Whatever Happened to Coriaton?

I came across an interesting passage in the Book of Mormon tonight that answered a question I had been wondering about. You'll recall in Alma, chapter 39 Alma chastises his son Corianton for breaking the law of chastity. Corianton was on a mission, but had gone after the harlot Isabel. Alma let his son know how serious his sin was, and told him to repent and forsake his sins. He let him know how his actions had damaged the missionary work there. It's quite a powerful chapter about sin and forgiveness and repentance, and I'd always wondered what happened to Corianton and if he had repented.

Tonight I found the answer in a verse I hadn't really noticed before and it made me happy. Alma 49:30 says:

"Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was delcared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethern, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and send forth to preach among the people."

There was my answer. Corianton must have repented! It is encouraging to know that even if a person commits a serious sin, they can turn turn their lives around and again be useful servants of the Lord. It's all part of the atonement and the miracle of forgiveness.

Alma 48:16

"...his heart did glory in it, not in the shedding of blood but in doing good."
Wow. How cool would it be to just glory in doing good? I think it's sort of like the happiness/joy comparison. You don't just "feel good" when you do good, you glory, you feel amazing, because you are being an instrument in the Lord's hands. Moroni is a great hero and example for all of us, and I know that if we do follow his example, we will also be able to glory in doing good.

Alma 50:20

It has been very interesting to see this scripture many times throughout the Book of Mormon as I have been reading. It is a very important for us keep in mind, for it still applies to our lives today and I know it is true.

... inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.

This scripture is stated in Alma 38:1, Alma 36:30, Alma 36:1, Alma 9:13, Omni 1:6, Jarom 1:9, 2 Nephi 4:4, 2 Nephi 1:20, 1 Nephi 4:14, and 1 Nephi 2:20. So apparently this is true doctrine that the Lord wants us to remember. I have a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that he is the literal son of God. I know that he will come down to the earth again at the second coming. I know that this is the restored gospel and that it is true. I know that Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today and that what he teaches is revalation from Heavenly Father. I know that Joseph Smith was a prohet and that through faith he was able to translate the Book of Mormon. I know that we can all be missionaries in this dark world today and that with the help of the Holy Ghost we are able to guide those who have fallen away from the church or have never had the gospel in their lives back to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I say these things in the Savior's name. Amen.

Being Serviceable

Last month as I was interviewing on camera some of the youth of the ward for my Book of Mormon video project, Andrea mentioned how studying the scriptures helped her want to be more "serviceable." I thought that was an interesting word - one I hadn't remembered hearing before, but a word rich in meaning.

It was interesting tonight as I was studying in Alma Chapter 48 that word popped up again. In verse 19 it says:

"Now behold Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words."

It says earlier in the chapter that Moroni was "a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people." The chapter goes on to describe his faithfulness and valor as a military leader. But, the author of the chapter (I assume Mormon) makes a point of saying that those who were preaching the gospel an baptizing were doing an equally great service.

Reading that and remembering Andrea's words helped me understand the meaning of the word "serviceable" a little better and inspired me to want to be more serviceable to the Lord and my fellowmen.

Alma 44:3

"And now ye see that ye cannot destroy thhis our faith."
This verse is such a wonderful reminder! No matter what everyone else is doing around us, doing to us, or saying to us, they cannot destroy our faith. Our faith and testimony is entirely our own and we should take advantage of that by standing as witnesses of God atall times, in all things, and in all places, because our faith is ours and no one can take it from us.

When Thou Risest in the Morning

Just a quick thought about a scripture I read last night. In Alma 37:37 there's the phrase:

"and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God."

Now, I had read that scripture many times before, but this time I thought to myself that I should actually DO what it said (a novel idea). So this morning when I woke up, the sun was shining through the window, I was in my warm, comfortable bed when the temperature was around five degrees outside, and I took a moment to be thankful for a new day and all my many blessings. I truly tried to to "let my heart be full of thanks unto God." It felt good, and started the day off right. Amazing how it works to actually put into practice what the scriptures tell us to do.

I hope I can do that every morning and I think I'll be a happier person because of it.

Alma 38:5

"...I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day." This is a verse of such hope! I think we all start feeling really weighed down by our burdens every now and then, and this verse can just bring us peace. Trust in God. It's as simple as that! I think of it as sort of like those "easy buttons" they used to have in Staples commercials. Just put your trust in your God to help you out, and you'll feel a lot better!

Alma 44:3

Moroni and his followers have gone up to battle with the people of Zerahemnah (or the Lamanites) and have been fighting to keep their families alive and to save their land. Eventually the Nephites surround the Lamanites and offer them the choice of making a peace covenant with them or they can continue the battle and be slain.

That's where this verse comes in. (This scripture doesn't really have anything to do with the battle but it is a great one. So bare with me)

... And now ye see that ye cannot destroy this our faith.

I know that because of the Nephites astounding faith in the Lord, they were able to defeat the Lamanites. It is so important for us to have faith in our Savior for it is one thing that can never be taken from us. I know if we have faith in our Father in Heaven we will always be able to conquer our trials, our temptations, and the evil that is in our world today. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and I know that The Book of Mormon is true. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pray Continually

It's been five months now since the 2 pages a day Book of Mormon challenge was issued. Those who are keeping up are at about page 300. I commend those who have kept up with the challenge. But for those who are not that far, don't give up. You will gain from just reading something each day. Studying the scriptures is a life-long pursuit. When we are done with this challenge it does not mean we are done with daily scripture study.

I was impressed with a verse I read this week in Alma 34:27. Amulek is preaching and telling the people where they should pray and what they should pray for. And then he sums it up when he says"

"Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let you hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for he welfare of those who are around you."

That doesn't mean that we walk around with our heads bowed and arms folded, but that we constantly have a prayer in our hearts. We think as we're in our homes or at at school or at work; "what can I do to help those around me? Who can I talk to so they'll have a better day?"

Also, if we constantly have a prayer in our hearts, it will be nearly impossible for Satan to be successful in tempting us to do wrong. It is my hope that we will take this advice to heart and continually have prayer in our hearts.

Alma 32:2

"...After much labor among them they began to have success..." Isn't that so true for everyone and everything? Nothing just happens. At my house, we have a quote with a picture of Jesus on it that says, "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." This applies everywhere- schoolwork, missionary work, hobbies, self-improvement, chruch callings, you name it! Our purpose here is to learn and grow and then return to our Heavenly Father. Life is going to be hard work, so it's better sooner than later to get used to the fact we're it's going to take effort.

Alma 34:35

For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.

This is a great scripture. (They all are really) It is a great gift we have been given; to be able to repent for our sins and our mistakes, and this gift is essential for us if we want to return and live with our Father and his son again. For no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God. In order for us to be set on the right path again though, we have to follow these three steps:

Repent: We kneel down in prayer and sincerely ask our Heavenly Father to forgive us of our mistake.

Promise: We promise never to repeat the mistake we have made.

Forget: If we follow the first two steps, Heavenly Father won't hold us accountable any longer and he will forget the sin we have committed. It is our job to try our best to forget and not dwell upon what we have done in the past.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.