branch President, other Church leaders or Church members were around? Is the music that I am listening really any better than the music that someone else listens to and I am quick to judge them for listening to that type of music?

Second, are the types of movies that I watch in harmony with the teachings of the Church? Are they edifying and uplifting? Do I use wisdom and discernment in chosing the types of movies that I watch? Or, do I turn a deaf ear and a blind eye and dismiss the fact that there may be such things as nudity and profanity in the movie, or even an excessive amount of violence? What exactly do I consider to be a good movie? Are some of my movie choices really that different from the ones that I criticize or judge others for watching?

Third, let us not forget about our internet activity. The internet is a great tool. Unfortunately, just as it can be used for good, there is a lot of darkness that lurks within its many pages. Before judging others for their internet activities let's ask ourselves about the places that we visit on the internet. Do we avoid places that we know we should not tread, or do we take the attitude that a "little peak" won't hurt anything? Do we take the attitude that no one will ever know that I visit certain sites? Do we tell ourselves that it is ok because we are not really hurting anyone when in reality we are indeed hurting our own testimonies?

Fourth, what about our conversations with others? Do we enjoy listening to profanity or off color jokes? Do we use profanity or initiate off color jokes? Do we tolerate certain conversations so that we can appear to be a part of the crowd? In our conversations do we make jokes about or say unkind things about others (even if we know what we are saying is not true) just to gain favor of our "friends"?

The bottom line is that we should examine our own lives and see whether or not we measure up to the standards that we are trying to hold others to. We need to first make sure our own houses are in order and then we will be more capable of helping others put theirs in order.

I am reminded of the words found in Mosiah 29:12 - "Now it is better that a man should be judged of God than of man, for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not always just." I am also reminded of the words found in 1 Corinthians 6:2-5 - "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?" And finally, the words found in John 8:15-16 - "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me."

Edited by KeithLBrown
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The Peace Of God

Scripture Reference: Alma 7: 23-27

23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

25 And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out.

26 And now my beloved brethren, I have spoken these words unto you according to the Spirit which testifieth in me; and my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, because of the exceeding diligence and heed which ye have given unto my word.

27 And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen.

President Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Peace,” Ensign, Mar 2004, 2–7

In a world where peace is such a universal quest, we sometimes wonder why violence walks our streets, accounts of murder and senseless killings fill the columns of our newspapers, and family quarrels and disputes mar the sanctity of the home and smother the tranquility of so many lives.

Perhaps we stray from the path which leads to peace and find it necessary to pause, to ponder, and to reflect on the teachings of the Prince of Peace and determine to incorporate them in our thoughts and actions and to live a higher law, walk a more elevated road, and be a better disciple of Christ.

World peace, though a lofty goal, is but an outgrowth of the personal peace each individual seeks to attain. I refer not to the peace promoted by man, but peace as promised of God. I speak of peace in our homes, peace in our hearts, even peace in our lives. Peace after the way of man is perishable. Peace after the manner of God will prevail.

Elder M. Russell Ballard, “The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom,” Liahona, Jul 2002, 98–101

In turbulent and sometimes frightening times, the Savior’s promise of infinite and eternal peace resonates with special power to us, just as His ability to calm the crashing waves must have profoundly affected those who were with Him on the Sea of Galilee that stormy night so long ago.

Like those who were alive at the time of His mortal ministry, there are some among us who look for physical peace and prosperity as signs of the Savior’s wondrous power. We sometimes fail to understand that the everlasting peace Jesus promises is an inner peace, born in faith, anchored by testimony, nurtured with love, and expressed through continual obedience and repentance. It is a peace of spirit that echoes through the heart and the soul. If one truly knows and experiences this inner peace, there is no fear from worldly disharmony or discord. One knows deep down inside that all is well as far as the things that really matter are concerned.

As President Hinckley instructed the brethren last night, there is no peace in sin. There may be ease, popularity, fame, and even prosperity, but there is no peace. “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). One cannot be at peace if one is living a life out of harmony with revealed truth. There is no peace in being mean-spirited or contentious. There is no peace in vulgarity, promiscuity, or permissiveness. There is no peace in addiction to drugs, alcohol, or pornography. There is no peace in being abusive to others in any way, whether it be emotionally, physically, or sexually, for those who are abusive will remain in mental and spiritual turmoil until they come to Christ in all humility and seek forgiveness through complete repentance.

At one time or another I believe everyone yearns for the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philip. 4:7). That peace for our troubled hearts only comes to us as we follow the Light of Christ, which is “given to every man, that he may know good from evil” (Moro. 7:16), as it leads us to repent of sins and seek forgiveness. For all there is a hunger to know “the peaceable things of the kingdom” (D&C 36:2) and to taste “the fruit of righteousness,” which are “sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:18). In every home, neighborhood, and community, we ought to strive for peace and never be party to stirring up contention or division.

Peace—real peace, whole-souled to the very core of your being—comes only in and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When that precious truth is discovered and gospel principles are understood and applied, great peace can distill in the hearts and souls of our Heavenly Father’s children. Said the Savior through Joseph Smith, “He who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23).

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"And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen." (Alma 7:27)

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I found it interesting reading in Alma Chapter 2 that even then a form of democracy existed.

The Nephite practice of Democracy was way ahead of its time. Even the Roman Empire, famous for a republican form of government and a contemporary of the Nephites, had a class system whereby the upper class could be distinguished. Naturally, the lower class was not allowed to vote. With the Nephites, however, egalitarianism had reached a pinnacle. Everyone assembled and voted without class distinctions. The result was to temporarily put down this seemingly small insurrection.

“Latter-day Saints believe that democracy is the ideal form of political government. We respect other forms of government and encourage our members living thereunder to obey the laws of the land and sustain their rulers ‘while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments…’ (DC 134:5) However, democratic government is more consistent with the ideals and purposes of religion and life, we believe, than other forms of government. This is beautifully portrayed in advice given by King Mosiah in Book of Mormon history.” (Lowell Bennion, An Introduction to the Gospel, pp. 271-2)

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Alma Chapter 4 the people began to become very prideful.

Ezra Taft Benson gave a talk in conference a few years back that discusses pride. He mentions that the Lord spoke of this in D&C "Beware of pride, lest thou shouldst enter into temptation."

Here is a link to the talk that President Benson gave:

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Cleansing the Inner Vessel

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In Alma Chapter 5, Alma goes about teaching of the Lord's work. It mentions in verse 7 that he "changed their hearts."

Ezra Taft Benson

“Can human hearts be changed? Why of course! It happens every day in the great missionary work of the Church. It is one of the most widespread of Christ’s modern miracles. If it hasn’t happened to you - it should.

“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of the people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. 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.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pp. 77-78.)

I loved his comment: "The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in."

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This days reading had so much to do with pride and how it can be our downfall. I wanted to link a few talks that General Authorities have given us on just this subject.

LDS.org - Liahona Article - “To Walk Humbly with Thy God”

LDS.org - New Era Article - The Faces of Pride

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Press On

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Alma 7:20 his course is one eternal round

This phrase reminds us that the Lord doesn’t change, his plans don’t change, his gospel doesn’t change, his purposes cannot be frustrated (DC 3:1). His work is so filled with unity and conformity that it is described as one eternal round. Moroni said, For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? (Mormon 9:9). The Lord’s couse is “round” because the cycle repeats itself over and over again. Neal A. Maxwell said, “there is, in fact, divine delight in that ‘one eternal round’ which, to us, seems to be all routine and repetition. God derives His great and continuing joy and glory by increasing and advancing His creations, and not from new intellectual experiences.” (All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience, p. 14).

Elder Rudger Clawson

‘…God's work is everlasting, and with Him it is one eternal round. He uses the words ‘firstly’ and ‘lastly,’ in order that we by our finite minds may be able to understand: but to Him there is no beginning of his works; there is no end to them. It is a beautiful thought, isn't it? It gives you the idea at once of eternal life, something that continues and never ends. It is a tremendous thought, and quite beyond our comprehension. There is no man in this room, there is no woman in this assembly, that can comprehend, can begin to grasp the idea of eternal life. We can feel it. We just feel it in our very bones. We feel that we are destined to live forever. We feel that, but we cannot explain it.” (Conference Report, p. 54)

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  • 3 weeks later...

The good news is that, at this typing on 8/5, I am current on the reading and note-taking (pen and spiral notebook), I’m just way behind on typing up and posting notes. After my laptop’s power cord stopped working on the 17th (and got fixed that day. Many thanks to a kind and skilled DH who knows how to do these things!), I hit another motivation bog-down, so actually did this reading on the 27th.

Alma 1 – Nehor introduces priestcraft and teaches eternal life for all, regardless of what they do. Gideon (who helped deliver the people of Limhi from bondage, and is now an old man) preaches correct doctrine to Nehor, who responds by killing him. Nehor is taken to Alma for judgment and is sentenced to death for this murder. He acknowledges that he taught falsehood and is executed. Followers of Nehor begin to persecute the Church. Pride (here we go again) leads to contention. Many apostatize or are excommunicated for their actions. The Church gets its act together and achieves unity. The needy are cared for and the Church prospers. Those outside the Church do not experience this prosperity.

Alma 2 – Amlici, who is a follower of Nehor, seeks to become king. The majority of the people reject him, but he does have a group of followers who make him king anyway, and choose to become Amlicites (rather than be Nephites). The Amlicites seek war with the Nephites and join with the Lamanites. In battle, Alma kills Amlici, and the Nephites are victorious.

Alma 3 – In fulfillment of prophecy, the Amlicites mark themselves with paint on their faces as the Lamanites do, but do not follow the Lamanite custom of shaving their heads. There is discussion of the curse on the Lamanites, placed to discourage the Nephites from intermarrying with them. All who are cursed bring condemnation upon themselves by their actions. The Lamanites again attack the Nephites, but are unsuccessful.

Alma 4 – Many are brought to remembrance of God by affliction and join the Church. Pride surfaces again (I’ve lost count of the number of times this happens in the Book of Mormon!), as do related iniquities, causing a stumbling-block to unbelievers. Alma chooses to devote himself to ministry and Nephihah is chosen as chief judge.

Alma 5 – Alma begins preaching, and reviews his father’s activities as leader of the Church. He preaches of conversion and spiritual rebirth, and calls his listeners to repentance and humility. The Lord invites all to come to Him. Good works come from those who hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow Him, while evil works come from those who follow the devil. Alma bears testimony of revelation from the Holy Spirit and speaks of Christ’s coming. He calls for those who would follow Christ to come out from among the wicked and receive an inheritance at Christ’s right hand.

Alma 6 – Alma ordains priests and elders. The repentant are baptized, while Church members who are prideful and unrepentant are excommunicated. Alma goes to the valley of Gideon to preach.

Section 65 – The keys of God’s kingdom are committed to man on earth. The Gospel will fill the earth. The kingdom of heaven will join the kingdom of God on earth in the Millennium.

Section 66 – The everlasting covenant is the fulness of the Gospel. Faithful service brings eternal life.

Section 67 – The Lord hears prayers. In response to the elders quibbling about the language of the revelations that have been given, the Lord challenges the wisest among them to duplicate the least of those revelations given via the Prophet Joseph Smith. We are to continue in patience until we are perfected.

Section 68 – Words of the elders when moved upon by the Holy Ghost are Scripture. The Lord is with His servants and will stand by them. Selection of bishops is discussed. Parents are to teach the Gospel to their children. We are to keep the Sabbath and not be idle or covetous of worldly things.

Moses 1 – God appears to the transfigured Moses. Moses has his confrontation with Satan, noting that he can interact with Satan in his natural state without being transfigured. Satan is banished by the power of God. Mention is made that this incident will not be known among the children of men because of wickedness. Moses is shown other inhabited worlds God created and is told he will only be given further information about this world. God’s work and glory is to bring forth the immortality and eternal life of man. Moses is told that many of his words will be removed from his writings, and will be restored by one like him.

Moses 2 – Creation.

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