The scriptures make it pretty clear that truth is confirmed by two witnesses. Amulek serves as that second witness to the people of Ammonihah. He is a unique second witness, though, different from a typical missionary companion bearing testimony to what his companion has taught. Amulek was one of the Ammonihahites.
*What can we as member missionaries learn from this?
*What effect did Amulek's witness have upon the people? Why? What was it about Amulek that made his testimony so astonishing to the people?
*What similarities does vs. 26 have to our own day?
*It's late and I'm a little fuzzy, so share your other insights from the chapter (you're all really good at that anyway, thank you!)
7 comments:
In looking at vs 26 I think we can relate this very easily to our own days. I think it is so easy to yeild to Satan in such little ways and that is one way that he tries to take ahold of us. I think about just a simple thing that the prophets have told us not to do- watching R-rated movies. I LOVE movies and always have and before I joined the church I saw some pretty great movies that were rated R and since I have joined the Church there have been some movies that have come out that I really would have liked to enjoy but I think if we go against one little thing the prophets have said, I think then we will yield in other areas as well and soon Satan will have take ahold of our lives.
So when he says "why will ye yield yourselves unto him that he may have power over you, to blind your eyes..." I really feel the power in that scripture because whenever we go against anything the prophets say we are yielding ourselves to Satan and he will work so hard to blind our eyes and to help us to justify our actions. Justification is such an easy way to go against God and turn away and one little justification will easily yield to many other justifications.
Vs 27 And now behold, I say unto you, that the foundation of the destruction of this people is beginning to be laid by the unrighteousness of your lawyers and your judges.
Verses like this is what make my new calling so nerve racking. This is SUCH a hot topic in CA as our judges have gone against the will of the people and allowed marriage to be redefined. And the verses that say that when a majority of the people choose wickedness by the voice of the people is when the judgements of God will spill forth are super scary because we will vote on this again soon and what if we lose?
Janelle, I thought of that very thing while reading this chapter. It is quite a scary thought, isn't it? You can always move to Utah...:)
It is scary because it is so important to have righteous judges but I think as we draw closer to the second coming, I think our judges will become more and more corrupt. I don't know, what do you think? I have been reading a series that if you haven't checked it out, do so especially because you can probably get them at your library Jewels. It's called The Great and Terrible Series by Chris Stewart. There is 5 books out in the series and the 6th is the final one coming out in Oct. They are super GOOD READS!! Worth reading for sure!
So, I can't believe when reading the chapter last night I didn't pick this up. Good heavens. But I picked it up tonight as I re-read the chapter and guess what? I acted. I didn't just think about how it reminds me that I should act...I acted! More on that in a second.
vs. 5&6 -- "...I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power...nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart..."
I'm reading a neat book right now called "21 Days Closer to Christ" by Emily Freeman. Today's chapter was about hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd. As I reread that parable today I wrote some thoughts about how I hear His voice and what blessings I've received when I've responded (I consider this group one of those times, by the way -- thank you for being a blessing to me!). Then tonight I sat down to reread this chapter and WOW! another reminder of hearing the voice of the Shepherd! And this time in language I really adore. I think Amulek hits it right on here -- I heard, but I wouldn't hear; I knew, but I wouldn't know. I started writing in my journal again about hearing the voice and how I need to think about the things I hear, but won't hear and then started to move on. Then I "heard" the Spirit encourage me to explore that -- what things am I choosing not to hear? I quickly knew that prayer, repentance, and temple attendance were some principles I was choosing not to take full advantage of. So, I wrote them down and started to move on, but once again, I had that prompting to act...to hear and know, not just hear and know. And so I got up and called my mother in law and asked her to babysit for me once or twice a month so I can go to the temple. I am so glad I did that! I feel like Amulek -- I finally heard! And I know the blessings will come flowing in as a result. You can bet I will be saying a prayer of gratitude tonight. And asking for forgiveness for my slothfulness. Prayer, repentance, temple attendance. And gratitude for these verses in Alma 10.
Julie! I had the same prompting a week ago and hired a sitter yesterday to come once a week so I can go to the temple weekly this summer.
I will be putting some names in at the temple I'll be starting to work on the fasting and prayer part of missionary work. I finally have some ideas of where to go next with this.
Janelle -- isn't it amazing?! And isn't this about the 2nd or 3rd time we've done the same thing after reading the same scripture? Gee. I like you a lot! :) Report back, okay? And I will too. And if you'd like to post something about it (like a guest post or being a contributor) let me know...
I'm glad good things are happening here.
Post a Comment