David Journal

Tag: Alma

  • Death by fire

    —

    by

    David
    in

    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…

  • Asymmetric Force

    —

    by

    David
    in

    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.

  • I see Korihor today

    —

    by

    David
    in

    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.

  • Where is our faith?

    —

    by

    David
    in

    As contention has risen among the people of our nation there are many who have felt the need to arm themselves in preparation for our disagreements to escalate from violent language to violent actions. (What initially appears to be an assassination attempt on our former president would serve to validate and enhance such fears.) While…

  • Choosing a name

    —

    by

    David
    in

    In our language Anti-Nephi-Lehies is a very awkward name. I have no idea whether it was awkward in their language but either way it is interesting to consider the construction of that name the the considerations that would (or should) go into intentionally selecting a name. This awkward-to-us name is instructive. These people were trying…

  • See from alternate perspectives

    —

    by

    David
    in

    If we consider the perspective of the queen her actions make sense, but because she was wicked but because she had no information to work with. Aaron and his brethren arrived and spoke to the king but the queen was not present to see or hear anything. Her introduction was “the king has fallen” and…

  • “Not because I was good”

    —

    by

    David
    in

    Hast thou seen an angel? Why do not angels appear unto us? Behold are not this people as good as thy people? Alma 21:5 An Amalekite challenged Aaron with those words. I have no idea if Aaron responded to that but if he had responded he could have acknowledged that yes, he had seen an…

  • The father of Lamoni

    —

    by

    David
    in

    I don’t think we ever make anything if the fact that Lamoni wanted to take Ammon to meet his father. That appears to be his first thought after they had established the church in his land. I don’t know if Lamoni expected his father to be receptive to the message of Ammon or if he…

  • Alma’s reflection

    —

    by

    David
    in

    Alma’s “O that I were an angel” was obviously a personal reflection recorded in the sacred text but I’m realizing that his summary of the conclusion of the 15th year of the reign of the judges was also a matter of prophetic reflection from Alma. After all that had happened with his time in the…

  • Powerful humility

    —

    by

    David
    in

    I am amazed at the power of the example of the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi in refusing to fight back. Their determination and faith were so powerful that many of those who had come to kill them refused and over a thousand of their angry antagonists joined them instead. We don’t generally think of humility as…