Common question answered - if God loves us, why would he punish a sinner? (sometimes people state this as a disbelief that he would)

Oftentimes Alma's teaching to Corianton is considered a big discourse on not sinning (particularly around adultery), which it is, but in the process, Alma answers some interesting questions. The question in Alma 42 for instance is this, 

 1 And now, my son, I perceive there is somewhat more which doth worry your mind, which ye cannot understand—which is concerning the ^ajustice of God in the ^bpunishment of the sinner; for ye do try to suppose that it is ^cinjustice that the sinner should be consigned to a state of misery.

Or in other words, "doesn't God love all his children. If so, would he really punish them for "sinning"? 

That's a common question. Very common. Especially if you include those who believe that grace covers for all sins with limited or no effort on the part of the sinner. Alma does his best to answer. I find his example particularly powerful:

He answers with a lot of strong doctrinal ideas, even going back to the Fall and explaining the role the Fall has in the answer; this seems to be the epitome of persuading with, "pure knowledge" as is talked about in D.C. 121. It's an example of the power that can come from having a lot of knowledge about how the world actually works. 

As I think about persuasion and the right way to do it, I believe the example of pure knowledge is a common one that's trying to be taught. When the prophets give discourses, they're trying to teach truth in a powerful way that convinces people to act differently. It may be the persuasion "tactic" that is shown the most out of those the Lord talks about in D.C. 121: 

 41 No ^apower or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the ^bpriesthood, only by ^cpersuasion, by ^dlong-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

 42 By ^akindness, and pure ^bknowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the ^csoul without ^dhypocrisy, and without ^eguile—

I think it might be worth going through chapters and examples and think about the way that the prophet's persuaded and which of these methods are being shown as examples. 

Do not follow the lust of your eyes

Alma warns his son Corianton about a few of his tendencies to sin.

I appreciate this verse and the phrase, "lust of your eyes".

 9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the ^alusts of your eyes, but ^bcrossyourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and ^ccross yourself in these things.

It seems to be a great description of a major issue with men. They focus on what they see rather than all of the other things necessary before a sexual relationship (including marriage). Also, it's critical after marriage to not focus on others women's looks but rather on your spouse. This counsel shows the prophet knew about these topics.

Also, Alma mentions that his son can't take riches with him, so he shouldn't focus on them. Also, very good, practical advice.

 14 ^aSeek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.

Prophetic counsel - Book of Mormon example

In Alma 37 Helaman, the next prophet, receives counsel from the current prophet, Alma (also his dad), to speak about "secret combinations" which are basically secret and dark plots and plans to lie, murder, rob, steal, and take advantage of others. It is something that became prevalent in the Book of Mormon society starting during war time that begins just after this counsel is given and continuing for the next 100 years or so until Jesus Christ comes to visit the people.

It appears remarkable that the prophet had such a great pulse on the society and the future events that were coming that he would counsel his son about how to speak to the people on this issue. Now certainly Mormon was choosing what to put into the book when he compiled it, but the writings of Alma to his sons comes from Alma's record, and the timing (as I mentioned) is impressive.

We are lucky to have a living prophet who can guide us in the most pertinent and timely matters. Alma was a great prophet who did that. It's another reminder of the blessing it is to have a living prophet today.

Here's some verses in Alma 37 on the topic:

 22 For behold, the Lord saw that his people began to work in darkness, yea, work secret murders and abominations; therefore the Lord said, if they did not repent they should be destroyed from off the face of the earth.

 23 And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a^astone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light, that I may^bdiscover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto them the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.

 24 And now, my son, these ^ainterpreters were prepared that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake, saying:

 25 I will ^abring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will^bdestroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land.

 26 And now, my son, we see that they did not repent; therefore they have been destroyed, and thus far the word of God has been fulfilled; yea, their ^asecret abominations have been brought out of darkness and made known unto us.

 27 And now, my son, I command you that ye retain all their oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their secret abominations; yea, and all their ^asigns and their wonders ye shall^bkeep from this people, that they know them not, lest peradventure they should fall into darkness also and be destroyed.

 28 For behold, there is a ^acurse upon all this land, that destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness, according to the power of God, when they are fully ripe; therefore I desire that this people might not be destroyed.

 29 Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their ^aoaths and their covenants from this people, and only their wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto them; and ye shall teach them to ^babhor such wickedness and abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and abominations and their murders.

 30 For behold, they ^amurdered all the prophets of the Lord who came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities; and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto the Lord their God for vengeance upon those who were their murderers; and thus the judgments of God did come upon these workers of darkness and secret ^bcombinations.

 31 Yea, and ^acursed be the land forever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ^bripe.

 32 And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting ^ahatred against sin and iniquity.

 33 ^aPreach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be ^bmeek and lowly in heart; teach them to ^cwithstand every ^dtemptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Best Mission Farewell Ever

Yesterday we had the best testimony meeting ever. We have two Tongan boys in our ward who moved in with their oldest brother about a year ago. They come from a very poor family, and their mom died in 2004. The older of the two boys is leaving on his mission to Detroit in a couple of weeks.

In the meeting we had a temple presidency member and his wife speak, and even though they're great and have had a lot of experience, the highlight was definitely Elder Latu.

Multiple times he quoted scriptures from memory - the best two being D.C. 4 and 3 Nephi 5:13 (  13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been ^acalled of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.)


Impressive to see someone with slightly broken English (and it's his second language), repeat memorized scriptures so well prior to his mission. Also, the 3 Nephi scripture was so powerful to hear him say. He mentioned how blessed he was to be born into the covenant and receive his calling. 


Making the whole event even better was that he could have been in the Olympics representing his country. He talked about that, how despite being so poor he was blessed to travel and was 2nd in South Pacific Games in boxing and 10th in the commonwealth games. He could have gone to the Olympics but when he moved to the U.S., after fasting and praying, he realized God wanted him to go on a mission, not to the Olympics. So he put all his energy into preparing for a mission, and it has been a great blessing for him. Very powerful to hear about this. He talked about his mom being so happy he's going on a mission (she's on the other side of the veil). 


The people in Detroit are lucky to have this Elder. Incredibly humble. Very well prepared. An inspiration to us all. 

Hints about Satan's lies - Korihor

In Alma 30 we get to see the story of Korihor, a man who taught that if you couldn't see something, you shouldn't believe it. Therefore, there was no reason to think there would be life after death or a judgment and as a result, you should do whatever you wanted in life. This led to an increase in people committing sexual sin in particular. Very sad. There was also an emphasis on the leaders of the church trying to hold down or oppress their followers.

Alma fought these points pretty specifically:
a) church leaders didn't get paid, so why would they lie
b) people found hope in the idea of Christ and what he would do for them; this is a hopeful, not oppressive belief
c) the order of the world was evidence of God existing (science talks about entropy; having organization is the opposite of this and infers an Organizor)

Also, we later find out that the following:
a) he wanted a sign - this is an easy thing to say but is quite damning when an individual requires this (we learn from Alma/Amulek in Ammonihah that a sign doesn't convince people for the long-term, only condemns them)
b) Satan came to him as an angel and Korihor believed because what was taught was pleasing to the carnal mind; if something sounds too good to be true (no punishment for behaving so selfishly) or involves a "me first" focus, it's probably not good
c) Korihor trusted a "super natural" person, Satan, but wouldn't believe in God. That seems surprising.

Speaking with antagonistic/unbelieving groups - Significant amounts of data

It is difficult to speak with those that are extremely antagonistic/unbelieving groups. The Book of Mormon gives a case of this in Alma 9 to Alma 14.

Amazingly - Alma and Amulek convince some people, others die, and others are chased out to another town.

This is a very extreme story in which many are murdered. I must assume it's not in there randomly. Here's some thoughts.
- Alma and Amulek teach some very tough doctrine and some very detailed doctrine: - if you die as a sinner, you will be in a terrible place - your words, thoughts, actions will condemn you before God;
- people were foreordained as high priests in the premortal life based on their acceptance of the teachings of the Savior and faith and repentance; it's the same on earth - critical to repent and exercise faith

Then Alma and Amulek and placed into prison, women and children that believe are thrown into a fire and men who believe are kicked out of town. Alma and Amulek prophesy that the town will be destroyed, which the people say they don't believe. Town leaders tell Alma to free himself and then they'll believe; when Alma and Amulek are freed, their prison tumbles to the ground, killing everyone but themselves. Townspeople see this but still don't repent. Some lessons learned:
- even if everything a prophet says will happen happens, non-believers still don't repent
- terrible things can happen to believers; it's still wise to believe, but don't think it won't be difficult
- when teaching people who are antagonistic, it helps to have 2 teachers
- it's okay to teach very specific doctrine, which I believe shows there's merit to what's being taught (foreordination in this instance) and that the plan is fully formed
- those who are overly skeptical are left with the lesser portion of the word (that which is on the page only) and not the greater portion (that which is revealed)

Stand in the Sacred Grove - great lesson on family

Elder Jensen's CES talk had some terrific things. I learned something about the purpose of having a question on the family in the temple recommend interview.

Certainly the earliest and best laboratory for learning to get along with others is the home. It is at home that we learn the lessons of service, unselfishness, forgiveness, and patience that are essential to the formation of lasting relationships with others. I think it is for this reason that a part of being “temple worthy” is the requirement that we live in love and harmony with members of our family.

As I thought about this question, I thought of several families that appear to be quite faithful but have had one or two children leave the church. In some instances I have learned that the families were not very close growing up. There may have been a lot of competition or one or two children that felt left out or not as talented as the others. I realize that this can be perceived more than real in some cases, but one person's reality is their reality. Now that I'm a father, I saw as clearly as can be this morning while listening to Elder Jensen, that it's critical for love to exist in my home. If there isn't love and good relationships, then there can't be teaching. Also, when the church is something so integral in our lives, then it can be hard to separate family life from church life. Therefore, it's critical that parents and children have great relationships, and it's the parents' jobs to make that happen. Then there can be great teaching and our children can build great spiritual strength.

Parents - be wise...