Alma 30-31

Guys this is the most consistent i've ever been with daily scripture study. Something I've noticed as I keep coming back for more, is that it's never the same. Kind of like when you look at a sunset, you'll realize you are looking at something totally unique; the clouds will never again be in that same formation with those same colors. Similarly, each time you read the scriptures, though the scriptures don't change, you do. Each time you're in a different stage of life. You will have changed. Your loved ones will have changed. The needs that you bring to the table will have changed. Good news is there is enough light and truth in those pages to cover every possible scenario. There will always be a new lesson to be had, no matter how many times you have read them. 

Consistently reading the Book of Mormon this year has helped me see a few different patterns emerge. We just finished the classic missionary chapters of Alma and the sons of Mosiah (Alma 7-29). Before that, from 1 Nephi till Alma, they were really trying to establish a church and set themselves on a firm foundation. This week I think we just entered the "Faith is shaken" stage. 

I think the book of Mormon shows a pattern we are currently living:

Church is organized, set on a firm foundation (1 Nephi 1 - Alma 6) [1820-1999]

Missionaries sent out to bring scattered Israel (Alma 7-29) [2000-2019]

Faith is shaken. (Alma 30-42) [2020-?]

Wars. Rumors of wars. (Alma 43 - 3 Nephi 5)

Signs of the times (3 Nephi 6-9)

Coming of Christ (3 Nephi. 11)

 

Not really excited for the war chapters in real life... but that's for another day. We've seen a few faith shaking moments already in the book of Mormon:

• Sharem taught the law of Moses but twisted it so that you just have to check the boxes and you'll be saved
• Nehor took it even further saying that no matter what you do, you'll be saved.

Korihor's platform was to straight up deny Christ. 

Ch 30

V13-16: "foolish and vain hope"

"foolish things"

"foolish traditions"

"frenzied and deranged minds"

Korihor is relabeling everything because he knows that no one would ever let go of a holy prophecy from a prophet, but they will drop a foolish tradition from a foolish father.

V17 the crux of his message, to discredit the atonement. If he can do that, everything else is a cakewalk for him. 

V19 Korihor tries to teach the people of Jershon, (which are the Anti-Nephi-Lehies) they aren't having it so they toss him out. 

V21 He tries to teach the people of Gideon, which if you remember, are the people who received that awesome sermon in Alma 7. The people of Gideon received the greater portion of the word (See the blog on Alma 8-12), and were able to withstand Korihor's attempt to shake their faith. The people of Zarahemla received the lesser portion of the word in Alma 5, and are now being shaken because of the doubts Korihor has placed in their minds. 

Korihor places little seeds of doubt to make you question your beliefs and eventually excuse your behavior. 

3 times he repeats "ye cannot know". Yet, ironically, this man who has denounced prophecy, prophesies that there will be no Christ. (V28)

Another irony is that because he has no proof, Korihor believes there is no God. What do you call believing without seeing? Faith. So discredits the faith of others because they don't line up with the faith of his own. 

V32-42 Alma responds by bearing his testimony, but they kind of end up in this stalemate. 

When talking with a skeptic, if there is no room in their epistemology for a spiritual witness, then my testimony is falling onto deaf ears. Which is why i think it's perfectly fitting that next week in Alma 32 we'll learn about giving faith a chance to grow. 

Trying to testify of Christ to a skeptic like Korihor is kind of like telling a man who has never seen rain, that it is raining outside. One way or another he could explain away the sound of rain hitting the roof of his house, the smell of rain on the trees, or maybe even the sight of the rain through a window. But he will never know of its realness until he comes outside and stands in the rain with you. 

Ch31

I want to focus on the 2 prayers given here. 

Prayer #1  (V15-18)

• Given on a high tower where others can look up at him and he could look down on the crowd. 
• "thou has separated us from our brethren". I think this happens when we focus too much on the second half of "Be in the world and not of it". Certainly do your best to not be of the world, but you can't change the world if you're not even in it. 
• "thou hast elected us to be they holy children". Another example of some truth that has been twisted just slightly. Genesis 28:14 Abraham's seed is chosen, this is true, but chosen to bless the rest of the world. ALL are chosen, some just have different roles to play. 
• This prayer is all about me and us, and denies Christ. It is clear that those giving this same prayer over and over again, are not even talking to God anymore. 

Peter Berger, a sociology professor at Boston said something like "Our realities are largely based on who our conversation partners are". So make sure God is one of them

Prayer #2  (V26-35)

• prays for strength 3 times, strength to bear infirmities and suffer afflictions
• comfort 4 times,  for himself and his friends with him
• success twice, not to benefit themselves, but to "bring others unto Christ"
• patience, power, wisdom

V36 At the end of the prayer, it doesn't say that all those things were given to them. And Alma never actually asked specifically for the Holy Spirit, yet it was given because it met every need and desire. 

"The Gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections and adapts them by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to give health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being." - Parley P Pratt

This was the biggest take away I had this week; don't ever underestimate the power that the Holy Ghost can have in your life, and do everything you can to keep it there.