Alma 14
Alma 14
I can't even imagine the evilness and cruelty of these once faithful people! I also cannot imagine what it must have been like for Alma and Amulek to watch such a horrific scene. I stopped as I read about the women and children - their OWN wives and children - being thrown into the fire. As difficult as it was, I tried to picture it in my mind. I didn't want to gloss over it, giving it the same credence as Laman and Lemuel beating Nephi with a stick. This was much more terrible.
Then tried to picture Alma and Amulek, standing there, forced to watch it. Amulek wanted to use the power of God to try to save them, but Alma was told it wasn't to be.
We tend to think of faith as an action word- because most times it is. But, in this case, they exercised enormous faith in their inaction. The Spirit of the Lord told them to stand by and let them die. It doesn't make sense...initially.
The Lord had His reasons, one of which He shared with Alma: so they may witness against the men at judgment day. Can there be a crime if there is no victim?
We know they were received in glory, and their difficult lives here on earth were shortened so they may move on to the next phase of growth and peace. I'd like to think that their pain was numbed and their suffering was a short as it needed to be.
Back to the subject of the faith of Alma and Amulek- They knew the power of God could save them from an earthly painful death, but this power was to be stayed until later in the chapter, in verse 26, when they were given permission to use the unearthly power of God to break the bands that bound them. The power of God also shook the walls of the prison, crashing them down around the wicked and cruel perpetrators.
They had faith that God would work in His time through them.
Richard G Scott said, "...every time you try your faith - that is, act in worthiness on an impression - you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to solutions you would not obtain otherwise. With even your strongest faith, God still not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow."
If we look at the situation of Alma and Amulek as it pertains to this quote, we can see with spiritual clarity greater purposes.
Alma tried his faith by acting on an impression from the Spirit (not saving the believers from the fire). Amulek exercised his faith, too, as he accepted what Alma said as truth - even though they may not have fully understood why. Their faith was strong, and their desires were pure- they wanted to save those women and children. But, our will is not always His.
Because exercised faith in following the Lord's will four things happened.
1. The believers were delivered to the Lord in glory, never to be tormented again by unrighteous husbands and rulers. If you think about it- the kind of men that could do this, they were probably cruel to their wives and children in daily life.
2. They have righteous witnesses to stand against them at their judgment day, further ensuring their eternal (painful) reward.
3. The perpetrators were set up to be in one place at one time, to suffer and die in a most painful and terrifying way (earthquake, walls crushing)
4. Alma and Amulek's character grew. They had strong faith before, but because they exercised faith by following the impressions they received, regardless of how much it went against their desires, their characters became more like the Savior, their faith became stronger. And they were able to use this stronger faith to call down the powers of heaven to shake the earth, loose their bands and collapse the prison.
I know God has a plan for us. His plan brings us joy. But, there are times when He withholds our answers and desires- even righteous ones - until the time is best suited for our eternal benefit. Alma and Amulek are a shining example of that.
I cannot close this post, however, without speaking to the faith of those believers who were burned. Perhaps they could have been spared if they had denied, it doesn't say. But, I tend to believe that they had faith until the end, and that because of their faith unto death, angels attended them in the fire and they received their exaltation. Now- that's not gospel, that's just my opinion.
Amazing, amazing, chapter.
What did you think/learn today?
I can't even imagine the evilness and cruelty of these once faithful people! I also cannot imagine what it must have been like for Alma and Amulek to watch such a horrific scene. I stopped as I read about the women and children - their OWN wives and children - being thrown into the fire. As difficult as it was, I tried to picture it in my mind. I didn't want to gloss over it, giving it the same credence as Laman and Lemuel beating Nephi with a stick. This was much more terrible.
Then tried to picture Alma and Amulek, standing there, forced to watch it. Amulek wanted to use the power of God to try to save them, but Alma was told it wasn't to be.
We tend to think of faith as an action word- because most times it is. But, in this case, they exercised enormous faith in their inaction. The Spirit of the Lord told them to stand by and let them die. It doesn't make sense...initially.
The Lord had His reasons, one of which He shared with Alma: so they may witness against the men at judgment day. Can there be a crime if there is no victim?
We know they were received in glory, and their difficult lives here on earth were shortened so they may move on to the next phase of growth and peace. I'd like to think that their pain was numbed and their suffering was a short as it needed to be.
Back to the subject of the faith of Alma and Amulek- They knew the power of God could save them from an earthly painful death, but this power was to be stayed until later in the chapter, in verse 26, when they were given permission to use the unearthly power of God to break the bands that bound them. The power of God also shook the walls of the prison, crashing them down around the wicked and cruel perpetrators.
They had faith that God would work in His time through them.
Richard G Scott said, "...every time you try your faith - that is, act in worthiness on an impression - you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to solutions you would not obtain otherwise. With even your strongest faith, God still not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow."
If we look at the situation of Alma and Amulek as it pertains to this quote, we can see with spiritual clarity greater purposes.
Alma tried his faith by acting on an impression from the Spirit (not saving the believers from the fire). Amulek exercised his faith, too, as he accepted what Alma said as truth - even though they may not have fully understood why. Their faith was strong, and their desires were pure- they wanted to save those women and children. But, our will is not always His.
Because exercised faith in following the Lord's will four things happened.
1. The believers were delivered to the Lord in glory, never to be tormented again by unrighteous husbands and rulers. If you think about it- the kind of men that could do this, they were probably cruel to their wives and children in daily life.
2. They have righteous witnesses to stand against them at their judgment day, further ensuring their eternal (painful) reward.
3. The perpetrators were set up to be in one place at one time, to suffer and die in a most painful and terrifying way (earthquake, walls crushing)
4. Alma and Amulek's character grew. They had strong faith before, but because they exercised faith by following the impressions they received, regardless of how much it went against their desires, their characters became more like the Savior, their faith became stronger. And they were able to use this stronger faith to call down the powers of heaven to shake the earth, loose their bands and collapse the prison.
I know God has a plan for us. His plan brings us joy. But, there are times when He withholds our answers and desires- even righteous ones - until the time is best suited for our eternal benefit. Alma and Amulek are a shining example of that.
I cannot close this post, however, without speaking to the faith of those believers who were burned. Perhaps they could have been spared if they had denied, it doesn't say. But, I tend to believe that they had faith until the end, and that because of their faith unto death, angels attended them in the fire and they received their exaltation. Now- that's not gospel, that's just my opinion.
Amazing, amazing, chapter.
What did you think/learn today?
As I read this I couldn't help but liken it to our own day. Liars on every side, evil beyond what we can comprehend and sometimes people standing silent, not because God tells them to, but because of fear of the opinions of others.
ReplyDeleteStanding silent about the gospel. Standing silent in defense of our country. Standing silent in the defense of others.
Sometimes, like Alma, we are constrained. But how many times are we prompted instead? As scary as it is to me, I have to wonder at what point it will be my fire, my opportunity to deny or testify. Hopefully it is in the little things and not the reality of being cast into an actual fire.
I want to be the one who has courage to speak up when prompted. And... to listen and obey when constrained. I cannot fully comprehend the awesome power of God and His willingness to break down the walls of my prison(s). It's something I hope for, not hope He can, hope I can have the faith and strength to deserve it.
I am going to make a simply comment today and just express my appreciation for the Book of Mormon and the great examples that many of the people in it were, including Alma and Amulek. They strengthen my testimony and inspire me to be stronger. :)
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