Monday, June 25, 2012

Alma 7 - questions/guidance to the faithful

Alma gives us some good insight here:
a) he talks about his great anxiety/hope that the people were humble before God, praying, and found blameless before him (v3)
b) he says the people of Zarahemla were in an awful "dillemma" which is then footnoted to Alma 5:17 which quotes Alma saying the following: (v3)
17  Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you?
Interesting that this is the dilemma - that they had to change or they would f)face God in a sad state and not be saved. Most people don't even know they're in that dilemma; maybe that's the problem.
c) Alma wades through affliction and sorrow with the people of Zarahemla; a priesthood leader suffers along with those he's teaching -
 I do not desire that my joy over you should come by the cause of so much afflictions and sorrow which I have had for the brethren at Zarahemla, for behold, my joy cometh over them after wading through much affliction and sorrow.
d) he gets to be very specific about the Savior; he talks about all the things the Savior suffered and felt for us, not just for our sins. that's a very fascinating point. Perhaps he's able to share more than just he paid for our sins because they know that and have repented, so it's the next step to know more. So he gave it to them. (v11-12)
e) We need to live to receive the help of the power of deliverance of the Savior:
 13 Now the Spirit aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the bflesh that he might ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
f) After Alma's invitation for baptism, he can tell that they're living righteously; priesthood leaders need discernment to do this (v16-20)
g) Gives them a broad commandment to improve:
 24 And see that ye have afaith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.
h) Alma is so happy that they are righteous:  26 And now my beloved brethren, I have spoken these words unto you according to the Spirit which testifieth in me; and my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, because of the exceeding diligence and heed which ye have given unto my word.
i) Promises them a lot - peace of God on all things associated with their lives
 27 And now, may the apeace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen.
Very different speech compared to Alma 5.....

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