Oaths and Covenants

(Alma 62:16)... they[ the Nephites] caused them[ the Lamanites] to enter into a covenant that they would no more take up their weapons of war against the Nephites. (Alma 62:17) And when they had entered into this covenant they sent them to dwell with the people of Ammon, and they were in number about four thousand who had not been slain.

I just found it remarkable that back then someone could make an oath and no matter what, they would stay true to their word. Like this instance, the Lamanites make an oath that they will not fight against the Nephites, the Nephites let them go and the Lamanites don't try to attack them any longer. We just don't have this in our world today, people cheat, they lie, they break promises, they take advantage of others, but it is our responsibility to be the example for our fellow men by not doing the things which are dishonest. It is my testimony that if we all remained faithfull to our word and helped guide others along their way, we would all be blessed and would't have to bear the grief of being cheated. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

And They Are Happy

I had the opportunity last week of performing my first marriage as bishop. A wedding is a celebration and I was happy to be a part of it. I was able to search the scriptures and the words of the modern-day prophets to find words of advice and encouragement for the new couple.

Then I thought that I may at some time be in a position to conduct a funeral. I wondered what words of encouragement to give the grieving family. What scriptures might help in that occasion?

I found one this week in the so-called "war chapters" of Alma. It talked about how the army of Antipus was so glad to be joined by the army of Helaman because Antipus' army "had been reduced by the Lamanites because their forces had slain a vast number of our men, for which we have cause to mourn." Then here is the verse that stood out to me in Alma 56:11:

"Nevertheless, we may console ourselves in this point, that they have died in the cause of their country and of their God, year, and they are happy."

While it is appropriate to mourn when we lose loved ones, as did the Nephites, we too can console ourselves that, the person who died is happy if they lived a righteous life. It also gives me motivation to live a life in the service of God so when the time comes I will be prepared.

Sometimes We Stand Alone

In Mormon 8, we learn that Mormon the prophet has been killed by the Lamanites and that Moroni is left behind to tell the "sad tale of the destruction of [his] people". He says "I even remain alone" (vs.3), "whither I go it mattereth not" (4), "I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go..." (5).

I think these are some of the lonelinest verses in all of scripture. I can't imagine losing all of my family, and not having any friends. I can't imagine not knowing what is going to happen to me and being surrounded by enemies seeking my life. Yet he moved forward in faith and finished his work. His final touches at the end of the Book of Mormon include some of the most moving passages in the Book of Mormon; he included the story of Ether and the Brother of Jared. He taught us about charity, using the spirit in making decisions, the gifts of the Spirit, the words of the Sacrament prayers, what it takes to be perfected in Christ. And yet he was alone. Hopelessly alone.

I think in our lives we are constantly faced with choices: do I go with the flow of what every one else is doing? Do I follow my friends into this movie? Do I sit in silence listening to a teacher talk critically about our religion? Do I allow others to cheat off my paper? Do I stay at this party? OR do I take a stand? Do I speak up? Do I turn around and walk away? Even if it means that I stand alone?

I hope that as we face these decisions, we will remember Moroni, who stands majestically atop our temples, yet he stands up there alone. God has a work for us too. Doing what is right is not always easy or popular, but we will never regret walking the straight and narrow path. Jesus Christ walked the lonelinest of roads so that we do not have to walk alone. He will walk beside us even when there is no one else.

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.