Day 45: Mosiah 23-24

Even though we may repent, and serve the Lord with all our hearts, why do Amulon's keep popping back into our lives? Under the hand of King Noah, Amulon had to have been one of the more influential of the priests due to his leadership role with the Lamanites. As we've heard before, we can choose the path, but we cannot always choose the consequences, especially as it ties in with sin.

Amulon probably helped encourage Alma to sin, and lead the people astray. Now Amulon returns and after a brief time, begins to exercise control over Alma. But Alma chose to do right - why is he now being punished? As we read in 23:21-24, the Lord seeth fit to test and try the faith and patience of His people. All that put their trust in Him will see His mighty power in the day of deliverance.

Day 44: Mosiah 21-23

Humility is harder when we are compelled to be humble. We cannot afford to ignore the counsel of the Lord.

“When we neglect this and other duties we do not have the same claim on the blessings of the Lord, and he has said if we are slow to hear him he may be slow to hear us in the hour of our trouble. (D. & C. 101:7-8.) The Lord was slow to hearken to the Nephites in their rebellion until they were humbled and so with the Israelites, and this happened repeatedly. We should profit by their example.

In our praying we should seek to do the will of the Lord and not merely to reap some advantage or gratification which may not be the best for us. This is a very significant saying: ‘Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall he given unto you, that is expedient for you; and if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your condemnation.’ (DC 88:63-65) Therefore we should not be too insistent, but should pray earnestly seeking light and to know the will of the Lord, with an unselfish spirit. Then, with this spirit, will our bodies be filled with light.” (Joseph Fielding Smith; Church History and Modern Revelation, p. 135)

Day 43: Mosiah 19-20

I like the phrase found in Mosiah 20:15; "in my anger" because it reminds us to control our passions. Anger is a passion that must be controlled or pain and sorrow will follow.

Alma tells his son Shiblon to "bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love...". James also tells us to be "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." May other scriptures and words of prophets and the Savior warn us against anger and pride. This last conference, Elder Uceda of the Quorum of the Seventy told of an experience of a father losing patience with his daughter in a moment of anger. Later, after a prayer for forgiveness, an apology was made, forgiveness was given, and the Spirit of the Lord once again resided in the home.

Let us be wise and be slow to anger. Though little things may prick at us, annoy us, seem to stand in our way of happiness, be patient, and do not let anger control you.

I have to end on the words of the great Jedi philosopher, Yoda:

"Fear leads to anger;
Anger leads to hate;
Hate leads to suffering." :)

Day 43: Mosiah 16-18

Are we desirous to help and lift another, even when, or especially when inconvenient? Do we look past ourselves to life another's burdens, to mourn with others, and to comfort them when we feel we need the most comfort?

I love the "Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon:

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope

where there is darkness, light

where there is sadness, joy

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Do we stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places - in action, word, and thought?

We've made the covenant, are we following through?

Day 42: Mosiah 14-16

“This Man of Galilee knew little but misunderstanding and ingratitude and criticism and abuse; but he never complained, and at the end of the day he was as sweet as at dawn. Long before he came somebody had said that when the supreme man arrived he would submit to tribulation without complaining. As men looked upon this Man of Galilee they were reminded of the great line of the prophet, 'As a lamb before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.'

Brethren and sisters, what is the attitude, the spirit of the vilifier, as compared with the spirit of the Christ, the spirit of the leaders of the Church, the spirit of every true Latter-day Saint? It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong, and if we as Latter-day Saints will but hold to the truth as it has been revealed all will eventually be well.” (President David O. McKay, C.R., Oct. 1931, p. 13)

“In considering consecration, it is well to remember . . . that nothing is held back-whether turf, attitude, or hobbies. One’s will is to be swallowed up in the will of God-just as occurred with Jesus…the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father…Most forms of holding back are rooted in pride or are prompted by the mistaken notion that somehow we are diminished by submission to God. Actually, the greater the submission, the greater the expansion!” (President Henry B. Eyring quoting Elder Neal A. Maxwell, On Becoming a Disciple Scholar, pp. 61-2)

Day 41: Mosiah 12-13

Mosiah 12: 27 - Here Abinadi accuses the priests of not applying their hearts to the understanding of the scriptures; more the words of Isaiah. They read the words, but had done nothing to try to understand his prophecies. Ignorance to the words of Isaiah {scriptures} is due to our own laziness and disobedience.

Many of us have fallen under similar condemnation as we read the scriptures, listen to the words of living prophets, and the admonition of the Spirit. How much effort do you put into applying the words you read? "The scriptures weren’t given to us to be read. They were given to us to be searched. The difference is that the searcher has learned to apply his heart to understanding."

Joshua exhorted his people to "meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein..."(Joshua 1:8) and a blessing follows.

David also shared his feelings of the importance of understanding the words of Christ: "When I applied mine heart to know wisdom...then I beheld all the work of God..."(Ecclesiastes 8:16-17).

Addendum

Yeah, I know I could edit my last message, but I feel to add to it. Though many principles and lessons are taught in these chapters, I need to add one point to my last entry on traditions - forgiveness.

Forgiveness builds bridges of chasms so wide and deep that allow for love, acceptance, and mercy to give full sway in our lives and hearts. We are required to forgive all men, at all times. We cannot carry with ourselves this guilt and poison that robs us of life and love. No matter what people have done to us, or will do to us, we need to forgive, forget, and move on. In this we find happiness and peace, and the love of God.

(I could go on, but this will suffice for now.) Have a great day!