Day 47 Alma 25-27

We are on day 47!  Wow, this is really going by fast!  Today I get to read and reflect on Alma 25-27.

In Alma Chapter 25, it is mentioned that before Abinadi was killed by fire he prophesied that the posterity of the Priests of King Noah, the posterity of the men that murdered Abinadi by fire, would have the same lot placed on them, and that they would also die by fire.  This happened to the seed of the Priests of King Noah.  Abinadi was the first in that land to be killed by fire because of his belief in God.  The Lamanites continued to believe and be baptized, they buried their weapons of war like the anti-nephi-lehies had done, they followed the Law of Moses, kept the commandments, and had peace.  Ammon, Aaron and their brothers were very happy to see the Lamanites converting and knew that the Lord was answering their prayers.

Likening Chapter 26 unto Me

I know the peace that following the Prophet of God can give.  I know that when I feel peace in my life I am able to focus, have faith, feel stronger, make better life choices and feel real joy.  I recognize that when the Lord answers my prayers it brings me the same happiness that Ammon and Aaron and his brothers felt.  I also know that faith brings blessings and miracles.  The Lamanites were wicked and beginning to repent and come unto God.  They were keeping commandments and laying down their weapons.  What are my weapons that I can lay down?  How can I bring more peace into my life?  What do I need to do in order to keep the Holy Spirit in my life at all times, in all things, and in all places?  And most importantly, what can I do every single day to teach and share the Gospel of Christ with others that are really seeking for that peace and truth?  I get to think on this a little bit more tonight.

In Alma Chapter 26, one of my favorite Book of Mormon verses is Alma 26:8.  It says, "Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever."

In this Chapter, Ammon is basically giving a motivational talk to his brothers and those teaching with them about missionary work.  He shares that the blessings bestowed upon the Lamanites will last through their lives, and the lives of their families.  That the missionary work will bring Salvation to these men, women, and children.  He shares how because the people were taught and accepted the teachings, that when things go south, when things go wrong, they will withstand trials and they will be able to whether difficulties because they accepted the teachings and believe with faith.  

Verse 17 in Alma 26 says, "Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?"  I get this.  I feel this way all of the time.  Not that I have ever done anything intrinsically wicked per say but I definitely rebelled against the Lord, went my own way, felt resentful of my life at times and didn't believe God loved me.  I didn't have faith and trust my Savior and I can say that my mind was polluted with sadness, thoughts of despair and unforgiveness even for myself.  I wasn't getting out of my own way to let God heal me, teach me, and favor me.  After all of that, Christ showed me mercy, had my back, and brought me home to his arms.  It's a very sweet experience and I am forever thankful for it.

Ammon reminds his brothers in this speech just how much they have overcome and how the Lord was with them through their journey in the mission field.  That they were tortured, spit on, imprisoned, and mistreated but they continued to love, serve, and have faith and the Lamanites converted.  That would have been amazing to see.  Ammon reminds them of how the Lamanites who once went about murdering were now burying their weapons and refused to harm others even if it led to their own death!

I love what Ammon says in Alma 26:37, "God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all of the earth.  This is my joy and my great thanksgiving; I will give thanks to my God forever".

Likening this Chapter Unto Me

I ask myself every day, "Stacey, do you have faith?  Do you believe Christ, not just believe in Him but believe his words?  Are you showing your belief by the way in which you live your life, that your outward hands and actions, are a visible sign of an inward conversion?  I want to.  I ask for it every morning.  I hope I do.  I know that some people I meet won't know Christ, and the only example they may have of him is through me.  That is a very humbling thing to think about.  How does knowing me lead someone to Jesus?  I ask myself this every single day now.  I didn't used to ask myself this, but I do these days.

Alma 27 is heart wrenching to read.  You have the Lamanites who once were murderous and wicked now being persecuted and hunted and killed.  They have vowed to lay down their weapons and are peaceful and loving but because of this are being killed. Ammon inquires of the King to go back to Zarahemla and the Nephites for safety.  The king is like, "dude, we are not gonna be accepted there.  We hurt, murdered, pillaged, plundered and killed Nephites.  There's no way!"  And Ammon basically asked, "If I ask the Lord, and he tells us to do this will you obey and go?"  So the king says, "Yes".  That my friends is faith.  That right there because he repented, he knew that there were those who would not trust them and would hate them, but if Ammon gets the answer from God to go, the king said "Yes, we will go and become their slaves until we make right what we did to them."  Man! 

So Ammon meets with Alma, tells him everything and Alma asks the people if they will accept the anti-Nephi-Lehies.  They accept their repentance, give them the land of Jershon, and vow to protect them so that they can keep their promise not to use weapons.  What love!

These chapters were so full of beauty for me.  I appreciated being reminded how hearts can change, people can forgive, and "God makes a way where there seems to be no way", he has a "plan for my life" and yours, and "God blesses and makes good to those who love him".

This is a beautiful video that I can relate to my reading tonight.  The Anti-Nephi-Lehies were worried that Alma and the people of Zarahemla won't accept them but they did!  Watch this 4 minute video.  "Jesus Christ died for us and he loves me, his grace can transform me."