Alma 24

Praising God Through Trials

In this part of the Book of Mormon, the people of Ammon--or the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's--were facing the Lamanite armies. Because these people had been washed clean through repentance they refused to defend themselves. The scriptures state, "...when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace" (vs.19). They placed God as their top priority--even if doing so meant that they would die. And that is exactly what they did. As the angry Lamanites came into the borders of their lands, these Anti-Nephi-Lehies went to meet them, and "prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord; and thus they were in this attitude as the Lamanites began to fall upon them..." (vs. 21). A thousand and five of them were slain that day. What has touched my heart today is the phrase in the scriptures, "they would lie down and perish, and praised God even in the very act of perishing under the sword" (vs. 23).

This phrase caused me to think of my own life and my own responses to my trials. How do I respond when I am faced with trials and challenges? What do I do? Is my first response to praise God for the opportunity to struggle? Absolutely not. Nor, do I think God would expect this exact same response from me; however, it does teach a powerful perspective on our attitudes despite our trials. I do think that as we struggle we should seek God's hand, we should alter our perspectives to His. And possibly if we do that--we may find ourselves praising God through our trials.

I want my heart to be His. I want to align myself in such a way that I can be called blessed at the last day. In order to do so, I think I need to push the world aside a bit more often and seek Him a bit more often.

Joy

Happiness

I skipped  ahead in my scripture study today, because I wanted to read about the sons of Mosiah meeting up with Alma. I just love that part of scripture. In Alma 27:17 it states, "Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth." And then in 18 it reads, "Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness."

What does it mean to be a humble seeker of happiness?

I looked up happiness in the topical guide and--of course--the topical guide is  series of scriptures that all deal with happiness; however, in just scanning through the scriptures there were a few phrases that carried heavy meaning for me. For example:

-Psalms 146:5 Happiness is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help.
-Prov. 3:13 Happiness is the man that findeth wisdom.
-Prov. 4:21 Happiness is he that hath mercy on the poor.
-John 13:17 If you know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
-Romans 14:22 Happiness is he that condemneth not himself.
-James 5:11 We count them happy which endrure
-2 Nephi 2:13 If there be no righteousness there be no happiness.
-Mosiah 2:41 Look on the happy state of those that keep the commandments.
-Alma 41:10 Wickedness never was happiness.
-Alma 40:12 Righteous are received into a state of happiness.

Almost every single one of these phrases deals with finding joy and happiness through our Savior Jesus Christ and His Gospel. Sometimes in life we can allow our circumstances that surrounds us to overshadow the gift of that we have been given. I truly believe that as we cling to the gospel, we will find joy--even amidst our trials. At this moment in my life, I am struggling. My vision is clouded by cares and worries of the world; however, I believe that if adjust my focus just a touch...focusing on the things of God, I will find peace and joy amidst my trials. Happiness can be found even in the darkest of moments, but only in and through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Suffering of Amulek

I was reading the account of Alma and Amulek today, and I was touched by the sacrifice that Amulek made. In the account, we are not entirely sure if his wife and children were killed with the other women and children in the scorching fire; however, we do know that he left Ammonihah alone with only Alma as a companion. Therefore, we can assume that his family either chose to turn their back on the teachings of the Lord, or they were also consumed by the fire. We do know in Alma 15:16 that his kindred and father turned their backs on the teachings as it states that he was rejected of them. Still, I wonder about his immediate family--his wife and children. Either way--Amulek's sacrifice to the gospel is one to be recognized. As I read this morning, I couldn't help but think if I were in his situation, would I have responded similarly? Is my testimony strong enough that the Lord would come first despite the sacrifice? Our families are our everything--as well they should be; however, the Lord should be even more.

Another thought I had this morning was the comparison of the women and children in the fire and that of Zeezrom and Amulek's perception. What if Amulek's family was amongst the women and children burned? And then to come to the city of Sidom and see Zeezrom "scorched with a burning heat" because of his sins. A group of people scorched without any sin, and then a man scorched that had grave sins hanging over him. The group of people without sin were not saved by the Lord, but then Zeezrom was saved by the Lord. I can't imagine the thoughts that Amulek must have had to process as he contemplated the differences. I think it would be difficult to not desire the same result for those women and children as Zeezrom received. With that being said, in the account, Amulek held to the course. At the end of chapter 15, the scriptures states that Alma strengthened Amulek in his tribulations.

I am grateful for Amulek and his example. To hold true to God despite not only being ridiculed by his loved ones, but also after watching those same people be destroyed in one way or another--would take great spiritual fortitude. I want to be strong in the Gospel, so strong that the every day little mundane experiences cannot and will not pull me away. What Amulek faced was far greater than anything I have ever faced, and yet he held true. There are so many other smaller situations that seem to cause us to lose sight of what matters most. I want to have the spiritual fortitude to never lose sight of my God.