Saturday, August 31, 2013

Day 48: Alma 28-30

Dear Friends,

I hope you all are having a wonderful Labor Day weekend!  We have had a fun-filled day with our family and it has been FABULOUS!  There were many Cardon Cousins in our home running around that I was filled with such joy.  I am so grateful for family.  Today my Sister-in-law and I took our girls on a fun Girl's Date.  What sweet memories for my daughters.



We then had a BBQ/Swim Party with my nephew and his family along with some of our distant cousins from church.

Today we are reading in Alma 28-30.  There is a lot of war and a lot of death but there is also a lot of rejoicing.  I love the following verse in chapter 28…

Alma 28:14
"And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing -- sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life."

Chapter 29 is SOOOO powerful!  I wish I could write all of it here but I will just encourage you to read it all and study it.  

Alma 29:1
"O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!"

"Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth."

I want to close today by sharing this video from the Mormon Channel on Youtube.  I hope you find it encouraging and helpful.  Love to you all!  Keep reading and let me know if I can do anything for you.


Hugs!
Robyn

Friday, August 30, 2013

Day 47: Alma 25-27

Hello My Reading Friends!

Can you believe it is Friday already?  So happy for the weekend.  We have my husband's brother and his family staying with us until Monday.  I am so grateful for family.  What a blessing it is to get together.  Tomorrow we are going to play some tennis in the morning.  So fun!  This afternoon I got a call from my 6 year old's 1st grade teacher and apparently he had stuck a rock in his ear.  My husband picked him up and took him to our dr's office.  They were able to get it out no problem but what a way to end the 2nd week of school!  LOL!  Here is a picture of him on the way home from the doctors.  I bet he was so happy to get that rock out!

On another note, my big sister got her Master's degree today!  She is the first one out of all my siblings that has graduated from college with a Bachelors and a Masters.  I am so proud of her!  She has been through so much these past years being a single mom of 4 kids, working full time, AND going to school full time.  What a great example she is to me.  Way to go Sis!!


I loved today's reading!  There are so many verses that I have highlighted.  How about you?  Have you highlighted your favorites in these chapters?  I love all of the many miracles that happened to the Lamanites after the Gospel of Jesus Christ was taught to them.  Here are some of my favorite scriptures…

Alma 26:16
"Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever.  Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord?  Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men?  Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."

I looooove that verse!  It is so true!  "Who can glory too much in the Lord?"  None of us can.

    Alma 26:15–16. “Who Can Glory Too Much in the Lord?”

  • Just as Ammon felt to glory in the Lord and to sing His praises, so should we. Sister Sheri L. Dew, while serving as a counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, taught us concerning the role Jesus Christ plays in our daily lives:
    Is it possible to be happy when life is hard? To feel peace amid uncertainty and hope in the midst of cynicism? Is it possible to change, to shake off old habits and become new again? Is it possible to live with integrity and purity in a world that no longer values the virtues that distinguish the followers of Christ?
    “Yes. The answer is yes because of Jesus Christ, whose Atonement ensures that we need not bear the burdens of mortality alone. …
    “Through the years I, like you, have experienced pressures and disappointments that would have crushed me had I not been able to draw upon a source of wisdom and strength far greater than my own. He has never forgotten or forsaken me, and I have come to know for myself that Jesus is the Christ and that this is His Church. With Ammon I say, ‘[For] who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy … ? Behold, … I cannot say the smallest part which I feel’ (Alma 26:16). I testify that in this, the twilight of the dispensation of the fulness of times, when Lucifer is working overtime to jeopardize our journey home and to separate us from the Savior’s atoning power, the only answer for any of us is Jesus Christ” 

Here is the entire talk given by Sheri L. Dew.  Hope you enjoy it!


I also not only highlighted, but underlined the following scriptures…

Alma 26:22
"Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing -- unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance."

Alma 26:27
"Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said:  Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

That is such a comforting promise that is for us as well.  We can liken all scriptures unto us as these are words for our day as well as in the days of old.

    Alma 26:27. Perseverance Leads to Success

  • The success the sons of Mosiah experienced among the Lamanites exceeded their expectations (see Alma 26:30–31). As they began their missions, the Lord promised, “I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls” (Alma 17:11). With this promise they “took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God” (Alma 17:12). Success in their endeavors did not come automatically, even though the Lord had promised it. During the course of their 14-year mission, they experienced “all manner of afflictions” (Alma 26:30). The record further indicates their hearts became “depressed, and [they] were about to turn back” (Alma 26:27). Yet, trusting in the promises of the Lord, they continued their efforts. Then, as He always does, the Lord honored His promises and rewarded their perseverance.
The following is a GREAT discussion/ talk about dealing with trials in our lives.  I hope it touches your hearts.

I want to close today by sharing a song by Hilary Weeks about our Savior.  I am so grateful that I have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who atoned for my sins.  I am far from perfect but I know that I can be perfect in him.  Love to you all!  Have a wonderful night!


Thursday, August 29, 2013

Day 46: Alma 23-24

Happy Thursday Everyone!

This week has gone by so fast!  So happy to have my BIL's family arriving tomorrow and my best friend Karlee arriving in one week.  Lots of fun things coming up!



I loved today's reading!  I feel like I am saying that every day.  LOL!  I hope you also enjoyed the story of King Lamoni's father.  I just wanted to share a couple uplifting pictures and videos today.  I hope you all have a great night.  I will check in with you tomorrow.


Big hugs!
Robyn

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Day 45: Alma 20-22

Hello Everyone!

We are officially half way through reading the Book of Mormon!  How exciting is that?!  Thank you so much for reading it with me.  Today has been a busy day with an early start so I will keep it short for today's post.  I just want you all to know how much I love reading the Book of Mormon.  I learn something new each and every time I read it.  When I have a question or concern I pray to my Heavenly Father and He answers me many times through the scriptures.  I know that they are the word of God and they are stories of real people who lived on the American continent.

I love the scripture in Alma 20:20 that reads…
"…nevertheless they were patient in all their sufferings."

Wow!  What a powerful statement.  Are we patient in all of our sufferings and trials?  I know that this story of Ammon's brethren can bring me great strength in my life.  Here is a video I found on the Mormon Channel on Youtube about patience.


Here is another great video on patience.  What a great faith-promoting story!  To learn more about my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, click HERE.
I also love the following…

Alma 21:23
"…and they were zealous for keeping the commandments of God."

I love the story in Alma 22 where Aaron, Ammon's brother and King Mosiah's son, teaches King Lamoni's father who is the high king of all the Lamanites.  Another GREAT conversion story of how the gospel can change lives.  What a healing power the atonement of Jesus Christ is and how it can be applied to any and ALL of us!  To learn more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ click HERE.

I hope you all have a great night!  It's time for me to go to bed.  I got up way too early and have another early day tomorrow.  I am so looking forward to this Friday when my brother in law will be in town with his family!  YAAY for Labor Day!

Big hugs!
Robyn


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Day 44: Alma 18-19

Hello Dear Friends!

I am so happy to share today's reading with you all!  I LOOOVE the story of King Lamoni and also of Abish.  There is just so much to cover today but I will just focus on my favorite scriptures and stories.  I encourage you to pray and ponder during today's readings.  The theme of the last week has been that anyone can change.  Today's reading is also an example of that.  It strengthens me to see what a huge transformation King Lamoni, his wife, servants, and people in his kingdom had.  The gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of God can do miracles.  In times of old as well as in our times.

I found this WONDERFUL explanation of the last few chapters on lds.org.  I know it is long but I feel that it will help us understand what happened during King Lamoni's conversion.


King Lamoni


Proud ruler of a proud people, he was humble enough to learn.
It is recorded in 2 Samuel, chapter 23, that the last words of King David as a psalmist, given to him by God, were these:
“He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
“And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.” (2 Sam. 23:3–4.)
That beautiful tribute could easily be given to the Lamanite king Lamoni, a descendant of Ishmael and king over the land of Ishmael, a Lamanite territory. (See Alma 17:21.) Lamoni had been raised in the darkness of the Lamanite tradition, but his life was to change immensely the day Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah, crossed the borders into his land.
It was the custom of the Lamanites in the land of Ishmael to bind all Nephites who trespassed into their lands and carry them before the king to be imprisoned, cast out, or even slain, according to the king’s desire. (See Alma 17:20.) But when Ammon was brought bound before him, King Lamoni did none of these things to Ammon; instead, he gave him an opportunity to explain his intentions. In doing so, Ammon was either extremely impressive or King Lamoni possessed much basic goodness, or both—or perhaps Lamoni had learned that Ammon was the son of a king and saw the possibility of some kind of political opportunity. In any event, upon hearing of Ammon’s desire to dwell for a time within the land, Lamoni was very pleased and granted him that privilege. Not only that, but he also offered him one of his daughters to be a wife. (See Alma 17:22–24.)
In spite of these acts of generosity to Ammon, we learn that Lamoni had not always hesitated in the past to misuse his powers as king. For after thieving Lamanites scattered the king’s flocks, those servants responsible for his flocks feared exceedingly for their lives, and with just cause. King Lamoni had previously slain those who failed in that stewardship. (SeeAlma 17:28.) But when the servants returned to inform King Lamoni of all that Ammon had done in defense of his flocks at the watering place, he was “astonished exceedingly.” (Alma 18:2.) From this reaction and from subsequent actions by Lamoni, we discover a number of things about the character of this remarkable king. We find him to be an individual of basic faith within his own traditions, for we see that he did believe in the tradition of a “Great Spirit,” which had been taught by his fathers, and he wondered if Ammon was that Great Spirit. (See Alma 18:2, 5, 11.) We also find him receptive to the first small shafts of light that began to penetrate the Lamanite traditions. For although the Lamanite belief in the Great Spirit seems to have required righteous action only to the extent that “they supposed that whatsoever they did was right,” Lamoni began to fear, and his conscience to wrestle with good and evil—specifically regarding the slaying of servants who had failed to protect his sheep.
The scriptures indicate that Lamoni was so unsettled by the events surrounding Ammon’s defense of his flocks that he dared not even call Ammon into his presence. (See Alma 18:11.) However, that fear was not jealous fear that his power was somehow threatened, but righteous fear that his own actions had been unworthy—certainly a mark of justice in his character.
To appreciate more fully Lamoni’s reaction, it might be helpful to contrast it with that of King Saul when David’s great feats were lauded before him. Saul’s major reaction was one of jealousy, seeing David’s greatness as a threat to his own power and glory and brooding upon that jealousy until he sought over and over again to take David’s life. The thought that came to dominate Saul was: “… and what can he have more but the kingdom?” (1 Sam. 18:8.)
Yet we see none of this kind of jealousy in Lamoni. When he was told that this Ammon who had demonstrated such power over the king’s enemies was at that moment preparing the king’s horses as commanded, he was pleased. It seems really to be a matter of righteousness responding to righteousness. He marveled that one of such power would also serve faithfully in a lowly task. (See Alma 18:8–10.)
When Ammon appeared on his own before Lamoni, there was a great change in Lamoni’s countenance, and he was unable to speak in Ammon’s presence. At length when Ammon perceived the king’s thoughts and spoke of the cause of his awe, Lamoni’s amazement grew even more until it broke forth in an abrupt question: “Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all things?” (Alma 18:18.)
Ammon’s reply to the contrary does not seem to generate much emotion one way or another, but only central driving questions: “How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? … Tell me by what power ye slew and smote … my brethren that scattered my flocks.” (Alma 18:20.) Again, Lamoni’s motivation seems to be governed not by jealousy or covetousness, nor by fear at this point, but by one simple great desire: to know the truth. And because Lamoni’s mind was apparently free of selfishness, jealousy, and covetousness and was filled with a desire for truth, he received that truth in all its beauty and power.
When Ammon said to Lamoni, “Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things?” Lamoni replied, “Yea, I will believe all thy words.” (Alma 18:22.)
Ammon then proceeded to expound the gospel to him—the identity of God, the creation, the Nephite-Lamanite history, the doctrine of Christ, etc. Lamoni’s response was: “I believe all these things which thou hast spoken.” (Alma 18:33.) This is obviously sincere belief, not hasty or false words elicited by force or trickery.
Again, we must recognize Lamoni’s readiness to believe as a remarkable quality of greatness. Much of what Ammon said must have been hard for him to hear. It was counter to everything the Lamanites had been taught to believe. Especially when Ammon “rehearsed unto them concerning the rebellions of Laman and Lemuel, the sons of Ishmael, yea, all their rebellions did he relate unto them”—that was certainly not the kind of thing anyone would want to hear or believe about his fathers. And this version of past history came from a Nephite. The traditional teachings handed down by Lamoni’s fathers had been that Nephi had usurped the place of honor belonging to the older sons of Lehi, and thereby the right and power to rule over the people. (See Mosiah 10:12–17.) We realize how much hatred toward the Nephites this tradition had engendered among the Lamanites, and we also get some idea of how strongly these ideas must have been urged upon Lamoni, when we later hear his father say, “Whither art thou going with this Nephite [Ammon], who is one of the children of a liar? …
“Behold, he [Nephi] robbed our fathers; and now his children are also come amongst us that they may, by their cunning and their lyings, deceive us, that they again may rob us of our property.” (Alma 20:10, 13.)
Yet Lamoni chose to listen to Ammon, and after all of Ammon’s teachings it is recorded that Lamoni “believed all his words.” (Alma 18:40.)
In addition to the fact that Ammon’s teachings must have been hard for the ordinary Lamanite to forthrightly accept, remember too that it is not usually the way of kings to humble themselves before others to a state of teachableness. It is true that Ammon had just demonstrated remarkable powers. But we would greatly underestimate Lamoni’s character if we were to believe that his conversion was attributable only to that demonstration of power. Actually, power in others has traditionally been construed by rulers as a threat to their own powers. Pharaoh beheldMoses’ power, and the Sadducees knew of Christ’s miracles; yet selfishness and jealousy in both instances vanquished humility and belief. And consider again the case of Saul when he beheld David’s growing power: “And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David. … And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.” (1 Sam. 18:28, 29; italics added.) Thus Lamoni’s humility and belief are doubly noteworthy.
Because of Lamoni’s faith and acceptance of the truth, he was blessed with a special and powerful spiritual experience. When Ammon finished teaching him, Lamoni began to cry to the Lord for mercy, for himself and for his people. Then he “fell to the earth as if he were dead” (Alma 18:42) and remained that way for three days. Some of his household were convinced that he was dead.
Ammon, however, understood that King Lamoni was not dead, but that he was “under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light … had infused such joy into his soul … that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God.” (Alma 19:6.)
If any of us can recall the joy we have felt when just a small portion of darkness regarding a simple principle has been replaced by light and understanding, perhaps we can begin to sense the vast joy that became Lamoni’s as the burden of darkness and ignorance gave way to great and beautiful light. Particularly we must be sensitive to the joyful transition from belief in a vague “Great Spirit,” with an indeterminate effect on people’s everyday lives, to a knowledge of the glory and goodness of the true and living God, who created man in his image, suffered with and sustained him through all tribulation and would offer his Son to redeem him, then promise him all that is promised in eternal life. There was indeed cause to be overcome with joy.
But there was more to the experience than even that. We learn from Lamoni himself upon his arising that he had been active while “carried away in God”:
“As sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name.” (Alma 19:13.)
This whole experience seems to fall into a pattern that may be recognized elsewhere in the scriptures. Consider, for example, the blindness of the New Testament Saul on the way to Damascus. Why was he stricken blind for a period of three days, his vision only restored after Ananias came to him? Was the Lord merely punishing him? Was there no larger purpose in his blindness? Did not Paul suffer physical blindness that gave way under priesthood blessing to sight as a memorable physical witness that he was undergoing the great change from spiritual blindness to spiritual sight? “Receive thy sight,” his blessing reads, “and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” (Acts 9:17–18; see also Acts 9:8–16.)
Consider also the younger Alma’s experience with the angel, which occurred not long before Ammon’s encounter with King Lamoni. After the angel commanded Alma and his companions (one of which was Ammon) to cease their work of destroying the church, Alma fell to the earth in astonishment and became so weak that he could not move, nor could he speak. (See Mosiah 27:11–19.) But after three days and three nights, he arose and declared that he had been “born of the Spirit,” just as all people must be “born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness.” (Alma 36:16.) Similarly, the subsequent “deaths” and then reawakenings of Lamoni and later his wife and servants, Ammon, and others may be seen as manifestations or witnesses of the rising from spiritual death to spiritual life. It may very well be that there is purposeful witness in these events, just as there was purposeful witness in Jonah’s three days of “death” in the belly of the fish and his subsequent “resurrection.” (Matt. 12:40.) Ultimately, all these events testify of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection, the forerunner of the resurrection and spiritual salvation of all men. Bringing life out of death was what Christ’s coming was to be all about. The hope and belief in that coming and its promise had been previously lost to the Lamanites.
It is significant that after the “death” and reawakening experiences recorded in Alma 18 and Alma 19, the lives of those involved underwent fundamental changes that were lasting, making these “power of God” acts of much more worth than mere signs. It is beautifully recorded that as a part of their “new life” they arose declaring “that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil.” Having “seen angels and … conversed with them,” they went forward and “became a righteous people, and they did establish a church among them.” (Alma 19:33–35.)

















I wanted to share that video with you because I believe we can all be like King Lamoni and have our own personal conversions.  We just need to ask our Heavenly Father to know for ourselves.  I hope you are all feeling a sweet peace as you are reading from the Book of Mormon.  I pray daily that you feel a special feeling in your heart that touches your soul.  I not only love this book but I also know with every fiber of my being that it changes lives.  I have seen it happen and it has also changed my life forever.  I will share my story with you all very soon.  It is one of sadness as well as hope that came through the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  

Alma 18:40
"And it came to pass that after he had said all these things, and expounded them to the king, that the king believed all his words."

There are many more things I would love to share today but I have to go get my kids from school.  I cannot wait for you to read today's chapters!  Two great examples of women of faith!  Abish and the Queen of the Lamanites.

I want to close with this video on Mothers.  I have to admit that this video comes close to my heart as I have felt the way this mother has almost every day.  What a sweet assurance this gives me.  

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Hugs,
Robyn

Monday, August 26, 2013

Day 43: Alma 16-17

Dear Friends,

I hope you all have had a great Monday.  I loved the peace I felt today.  I woke up, said a prayer that today would be a better day than yesterday, and then had very many faith-promoting experiences.  I just felt the love of my Savior for all of His children and how He wants us all to be happy.  I hope you can feel the love He has for you!  I hope you also know that you all are daughters and sons of a King. Here is a special video for you all today to start off my post.  I hope you will feel the Spirit as you listen to the words and view the pictures in the presentation.
Today we are reading about how the people of Ammonihah were destroyed by the Lamanites and then the story of the Sons of Mosiah which is also one of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon.  I will just share some of my favorite scriptures from today's reading.  I hope you will also take a minute to share some of your thoughts and favorite scriptures with us.

Alma 16:16
"And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming --"

In Chapter 17 we start with how Alma runs into the Sons of Mosiah for the first time since they departed into the land of the Lamanites.  He is so full of joy and happiness to find that they are still his "brethren in the Lord".  Starting at the end of verse 3 we read…


"…for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

"But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophesy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with the power and authority of God."


WOW!  What great examples they are to me.  If I want to feel the Spirit more in my life it is outlined right there in those verses what I need to do.  I have loved studying the scriptures with all of you and I have felt the Lord's presence more in my life daily.  I hope you have also felt a difference in your life.


We then learn that the Sons of Mosiah had been teaching among the Lamanites for 14 years!  WOW!  That is dedication!  Our missionaries serve for 2 years (the girls serve for 18 months).  Here are some of our newest Elders in the mission field in our area.  The one on the left has only been out for one week!  After dinner tonight they took a few minutes to teach us a lesson about the Plan of Salvation.



If you would ever like to have our missionaries over for dinner they would LOVE it!  Just click HERE to get information on the missionaries in your area.  They are serving all over the world and probably very close to your area.  Even if you are not interested in my church they love to eat and share a message of hope and faith.  You can also click HERE if you would like to visit one of our worship services on Sunday.  Would love to hear your thoughts on my church!

Back to our reading..

We then read how the Sons of Mosiah tell Alma all that had happened since he'd seen them last.  I love the following scripture.

Alma 17:10
"And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them:  Be comforted.  And they were comforted."

Here is the story of Ammon is simplistic terms.  I cannot wait to read about what happens after his encounter at the waters of Sebus!

Ammon: A Great Servant

Book of Mormon Stories, (1997), 64–68

sons of Mosiah leaving
The four sons of Mosiah left Zarahemla to teach the Lamanites the gospel. They each went to a different city.
Ammon being captured
Ammon went to the land of Ishmael. As he entered the city, the Lamanites tied him up and took him to their king, Lamoni.
Lamoni and Ammon
Ammon told King Lamoni that he wanted to live among the Lamanites. Lamoni was pleased and had his men untie Ammon.
Ammon guarding flocks
Ammon said he would be one of the king’s servants. The king sent him to watch his flocks.
Lamanites scattering flock
One day while Ammon and some other servants were taking the flocks to get water, Lamanite robbers scattered the animals and tried to steal them.
servants with Ammon
The servants who were with Ammon were scared. King Lamoni had killed his other servants who had lost animals to these robbers.
Ammon
Ammon knew this was his chance to use the Lord’s power to win the hearts of the Lamanites. Then they would listen to his teachings.
Ammon talking to servants
Ammon told the servants that if they gathered the scattered animals, the king would not kill them.
Ammon gathering animals
Ammon and the other servants quickly found the animals and drove them back to the watering place.
Ammon talking to servants
The Lamanite robbers came back. Ammon told the other servants to guard the flocks while he fought the robbers.
robbers
The Lamanite robbers were not afraid of Ammon. They thought they could easily kill him.
Ammon killing robbers
The power of God was with Ammon. He hit and killed some of the robbers with stones, which made the rest of the robbers very angry.
Ammon fighting robber
They tried to kill Ammon with their clubs, but each time a robber lifted a club to hit Ammon, he cut off the robber’s arm. Frightened, the robbers ran away.
servants talking to king
The servants took the cut-off arms to King Lamoni and told him whatAmmon had done.


I hope you all have a great night and I will see you tomorrow!

Hugs,
Robyn

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Day 42: Alma 14-15

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a very peaceful Sunday.  Church was really nice today.  I love gathering, fellowshipping, and learning of Jesus Christ with my brothers and sisters in the Lord.

I wanted to start today by sharing a song sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to invite the Spirit.

This song is very special to me.  After living in Oklahoma for 2 years and pregnant with my 5th child, our congregation was divided and the boundaries were changed.  We were asked to go to a completely different building where we did not know a soul and serve and fellowship there.  This song is what kept me going in those first few months.  I know now, after being in this ward for 7 years, that this is where the Lord needed us to be at that time.  We have made many friends and have learned many lessons that have helped with our growth as a family and as disciples of Jesus Christ.  "I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord."  Sometimes we have to take a step into the unknown to know of his true path for us.

Here is a video giving a recap of the last couple of chapters and today's chapters.  I hope it will help you get the basic idea of the story line.  I actually got a little teary eyed during today's reading.  I sorrowed for the wives and children who were killed because they believed.  I felt sad for the husbands when Alma and Amulek relayed this message to them.  Then I rejoiced when Alma and Amulek healed Zeezrom and how he repented.  I LOVE Zeezrom's story!  Another testimony of how anyone can change, even those who are going about trying to destroy the work of the Lord.  What a story of great hope.

I love the simple verse…

Alma 15:12
"And Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Lord; and he began from that time forth to preach unto the people."

Again, I repeat……  anyone can change!  I know sometimes we feel trapped and that we cannot get a hold of our weaknesses.  I know that life is hard, sometimes even harder than we think we can bear.  I also know that we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who, through the Atonement, made it possible for us to overcome our weaknesses and trials.  If we will call upon him and give our sins and burdens to him, we can do it.  We can do ALL things through Christ.  I know that this is a true principle.

Something else that popped out to me during today's reading was the story of Amulek.  We know that in the last few chapters he was visited by an angel and also left with Alma to preach the word of God to the people of Ammonihah.  After Alma and Amulek leave Ammonihah and then baptize in Sidom, Alma takes Amulek to his own home in Zarahelma and administers unto him in his tribulations.  He strengthens him in the Lord.  This tells me that no matter where we are on our spiritual journey, we ALL need strengthening.  We can never, at any point, say that we are done, or that we know all there is to know.  Amulek left his family and lost many of his friends when he joined the church and started preaching with Alma.  What a story of great faith Amulek has.  What a great example to me he is.

Alma 15:18
"Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord."

Have a SUPER great night!  Please e-mail or message me if you have any questions.  I love the Book of Mormon and am so grateful that I get to share something I love with YOU!!

Hugs,
Robyn