It's Up To You, Choose The Right

There were some people in the Book of Mormon named the Zoramites.  They were once righteous Nephites but they rebelled and formed their own civilization.  The worst part was in the church that they started.  They didn't let poor people come into the churches because of their clothes and poverty.  The prophet, Alma, saw a great need to teach this apostate group and bring them back to the church of God.  While talking to a bunch of these poor people, Alma said a lot of cool stuff.  He taught them how to gain a testimony and strengthen their faith.  He also shared much from the scriptures about Jesus Christ and His role in our lives.  My favorite part of what Alma taught was the last thing he said to them:

"And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen" (Alma 33:23). 

This seems like a pretty simple statement.  There aren't even any big words in it.  But it had a big impact on me when I read it.  It really shows the role of our personal agency, or freedom to choose.  Alma had just gotten done teaching these people some of the most important stuff they'd ever hear.  But Alma couldn't force these people to do what he said.  All the blessings of faith and the atonement of Christ were available to them but only on their taking advantage of it.

There's a cute little saying used in our church a lot: "Choose the Right".  Many members, especially young children, wear what is called a CTR ring.  It's simply a daily reminder to follow the commandments of God.  We recognize what Alma taught to the Zoramites.  We want to use our choices to do what is right and good.

God is willing to bless all of His children.  When we make the decision to follow God and keep His commandments, we will see these blessings in our lives.  God loves you.  We should all show our love for Him by keeping His commandments.

"And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen"

That's all it takes.  It's up to you.

Bound with the Bands

Imagine you're sitting on your couch watching TV.  You realize that you're thirsty so you want to go to the refrigerator and get a drink of cranberry juice.  But you can't move because you're wrapped up in strong bands - sort of like a mummy from the catacombs of ancient Egypt.  You would do all you could to get yourself out of those bands.  If you knew how to get those things off of you, nothing would stop you.  You would do all you could to release yourself and attain that refreshing beverage. 

We put ourselves in a similar situation when we sin.  Although it sometimes may seem otherwise, the commandments of God are in place to keep us free and happy.  When we break those commandments we are literally binding ourself in sin. I like how the Book of Mormon prophet Alma puts it, when we sin, we are "bound with the bands of iniquity" (Mosiah 23:12).  They keep us from enjoying the blessings of the gospel.  Most importantly, they keep us from having the Holy Ghost's influence in our lives.

Now let's go back to that comparison I made earlier.  Imagine there's someone who will help you out of those dreadful bands.  He's completely willing to help.  But you have to accept that help before he can.  Of course that man is the Savior Jesus Christ.  If we allow Him to help us, He will. 

So I encourage all who feel they are "bound with the bands" of sin to ask God for forgiveness.  Live the commandments and free yourself, with the help of the Lord!

God is Our Loving Heavenly Father

God loves us.  He really is our Father in Heaven.  We truly are His children.  I am grateful for this knowledge.  We lived with Him before we came to this Earth.  We are separated from Him now, and we must walk by faith if we hope to return to live with Him someday.

In the Book of Mormon today, I read an example of somebody who has felt God's love.  The prophet, Alma, attempted to teach the wicked people of Ammonihah but was rejected.  He leaves Ammonihah without intending to ever return.  He is obviously pretty upset about the whole situation.  The scriptures recordthat while Alma was "wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul ... an angel of the Lord appeared unto him".  The angel comforted him and told him that he has "great cause to rejoice; for [he had] been faithful in keeping the commandments of God" (Alma 8: 14-15).  So it is with us.  God is happy with us when we do what is right.  He is unhappy when we disobey his commandments.  However he loves us equally either way.  I so bear witness in the name of my savior Jesus Christ.

Is it for a good reason?

I was reading the Book of Mormon today and I came across an interesting verse.  In this verse the prophet, Alma, is fighting in a war with his people, the Nephites.  At this point Alma is fighting one-on-one with the leader of the opposing army.  As is common in life-threatening situations Alma cries to God to protect him, "O Lord, have mercy and spare my life".  Clearly Alma doesn't want to die right at this moment.  But what caught my attention was Alma's purpose to continue living.  He continues, "spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people" (Alma 2:30).  Alma wasn't fearing death, he simply had more to do with his life.  He was the leader of the Nephite Government and the Church at that time.  He knew that his life being preserved would be a great blessing to many others.

The most important part however is how Alma backed up this statement.  He eventually gave up his role as the "Chief Judge" to devote his life to the ministry to which he was called.  He convinced many to come unto Christ and enjoy the blessings of the Gospel. 

So when we really want something; riches, talents, knowledge, etc. ; we need to consider why we want it.  If it is to fulfill God's purposes, God will likely assist us in attaining that when we come to Him in prayer.

I know that as we seek to do God's will, we will see His hand in all we do.