Help!

I've just accepted a job that will take me away from the internet for 8 days at a time.  I'll be working as a Wilderness Counselor with troubled youth.  No internet in the wilderness.  This makes a daily entry impractical if not impossible.  If any of you would like to cover the 8 days I'm gone, I'd be happy to cover the 6 days I have off in between shifts.  If not, I guess I'll have to abandon this wonderful experience.  As you are aware, I've struggled to keep up of late.  I've worked two jobs the past week and that and shift work have thrown a wrench in my availability.

So you know, I've not missed reading, just blogging about it.  Thanks for your support and for going along with me on this project.  Again, if someone wants to take over or assist, that would be great!

Thanks,

Myke

Alma - Chapter 27

 

 22 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: Behold, we will give up the land of Jershon, which is on the east by the sea, which joins the land Bountiful, which is on the south of the land Bountiful; and this land Jershon is the land which we will give unto our brethren for an inheritance.

  23 And behold, we will set our armies between the land Jershon and the land Nephi, that we may protect our brethren in the land Jershon; and this we do for our brethren, on account of their fear to take up arms against their brethren lest they should commit sin; and this their great fear came because of their sore repentance which they had, on account of their many murders and their awful wickedness.

I think this is one of the finest acts of kindness ever demonstrated in the scriptures.  Obviously, people had to abandon their homes and property to make room for the People of Ammon, yet it appears that they did it gladly.  Further they offered to defend the new comers, who were, of course, enemies in the not so distant past. It seems to indicate to me the depth of the conversion and faith of the Nephites.  I wonder if we would be as willing today. 

Not long ago I read a wonderful book by Richard Eyre called The Three Deceivers.  I recommend it highly.  It so clearly and carefully describes the state of being required to do such a thing as we've just seen the Nephites do.  I'm not being critical of us.  Wonderful things are being done on behalf of the people of Haiti.  I just wonder if we would be willing to abandon the land of Payson, or Cedar City or Vernal to make room for the Haitians if they were required to move here for their survival.

Of course that makes me wonder about the value of segregating the People of Ammon, rather than integrating them into the breadth of their Society.  Might not that even be better?  Each question enables some serious introspection on my part.  How about you? 

Alma - Chapter 26

 

I remember reading back in Enos and Omni, I think it was, how the Nephites made repeated attempts to teach and recover the Lamanites.  Perhaps those Missionaries back then weren't as full of faith and preparation as the Sons of Mosiah.  Perhaps the field just wasn't ripe back then as this chapter describes it to have been for Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni and their brethren.  One thing is certain.  The Sons of Mosiah were prepared and thrust in their sickle with their might.  The result was thousands of converts.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 4, seems to remove any excuse for us.  The field is ripe and read for harvest.  Now all that remains is that each of us prepare ourselves to thrust in our sickle and reap while the day lasts.  Any one who has experienced the joy of bringing a person into the fold has a pretty good idea of the joy Ammon is expressing in this chapter.  If you've not had such a blessing, seek it, pray for it, thrust in your sickle with your might.  That effort will certainly be rewarded with joy you cannot imagine. 

Alma - Chapter 25

 

I find it very comforting that much of the time God uses the wicked to destroy the wicked.  To a large extent, if we will just focus on Christ and His righteousness, wickedness will consume itself around us.  While The Book of Mormon is full of examples of the righteous having to defend themselves, it is also replete with examples of God fighting their battles for them or allowing their enemies to destroy themselves.  I think if we worry too much about defending ourselves from evil, we will be wasting our lives focused in the wrong direction.  This is not to say we shouldn't fortify homes and families, just a reminder to whom we must look for Salvation.

 16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come.

Quite often at LDS Addiction Recovery Meetings, I get the sense that people are too enamored with the 12 Steps.  As I read the above verse today I though it appropriate to substitute the 12 Steps for the Law of Moses in that verse.  Salvation does not come by the 12 Steps.  It is merely designed to help lead us to and strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and His Atoning Sacrifice.

Alma - Chapter 24

It was a pretty easy principle to swallow when Ammon told Lamoni's father that it would be better if Lamoni were slain than he, in his wickedness.  Now we translate that same principle to the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's.  If I put myself in their position the principle is a little harder to swallow.  Now it is more personal, "It is better if I die that you, if you have not yet repented."

I personally think this is the feeling of these Lamanites.  They have come to know the love and forgiveness of a loving Father.  They are grateful beyond measure for that sweet remission of their sins.  The would never wish to offend Him again.  AND they like the Sons of Mosiah, cannot bear that a soul should go to his grave in a state of wickedness.

The beautiful result of that commitment was the conversion of more than a thousand more of their enemies.  I wonder if we don't place too much weight on living in mortality.  As precious and joyful as it is, in reality it but a moment in Eternity and such a decision to live or die can sometimes have such enormous consequences.  Consequences that might endure forever.

Alma - Chapter 23

 

18 And they began to be a very industrious people; yea, and they were friendly with the Nephites; therefore, they did open a correspondence with them, and the curse of God did no more follow them. 

When we are converted a change is wrought in us.  This change, I believe, is not wrought by ourselves but is rather wrought by the Holy Ghost.  We surrender our will and God takes care of the rest.  This is not to say that we can then sit on our laurels, or derrieres for that matter.  It is to say that the change of heart that results from conversion motivates, empowers, inspires and enables us to accomplish the work of the Lord in our lives and those of those around us.  Truly, the glory belongs to Him, for it is He who lifts the curse of sin, indolence, weakness and dismay.