David Journal

Category: Scripture Notes

  • A challenging sermon

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    David
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    Alma is very direct in challenging the people of Zerahemla to consider if they are numbered among the wicked for being puffed up in pride or for being more concerned with the things of the world than the things of their souls. I wonder if his words drive any away who found themselves shaken from…

  • Pride among those in the church

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    David
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    I hear what Alma experienced as many in the church were lifted up in price because if their prosperity and it makes me wonder if/when we will see that in the modern church. My next thought is to wonder if we have seen it or are seeing it and I’m just not aware. Certainly there…

  • Modern Amlici

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    David
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    I can’t read the story of Amlici and not see the MAGA movement of today—following a lie and convincing themselves that they are in the majority even when they aren’t and trying to take the power they seek by force. The most frightening parallel is how many people become convinced to join them even when…

  • Enticing doctrine

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    David
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    The doctrines exposed by Nehor were desirable to those who did not wish to control themselves, that is, those who did not wish to follow doctrines designed to challenge and improve on human nature. For them his ready doctrines were preferable and comfortable and thus popular.

  • The washing of feet

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    David
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    When Jesus went to wash his feet, Simon Peter didn’t want to be washed. Granted that he didn’t understand then what was being offered but that is an example for everyone who wants to return to heaven by virtue of their own virtue. Unless they accept the cleansing offered by Christ they can have no…

  • Let her alone

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    David
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    Would Jesus have chosen to have the woman amount him with all that expensive oil? It’s possible He would not have recommended that action if she had asked Him in advance (we can’t know). When He told the disciples to let her alone and not trouble her for the actions she had taken there is…

  • The breaking point

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    David
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    I wonder what the point was when Judas began to consider betraying Christ. What was the reason? I don’t believe that he was always false, I expect that something happened which convinced him to stop supporting this Messiah—perhaps convincing himself that Jesus had lost that mantle. Was it how Jesus responded about the woman putting…

  • Quasi-Theocracy

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    David
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    I suspect that Alma was voted as chief judge BECAUSE he was the high priest. That suggests that the members of the church had the majority vote which makes me wonder if many of the initial judges were also priests in the church. If that was the case, hopefully there was some solid divergence between…

  • Diverging paths

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    David
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    I wondered why the sons of Mosiah did not include their friend Alma among those who went to peach among the Lamanites. It occurs to me that they likely contemplated including him. In fact, they may very well have asked him. If so, he must have felt that his path lay in ministering among the…

  • A hopeful message

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    David
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    Alma may not have noticed it at first but the message from the angel telling him “Marvel not that all mankind … must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become…