I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from The Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity - the pure love of Christ - will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness. - President Marion G. Romney
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Alma 18
Sorry, everyone, for the late post. I have an unexpected Dr. appointment this morning, so I won't be able to do a full post.
Alma 18 continues Ammon's teaching King Lamoni. Please share your thoughts and insights about this chapter.
In my scriptures I had previously written that Ammon could not be slain because of the promise to Mosiah. I was glad to revisit that thought.
vs.23 And the king answered him and said; Yea I will belive all thy words. And thus he was caught with guile.
Oh man! How many times do I get caught with guile. Sometimes I'm not a Nay or Yea gal, but a ya,ya, ya girl. I may say yes but in my head I'm saying "We'll see about that...." I'll avoid sharing my thoughts with someone when I totally don't agree just to avoid conflict. I very rarely out and out lie but I hate conflict and will sit on things in my heart that may need to be said. Or I'll emphasize parts of a story to my or the hearer's benefit. It was interesting to me in the NT that the Lord referred to Nathanael as a man without guile and in the D&C Edward Partridge also as a man without guile. I would like to develop this quality.
vs 35 And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me which giveth me knowledge and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.
This scripture is very good at defining the difference between the influence of the Holy Ghost and the receipt of the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I love that Ammon says that a portion of that spirit dwells in him. This is just sweet to my soul.
This was such a great chapter. I love that Ammon is such a dedicated servant, he gives all of himself in his service. And Lamoni can see that dedication.
In verse 17 we see that he is a great servant, but completely humble. He says; "I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great? Behold I am a Man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do."
What a great example of complete faith and obedience. I should be more like Ammon.
He also gives due credit for his abilities and power. In 34 he says, "I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people," and in 35; "..a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my FAITH and Desires which are in God."
Obedience, hard work, faith, worthiness to have the companionship of the Holy Spirit, and righteous desires, make Ammon an effective servant of the Lord.
Thank you Janelle for pointing out the portion on guile. I find myself guilty of that far too often.
I have to admit that I realized after I posted my comment that I was ahead 1 chapter and had read Ch 18 and didn't even pay attention to that so apply my comments about Ammon following through and continuing to serve for today's reading. I just have re-read 18 today so that I am on the same page again. Can you tell I have been busy lately?!?! hehehe I enjoyed all your comments and insights yesterday and today so far. Thanks for those!
vs. 5 -- I feel, too, that when my knowledge of God and His character increases, I can see my sins and imperfections much more clearly. Finding out who He is is a clear path to a repentant heart.
vs. 8-10 -- I just love this exchange. And I like the end of vs. 10 -- "even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them." I can't be satisfied with obeying some of the commandments properly -- I need to be remembering and obeying all of them.
vs. 13 -- shows how completely compelled by Ammon's service they all were. The referred to him as Rabbanah, even in the presence of their king. And Lamoni didn't punish them in any way. They must have all been in some serious awe.
vs. 24-33 -- This simple exchange (and the one that follows starting in about verse 35) is so different from Alma's with the wicked Ammonihahites who seemed to have known the scriptures.. They were blinded by their so-called wisdom, much like the Jews in Jesus' time. Here we see a man who has never been taught truth and yet can believe it simply and with great faith when he hears it. "Wo unto them who are learned and think they are wise."
vs. 41 -- mare of a true missionary -- his message turns the listener to Christ - not to the missionary.
4 comments:
In my scriptures I had previously written that Ammon could not be slain because of the promise to Mosiah. I was glad to revisit that thought.
vs.23 And the king answered him and said; Yea I will belive all thy words. And thus he was caught with guile.
Oh man! How many times do I get caught with guile. Sometimes I'm not a Nay or Yea gal, but a ya,ya, ya girl. I may say yes but in my head I'm saying "We'll see about that...." I'll avoid sharing my thoughts with someone when I totally don't agree just to avoid conflict. I very rarely out and out lie but I hate conflict and will sit on things in my heart that may need to be said. Or I'll emphasize parts of a story to my or the hearer's benefit. It was interesting to me in the NT that the Lord referred to Nathanael as a man without guile and in the D&C Edward Partridge also as a man without guile. I would like to develop this quality.
vs 35 And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me which giveth me knowledge and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.
This scripture is very good at defining the difference between the influence of the Holy Ghost and the receipt of the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I love that Ammon says that a portion of that spirit dwells in him. This is just sweet to my soul.
This was such a great chapter. I love that Ammon is such a dedicated servant, he gives all of himself in his service. And Lamoni can see that dedication.
In verse 17 we see that he is a great servant, but completely humble. He says; "I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great? Behold I am a Man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do."
What a great example of complete faith and obedience. I should be more like Ammon.
He also gives due credit for his abilities and power. In 34 he says, "I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people," and in 35; "..a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my FAITH and Desires which are in God."
Obedience, hard work, faith, worthiness to have the companionship of the Holy Spirit, and righteous desires, make Ammon an effective servant of the Lord.
Thank you Janelle for pointing out the portion on guile. I find myself guilty of that far too often.
I have to admit that I realized after I posted my comment that I was ahead 1 chapter and had read Ch 18 and didn't even pay attention to that so apply my comments about Ammon following through and continuing to serve for today's reading. I just have re-read 18 today so that I am on the same page again. Can you tell I have been busy lately?!?! hehehe I enjoyed all your comments and insights yesterday and today so far. Thanks for those!
vs. 5 -- I feel, too, that when my knowledge of God and His character increases, I can see my sins and imperfections much more clearly. Finding out who He is is a clear path to a repentant heart.
vs. 8-10 -- I just love this exchange. And I like the end of vs. 10 -- "even he doth remember all my commandments to execute them." I can't be satisfied with obeying some of the commandments properly -- I need to be remembering and obeying all of them.
vs. 13 -- shows how completely compelled by Ammon's service they all were. The referred to him as Rabbanah, even in the presence of their king. And Lamoni didn't punish them in any way. They must have all been in some serious awe.
vs. 24-33 -- This simple exchange (and the one that follows starting in about verse 35) is so different from Alma's with the wicked Ammonihahites who seemed to have known the scriptures.. They were blinded by their so-called wisdom, much like the Jews in Jesus' time.
Here we see a man who has never been taught truth and yet can believe it simply and with great faith when he hears it. "Wo unto them who are learned and think they are wise."
vs. 41 -- mare of a true missionary -- his message turns the listener to Christ - not to the missionary.
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