Alma 1:4

[pam]

Alma 1:4*

4 And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.

Quote for Discussion

Hugh Nibley

“What is wrong with this upbeat, cheerful religion-this popular message? … It says, ‘In the end, all men shall have eternal life’-and that's the whole story. Everyone is saved, and that is that. This short circuits and bypasses the whole plan of salvation, which is that this is a time of probation here, accepting salvation the hard way…Should we lower our standards to gain converts? Well, that's the great thing. The great Catholic Church historian-not only of our time, but I think the greatest of them all-was Duchesne. He said that's exactly what happened. The church was able to expand and conquer after the fourth century because it just kept lowering its standards, lower and lower. Every time it lowered them, it could get more people in. Finally, everybody was willing to join because they didn't have any standards at all as far as morals were concerned. This is the thing that happened here with Nehor; he made himself very popular. He was like a popular evangelist, and this is what people want to hear.” (Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Lecture 42, p. 216-7)

[Vort]

Nibley is brilliant. I could listen to the guy all day, and sometimes have.