Alma 14:10
"And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames."
Mr. Griffin pointed out Amulek's family may have very well been in that fire.
I can imagine how much faith that man must have had, to watch his family dying? He has the prophet next to him who tells him that he shouldn't do anything about it, and he does as the prophet says?
This shows a couple of things to me. One, having faith in our prophet. Recently in General Conference, I felt that one of the overlying themes was to follow the prophet and to have faith in the fact that he is our prophet and he does communicate with God. It was beautiful, really. All the apostles speaking of their love for President Monson, and admonishing the saints to follow him. I've never really thought about how much faith it could take to follow a prophet, especially when times are tough or when what he says "doesn't make sense." It gave me a wish to follow what he says, and to have faith in him.
Not only that; I thought of the fact that we also have to have faith in our Father's plan for us. Recently I feel like I have made a lot of decisions that seem totally crazy--especially to the world. I am currently waiting for a mission call. But I've learned that I need to trust in my Father in Heaven and do as He would want me to do, because he does know best. I am so grateful for the knowledge that he does love me! Personally! And He knows me! Personally!
Amulek shares all of this with his enemies! Because it is so true and so beautiful! Reading about him has given me courage to share what is close to my heart, even if it may be rejected. And I have never been so excited to do so in my life! I get to share The Book of Mormon somewhere in the world!
Monday, December 8, 2014
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
What Kind of Leader am... I?
When one starts college, they feel lost in the crowd. At least I did. I went to a school where the entire high school and junior high didn't consist of more than 240 people. There were about 40 people in my entire senior class, and I knew every one of them fairly well. We were close friends. Even coming from a school in Utah where gospel was taught and expounded upon, switching to BYU was a MAJOR shock. I felt utterly overwhelmed as I watched hundreds... thousands of students passed that I had never spoken to. Most I would never be able to learn their name or understand their story or hear about any of their life events. That was weird to me.
In this section of reading, I found myself looking to Alma as a leader. Alma the younger who had led away so many of the people and fought so diligently against the church. Yet he repented and he became an incredible leader--both in the government and in the church. He was instrumental in bringing thousands to the church. He had so much opposition and went through so many trials, yet he pressed forward and worked so hard to bring forth the work of the Lord.
Alma 2:30 says, "And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people." He put himself at the forefront of battle, and was ready to do anything to help his people and do the Lord's will. He cries this prayer as he is "contending mightily" with the Lamanites "face to face", and "he was strengthened insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword." (Compare that to Noah!)
I admire Alma's courage, and I hope that someday I will be able to face my battles with that same courage and faith in the Lord. Alma was able to protect and help thousands. I can see him going around to all the students on campus and helping them through their own challenges and sacrificing for them. I can see him being a mighty leader. I see people on campus that are like that, already. I see missionaries doing this as well, and it's incredible to me watching these leaders. I aspire to be like them.
In this section of reading, I found myself looking to Alma as a leader. Alma the younger who had led away so many of the people and fought so diligently against the church. Yet he repented and he became an incredible leader--both in the government and in the church. He was instrumental in bringing thousands to the church. He had so much opposition and went through so many trials, yet he pressed forward and worked so hard to bring forth the work of the Lord.
Alma 2:30 says, "And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people." He put himself at the forefront of battle, and was ready to do anything to help his people and do the Lord's will. He cries this prayer as he is "contending mightily" with the Lamanites "face to face", and "he was strengthened insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword." (Compare that to Noah!)
I admire Alma's courage, and I hope that someday I will be able to face my battles with that same courage and faith in the Lord. Alma was able to protect and help thousands. I can see him going around to all the students on campus and helping them through their own challenges and sacrificing for them. I can see him being a mighty leader. I see people on campus that are like that, already. I see missionaries doing this as well, and it's incredible to me watching these leaders. I aspire to be like them.
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