The Great Call of Diligence

The people of Anti-Nephi Lehi, now known as the Ammonites had settled into the land of Jershon, the land given to them by the Nephites so they would have a place to stay and be protected from the wicked Lamanites. 

A battle occurred. A very large battle. It is described as being such a tremendous battle that one such battle had never been known from the time Lehi left Jerusalem. Tens of thousands of Lamanites were slain, it says. That's just one side of the fight.

Anyway, there is a description about the people after the battle is over. Everyone was mourning because of the loss of people that were dear to them, but not everyone felt the same way about it. Because it is a different thing to mourn the loss of someone who you are worried about because of how they acted, the choices that they made, in this life. To be worried about their eternal state is a far bigger worry than not having them around for the rest of this mortal life. On the other hand, it talks about how there are some who "rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know...that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness."  Who wouldn't ultimately rejoice if there was confidence that they would fine themselves in a "state of never-ending happiness"?

The conclusion of this chapter seems fitting to write about.

"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." (Alma 28:14)

See, we start to see how it all connects. We know that not everyone is righteous, and we know that we are worried about them, and want them to wind up in a state of never-ending happiness. THIS is why we work hard in the vineyard, whether that particular vineyard be the full-time mission we are called to and assigned to labor in. Or if it is our own ward. Or our friends and neighbors. Our co-workers. Our families. This is why we reiterate and discuss frequently the "GREAT CALL of DILIGENCE". Because it's about the people and the love and care we have for them.

I could definitely be better in this area. I'm pretty open about my faith, and I'm willing to have that conversation any time, but it's hard for me (for some reason?) to just open my mouth and start the conversation. I hope I can answer that great call of diligence myself and also in doing so, be an example to those around me.

Wonderful Tribute to the People of Anti-Nephi Lehi

The people of Anti-Nephi Lehi were again in jeopardy because the Lamanites, fueled by the hatred and anger of the Amalakites (Nephites who had fallen away), were coming again to attack them.

Ammon and his brethren, who had spent so much time teaching and serving these people were loathe to just watch them perish, so after consulting with the king, and the Lord, they all went up to the land of Zarahemla, and appealed to the Nephites to take them in and protect them. The Nephites put it to a vote, and they decided to give them some land and go ahead and provide protection for them going forward. Then, they are described in this way:

"And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end." (Alma 27:27)

I can't think of a better tribute to an entire group of people, to be described this way. They were wonderful people, for the rest of their lives.

I have to say, that it makes me want to live my life in such a way that someone could get up at my funeral and say "Shawn was distinguished for his zeal towards God, and also towards men; for he was perfectly honest and upright in all things; and he was firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end." I have a long way to go before these things could be said of me, but it gives people hope to see this people, who were wicked, murderous, bloodthirsty people, totally change their lives and desires, and become a people that can be described this way. This is indeed the epitome of what the atonement is for. That we can learn and grow, and become better all the time, until eventually we can become perfect.

Who Can Know the Mysteries of God

Alma 26 is a pretty cool chapter almost entirely about what it feels like to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to bring about His purposes. Ammon was talking to his fellow missionaries, the sons of Mosiah, and expressing how awesome it was to be able to have been part of the conversion of so many Lamanites. He was talking about it so much that Aaron cautioned him to make sure he wasn't boasting. Ammon made sure it was clear he was referring to praising God for the merciful blessing it was to have and take part in their experiences with the Lamanites.

There are these couple of verses just thrown in the middle of all this praising that really intrigue me. It's always nice to have a formula for success, if you will, especially in the Gospel. The use of patterns and formulas is a great way to learn. In fact, that's frequently how Heavenly Father teaches us. Anyway, so Ammon provides us with a formula that help us understand what it takes to know the mysteries of God:

"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 26:22)

I mean, if this doesn't spell it out for you, I'm not sure what would. So there's just a handful of things that Ammon is teaching, which will lead to us being given to know the mysteries of God.

At first I thought that "know[ing] the mysteries of God" meant that you'd know something that nobody else knows, or that you'd be taught the details behind some deeper doctrine or something like that. I have come to realize that to know the mysteries of God is more like having a testimony. You are still learning something personal, something that can only really be taught one way: through the Spirit. It is truly a mystery of God that each person must individually experience. So really it makes sense that it's not a complicated pattern or formula. It's just a set of things things that get us in the mindset of having the the Spirit with us. The more we have and recognize the Spirit, the more open we are to learning spiritual truth for ourselves. What a blessing to have the opportunity to learn those things directly from their source!

Let Us Glory

Ammon and the sons of Mosiah, who had spent years with the Lamanites, preaching the gospel, had a conversation with each other. Ammon is so excited and feels so blessed that he describes how awesome it is to have been an instrument in the Lord's hands in bringing the Gospel into so many of the Lamanites' lives. Aaron warns Ammon not to boast, but Ammon explains that he's not saying it had anything to do with them, but they did get to participate.

Anyway, here is some of the kinds of things he says about the experience:

"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" (Alma 26:16)

He is really just overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude and amazement to be part of that process.

Remember that Ammon those sons of Mosiah were with Alma the Younger going around and attempting to destroy the church. They saw an angel and Alma was out of it for 3 days. These men know how far they've come, and I'm sure that makes them even more grateful to be part of the conversion process of the Lamanites.

I would ask one question of myself about this verse. Do I feel the same way? Do I go about glorying in the Lord and praising him forever? Do I feel this way? I hope that I can answer yes to that question. I do like how he asks if there is any way to glory too much in the Lord. I think we sometimes limit our own rejoicing in the Lord, not because we want to hide it, but because we get busy or fill our day, even with good things, and we don't spend enough time rejoicing. I know I could do better at this.

The Purpose of the Law of Moses

The people who were now converted, and righteous, kept the law of Moses, but they knew what it was for because of the words of the prophets.

"Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come." (Alma 25:16)

They knew that the law of Moses was given to men before Christ so they would be strengthened in their faith in Christ, who would be coming.

Because of the words of the prophets, they knew that Christ would come, and perform the atonement. They knew a number of details because of all that the prophets had foretold. It is interesting then that at the time Christ was on the earth, in Jerusalem, the Jews who kept that law of Moses did not understand what they were supposed to be looking for. The plain and precious truth of the coming of Christ (at least, the circumstances surrounding His coming) were lost to them. They had a law which was very strict, and they interpreted it literally. They didn't understand the greater meaning.

I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon because in it are such plain and simple and precious truths of the Gospel. Without the Book of Mormon, there would be many things that would remain a mystery, and our lives, and their purposes, would be hard to understand. Many of the guiding principles and understanding that I have of the Gospel (i.e., where my testimony comes from), come from the principles laid out clearly in the Book of Mormon.

I'm grateful for the many wonderful blessings that the Lord blesses me with every day. Hopefully I can take the words that I stud lead me toward increased faith and understanding.

Conversion Opportunities Come in Different Ways

There are many ways for people to be introduced to the Gospel, and spiritual experiences can happen in many ways. These people, who called themselves the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, had been a wicked and bloodthirsty people, but they heard the Gospel through the preaching of the sons of Mosiah. They felt the Spirit testify of the truthfulness of those words, and they were converted. Their conversion was so strong, and their repentance so complete, that they buried their weapons and changed their name.

Other Lamanites came upon them, egged on by some Nephite people who had dissented from the Church, to come to battle. The Anti-Nephi-Lehis simply fell down and started praying. The Lamanites started to slay them.

"And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God." (Alma 24:22)

This is tragic! People who had just converted and found the Gospel were slain! As it says in the verse, however, they were known to have been living their life right at the point of their death, so they definitely could have been slain at a worse time.

But an interesting thing starts to happen. The Lamanites don't want to just kill these people who are making it all too easy. They see that the people are worshiping and praying right up to the end of their lives. There were many who were converted through that experience. They felt their "hearts swollen in them" (v. 24) and they "repented of the things which they had done." (v. 24) They followed the Anti-Nephi-Lehis' example and dropped their weapons and started worshiping God.

"And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved." (Alma 24:26)

More people were converted through this experience than were killed. I think this is interesting because I wonder how many of these Lamanites would have been open to listening to the missionaries. Maybe some of them, had they had the opportunity. However, this was a unique opportunity for them to have a spiritual experience in an unlikely place, during a battle. They were overcome by the spirit and were converted. 

Another interesting thing is that we often think of God as "punishing" the wicked and "protecting" the righteous. Well, in this case, God was watching out for both the righteous and the wicked.

"And there was not a wicked man slain among them; but there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth; thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people." (Alma 24:27)

This indeed showcases that there are many ways for people to become converted. It's interesting to me that it specifically says that there was not a wicked man slain among them. I feel as though God protected the wicked here but allowed the righteous to be slain. It is sad when a righteous person leaves this life, but at the same time, it is comforting for those left behind to know that they are saved (as mentioned in the end of v. 26). I think if the wicked people had been slain too in this particular battle, they would have been so much worse off than if they had the chance to repent and accept the Gospel into their lives.

What are other "interesting" ways that people become converted? How can I turn situations that are not great into missionary or teaching opportunities? This is something that I need to do better about, especially in my family with my own children.

Staying Converted

It's one thing to become converted, to go through a conversion experience. It's entirely another to stay that way. Conversion is not a one-time event. In order to stay converted, you need to continue to live your faith and work at it.

After King Lamoni's father was converted, he enacted some laws that really allowed for religious freedom in his kingdom. He made sure that laws were in place that made it so people could preach and teach and practice their religion. Ammon and his brothers could now go throughout the land teaching and sharing the Gospel with the Lamanites, with great success. The scriptures teach that thousands were converted.

So great and deep was their conversion that this is what is said about them:

"And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were  brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many   of the Lamanites as believed in  their preaching, and were converted unto the   Lord, never did fall away." (Alma 23:6)

For it to be said that they "never did fall away", they must have changed so much. They put away their weapons of war, and no longer fought. Lamanites, historically, were a more wicked and bloodthirsty people. Not all Lamanites were converted, but so great was this peoples' conversion that they even wanted to change their name to be able to be known by something else. They decided from then on to be called the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. They worked hard, and lived the gospel, and they were a good people.

I feel like it would be great if, at the end of my life, it could be said of me "he never did fall away". I still have a long way to go, but I do desire to have that depth of conversion. I want to do what is right, and help people along the way.