Alma 39–42
Alma 49:30
yay, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave under the word of God, which was declared under them by helamen, and shiblon, and corianton, and Ammon and his brother, yay, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, , and sent fourth to preach among the people.
What does it mean to give heed and diligence under the word of God? I think it begins by first reading the Scriptures in a diligent way. diligence means paying close attention, consistent work or effort. It applies that we need to consistently reach scriptures at put in the effort needed to pay close attention to the scriptures. Why? Because when I have done this, I feel the spirit more and the spirit is with me. I have the ability to experience, true joy, and clarity of mind.
Alma 42:29
and now, my son, I desire that he should let these things trouble you know more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance.
We’re being taught here not to let things trouble. You trials tribulations mistakes. Temporal needs stresses at work stresses from school or from social interactions. Don’t let Any of these things bother you. The only concern that we should let bother oneself as your sins but with a purpose! And that purpose is to keep you from going back to those sins. Those choices at experiences should push you Returning, when you remember the pain that they caused to yourself and to others.
Alma 39:2–4, 8–9
One of Alma’s sons stopped being a missionary Instead, sought after a harlot Named Isabel. She affected many people and stole away the hearts of many, Including Alma’s Son. We are reminded that no one can hide their crimes from God and unless we repent, they will stand as a test money against you at the last day. “Now My Son, I would that you should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lust of your eyes, cross yourself in all these things; except you do this you can, and wise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and Cross yourself in all these things. “
Verse 9 councils us to do these four things:
- repent and forsake your sins
- Go no more after the Lusts of your eyes
- Cross yourself in all these things
- Take it upon you
What does it mean to go no more after the last of your eyes? Have discipline at exercise self-mastery to not look at others and think about lustful desires. A man can be a gentleman. The gentleman is a Noel man that exercises self-discipline and self mastery. This is the stuff that heroes are made of.
Verse 13 inspires me with hope! It reminds me the source of strength power to be able to have this self-discipline self mastery is to turn my mind and strength to the Lord. It is the Lord that gives one the power to cross themselves in all these things. The power of the symbolism of the cross implies self mastery and self discipline. Hope now whenever I see across I’m reminded of these verses that I am implored to cross myself in all these things In other words to have self-discipline and self-mastery concerning lust, lustful thoughts, and lustful actions. And that the power to do this comes from the Lord and his atonement.
Alma 48:18
“Behold, he was a man like unto ammon, the son of mosiah, yay, and even the other sons of mosiah, yay, and also Alma and his sons, they were all men of God.“ What’s powerful about this verse? Is that one of Alma’s sons “went after the harlot Isabel” yet later is being described as a man of God. In other words, he repented was given a calling. His sins were forgiven And he was described as a man of God. It is my hope that I will Also be described as a man of God.
What do I learn about the savior from this experience? That he forgives and forgets, that he gives us strength to overcome and just because we forgot the way for a moment doesn’t mean that that defines us nor means that we can never change or be completely forgiven . We also learned that the power to change comes from him, Cross myself in all these things perhaps should be my new tagline whenever I am tempted to “go after the lusts of my eyes”.
these chapters are really warnings about an information around the law of chastity. including a parable of king David and how he let temptation win the day versus Joseph, Egypt, who Resisted temptation and won the day. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/old-testament-visual-resources/2011-03-20-to-look-upon?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/35wilcox?lang=eng
👆 “Remember changes as possible, repentance is a process, and worthiness is not flawlessness.”
“Some mistakenly receive the message that God is waiting to help until after we repent. God’s messages that he will help us as we repent. His grace is available to us, no matter where we are in the path of obedience. “
“God does not need people who are flawless. He seeks those who will offer their heart and a willing mind, and he will make them perfect in Christ. And”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2009-01-0001-gordon-hinckley-lessons-i-learned-as-a-boy?lang=eng
👆🫶 I remember watching this in priest session once with my dad and brothers. It was the first time I understood the idea that the secret of living is giving.
Alma 39:1
Now, My Son, I have some more to say under The, than what I said, under my brother; for behold, have you not served the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God? Behold, has he not set a good example for thee?
This first makes the case that brothers have a responsibility to set examples good examples for their other siblings. There is strength in steadiness one becomes steady and earns that badge of honor by being diligent in keeping Commandments. In Alma, 38:2–4 the same phrase got because of your steadiness and your faithfulness, and the God“ and “you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God“ are all powerful reminders of the strength that comes the strength of character that comes when we keep commandments. Then Alma implore us to quote. I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endures to the end.“ This is a good reminder of the joy that also has brought to others when a son is faithful. Four also teaches us that we can be persecuted for being righteous, but we should bear it with patients, knowing that the Lord is with us and that he does deliver us.