Alma 12:1-9 Point 1:This Was a Plan of Thine Adversary

[MaidservantX]

Alma 12:5

"Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and he hath exercised his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what I say unto thee I say unto all."

I like this scripture as a self-examination. I try to make sure that I am protecting myself from being used by the Adversary. That protection requires discernment and sight, and not blindness. (The Savior was very urgent in his New Testament proclamations against spiritual blindness.) If I am blind, I cannot know if the Adversary is exercising his power in me. If I can see, then I will know and I can take steps to protect myself further, or rid myself of the challenge.

How can we see? There are clues all over in the scriptures. There are injunctions to pray so that we may conquer. There is the reminder that contention is the spirit of the devil. There is the example in the Pearl of Great Price where Moses meets both God and Satan and has to make a choice; there is the experience of Jesus where he fasts in the wilderness and encounters the Adversary. So on and so forth, there is plenty of instruction on the matter.

[a-train]

Satan is like a virus that uses our computer to send out spam. We need to keep the anti-virus on and be vessels of God's love.

-a-train

[MaidservantX]

BTW, the overarching reference is meant to be Alma 12:1-19 (not nine). Since you can see I've made Point 1, Point 2 and others will follow.

[Hemidakota]

What is interesting about verse 6, Professor Hugh Nibley has traced the origins of this atonement imagery to a Semitic word in the Bible is usually translated "atonement."

Professor Nibley finds one of the primary meanings of this term to be encircling or surrounding. This means that the embrace imagery in the Book of Mormon is a continuation or variant of a Near Eastern way of speaking. Notable interest for those testimony builders as the BOM is a truly a work of GOD.

The Book of Mormon also uses the figure of being encircled to show the consequences of following Satan, a reverse play, on the embrace by the Savior. Instead of an "embrace of love", Satan waits to "encircle you about with his chains, that he might chain you down to everlasting destruction" (Alma 12:6; see also Alma 5:7, 9). In 2 Nephi 1, language about the "awful chains [of hell] by which ye are bound" (1:13) is contrasted with the faithful's being "encircled about eternally in the arms of his love" (1:15).

Alma and the sons of Mosiah, at first, are set forth as examples of those "encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell" (Alma 5:7). But they were set free through the Atonement. Through their missionary labors, others who "were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction" (Alma 26:15) accepted the invitation of Christ's extended arms of mercy: "He has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love" (Alma 26:15).

Reference: John L. Sorenson

[rayhale]

I think that what some people don’t realize is that Satan doesn’t just tell you to bad things, he’ll sometimes, tell you to do good things, if it will serve his purpose. For example, he told Cain to make an offering to God, knowing that God wouldn’t accept the gift, making Cain follow Satan even more, and it lead Cain to make the Ultimate sin. I see several religions out there that are playing at peoples hearts, by saying things like, “you love the Lord, don’t you? Don’t you want to please Him? Then go out and kill, yourself, or (what seems to be the case now) kill as many people out there that you can.

[Guest tomk]

Alma 12:5

"Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and he hath exercised his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what I say unto thee I say unto all."

I like this scripture as a self-examination. I try to make sure that I am protecting myself from being used by the Adversary. That protection requires discernment and sight, and not blindness. (The Savior was very urgent in his New Testament proclamations against spiritual blindness.) If I am blind, I cannot know if the Adversary is exercising his power in me. If I can see, then I will know and I can take steps to protect myself further, or rid myself of the challenge.

How can we see? There are clues all over in the scriptures. There are injunctions to pray so that we may conquer. There is the reminder that contention is the spirit of the devil. There is the example in the Pearl of Great Price where Moses meets both God and Satan and has to make a choice; there is the experience of Jesus where he fasts in the wilderness and encounters the Adversary. So on and so forth, there is plenty of instruction on the matter.

While I am glad that you enjoy posting tidbits like this, and the value of understanding these things would seem to be self-evident - sometimes I struggle with discovering where the "discussion point" is located in what you post. Are you asking a question in your post, or making a statement? What are you wanting from us by way of commentary?

The answer always resides in Jesus Christ. I cannot stress enough how blind and deaf we are down here. We must constantly keep close, conscious contact with Jesus Christ at all times. Without that contact, we don't say things right, we don't hear things right, and we certainly cannot act correctly. He must guide and power it all. He tells us we are less than the dust of the earth. The question is - do we believe it? Our "less than the dust" status needs to be qualified. It is only true when we fail to seek His counsel in all things. WITH Him we are everything we need to be! But are we WITH Him?

[Traveler]

The only way to be sure that what you are doing is not influenced in some way by Satan is to do all things according to your covenants with G-d. Jesus is an example of one who did all things according to covenants and as commanded.

Jesus also made reference to thoses that have eyes but cannot see and ears and cannot hear. The loss of sight and hearing is a direct reference to broken covenants that was well understood in ancient times.

Few understand the role of covenants and such ignorance in demosntrated in various discussions on such topics of works and grace. But the point I intended to make is that anything a person does that they do not intend to be part of a covenant - is not part of covenant and is as according to the powers and priesthoods of Satan.

Let us all know and keep our covenants.

The Traveler

[Hemidakota]

"...those who have eyes let him see. Those who have ears, let him hear..."

[Dove]

The only way to be sure that what you are doing is not influenced in some way by Satan is to do all things according to your covenants with G-d. Jesus is an example of one who did all things according to covenants and as commanded.

Jesus also made reference to thoses that have eyes but cannot see and ears and cannot hear. The loss of sight and hearing is a direct reference to broken covenants that was well understood in ancient times.

Few understand the role of covenants and such ignorance in demosntrated in various discussions on such topics of works and grace. But the point I intended to make is that anything a person does that they do not intend to be part of a covenant - is not part of covenant and is as according to the powers and priesthoods of Satan.

Let us all know and keep our covenants.

The Traveler

I hear what you're saying about "covenants," Traveler, and I agree with you in that it is important to do everything in accordance with our covenants with G-d. However, I think it's important to always rely on the Spirit in knowing what's in accordance, and what is not. It seems so easy at times to do what "we" think is right, and not what He knows is right and for our good.

In general, it took me a long time to figure out what were the promptings of the Spirit, and what was from the adversary. I feel the adversary attacks us from all directions, and will destroy us if he can. Only through the atonement can we be saved from this death and destruction through "faith, repentance, and baptism (our covenants).

[PapilioMemnon]

We need to learn to discern the promptings of the Holy Ghost who speaks to us through our thoughts and feelings; we need to learn to distinguish the Lord's promptings from our feelings, and the enemy's promptings.

Gal. 5: 22

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Kowing that first comes the thought (Analyze it), then the feelings (Analyze them), if they are "Fruits of the Spirit," then act (Behavior). If not, dismiss it!

In Moroni 7, Moroni teaches clearly the way to know good from evil: Moroni 7

Enabling us to discern and be careful with Satan's traps! It's enlightening!

Edited September 1, 2008 by PapilioMemnon
Notification