Alma 34

Alma 34

The strength of personal testimony is greater than, perhaps, we realize.  Take Alma chapter 34 as an example.  Here Amulek begins his teaching by briefly recapping what Alma has just taught the people.  Then in verse 8 he simply testifies of Christ.  It is at this point that the Spirit floods into this chapter.  How would our work in the Lord’s kingdom change if we were to more often share simple, short Spirit-filled testimony of the Savior?

Alma 33

Alma 33

Alma defines worship here as prayer (v. 3).  When we pray we are worshipping the Lord in a very real way.  Alma also taught us to pray to be heard of God and not of men (v. 8).  May we consider our personal prayers as part of our daily worship.

Alma 32

Alma 32

Even in the best relationships come times when one is disappointed, hurt or even angered by another.  When we are the injured party, let us follow the Lord’s example and be merciful to the other.  Alma taught the poor among the Zoramites that “whosoever repenteth shall find mercy” (v. 13).  But I ask you, has the Lord ever turned His back on you?  Or rather, has He always been ready to show you mercy, even when you haven’t fully repented?  In the same way that we find mercy with the Lord, let us be merciful to those who injure us.  Life is simply too short to put love on hold.

Alma 31

Alma 31

In one of the great prayers recorded in the Book of Mormon, Alma in this chapter utters this important request: “Wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ.”  I can think of few things more valuable to learn than the fact that in Christ we can find comfort to our souls.  He knows our joys as well as our sorrows.  He understands them completely from first-hand experience.  He is the Prince of Peace.  He is fully able to comfort us.  Why, it’s one of the things He does best.  Let us learn this as we plow through all of life’s experiences.

Alma 30

Alma 30

Here’s a good argument in support of the first amendment of the US Constitution.  Korihor was able to freely preach against Christ among the Nephites, because their laws allowed religious freedom (see verses 7 – 11).  They felt that anything less would make the people unequal, and they were right.  A State which dictates how its people should worship God, or even if they should worship God, makes unequal a person whose conscience tells him to worship a different way.  Such a person would surely feel oppressed and less worthy in the State’s eyes – making them unequal.  Protecting the rights of all to exercise their own conscience in matters of religion is vital to a free people.  We should all be free to express our faith, not only in what we think, but also in how we practice without fear of oppression from anyone.

Alma 29

Alma 29

Alma shows his unselfishness when he rejoices in the success of his brethren (see verses 14 – 16).  He hesitated to pray for his own desires earlier in the chapter, but unhesitatingly prays on behalf of his brethren in verse 17.  This shows a depth of character to which we would all do well to strive.  The Lord would have us be more selfless.

Alma 28

Alma 28

Using the difference in mourning as a background, Alma makes an interesting point about inequality.  Even though the US Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal, it is clear when we look around us that all men aren’t treated equally.  What is it that makes us unequal?  According to the prophet Alma, it is sin and transgression (v. 13).  The people of Enoch’s Zion were the most equal of all people “and there was no poor among them” (see Moses 7:18).  We tend to measure the wickedness of our society by the amount of crime enacted, and that’s a valid measure.  Would a better measure of the wickedness of a society be the treatment of its poor?  Enoch’s people were “of one heart and one mind” (again Moses 7:18).  How do we achieve a similar equality?  According to Alma: “And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord.”  (Alma 28:14)  How many of us understand that by serving in the Lord’s work, we have the potential to also improve our society?