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.

Day 4: 1 Nephi 20 - 2 Nephi 4 (again)

There were too many great things in yesterday's reading for me to let it go by without saying something about it--now that I have read it! :) I'll admit, I didn't get it read until late last night, after going to the new "X Men" movie, but it was such a great way to end the day!

So, with super heroes on the mind, Jason asked me this morning, "If you could have any super power, what would it be?" Moments before falling asleep my brain was filled with the words from the scriptures last night, and they were the first thing on my mind when I awoke. So I responded, "The ability to resist all temptations." He smiled and said "That's a good one." Then he thought for a moment and said, "Isn't that just called self control?"

Something about reading these verses after watching an action-packed movie about super heroes resulted in my study of the scriptures becoming a bit more...exciting! Something about the passion for fighting evil was transferred from the screen to my mind. It turned something as simple as self control into the most awesome super power out there! So, as you read the following scriptures, I want you to imagine a super hero, with a cape, fighting for righteousness--your favorite Book of Mormon prophet, maybe Captain Moroni, or Nephi himself--these are his words (comprising verses 27-35 of 1 Nephi 4):

"And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
...Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
Do not anger because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. (Are you picturing your hero with big biceps and a strong determined stance--I am!)
...O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness (that's the cape I envision)! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way -- but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. (Can you see the action scene here!?!? Our hero, blazing on, while his enemy is blocked and stumbles and cannot get through to destroy him)
...Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice whall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."

If you had a hard time picturing that in your head, maybe this will help:

image found here

There is so much more in this reading--like there is in every section we've read so far. I cannot say all I would like to. But I hope you loved it as much as I did.  I've got to be done writing for now.

More to come on today's reading...later tonight.
Happy Sabbath!