Today the reading is Alma 6-8. Alma 6:6 described something I think I am going to start doing in my personal prayers. The People of the Church worshipped often together, but then it describes where "they would have fasts and MIGHTY prayers specifically for the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God." Mighty prayers to me describes a deep intensity. Mighty is large and strong. I want to start having strong and intense prayers to Heavenly Father specifically for the welfare of the souls who don't know God. If I start to see my role in this Church the way the people of Zarahemla did all those centuries ago, if I start to feel and understand more deeply that The Book of Mormon is for us today, that I can mightily pray as they did for those looking for God, a better way to live, and peace, then I can practice the kind of faith that Alma the Younger did, King Mosiah, King Benjamin, The People of God, and be a stronger follower of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, Maybe the Holy Ghost would penetrate deep in to my soul and God would hear my fervent prayers for others.
I was thinking about how blessed we are to live in a time of instant access to LDS Library Apps, LDS Tools App, BYUTV, YouTube, internet sites like ChurchofJesusChrist.org, etc. where we can listen to the words of the Prophets and Apostles as well as leaders of the Church at a moment's notice. We can search gospel topics and have instruction right away. I am able to listen to past talks from past Presidents of the Church, and read past General Conference talks from decades ago. I live in such an amazing time of information access. With that gift, I feel like I have a responsibility to use it prudently and wisely. To make the most of the time I spend learning and growing in my faith. I am very thankful.
"23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.
24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.
25 And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out.
In Alma Chapter 8, Alma teaches in Melek and after baptizing and teaching there he went to the land of Ammonihah. The people rejected him, spit on him, told him they didnt believe his preaching.
Alma left, but God sent an angel and the angel told him to go back (reminds me of what happened to Jonah when he didn't want to go to Ninevah and God commanded him to) and preach repentance to the people. When he got there a man said an angel visited him and told him Alma was a Holy man. He took Alma to his home and fed him. His name was Amulek. Amulek and Alma cried repentance and told them if they didn't repent they would be visited with God's fierce anger.
The people tried to imprison them in dungeons and kill them but the Lord was with them and they could not be detained or killed. The power of God was with them.
Likening These Chapters Unto Me
#1 So many times I have been prompted to visit someone, give a Book of Mormon to someone, talk about my faith with them, and then fear takes over. I don't always listen.
#2 I fear man more than God. I lose relationships sometimes due to my faith choice and because I have experienced this, I become afraid to share what I know is true! Not all Latter Day Saints experience this, but I have and so I pray to overcome fear and have more faith that God will give me courage and comfort me when I lose friends or family over my faith.
#3 I am thankful for the example of Amulek who took care of Alma the Younger, believed him, taught along side him, and became a friend to The Prophet. I want to learn from Amulek's example. I want to know that when Angels appear to me I will heed their words and believe!
If you want, please watch rhis talk by Deiter F Uchtdorf our beloved Apostle. Its 18 minutes long but so good! He talks about Alma and Amulek!
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