Today was my kids first official day of school. We are all so happy to be back on a schedule (all but the teenagers)! I got so much done today. I even read my scriptures early in the day but then ran out of time so I couldn't post on this blog.
Here are my sweet children. I am so grateful that our Heavenly Father has a plan where we can be together as families eternally.
I thought I would share a really honest picture. Of course I was sad to see them go but so ready for at least one day to play catch up. My sweet husband even took my 11 year old to work today to do his online home school. The time flew by sooo fast! I organized the kitchen, did TONS of laundry, swept, vacuumed, dusted, and even had a snack and dinner waiting. I did more today than I did ALL Summer! LOL!!
Today we are reading about more the wars between the Nephites and the Amlicites and Lamanites. Verses 25-27 stood out to me in chapter 3.
Alma 3:25-27
25 Now all these things were done, yea, all these wars and contentions were commenced and ended in the fifth year of the reign of the judges.
26 And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one.
27 For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth. And thus endeth the fifth year of the reign of the judges.
- The phrase “every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey” figuratively invites the reader to consider himself as an employee whose choices determine whether his ultimate employer is God or Satan (see Alma 3:27). In this context, the word list refers to leaning or tilting to one side or another. Therefore, those who tilt or lean toward Satan soon find themselves employed by him and receive “eternal misery” (Alma 3:26).Eventually, the choices of a lifetime will reveal whom one has chosen as an eternal employer. President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught this truth when he declared: “Our lives are made up of thousands of everyday choices. Over the years these little choices will be bundled together and show clearly what we value” .
Alma 3:26–27. “Every Man Receiveth Wages of Him Whom He Listeth to Obey”
In Alma 4 many repented of their prideful ways and were baptized in the waters of Sidon. There were 3,500 souls that united themselves to the church of God and were baptized. I am amazed at that number. What a blessing that must have been. I wonder how much of a spiritual feast that was to have been there during that time.
Then we read on and see how some of the people fell into transgression yet again. It seems to be a pattern in the Book of Mormon. They are humble and the Lord blesses them, then they start to acquire the things of the world and become prideful.
Alma 4:12-15
12 Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.
13 Now this was a great cause for lamentations among the people, while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and suffering all manner of afflictions, for Christ’s sake, who should come according to the spirit of prophecy;
14 Looking forward to that day, thus retaining a remission of their sins; being filled with great joy because of the resurrection of the dead, according to the will and power and deliverance of Jesus Christ from the bands of death.
15 And now it came to pass that Alma, having seen the afflictions of the humble followers of God, and the persecutions which were heaped upon them by the remainder of his people, and seeing all their inequality, began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him.
- The Book of Mormon not only teaches that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ you can receive a remission of your sins, but it also teaches that you must retain a remission of your sins (see Alma 4:14; also Mosiah 4:11). President Marion G. Romney (1897–1988) of the First Presidency taught that being true to our covenants and caring for others allows us to retain a remission of our sins: “Is there any doubt that retaining a remission of sins depends on our caring for one another? If we believe these teachings, if we profess to follow the Savior and his prophets, if we want to be true to our covenants and have the Spirit of the Lord in our lives, then we must do the things that the Savior said and did”.
Alma 4:14. Retaining a Remission of Sins
19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.
20 And thus in the commencement of the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Alma delivered up the judgment-seat to Nephihah, and confined himself wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy.
Alma 4:19. Bearing Pure Testimony
- •In order to reclaim the people, Alma knew that “the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else” (Alma 31:5). President Gordon B. Hinckley emphasized the world’s need to hear pure testimonies:“You will recall that Alma gave up the judgment seat so that he might have time and strength for a greater work: [Alma 4:19]“For this same reason, the world today needs the power of pure testimony. It needs the gospel of Jesus Christ, and if the world is to hear that gospel, there must be messengers to teach it” (
“There Must Be Messengers,” Ensign, Oct. 1987, 2). - •Elder M. Russell Ballard counseled Latter-day Saints to bear pure testimony:“Simply stated, testimony—real testimony, born of the Spirit and confirmed by the Holy Ghost—changes lives. It changes how you think and what you do. It changes what you say. It affects every priority you set and every choice you make. …
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