Friday, August 23, 2013

Day 40: Alma 10-11

Happy 40th day of reading!

I think we should celebrate! I have been enjoying taking time out of my day and really studying/reading the scriptures with you. This has become a great blessing in my life and I can feel the peace that comes with reading the scriptures daily.

Today in our reading we hear from Amulek to the people of Ammonihah and his dealings with Zeezrom.

Here's a little bit of that story in simplistic terms. We will learn about what happens in tomorrow's reading.

Amulek and Alma teaching
Then Amulek began to teach. Many of the people knew Amulek; he was not a stranger as Alma was. He told them about the angel he had seen.
Amulek and Alma
Amulek said Alma was a prophet of God and spoke the truth. The people were surprised to hear Amulek’s testimony.
Zeezrom with Amulek and Alma
Some of the people became angry, especially one wicked man namedZeezrom. They tried to trick Amulek with questions, but he told them he knew about their plan.
Zeezrom talking to Alma
Zeezrom wanted to destroy everything that was good. He would cause problems, and then people would pay him money to solve the problems he had created.
Zeezrom with Amulek and Alma
Zeezrom could not trick Amulek, so he offered him money to say there is no God. Amulek knew God lives and said Zeezrom knew it too but loved money more than God.
Zeezrom and others
Then Amulek taught Zeezrom about Jesus and about the Resurrection and eternal life. The people were amazed. Zeezrom began to shake with fear.
Amulek teaches Zeezrom about the Resurrection.  Here is what I found on Lds.org

    Alma 11:41–45. Resurrection

    The risen Christ
  • The Bible Dictionary defines the Resurrection as “the uniting of a spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided” (“Resurrection,” 761; see alsoGuide to the Scriptures, “Resurrection”). Knowledge of the Resurrection adds greater meaning to mortal life.
    Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the “lively hope” that comes to individuals who possess faith and trust in this sacred truth and the impact it can have on day to day living:
    “The ‘lively hope’ we are given by the resurrection is our conviction that death is not the conclusion of our identity but merely a necessary step in the destined transition from mortality to immortality. This hope changes the whole perspective of mortal life. …
    “The assurance of resurrection gives us the strength and perspective to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and by those we love, such things as the physical, mental, or emotional deficiencies we bring with us at birth or acquire during mortal life. Because of the resurrection, we know that these mortal deficiencies are only temporary!
    “The assurance of resurrection also gives us a powerful incentive to keep the commandments of God during our mortal lives. …
    “… Moreover, unless our mortal sins have been cleansed and blotted out by repentance and forgiveness (see Alma 5:212 Nephi 9:45–46;D&C 58:42), we will be resurrected with a ‘bright recollection’ (Alma 11:43) and a ‘perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness’ (2 Nephi 9:14; see also Alma 5:18). The seriousness of that reality is emphasized by the many scriptures suggesting that the resurrection is followed immediately by the Final Judgment (see 2 Nephi 9:15, 22;Mosiah 26:25Alma 11:43–4442:23Mormon 7:69:13–14). Truly, ‘this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God’ (Alma 34:32). …
    “Our sure knowledge of a resurrection to immortality also gives us the courage to face our own death—even a death that we might call premature. …
    “The assurance of immortality also helps us bear the mortal separations involved in the death of our loved ones. … We should all praise God for the assured resurrection that makes our mortal separations temporary and gives us the hope and strength to carry on”.
Here is a great video making this promise real to all of us.

I know I have shared the following video before but I want to share it again today since it is so special to me.  Have a great night!

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