Alma 27: 17-18
17. Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth.
18. Now was this not exceeding joy? Behold, this is the joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.
When I read these verses, I can't help but wonder what this joy feels like. I've never been so happy that I've passed out. But, as I think about it, the most overwhelmingly happy times of my life have happened when I've been doing what's right. They've been moments of peace inside the temple. They've been golden moments spent with my family. They've been personal revelations that I have received. The truly happy times have come to me when I remember what is important and focus on putting the Savior first in my life. I testify that true happiness, exceeding joy, and moments of bliss come from doing what is right, and from following the example of Jesus Christ. He truly is happiness.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
How To
In Alma 26, there is an interesting promise in one of the verses that I have never really picked up on before.
Alma 26:22 "Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth coninually without ceasing--unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; year, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance."
So what I see in this verse is a How To scenario. If you want an increased presence of the Lord in your life, and an increased spirit of revelation, do these things:
1. Come unto the Lord humbly and repent.
2. Exercise faith.
3. Do good works and serve your fellow men.
4. Pray continually unto our Heavenly Father with a prayer always in your heart.
To me, it is completely worth it to try these four steps to feel an greater influence of the Lord in my life. I want to be the best I can be, and I know that these steps are one way for me to become a better disciple of Jesus Christ.
Alma 26:22 "Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth coninually without ceasing--unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; year, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance."
So what I see in this verse is a How To scenario. If you want an increased presence of the Lord in your life, and an increased spirit of revelation, do these things:
1. Come unto the Lord humbly and repent.
2. Exercise faith.
3. Do good works and serve your fellow men.
4. Pray continually unto our Heavenly Father with a prayer always in your heart.
To me, it is completely worth it to try these four steps to feel an greater influence of the Lord in my life. I want to be the best I can be, and I know that these steps are one way for me to become a better disciple of Jesus Christ.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Words Cannot Tell
Alma 26 is one of my personal favorite chapters in all of the Book of Mormon. Ammon rejoices in The Lord and in the joys of missionary work:
Alma 26:26 "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in The Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."
This is such a powerful verse for me mainly because Ammon states that he just can't express himself adequately. I think that sometimes words just can't express our testimonies as much as deeds and love can. Ammon and his brethren showed their testimonies by serving the Lamanites and by sharing the gospel with them. There is an incredible lesson to be learned from them that the best way to share our love of this Gospel isn't always through words but through actions as well.
Another thing I just love about this chapter is how much Ammon discusses his joy that comes from missionary work. Reading his exclamations of joy makes me so excited for when I am a full time missionary and will be feeling similar things. The joy in this chapter is so exciting and desirable. I want to be moved beyond words because of my love of this Gospel. I want to be an Ammon.
Alma 26:26 "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in The Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."
This is such a powerful verse for me mainly because Ammon states that he just can't express himself adequately. I think that sometimes words just can't express our testimonies as much as deeds and love can. Ammon and his brethren showed their testimonies by serving the Lamanites and by sharing the gospel with them. There is an incredible lesson to be learned from them that the best way to share our love of this Gospel isn't always through words but through actions as well.
Another thing I just love about this chapter is how much Ammon discusses his joy that comes from missionary work. Reading his exclamations of joy makes me so excited for when I am a full time missionary and will be feeling similar things. The joy in this chapter is so exciting and desirable. I want to be moved beyond words because of my love of this Gospel. I want to be an Ammon.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Rather Than
In Alma 24, the Ammonites (also known as the Anti-Nephi-Lehies) commit themselves and their very lives to God. Rather than kill an enemy for their own protection, the "prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of The Lord." (Alma 24:21)
This story has always impressed and stunned me simultaneously. HOW? I can't imagine watching the Lamanites coming at me to kill me and not doing anything about it. That takes an incredible amount of faith.
But, after reading through this story today, something new stood out to me. Not only were the Ammonites willing to live the gospel unto death, but all through life.
"...and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands."
The Ammonites were not only converted so much that they were willing to die for the truth, but they were willing to LIVE the gospel, something that is in ways harder to do.
This story has always impressed and stunned me simultaneously. HOW? I can't imagine watching the Lamanites coming at me to kill me and not doing anything about it. That takes an incredible amount of faith.
But, after reading through this story today, something new stood out to me. Not only were the Ammonites willing to live the gospel unto death, but all through life.
"...and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands."
The Ammonites were not only converted so much that they were willing to die for the truth, but they were willing to LIVE the gospel, something that is in ways harder to do.
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