June 29, 2007 - Original Post
Chiasmus
Below is an excerpt from John W. Welch, "A Masterpiece: Alma 36," in Rediscovering the Book of Mormon, ed. J.L. Sorenson and M.J. Thorne, Deseret Book Comp., Salt Lake City, Utah, 1991.
(a) My son, give ear to my WORDS (1)
(b) KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS of God and ye shall PROSPER IN THE LAND (2)
(c) DO AS I HAVE DONE (2)
(d) in REMEMBERING THE CAPTIVITY of our fathers (2);
(e) for they were in BONDAGE (2)
(f) he surely did DELIVER them (2)
(g) TRUST in God (3)
(h) supported in their TRIALS, and TROUBLES, and AFFLICTIONS (3)
(i) shall be lifted up at the LAST DAY (3)
(j) I KNOW this not of myself but of GOD (4)
(k) BORN OF GOD (5)
(l) I sought to destroy the church of God (6-9)
(m) MY LIMBS were paralyzed (10)
(n) Fear of being in the PRESENCE OF GOD (14-15)
(o) PAINS of a damned soul (16)
(p) HARROWED UP BY THE MEMORY OF SINS (17)
(q) I remembered JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD (17)
(q') I cried, JESUS, SON OF GOD (18)
(p') HARROWED UP BY THE MEMORY OF SINS no more (19)
(o') Joy as exceeding as was the PAIN (20)
(n') Long to be in the PRESENCE OF GOD (22)
(m') My LIMBS received their strength again (23)
(l') I labored to bring souls to repentance (24)
(k') BORN OF GOD (26)
(j') Therefore MY KNOWLEDGE IS OF GOD (26)
(h') Supported under TRIALS, TROUBLES, and AFFLICTIONS (27)
(g') TRUST in him (27)
(f') He will deliver me (27)
(i') and RAISE ME UP AT THE LAST DAY (28)
(e') As God brought our fathers out of BONDAGE and captivity (28-29)
(d') Retain in REMEMBRANCE THEIR CAPTIVITY (28-29)
(c') KNOW AS I DO KNOW (30)
(b') KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS and ye shall PROSPER IN THE LAND (30)
(a') This is according to his WORD (30).
Keep the Commandments and Prosper in the Land
Since the chapter is a chiasmus, the beginning and end of the chapter contains this counsel: keep the commandments and you will prosper in the land. This is a repeating theme throughout the Book of Mormon. Alma and the rest of the people who keep the commandments are proof that this promise is true. As the Nephites kept the commandments, they prospered. As they disobeyed, their riches and quality of lift greatly diminished.
Delivered from Bondage
The rest of the chapter provides examples of people who were in physical or spiritual bondage, who put their trust in God and were consequently delivered. This is another repeating theme in the Book of Mormon. Alma reminds Helaman of the Israelites bondage and how they were delivered. He also reminds Helaman of his own spiritual bondage and his conversion. Lastly Alma reminds Helaman of how Lehi and his family were delivered as well as the bondage of the people of Alma the Senior.
"Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." (Alma 36:3)
He later testifies, "I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me." (Alma 36:27)
What types of bondage and troubles and afflictions and trials do we face today? Are we burdened with sin? Do our families suffer from troubles and afflictions and trials? Does it seem that we are fighting an uphill battle? We may struggle on our own to overcome, but whether we succeed or fail, God will always be there to support us and help us if we but put our trust in him and ask for his succor. More than likely, if we try to overcome our own troubles without God's help, we will fail or unnecessarily toil. We should seek God's help and put our trust in him.
One of my favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
I have experienced the hand of the Lord in my life. I know that when I put my trust in him, he delivers me.
June 4, 2012 - Addition
Alma 36:22 really stood out to me today ... especially the last seven words of that verse. Alma talks about the torment he experienced until he called on Jesus Christ to save him. Immediately, Christ relieved the pain Alma was in. Then Alma was filled with joy as equally powerful as the pain he felt. Then he saw God sitting on his throne, surrounded by angels who were "in the attitude of singing and praising their God."
And then Alma says this, "my soul did long to be there."
There are 18 years between my older brother and me. He and his wife came to visit us one summer ... I must have been about 9 or 10 years old. It was a wonderful time. I'm sure we had bbqs, played basketball and talked a lot. I honestly don't remember much of that. Rather, what I remember is a very intense pain when they were leaving. I still vividly remember sitting on the porch step in the garage and watching my brother and his wife pull out of the drive way and drive off back to their home. I was extremely sad to see them leave. I bawled as I watched them leave ... I longed to be with them.
Now I'm sure Alma's longing was a bit more intense than mine, but I'm grateful for the bit of perspective that I do have on that feeling of longing.
Showing posts with label Promised Land Covenant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Promised Land Covenant. Show all posts
Monday, June 04, 2012
Saturday, January 07, 2012
2 Nephi 1
November 29, 2006 - Original Post
In light of September 11th’s events, this chapter has more meaning now than ever. Once again, the Lord’s words prove true.
Lehi was talking to his eldest sons, Laman and Lemuel. In verse 6 and 7 he tells them the curse and blessing of the land. No one will come to this land unless directed by the Lord. All the people of the Book of Mormon were directed by the Lord to come to this land. We also learn that the Pilgrims and other groups of people came from Europe to this land by the will of the Lord. In the next verse (7) he tells them that if the people who live in this land will serve God and keep His commandments, then they will always be a free people and they would never be brought into captivity. But if the people of the land rebel against God, then the land will become cursed. This means America will never be invaded and held captive. What I told my wife earlier is true – that if the terrorists wanted to hurt the United States, then the best thing they could have done was to leave us alone and we would have sinned ourselves to the cursing of the land.
Lehi recites the promise of the Promised Land twice in this chapter. Anyone who lives in the Promised Land must keep the commandments of God and they will prosper and be blessed. But if they do not keep the commandments of God, they will be “cut off” from the presence of God and the land will become cursed. I’ve often heard from other people (not just from the scriptures) that America will destroy itself. No one will ever invade America. Just as the Romans, the fall will come from within.
Lehi concludes his counsel to his sons with a plea – “arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity.” I’ve always liked this verse. This verse is a good reminder to stand tall and not to be a scrub which President Hinckley has said before.
We need to be united as Lehi said. Since the attack on America, we have united in such a manner as never before seen in the history of the United States. My wife's dad said that he has never seen the country so united and patriotic before. People have donated blood, food, money and time to help those victims of the attack. We are truly united at this time. Unity is a strong force.
January 7, 2012 - Addition
Desire; Anxiety
These two words struck me. Ever since I read Elder Maxwell's and Elder Oaks' talks on "Desire", I've been taking note of the context whenever I see the word (see "According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts" and "The Desires of Our Hearts" and "Desire")
Desire and anxiety seemed to be linked. All the things that you want (desire) are the same things that you worry about - they you think constantly of - that gnaw at you and drive you to do things.
For Lehi and just about any good parent, the desire of his heart was for his children to keep the commandments. Therefore, what kept him awake at night (anxiety) was Laman and Lemuel's murmuring and disobedience.
What are the true desires of your heart? What makes you do things? What drives you? Are those things aligned with the will of the Father?
Not only will be we judged of our works and thoughts, but we will also be judged of our desires.
Both Elder Maxwell's and Oaks' talks discuss ways to reconcile our desires with the will of the Father.
Another Word about the Promised Land Covenant
Verse 10 goes beyond that mere promise of obedience = prosperity, disobedience = cut off from the Lord ... it states that when the people reject Jesus Christ, then not only will they not prosper, but their land will be taken from them; they'll be "smitten" and "scattered" and blood will be shed.
The lesson: stay on the sunny side of life. Keep the commandments.
In light of September 11th’s events, this chapter has more meaning now than ever. Once again, the Lord’s words prove true.
Lehi was talking to his eldest sons, Laman and Lemuel. In verse 6 and 7 he tells them the curse and blessing of the land. No one will come to this land unless directed by the Lord. All the people of the Book of Mormon were directed by the Lord to come to this land. We also learn that the Pilgrims and other groups of people came from Europe to this land by the will of the Lord. In the next verse (7) he tells them that if the people who live in this land will serve God and keep His commandments, then they will always be a free people and they would never be brought into captivity. But if the people of the land rebel against God, then the land will become cursed. This means America will never be invaded and held captive. What I told my wife earlier is true – that if the terrorists wanted to hurt the United States, then the best thing they could have done was to leave us alone and we would have sinned ourselves to the cursing of the land.
Lehi recites the promise of the Promised Land twice in this chapter. Anyone who lives in the Promised Land must keep the commandments of God and they will prosper and be blessed. But if they do not keep the commandments of God, they will be “cut off” from the presence of God and the land will become cursed. I’ve often heard from other people (not just from the scriptures) that America will destroy itself. No one will ever invade America. Just as the Romans, the fall will come from within.
Lehi concludes his counsel to his sons with a plea – “arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity.” I’ve always liked this verse. This verse is a good reminder to stand tall and not to be a scrub which President Hinckley has said before.
We need to be united as Lehi said. Since the attack on America, we have united in such a manner as never before seen in the history of the United States. My wife's dad said that he has never seen the country so united and patriotic before. People have donated blood, food, money and time to help those victims of the attack. We are truly united at this time. Unity is a strong force.
January 7, 2012 - Addition
Desire; Anxiety
These two words struck me. Ever since I read Elder Maxwell's and Elder Oaks' talks on "Desire", I've been taking note of the context whenever I see the word (see "According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts" and "The Desires of Our Hearts" and "Desire")
Desire and anxiety seemed to be linked. All the things that you want (desire) are the same things that you worry about - they you think constantly of - that gnaw at you and drive you to do things.
For Lehi and just about any good parent, the desire of his heart was for his children to keep the commandments. Therefore, what kept him awake at night (anxiety) was Laman and Lemuel's murmuring and disobedience.
What are the true desires of your heart? What makes you do things? What drives you? Are those things aligned with the will of the Father?
Not only will be we judged of our works and thoughts, but we will also be judged of our desires.
Both Elder Maxwell's and Oaks' talks discuss ways to reconcile our desires with the will of the Father.
Another Word about the Promised Land Covenant
Verse 10 goes beyond that mere promise of obedience = prosperity, disobedience = cut off from the Lord ... it states that when the people reject Jesus Christ, then not only will they not prosper, but their land will be taken from them; they'll be "smitten" and "scattered" and blood will be shed.
The lesson: stay on the sunny side of life. Keep the commandments.
Monday, December 18, 2006
2 Nephi 4
I never really appreciated this chapter as much as I do now until I was a freshman at BYU. I took the Book of Mormon class from Brother Victor Ludlow. He is a Book of Mormon scholar. He has been to Jerusalem numerous times and has profound knowledge of the Old and New Testaments as well as Jewish history. One of the lessons I learned in his class was about the Psalm of Nephi. I can’t remember perfectly, but Brother Ludlow was talking to this Arabic professor about the Book of Mormon. And when shown this chapter, the Arabic man told Brother Ludlow that this chapter was a poem of some sort or a psalm. It has various parts to it. At first Nephi is anguished about his sins, but then he glories in God. The next part he starts over again and is in anguish with his sins, but then he counters with rejoicing in the Lord’s strength. He rejoicing then turns into a type of prayer and resolve to do better and the psalm finishes. When you break it down into the different parts, it makes it more interesting and meaningful than if you were to read it as plain scripture.
Not only is this chapter a beautiful psalm or poem, but it also is a strength to me as I read it. When I am feeling down or depressed because of my weaknesses or sins, I can turn to this chapter and read this psalm and find the power to do better than before.
Another part of this chapter I love is section just proceeding the Psalm of Nephi. In verses 15 and 16 Nephi talks about how he delights in the scriptures and how he ponders them continually. I find that when I truly am trying to apply the scriptures to my life, I will think about a certain scripture unceasingly. Others times, I find memorizing a scripture proves very helpful in remembering the meaning and feeling of the scripture. For example, my dad asked me to memorize section 121:33-46 of the Doctrine and Covenants as well as section 84:33-41 – the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. I memorized those parts and much of it remains with me to this day. Those scriptures are a part of me and I can think on them often as I have access to them 24 hours a day (if I have memorized them well). I remember my dad telling me a couple of years ago when Jill and I were in St. George visiting that I should memorize parts of scripture so that the scriptures will be in my heart continually. I have tried to keep that counsel. I need to do better though. I think Nephi read and studied the scriptures so much, he must have memorized parts of scripture too.
One other note to write about. Nephi says, “…my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.” I think I also could add ‘feel’ to his list. Elder Scott gave a wonderful talk about how much we can learn from what we see, hear and feel. The talk is entitled To Acquire Knowledge and the Strength to Use it Wisely Ensign, June 2002.
The Promised Land Covenant shows up again in this chapter (see verse 4),
Not only is this chapter a beautiful psalm or poem, but it also is a strength to me as I read it. When I am feeling down or depressed because of my weaknesses or sins, I can turn to this chapter and read this psalm and find the power to do better than before.
Another part of this chapter I love is section just proceeding the Psalm of Nephi. In verses 15 and 16 Nephi talks about how he delights in the scriptures and how he ponders them continually. I find that when I truly am trying to apply the scriptures to my life, I will think about a certain scripture unceasingly. Others times, I find memorizing a scripture proves very helpful in remembering the meaning and feeling of the scripture. For example, my dad asked me to memorize section 121:33-46 of the Doctrine and Covenants as well as section 84:33-41 – the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. I memorized those parts and much of it remains with me to this day. Those scriptures are a part of me and I can think on them often as I have access to them 24 hours a day (if I have memorized them well). I remember my dad telling me a couple of years ago when Jill and I were in St. George visiting that I should memorize parts of scripture so that the scriptures will be in my heart continually. I have tried to keep that counsel. I need to do better though. I think Nephi read and studied the scriptures so much, he must have memorized parts of scripture too.
One other note to write about. Nephi says, “…my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.” I think I also could add ‘feel’ to his list. Elder Scott gave a wonderful talk about how much we can learn from what we see, hear and feel. The talk is entitled To Acquire Knowledge and the Strength to Use it Wisely Ensign, June 2002.
The Promised Land Covenant shows up again in this chapter (see verse 4),
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