Alma 7
Verse 9
Alma is calling for the people to repent and prepare for the coming of the Savior. He is preparing them for the first coming of the Lord on the earth, but we today are being asked to do the same. Now is the time to repent and prepare for the Second coming of the Lord. I need to make some serious changes in my life so that I can prepare the path for the Second Coming. I want so much to be where I should be spiritually. In order to that I need to make changes NOW!
Verse 10
Alma is prophecing that Christ will be born of Mary in Bethelehem. It is almost Christmas time. It is a time that I can look at the birth of this Savior and Elder Brother of Mine. A lot of people make resolutions with the New Year. I want to make some changes now. What a good time to do that as a gift to my Savior of a renewed heart and soul.
Verse 13
I find this verse so intersting. The Savior could have learned by revelation how to succor us in our times of need, be he chose to learn by Flesh. That means he literally felt each heartache and pain that we go through in our lives in order that he would know the best way to help us through this life. President Eyring gave a talk about this in a general conference that I love and that gives me so much peace. I will add a link to it for future reference. "
It will comfort us when we must wait in distress for the Savior’s promised relief that He knows, from experience, how to heal and help us. The Book of Mormon gives us the certain assurance of His power to comfort. And faith in that power will give us patience as we pray and work and wait for help. He could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience. Here is the account from Alma:
“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
“Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, [so] that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.”
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/adversity?lang=engVerse 22
I need to have a new sense of duty awakened inside of me! I need to walk in more holy paths and make better choices.
Verse 23-24
Alma gives the people some characteristics and attributes that they need to develop. These are also attruibutes that I need to include in myself. I will list them and then spend times studying each of these.
-Humble:
-Submissive
-Gentle
-Easy to be entreated
-Full of Patience
-Long Suffering
-Temperate
-diligent in keeping commandments
-ask for what you need (spiritual and temporal)
-return thanks to Heavenly Father
-Faith
-Hope
-Charity
-Abound in Good works.
Verse 27
I love this blessing that Alma leaves the people with
"may the apeace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. "
