Dude, I love the scriptures! (heheh, those are two strange words to have in a sentence: Dude and Scriptures. Reminds me of a Seminary classmate who is now on a mission. I remember vividly he said, "General Conference kicked butt." Anyways....)
As I was saying, before I so rudely interupted myself (that reminds me of my spanish teacher--gah! And people wonder why I'm so oblivious to things.)
As I was saying, I love the scriptures because you can read them and read them and read them and still discover new things. Like the other day for example. I was reading in the Book of Mormon the story of Alma the younger when he grows up and goes around trying to teach people and bring them to their Savior.
I found several awesome examples of faith that I had never really noticed that much before. The first was the Prophet Alma. It says he was praying and fasting like crazy that these people would feel the spirit and listen to his words. It says he 'labored much in the spirit'. (chapter 8, vs. 10)
What ends up happening is quite on the contrary. They 'spit upon him' and 'reviled him', basically calling him a babbling bafoon and drop-kicking him out of their city. And in the same sentence it says he 'took his journy towards the city which was called Aron.' (vs. 13)
This impressed me. I don't know about you but if I had prayed and fasted my heart and stomach out with not only no results, but negative results, I might be tempted to sit there, outside of the city gates, fold my arms stubbornely and say something along the lines of, "What the heck?!"
I would then wander about, wondering what I did wrong. I do this a lot. If something doesn't go the way I think it should, I begin wondering what my problem is. I might even begin to question if the Lord even heard my prayers.
But Alma was different. He was confident that he had done all he could. He'd left the rest to the Lord and figured if that was His will than fine. He wasn't daunted by a sore rump. He just kept on truckin to the next city on the map.
I think that is so cool! To have the faith to continue after such a let down and still be willing to teach people that the Lord does, in fact, hear and answer their prayers. Though deeply, deeply saddened that they refused to feel the joy and peace of the gospel, he was probably a little relieved to start somewhere new. Maybe the people in Aron would be so kind as to keep their saliva to themselves.
But just wait until you hear what happens next...
In verse 15-17 an angel appears to him and gives him a well-earned, "Blessed art thou, Alma," and, after telling him to lift up his head and rejoice, tells him he needs to go back. There were people who were trying to tear down the liberty of the people and that was contrary to God's will.
My response would've been something like, "Wait, hold-up! You wan't me to do what? I was just there, if you didn't notice, and they threw me out like leftover fruitcake! What makes you think they are suddenly just going to roll out the welcome wagon?"
(side note: this is probably why I wasn't called to be a prophet.)
Nevertheless, in verse 18, he 'returned speedily' and, with Nephi-like faith, took the back door of the city knowing that when the Lord commands, He provides a way.
This is where another guy comes in. His name is Amulek. Background info: this is chapter 8 of Alma. In chapter 10, verses 5-6, he admits that he '(had) seen much of his (the Lord's) mysteries and his marvelous power...Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning thesethigns, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God..."
But, on this particular day, he decided to listen. He was on his way to a near relative's house when and angel appeared to him in a vision, telling him he would receive a holy prophet of God who had been recently fasting and was in need of food. Amulek found the prophet Alma and brought him to his home.
(back to chapter 8) They feed him and he blesses their home. But the time comes for Alma to go back out there and face the crowds. In verse 29, he is told by the Lord to bring Amulek along to help him preach, sort of like a missionary companion. Can you imagine that conversation?
"Hey, Amulek."
"Good morning, President Alma."
"The Lord has called you to come and preach with me."
Remeber, Amulek didn't seem like the most stalwart of saints before this. I'm sure this whole week with the prophet in his home was one of deep repentance. Yet, he trusted in the prophet and, ultimately, the Lord. If He had called him to such a task, so be it.
There was probably an uneasy scratch behind the ear, a nervous shuffle of feet, then a humble, "Alright."
Now imagine the conversation between him and his wife. This detail isn't recorded in the scriptures, but think about it! It says that the state of the people had become even worse since Alma had last preached. These two men were even given power 'insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them'--a good illustration of what they were up against. And yet, by the looks of it, she had enough faith in the Lord that he would protect her husband--and her family--while he was away.
And then, (I promise, I'm almost done) there was something really cool when they were finally out preaching. Alma had just preached enough for 30 verses of scripture, but the people only became angrier with him.
"What? This guy again?"
"Maybe we should teach him a better lesson!"
"Yeah!"
"Get him!"
And, in the midst of all this, Amulek courageously steps forward. What I thought was cool was that Amulek wasn't just some dude you might see at the marketplace every once in a while. He was actually pretty popular. (Chapter 10, verse 4) He explains, 'I am also a man of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry.'
He probably saw a few business partners and childhood friends in that crowd and I can't imagine how much guts it took to do that. I'll bet he knew he would lose a little of his business success and sever a few strong cords of friendships. He knew his reputation would plummet and he would be called a babbling baffoon as well. But, more importantly, he knew what was right. And he knew that, in the end, what he would gain would be far more lasting.
There's a quote in Harry Potter I really like by Dumbledore, "It takes a great deal of of bravery to stand up against your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up against your friends."
Anyways, thank you for participating in Dolly's scripture study. I feel bad because I had to super-summarize about three whole chapters to get my point across, but I only want to encourage you to study them on your own and find your own little 'hidden treasures.' Because, trust me, with a week of tests, getting sick (and still going on a date. Don't do that, it really throws off your bowling score), disappointments, being busy, training for track (distance running, mind you), and ect., they prove to be a breath of fresh air.
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