Tag: Alma
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Did we have too much peace?
The pattern is consistent that when people have peace for a while they begin to prosper economically and when they prosper economically some begin to forget the source of their blessings. America has long prospered enough that people began to forget God but sometime between 2010 and 2024 the prosperity (notwithstanding various downturns) had lasted…
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Turning inward
After doing all he could to spread the message of repentance among the Nephites and seeing that they were becoming hardened, Alma turned his focus inward to his own children and sought to at least establish them in righteousness.
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In a preparation to hear the word
How could Alma tell that this new group was truly prepared to receive the word? Was it in their expressions as they looked at him? Was there a difference in their time as they asked him questions? He already had a group listening but maybe they were only mildly curious rather than thirsting for answers.…
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A hopeful voice of thunder
I’ve always thought of a powerful, overwhelming, or even frightening sound from the phrase “a voice of thunder.”it occurred to me today that Alma would have conceived of anything declaring the gospel of repentance to be a voice of hope. Upon reflection it occurred to me that while thunder might be loud and would be…
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Godly inequality
After the realignment of the people of Ammon joining the Nephites Alma notes the one great inequality that heaven can’t interfere with—those who are righteous have the light of hope in Christ to temper the stories of loss while those who reject Christ have no such buffer.
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Aligned with heaven
Ammon had already expressed to the king the very same message that he received in prayer. That is proof that his desires were already in alignment with God. Prayer is to bring us into alignment but sometimes that doesn’t take much work.
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Ammon would not be silenced
Aaron expressed his concern that Ammon was boasting but Ammon’s “boasting” only increased because he would not hide his excitement and joy at the work of the Lord. Ammon repeatedly referenced the thousands of people who had been brought to repentance through their missionary labors but it is safe to say that the stories from…
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Death by fire
There is something appealing to the wicked (and the self-righteous) about using death by fire of the innocent as a deterrent to the truth. Noah killed Abinadi The people of Noah killed Noah The people of Ammonihah killed women and children The descendants of Amulon killed believing Lamanites The people of Salem killed “witches” French…
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Asymmetric Force
At first glance one would assume that 8 missionaries could have limited effect on a city but the missionaries led by Alma and motivated by love for their fellow men who were supported by an omnipotent Father in Heaven were more than enough to reach those who were marginalized among the Zoramites.
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I see Korihor today
Every time I read about Korihor I recognize the philosophy behind his teachings evident in the actions of my children and I see his attitude evident in their words.