Alma 37 is so jammed with goodness…I can’t seem to get enough. Part one finished with the Lord fulfilling all His promises, which is a super awesome blessing if we are following him, and a super scary consequence when we fall in the destruction zone.
One thing that we seem to have in common through all generations is the secret work of Satan. He is one sly dog–quietly sneaking into our lives, our hearts, and our homes. I appreciate Alma’s plea with his son to not teach those secrets to “His” people.
Alma 37:27 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 signs and their wonders ye shall keep from this people, that they know them not, lest peradventure they should fall into darkness also and be destroyed.
As I read this, I think about who “my people” are, and they are mainly my kiddos. How do I protect them from Satan’s secret combinations? The schools are infiltrated with them, and social media often seems to be Satan’s favorite tool. As I have parented, I’ve used a variety of styles over the years–I’ve tried the spy mom, the best friend mom, the lecture mom, the roll with it mom, the no nonsense mom–and I have come to the conclusion that the only style that works, is pray for them and give them a safe haven where the Holy Ghost dwells. We aren’t going to be able to completely protect them from Satan and his forces…all we can do is strengthen them. We can teach them the way of the Lord, encourage them to pray daily, read their scriptures, follow the prophet, their parents, and the “For the Strength of Youth” guide.
I try to avoid the news because It makes me feel hopeless, as they rattle on and on about the wickedness that abounds. I can’t help but think about the promise made right here in Alma:
Alma 37:29 For behold, there is a curse 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.
Our Heavenly Father’s desire is for us NOT to be destroyed. He loves us. It has to be the most heart-breaking, helpless feeling when His children allow the tricks of the adversary to sweep them away from the straight and narrow path that leads to Eternal Life. Our only protection is to follow the Lord and to keep His spirit close to us. If we don’t, we will slip into darkness, and be left on our own…it’s amazing what can happen when the protection and light of the Lord is gone.
Speaking of the straight and narrow path, my family had a huge Poisonous Parsnip outbreak this past summer. Look it up…it’s completely different from poison ivy…it causes chemical burns to the skin. It spreads its own juices and leaves terrible burn scars. Once you have it, it is difficult to stop the spreading, especially until you know what your dealing with. We thought the sores were infected mosquito bites, and the medical professionals couldn’t tell us any differently! So the treatment we used spread the poison all over my daughter’s body. As we applied the ointment to her sores we also contaminated ouselves and then through the same process spread it. After going back a few time to the doctors we found a nurse who had seen this before and we found out what the problem was and how to fix it. We still had six months of outbreaks and treatment, but eventually we were able to get rid of it. The original contamination happened at a zoo when a couple of my kids decided to go off the path to pick some enticing beautiful wild flowers. Once off the path, they were exposed to plants and dangers that the gardener couldn’t contain. Had they stayed on the path, they could have been safe from the pain they didn’t have a clue they were going to face. The gardener kept the path clear, safe from all dangerous weeds and plants to protect those who wanted to see the zoo animals in a safe environent. Even once contaminated, we didn’t recognize that we had been exposed to a poisonous plant. Once the sores started to break out (twelve weeks later), we justified them as something else. It took someone who had seen them and knew what to do to help us. This is the same as our spiritual path. The Gardener is Christ; he has done everything he can to clear the path for us. However, sometimes we get enticed to walk off the path. Once off the path, we are fully vulnerable to the outside forces of Lucifer. Sometimes we can be off the path for awhile, enjoying the wild flowers, before we realize how much we have been affected. Even once the signs of our contamination start to show, we often justify it as something else. It is not until we look to the Savior, who has suffered all for us, and rely on his perfect empathy, and his love and guidance, that we can find complete healing and stop the spreading of the poison of sin growing within us. There are scars for a time, but as we heal, those scars diminish, and we are left with only a greater empathy for others. Because of our family’s experience, we now warn everyone we know of poisonous parsnip, and we have been able to identify the sores of others and direct them to the correct healing process.
D&C 45:26 And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.
In the latter part of the Book of Mormon, the Nephites, who had once been a righteous people, turned away from the Lord. They began to boast in their own strength rather than rejoicing in the strength of the Lord. They willfully rebelled against God. And what happened to them? They were left to their own strength–to the point that they lost everything.
-Russell T. Osguthorpe
Alma 37:32 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 hatred against sin and iniquity.
Not only should we teach our children to love goodness, but we must teach them to hate sin. That’s a really strong word that should only be used for the worst of the worst. Considering the fact that rebellion against God is the cause of sin and iniquity and the root of all evil, I consider sin the worst of the worst. Without sin and iniquity we have perfection. Satan has no power over people who refuse to sin. If we and our children can grasp this and flee from all iniquity at all cost, so much heartache could be avoided.
The best way to teach children to avoid sin is to give them the tools they need to follow Christ. It’s either one or the other, you either follow God or you follow Satan. They can’t coexist.
Mathew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
If we would avoid adopting the evils of the world, we must pursue a course which will daily feed our minds with and call them back to the things of the Spirit. I know of no better way to do this than by daily reading the Book of Mormon. -Marion G. Romney
The only way for us to avoid iniquity is to choose Christ and to follow these simple guidelines taught by Alma to his son:
Alma 37:33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us once and for all establish our residence in Zion and give up the summer cottage in Babylon (see Neal A. Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of Light [1990]
In my view, there’s no better teacher than Alma. He tasted darkness and experienced what it felt like to rebel against God. His devotion to the Lord that resulted from his rebellion and subsequent conversion is unbelievable. As I read his lectures, I can feel his love for all mankind, and his desire to help any who will listen avoid repeating the mistakes he made.
It reminds watching someone taste something spoiled. As they taste it, their face deforms and twists in agony as they realize how terrible the food is. Anyone who witnesses this will usually stay clear of the spoiled goods–why try a bite when you already know it’s spoiled and disgusting? However, there’s often at least one person who wants to try it for themselves–they can’t just learn from someone whose already been through it.
Alma has pored out his heart in attempt to save whomever would listen. As Alma taught, if you are not living right with the Lord…REPENT!! Don’t wait! It’s the first step to freedom and light, and it’s absolutely crucial. There’s no going around it. Without repentance, Satan has all power over us, for we have not handed over the sin to our Savior. We must repent. Once we’ve repented and handed Jesus our sins, we are ready to follow him. Have faith in Jesus, faith that he will take your sin upon him, remove it from you, and help you every step of the way as you work to build strength to walk and run on your own. He tells us to be humble and meek. Be ready to listen to the Lord, even if his direction is different than the way you wanted. Be teachable, allow the Lord to guide your learning. If we do these things we will be able to resist Satan.
Alma 37:34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.
Our good works are known to only a few. They are, however, recorded in heaven. One day, we will stand as a witness of our whole-souled devotion to works of righteousness. No trial or calamity can derail God’s plan of happiness. – Elder Ronald A. Rasband
Alma 37:35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
If we teach our children while they are young it will be natural to them, even if they fall away for a time. They will know what the feeling of the spirit feels like when they are ready to respond.
I always tell my children that they all need to learn to enjoy running while they are young, so that when they get old and chubby they will be able to run to regain their health. I remind them that if they wait to run later in life it will likely seem hopeless and impossible. Of course, it is possible to start running later in life, and many do, but I have met numerous women who refuse to try because they’ve never run. They didn’t learn to run in their youth!
The same is true for our understanding of the love of Christ and the restorative, healing power of His atonement. Once we understand it through our own experience, our soul yearns for that cleansing! Then if we fall again, we recognize our need for repentance, for we have already felt the love and freedom that comes from it. This knowledge and understanding can be acquired later in life, as is true for many, but by that time some individuals relinquish the hope that they can still obtain forgiveness after a lifetime of sin. If we teach our children these truths, we instill in their young hearts the hope of change and forgiveness so they can spend their lives following the Lord.
D&C 68:25 And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.
Alma 37:36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
The way to optimism as we go forward was given by the Lord: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36). President Monson told us how to do that. We are to ponder and apply the Book of Mormon and the words of prophets. Pray always. Be believing. Serve the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. We are to pray with all the energy of our hearts for the gift of charity, the pure love of Christ (see Moroni 7:47–48). And above all, we are to be consistent and persistent in following prophetic counsel. -Henry B. Eyring 2017
I can’t imagine life without prayer. I am thankful I was raised in a home of prayer. My parents offered prayer for everything. I learned from a very young age that anything that is worth worrying about is worth praying about. I always tell my children that they can’t complain about a situation if they haven’t prayed about it. For one, the Lord has asked us to be specific with our prayers. He expects us to come to him, and communicate if we are worried, concerned, or desire something.
Our family may have to move this next summer due to my husband’s work. The kids love our town, and they love their school and their friends. This morning my youngest daughter offered the blessing on the food, and then she tacked on the end, “please help us not move, I love my town and school”. After she closed she looked up at me and said, “You told me I can’t complain if I haven’t prayed.” I loved it. It made me so happy to know that they are listening. Then I asked her what happens if we still have to move. She told me she would just have to deal with it. So I asked her if that meant that the Lord didn’t hear her prayer. She said, “No, it’s just means we are supposed to move for some reason.”
What a wonderful teaching moment for all of us as the whole family was eating together! It was also an opportunity to acknowledge our understanding that the Lord sees the beginning and the end. If we will have faith and trust him, he will direct us where to go. We can have peace that we are where we need to be at that time, especially if prayer has been an active part of the process.
Alma 37:37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
Alma knew the importance of his relationship with the Lord. He also knew the power of the adversary; therefore he is wisely asking us to pray continually. Pray first thing in the morning and then before bed. You can fill the whole day in between with prayers in your mind and heart as well.
Don’t just pray, council with the Lord. Tell him your feelings and allow him to impress his direction for you through the Holy Ghost. It’s truly amazing the communication that we can have with our Savior and Heavenly Father. During that communication we need to do more than just ask. We also need to recognize the Lord’s blessings in our lives and thank him. The more we practice gratitude with the Lord, the more we see him in our lives and the more love we feel from heaven.
Wendy Nelson gave a 30-day prayer challenge at a devotional a few years ago, where she challenged the young adults to ask the Lord a question in prayer, open the scriptures, and then read until they got an answer. She challenged them to do it for 30 days. I took that challenge and loved it so much, that I now do it every morning. Recently, with the idea of a possible move in our future, my second daughter, whom the move would effect the most, was really struggling with the idea. I told her that we would both do the challenge together and then compare notes when we felt like we had a solid answer. As we compared notes, it was miraculous how the Lord gave us the same answer with the same details. What a strong teatimony of prayer for my daughter as well as for me. That was a HUGE hug from heaven!
And in modern revelation the Lord declared that “he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold” (D&C 78:19).
As we will follow Alma’s advice, we will not only avoid destruction but we will gain Eternal Life!
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