Day 14: Alma 6 - 12

These chapters are full of so much good stuff!

I love the accounts of the angel visiting Alma and Amulek. I love their testimonies and Alma's witness of the gift of the Holy Ghost. I'm going to go back one chapter, to chapter five:

46 Behod, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath mad them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

A few years ago my mom gave me a pretty cool list of ten ways to know when the Spirit strives with us:

1.We are not easily offended
2. We feel confident in what we do
3. We are happy and calm
4. Our minds are clear and full of light
5. We are generous
6. We are glad when others succeed
7. We want to make others happy and bring out the best in them
8. We feel like praying
9. We are more serene in difficult times
10. We overcome temptations

I have found this to be true in my own life. But, what I find interesting is how well Alma and Amulek prove this throughout their experience teaching the people. 1. If these men were easily offended Alma would not have returned to the city of Ammoniha and Amulek would not have withstood the questioning of the lawyers and priests. 2. There is no doubt that these men had to have confidence in order to do what they did. 3. They are strong in their words, but never do we see them lost their cool. 4. How many times do the scriptures say that they were able to perceive the thoughts and intents of those they were teaching? That must require a mind that is clear and full of light.  5. They are generous--Amulek to Alma when he returns to the city, and what is sharing you life and testimony according to the commandments of God if not generous! 6. Alma tells the people that "great is my joy" when he learns that their faith is strong. 7. They want others to be happy and they invite them to "come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life," (5:62). 8. Alma wrestles with God in might prayer (8:10). 9. I think this one is proven throughout--serenity in difficult times--these men were in the toughest of crowds and gain strength and serenity from the truth of what they are teaching. And here is my favorite--when Amulek overcomes temptation:

11:23 Now Amulek said: O thou child of hell, why tempt ye me? Knowest though that the righteous yieldeth to no such temptations?

I love it! What wonderful examples we have here, in additions to the treasures of knowledge and truth. These chapters--like all those before them--seem to be filled with such a wealth of doctrine and hope.