Alma 30-35

What a great week!  I studied Alma 30-35 this week and loved the discussion we had at our gathering.  A few things in particular stuck out to me.

* Alma 31:5 was shared using the substitution study skill and I loved that once you personalize it, it brings so much more meaning to our family.
 5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the 
Mecham family to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the Mecham family than yelling, threatening, bribing, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore mom and dad thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.
As we keep things simple and focus on the Word of God, and the results that come from this, we will know for ourselves the truth testified by the Holy Ghost.  We don't need all the bells and whistles, in fact, sometimes I feel those get in the way of the true message Heavenly Father wants us to hear.

* Alma 32:14
 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye
 were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble 
themselves because of the word?
I think of my scripture study and realize that when I am compelled to be humble and read daily because that is "what I am supposed" to do, I am certainly blessed.  However, when I pray for guidance and a desire to read the word of God, and truly study His teachings, the blessings are greater in that I am able to retain more, focus on the teachings and get answers to questions, and am more comfortable to teach to those around me.  Someone in class brought up the difference that when we are compelled to be humble it is usually from an outside source; we do it because we know it is right, someone tells us that is what we need to do, etc.  However when we truly humble ourselves we have a willing heart and a greater desire to do these things -it comes from within and we don't need convincing from anyone else.  

* Alma 32:21
And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye 
hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
 I have always had a very simple faith.  I do not need all the answers now.  I know that I have a Heavenly Father that loves me because of all the many tender mercies in my life.  I am a glass half full kind of girl and believe that part of being happy comes from counting our blessings.  I also know that there is a peace that comes from being obedient and keeping the commandments.  

 *Alma 34:17-29
 17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to
 exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;

 18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

 19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

 20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

 21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

 22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

 23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

 24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

 25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

 26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

 28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you,do not suppose that  this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and  the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and  availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.

 29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the   refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men.

 Love this passage of scripture! Heavenly Father cares so much about us and wants us to confide in him with our joys, sorrows, stresses and for those around us.  He loves us.  He is our Father.  He is loving and merciful and all we have to do is ask.  And the other reason I love this passage of scripture is because right here it tells us that we have to live the gospel.  Not just believe, but LIVE it.  Our Savior is our greatest example in how we should live and it is our responsibility to to love one another, as He does.  We need to care for others, lift them up, be a good friend and neighbor, go out of our way to help others.  And as we are doing this we will learn to love those we struggle with.  So lets love, not judge.