Alma 42-43

Quote "How great the wisdom and the love

That filled the courts on high

And sent the Savior from above

To suffer, bleed, and die!"

~Hymn 195

Question "How does understanding the Fall help you more fully love Jesus and appreciate what He did for us?"

The way that Alma lays it all out for his sons is just beautiful, plain, and clear. We would all be completely cut off from our Father in Heaven, if it weren't for Jesus Christ and His Atoning Sacrifice. We have been given this probationary time to repent of our sins. And even though we are cut off from our Father's presence right now....we have a life~line....we have a Savior that helps us have hope! When we study the Fall of Adam, we have a greater understanding of our purpose here on here.

Alma 39-41

Quote "You cannot do wrong and feel right. It is impossible."

~ President Ezra Taft Benson

Question "How important is it to you to follow the counsel of your parents and other righteous priesthood leaders?"

(Read Alma 36:17~ During the time Alma was racked with torment for his sins whose words did he remember that caused him to cry out for forgiveness?)

I feel like now that I am a parent, I can see how parents want nothing more than their kids to be happy, and successful in this life. I'm not sure that I fully appreciated that growing up, although, I was the youngest of 5 kids, and did see my parents suffer a lot over their kids decisions. I would love to take what I know, and transplant that information into my children's brains to spare them the pain and grief that I have experienced. I'm gonna have to say that it is absolutely crucial that children today know that following the counsel of their parents, as well as righteous priesthood leaders is for their own protection and happiness. You just can't be happy when you are making bad choices for yourself....you just can't.

Parents have a heavy burden, and responsibility to do all they can to ensure that their children have been taught the ways of the Lord. I know when Alma the younger was tormented, that he did remember the words of his father, and I believe he knew in that instance, how much his father loved him, and how much he had grieved his father with the decisions that he made. And most importantly, he knew that his father had taught him the truth, because in that instance, he prayed that Jesus would have mercy on his soul, and all of his pain was immediately replaced with joy. And how relieved must Alma, the father, had been, to know that he had done all he could to teach his son righteous principles, and that his son was able to recall his words when he needed them the most. If my child were in a similar state, I would hope that my words and teachings would be able to help them through, that I had done my job well enough.

I sincerely hope that I can teach my children to trust in my words, and also the words of the prophet, and leaders of the church, and hope that they have good experiences, and good teachers to reinforce those beliefs.

Alma 37-38

Quote "I have little or no fear for the young man or the young woman, who honestly and conscientiously supplicate God twice a day for the guidance of His Spirit. I am sure that when the temptation comes they will have strength to overcome it by the inspiration that shall be given to them. Supplicating the Lord for the guidance of His Spirit places around us a safeguard, and if we...honestly seek the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord, I can assure you that we will receive it."

~President Heber J. Grant

Question "What are some things you talk to the Lord about? How does He direct you for good?"

We have been commanded to pray always, over all things, daily. This is sort of a challenge for me because I do not like to have a lot of repetition in my prayers, yet this seems unavoidable. I have talked to the Lord about a wide variety of topics in my life, from a simple blessing on the food, to the most painful, sorrowful things of my heart. I, personally, mostly pray to do better, to be better, to have a greater desire to be better, and to be forgiven. I pray for my children, and family, our military, the missionaries, friends, neighbors, those in need, and lots of other things.

The Lord directs us for good through the Holy Ghost, and through the scriptures. The Holy Ghost is Heavenly Father's way of talking to us, and answering us. When we get a good feeling from the Holy Ghost, we know we are pleasing our Heavenly Father. He has also given us the scriptures to tell us how we should live our lives, and what He expects out of us. We know that if we keep His commandments that we are headed in a good direction.

Alma 34-36

Quote "The thought of intentionally committing serous sin now and repenting later is perilously wrong. Never do that. Many start that journey of intentional transgression and never make it back. Premeditated sin has greater penalties and is harder to overcome. If there is sin, repent now - while you can."

~Elder Richard G. Scott

Question "What does Satan do to try to keep you from repenting? How many reasons can you think of for why it's important to repent now?"

Satan does not want us to repent for obvious reasons....he wants us to be cut off from the presence of God. He wants us to be as miserable as he is, and he will stop at nothing to get as many people away from God as he is able.
I'm sure there are many reasons to repent now, but one main one that stands out to me, and that is so that we can be closer to God. His spirit cannot dwell in unholy places....and as human beings, we are unholy A LOT! Repentance is necessary.
Last Saturday, I was at a baptism, and Bishop Nevitt was talking about repentance. He was saying that the most communicated message in the scriptures is repentance. He said that he has never been able to read his scriptures without seeing "repent" in them.
It is vital that we turn away from sin, humble ourselves, and submit our will to God's, in order to receive His guidance, and His love, and His blessings.

Alma 32-33

Quote "Of all our needs, I think the greatest is an increase of faith"

~President Gordon B. Hinckley

Question "How often do you exercise faith? What difference can "a particle of faith" make in our actions? (see Matthew 17:20)

I exercise faith every day in some form. Every time I say a prayer, give service, keep a commandment, think about my Savior, read my scriptures....etc. That is not to say that my faith is great. I think my own personal faith is stronger in some areas than others.

I love Alma's discussion with the "humble", when he discusses the particle of faith. This is such a great missionary lesson. Are there not those all around us in our world that believe nothing, or that believe in God, but not sure what to do about it, and also those that seek after truth? I know people that have said things such as "I've never seen evidence of a God, so I can't believe He is real". Alma says "Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it."

Even if he have no more than a desire to believe, we can use that "particle of faith" and test it to see if our faith grows from it. It doesn't take long for that seed of faith to start to swell, since we are all born with the Light of Christ, our spirits know the truth!

Halloween 2010

This Halloween...

Happy Halloween Everyone 2010!!!!

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