Alma 4: Active in the Church but Not Active in the Gospel

After being afflicted by several battles the people of Alma believed the judgments of God had come upon them, a belief that awakened them to a remembrance of their duty and led to 3,500 baptisms. Yet, members of the church began to wax proud and ware costly apparel because they prospered in the strength of the Lord. Their hearts being set upon the vain things of the world became scornful towards each other. They persecuted those who had different beliefs. The members of the church become more prideful than those who did not belong to the church. They set bad examples, despised others and turned their backs on the needy. in short they were active in the church but not the gospel.

In contrast those who were righteous abased themselves and succored those who were in need, they imparted what they had to the poor and needy, and suffered all manner of afflictions while looking forward to the coming of Christ and retaining a remission of sins. Their understanding of the plan gave them great joy the knowledge of deliverance

Juxtaposing the prideful with the righteous further illustrates the need to ensure personal beliefs and duties align with the will of the Lord. Being a covenant people is necessary but not sufficient for salvation. The prideful members become a stumbling block to the church because the turn the things of the world for comfort rather than their covenants. The righteous looking forward to promised blessings experienced great joy even while submitted to afflictions. Once again, seeing how the individual treats others is a good indication of the hearts condition, or activity in the gospel.

Alma, seeing the wickedness of the church, set aside the judgment seat, or the things of the world, to focus on others by preaching the word to his people. He wanted to stir them up to the same remembrance of duty that brought them to the waters of baptism. The Lord strengthens those who strive to do His duty. Alma went and testified to his people know that only the power of the word could reengage his people in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Alma 1 : Priest Craft in Active Members, 5 Virgins in Need of Oil

Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priest craft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor. Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief; and now the law could have no power on any man for his belief.  And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for he that murdered was punished unto death (16-18).

Those who practice priest craft were law abiding, upstanding citizens with erroneous believes.  Under the conditions of the law they were good men. Instead of considering the law of man, consider the law to be the commandments. From this perspective it follows that there are members in the church fulfilling every action, but operating under erroneous believes that prevent them from receiving the strength of the Lord. Theses would be considered the five virgins without oil when the bride groom arrives.

And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers (26)

And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had…they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely (V.27).

And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry…therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need(V. 30).

In contrast to those who practice priest craft, the people of God are described by how they act and how the act towards each other, rather than how they don’t act, or don’t break the law. The people of God prospered and received the strength of the Lord because they kept the commandments, lived off their own labor, esteemed each other equally, dressed modestly, and took care of the poor regardless of who they are.    

In striving to keep the commandments and live the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is necessary to take time and reflect upon the construct of our underlying beliefs. A good temperature check is to observe how we treat and esteem others. To ensure a lamp is full of oil, obedience to the commandments should foster a charity towards our fellow men not just an avoidance of punishment.

Mosiah 21: Change of heart by degrees

 "And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage. And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger" (Mosiah 21:15-16).

Although the Lord was slow to answer the prayers of King Lemhi’s people, He answered them. He softened the Lamanites’ hearts enough to stop them from going to battle, but not enough to deliver king Lemhi’s people from captivity. Rather they were delivered by degrees. All while being in bondage they were blessed with lighter burdens and they prospered so much that they could raise enough food to both pay the heavy taxes and feed all their people. In verses 24 and 28 King Limhi rejoices even though he and his people are still in bondage.

Prospering by degrees is so simple it can be easy to overlook because I am too caught up looking forward to being delivered from bondage or life’s challenges. When in reality it is possible, through the strength of the Lord, to enjoy most, if not all, the blessing of a free person while in the mists of over whelming struggles. After all King Lemhi’s flocks and fields prospered and provided enough for everyone. They also rejoiced, received an ancient record and Alma found them. Each degree of prosperity was an opportunity to see the grace of God in their lives. The importance of seeing the small tender mercies is found in verses 6 and 35. Each verse explains the condition of the people’s hearts as expressed by their desires.

"…and they began to be desirous to go against [the Lamanites] to battle. And they did afflict the king sorely with their complaints; therefore he granted unto them that they should do according to their desires" (v. 6)

 "They were desirous to be baptized as a witness and a testimony that they were willing to serve God with all their hearts" (v. 35).

Gradually seeing the small things that came through the strength of the Lord changed their hearts from a contentious war seeking people to humble submissive people with at heart willing to make a covenant with God. Shortly after this change of heart the people were delivered from the Lamanites.  

The Lord kept them in bondage only as long as it took for their heats to change. He knew that if the people would have been delivered from the Lamanites any sooner they would have remained in captivity even while being physically free. Covenants not circumstances bring freedom.

As I seek to see the strength of the Lord in my life by degrees, rather than focusing on being delivered all at once, I have seen an increase of joy, an increase measure of faith, and my present challenges have become lighter as my heart changes.