Day 46 Alma 23-24

 I am in Urgent care but I will post my blog tonight!  Haha.  Kidney Stones are NOT fun.  Comforting youtube video at the end of this post.

Today the reading is Alma Chapters 23 and 24. In Chapter 23, The King of the Lamanites commands that noone harm Ammon or his brothers. He said they should be allowed access to their houses, synagogues, and Temples.  Because of the decree, thousands of Lamanites were converted.  The Amulonites and Amalekites did not convert.

The Lamanites from all of the lands that did convert called themselves the Anti-Lehi- Nephies. They were friendly with the Nephites and very self-reliant. 

In Alma Chapter 24, 

The Lamanites buried their swords deep in the earth as a promise to God to never again shed the blood of man. They even committed that if they must die rather than kill, they would die.  They felt the repentant heart towards the Lord and promised to live in peace towards others, even if it meant their own lives would end and their own blood would be shed.  Those who killed the 1005 Lamanites were touched and converted.  More of them converted then those in number who they killed.

Likening These Chapters Unto Me 

This verse in Alma 24:30 hit me strongly

30 And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things.

Those people who rose up to kill the Lamanites were once good, but became hardened in their hearts and very wicked.  I want to remember in my life to be soft in heart, to repent every day, to be teachable,  and willing to learn and be humble.  

Losing faith, losing a testimony of Christ, and not living my life with peace and friendship can lead to a hardened spirit.  I don't ever want that.  I want to live with God again.