The Compass

As Alma is giving counsel to his son Helaman, he reminds him of when Lehi and his family were traveling in the wilderness with the liahona. The liahona was a compass that was given unto them from the Lord that worked according to their faith. If they had faith in God, the spindles on the liahona would point them in the direction they needed to go. Alma tells Helaman that the liahona is comparable to the words of Christ.

Alma 37

44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.

45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

Just as the liahona led Lehi and his family from Jerusalem into the promised land, the words of Christ can lead us into our own lands of promise. In order to be led by the words of Christ, we need to listen to them, know them and live them. I know that as we do this the Lord will lead us from a vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. I know that the Lord loves us and wants us to be happy.

What is a Hypocrite

Recently, I learned a deeper meaning of a scripture, 3 Nephi 3:2. Jesus is teaching the Nephites about how they should give alms.

2 Therefore, when ye shall do your alms do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.

            My professor explained that the meaning of the word hypocrites has changed over the years. In the time period this scripture was written, hypocrites was meant slightly differently than we understand it today. A hypocrite is actually an actor who is able to put on a masks and robes and play multiple characters for a performance. They can portray them self however they please. What Jesus is teaching is that we should not put on a performance when we give donations or do good in general. We should not put on a performance at church so that people think we are a certain way that is inconsistent with who we really are. If we do, we already receive our reward which is the praise of men.

Weapons of Rebellion

Earlier this week I was remembering the story of the Anti-Nephi-lehies. These people were Lamanites who changed their name after they were converted. They also promised that they would not shed blood anymore.

Alma 23:7

7 For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren.

Each of us has weapons of rebellion which are things that keep us from strengthening our relationship with God. We must lay down these weapons just as the Lamanites who became converted and laid down their actual weapons of war. By making this sacrifice, we show God how much we love Him and we cease from rebelling against Him. As a result, we will enjoy the peace and happiness that come from the presence of the Spirit. We will have a stronger desire to do what is right.