Alma
started preaching God’s word in the 9th year
You can
read the message he shared with them right here:
“Do you
all recall the elder Alma, my dad?
“And
how much God blessed his people when things got bad?
“He not
only rescued them from captivity
“But he
also saved their souls from iniquity!
“Though
the chains of hell encircled them, God above
“Loosed
them from these bands and they sang redeeming love!”
Then he asked them
questions. They’re here for you to see.
We should
ask ourselves these same questions frequently!
He asked, “Have you been
born of God?” right at the start.
“Have
you also had this mighty change in your heart?
“Do you
act like Jesus?—Do you resemble Him?
“Are
your heart and hands pure and clean?—Free from all sin?
“At the
judgment day, will the Lord say, ‘Come ye blessed;
“‘All
your works on earth have been works of righteousness?’ ”
Then
the crucial question was, “If you’ve felt this way—
“If your heart’s been
changed, do you feel that way today?”
Then
Alma warned them to avoid pride and envy
And
urged them to repent of all iniquity,
“All
men who repent will receive the Lord’s mercy.
“They
can then partake of the tree of life freely.
“Jesus,
the good shepherd, calls you as was foretold.
“If you
ignore Him, you are of the devil’s fold!
“Heavenly
Father asked me to share these words with you
“And I
testify, that I know these words are true.
“I
fasted and prayed many days so I could know
“And
the Holy Spirit was sent to tell me so.
“If you
are a member, you need to understand
“This
message is not a request—it’s a command!”
Alma 6
Some
people had listened to all that Alma said
But
others ignored him and left the church, instead.
Those
who chose to stay shared the gospel everywhere.
They
gathered often and prayed for those who weren’t there.
Alma 7
Next,
Alma addressed the people of Gideon.
He
delivered a much milder message to them.
All the
people there had already repented.
Alma
told them he had great joy and he meant it!
So,
instead of dwelling on repentance and sin,
This
time he focused on Jesus, the Son of men,
“There
is nothing more important than Jesus Christ.
“He
knows how to save us, because He paid the price.
“He
will suffer pains, sicknesses and afflictions
“So
that he will understand all our temptations.
“He
will take upon him all our infirmities
“So
that he can succor us with his great mercy.
“He
took all our sins so that he could blot them out.
“The
Holy Spirit told me—of this I have no doubt!
“And
the Spirit told me that you believe this, too.
“Yes,
your faith is strong. My joy’s great because of you!
“Keep
on being humble, submissive, temperate,
“And be
sure to thank God for everything you get.
“See
that you have faith, hope, good works and charity
“And,
as a result, you’ll always be blessed with peace.”
© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes
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