I hope you enjoy some insights from my Come Follow Me Alma 17-22 (If you missed last week’s insights for Come Follow Me Alma 13-16 click here). Save this pin to read later.
The Comforter
“And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted.”
Alma 17:10
Life is good, but it is also hard, and discouraging sometimes. Ammon and his brothers were about to engage in arguably the hardest mission ever, a mission to the Lamanites. Whereas we will not experience the same trials they went through we can experience the same blessings that come from being a disciple.
One of the greatest blessings we have been given is to have a member of the Godhead as our personal companion. The Holy Ghost has many names, titles, and roles: The Holy Ghost, The Spirit, The Spirt of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Testator, but my favorite is the Comforter.
In my journey of discipleship the small promptings, and spiritual experiences that come from the Holy Ghost bring the comfort to endure.
Henry B. Eyring
Learning to dwell.
“And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.”
Alma 17:23
Learning to dwell is one of the most important lessons we can learn in this life. Far too often when we move we compare where we are to where we have been. This is a trademark of a disciple whose faith is weak. Laman and Lemuel, Lot’s wife, the Children of Israel when they left Egypt. All of these people never learned to dwell. They always complained about how good life was.
We sometimes also fall into this trap. I see members across the Nation who complain that their current ward is not as good as their last ward. They then checkout and forget that the Lord has called them to live where they are at because He needs them to lift where they stand, rather than complain.
Imagine if Ammon did not learn this lesson? How differently would the king have acted if Ammon said: “I actually hate this area, as soon I am I done, I want to leave.” But he did not. He was willing to dwell, he wanted to bloom where the Lord planted him. He had decided to lift where he stood! Let us follow the example of Ammon and the counsel of Dieter F. Uchtdorf to “Lift where you stand.”
Desiring the welfare of others.
“Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.”
Alma 18:22
In life, we will have others who will trust us, and be willing to follow our advice. The question we must answer is what is our desire? Do we desire fame? Fortune? Power? Or do we desire the welfare of others?
Ammon had a King offering to give him whatever he desired. If you were offered the desires of your heart would you be like Ammon? Could you say that you desired the welfare of others over all else? If not, what do you need to change to receive a mighty change of heart?
Faith like unto a Queen.
“And Ammon said unto her: Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites.”
Alma 19:10
Faith, it is the basic building block of our life as disciples. Some people think strong faith only comes after a miracle or some huge divine witness. In this verse, Ammon teaches us that faith is not so. Ammon is talking with Queen, who believes he is a prophet. She has such trust in the Spirit and testimony of others that Ammon declares “there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites”
Think about that. The Prophet was a Nephite, His Father was a Nephite, HE was a Nephite, and so were his brothers. But to this Lady he declares, she has faith as he has never seen before. We talk about having Faith like the Prophets and Apostles, but to me, I want to have faith like this woman, pure undefiled faithful trust in God.
Russell M. Nelson
The Love of a Friend.
“And when he saw that Ammon had no desire to destroy him, and when he also saw the great love he had for his son Lamoni, he was astonished exceedingly…” Alma 20:26
Ammon loved Lamoni, they were true friends. Christ is always there for us as a true friend, and we have been commanded to be friends to others. Ammon is an example of this, he loved Lamoni so much that Lamoni’s father was shocked when he realized Ammons love for his son. Later when Aaron comes to talk with Lamoni’s father he cites this as the reason he wants to learn more about the gospel!
Think about that, your friendships can cause people to desire to learn about the Gospel! If you are a true friend. Henry B. Eyring once said, “All of us will be tested. And all of us need true friends to love us, to listen to us, to show us the way…You must be such a true friend.”
Being Mocked.
“And it came to pass as he began to expound these things unto them they were angry with him, and began to mock him; and they would not hear the words which he spake.” Alma 21:10
There will come a time that you will be mocked for living the Gospel. You will be mocked for standing with the Prophet, you might be the only one you can see standing for truth, but you won’t be standing alone. You will stand with Christ and the Spirit. Remember Christ once said “Fools mock, but they shall mourn” (Ether 12:26)
One of the things we are mocked most about is the Temple. As a temple worker, and one who loves the Temple this mockery saddens me. In the Temple, we learn of Him, and we learn that we are all part of the same eternal family, we are brothers and sisters. I take comfort in the words of the Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
“Life can be difficult, and it can harden hearts to the point where certain people seem unreachable. Some may be filled with anger. Others may mock and ridicule those who believe in a loving God. But consider this: though they do not remember, they too at one time yearned to return to their Father in Heaven.”
It is not your responsibility to convert anyone. That is the work of the Holy Ghost. Your task is to share your beliefs and to not be afraid. Be a friend to all, but never compromise your standards. Stand true to your convictions and faith. Stand tall, because you are a daughter of God, and He stands with you!
Giving away our sins.
“O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee…” Alma 22:18
In life we have but one gift we can give God, our agency, or “individual will.” God will not and can not take agency away, therefore it is the only thing we truly can give him. Lamoni’s father realized this. He recognized that his sins were preventing him from making covenants with God, so he gave them all up to know God. Are you willing to do the same? Is there a sin you are not willing to give up?
~Neal A. Maxwell