In my last post I briefly discussed Elder H. Bryon Richard's first challenge in his October 2004 General Conference talk.
Alma teaches of Moses and the rod with the snake that the people could be healed if they only looked ... we know this story. Probably because it involves people either looking or not, and hardening hearts or not. And it has the word slothful. I was afraid to see what I'd missed in this familiar scripture, but I discover the lessons have taught me this represented Christ and "look to God and live" (which probably isn't even in this scripture but that's what I think of). But do I think of live as much as look. Do the words believe and heal pop as much as harden? What is it to cast about your eyes? We talk of a hardened heart but what of the opposite? What is it not to harden? Well it turns out its dangerous stuff because we don't read it, at least I don't remember reading it. If we read it we don't study it. (though someone has studied it, because, although it has the word works, many other words are footnoted, happily). The opposite of hardening your heart is simply to believe.
My second invitation to you is to discover specifically what the word, or seed, is and plant it in your heart. You will have to go to Alma, chapter 33 to find it. When you do, your faith will take on a whole new dimension.Answer: The entire chapter teaches. The words "mercy of God" appear over and over, but its specifically about The Son of God and his saving power. Alma quotes two prophets, teaches of another, and summarizes his thoughts four times. The first series of scriptures talk of a merciful God who hears prayers and saves his people in all situations of adversity. It goes on to explain that God can do this because of his Son. "..thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me." (Only the word sincerity is footnoted in that quote.) Shockingly (and I mean that with sincerity) this is not about prayer, or all the situations that I could pray in, or the importance to pray sincerely. Somehow this is turned around to be about Jesus. Zenos points out God's mercy in the specific situation of a God who can comfort we imperfect mortals when we go to him in prayer because of Jesus. Alma zeros in on a broader application of mercy.
In the second series of scriptures Alma quotes one verse from Zenock, then points out that Zenock's people would not understand and actually stoned him to death. This is what Zenock warned:Alma 33:12-13 .And now Alma said unto them: Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old? Behold, if ye do, ye must believe what Zenos said; for, behold he said: Thou hast turned away thy judgments because of thy Son.
Alma 33:16 For behold, he said: Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son.(The only word footnoted is the word will, as in they will not understand). I feel this applies to me. There is something within me fighting so hard to resist and misunderstand the mercies that come from the atonement.
Alma teaches of Moses and the rod with the snake that the people could be healed if they only looked ... we know this story. Probably because it involves people either looking or not, and hardening hearts or not. And it has the word slothful. I was afraid to see what I'd missed in this familiar scripture, but I discover the lessons have taught me this represented Christ and "look to God and live" (which probably isn't even in this scripture but that's what I think of). But do I think of live as much as look. Do the words believe and heal pop as much as harden? What is it to cast about your eyes? We talk of a hardened heart but what of the opposite? What is it not to harden? Well it turns out its dangerous stuff because we don't read it, at least I don't remember reading it. If we read it we don't study it. (though someone has studied it, because, although it has the word works, many other words are footnoted, happily). The opposite of hardening your heart is simply to believe.
Alma 33:21-22 O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish? If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.
This, then, says Alma is the seed. I think the seed is to cast your eyes toward the idea of the Atonement (there I am glossing again) and simply believe it. Believe in Jesus. There. But no, that's not it! Believe in every single thing that Alma explains in Alma 33:22, separately, with its own merit. Which are:
Believe that there is a Son of God
Believe that he will come
Believe that he will redeem his people
Believe that the reason he will come is to redeem his people
Believe that he will suffer and die to atone for the sins of his people
(The one above is long, must be important)
Believe that he will rise again from the dead
Believe that his rising will bring the resurrection
Believe that all men will stand before him
Believe that all men will be judged
Believe that there is a last judgement
Believe that men will stand before the Son to be judged
Believe that judgement comes according to men's works.
That, all that, that is the seed of Alma. Its nothing less (and probably more). All that believing. Its not about praying at the right time in the right way (which I do think), or hardening hearts or not (though I've really enjoyed our Sunday School discussions of it), or sloth (which I worry about, sometimes), or looking (comes up), or exercising your will incorrectly (quite concerns me). Its about believing (which I never do) very special and powerful ideas the likes of which work magic. (in that spectacular and seemingly illogical way found in world of grace).
And at the end, at the very end, after believing so many things, (and if we believe them, then do time), is it time to consider men's works. Lots of stuff has to come first.
Believe that there is a Son of God
Believe that he will come
Believe that he will redeem his people
Believe that the reason he will come is to redeem his people
Believe that he will suffer and die to atone for the sins of his people
(The one above is long, must be important)
Believe that he will rise again from the dead
Believe that his rising will bring the resurrection
Believe that all men will stand before him
Believe that all men will be judged
Believe that there is a last judgement
Believe that men will stand before the Son to be judged
Believe that judgement comes according to men's works.
That, all that, that is the seed of Alma. Its nothing less (and probably more). All that believing. Its not about praying at the right time in the right way (which I do think), or hardening hearts or not (though I've really enjoyed our Sunday School discussions of it), or sloth (which I worry about, sometimes), or looking (comes up), or exercising your will incorrectly (quite concerns me). Its about believing (which I never do) very special and powerful ideas the likes of which work magic. (in that spectacular and seemingly illogical way found in world of grace).
And at the end, at the very end, after believing so many things, (and if we believe them, then do time), is it time to consider men's works. Lots of stuff has to come first.
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