Revelation for work and temporal concerns - Preparing the minds of people to accept new ideas (Alma 16)

SUMMARY


Lamanites attack Nephites and kill the people of Ammonihah; Zoram, captain of Nephites leads army to save those taken captive by Lamanites; Alma receives revelation to guide army as to how Zoram can save Nephite captives; Alma and Amulek continue preaching to Nephites and more people convert; No inequality among the people and minds of people being prepared for Christ's coming;

APPLICATION

Receiving revelation for temporal concerns

Alma received a revelation for Zoram concerning how to find and save the Nephites that were taken captive by the Lamanites. Revelation can be received for temporal concerns. In Alma 34:24 it also says to cry unto God over the crops of your fields so he can help them grow. It is a good reminder for me to pray for God's help as I face hard situations at work and to expect him to help guide me as to the best solutions possible.

The minds of the people were being prepared for Christ's coming

I see this theme inside and outside the scriptures. Trying to pass legislation that is extreme is much harder unless the minds of people have been prepared to accept it. But, as media and other outlets prepare the minds of people it's amazing how quickly people's minds can be prepared.

Building community / pride check (Alma 15)

Summary

Alma and amulek leave ammonihah to preach in Sidom, heal Zeezrom, people come to them to be baptized, great check occurs on the pride of the people, Alma strengthens sad Amulek.

Thoughts

1. How did Alma and Amulek get the people to come to them and how were they so effective at building community of saints in Sidom?

I ask this question because ever since my mission I learned that it is so much more effective to get people to come to you instead of the other way around. On my mission in southern France we would often spend many hours each day on the streets trying to convince people to stop and allow us to teach them. I used to practically chase people down trying to get them to stop. But, I learned that this wasn't an effective way of influencing people. If possible, it is more effective to act in a confident way that lead people to come to you. One of the missionaries I worked with a lot was great at doing this and I was amazed to see that people would be walking and automatically start going toward him instead of away from him.

I am still trying to figure out ways to be more like this in my life and so this is a question still under consideration for me. If I was good at it it would help me in my work and in any projects that I want to do.

2. How often do I "check" my personal pride level and how do I monitor it?

Alma noticed that the people were "checked as to the pride of their hearts." I am trying to think of good ways to check and make sure that I am humble. I'll write more when I come up with some good answers and invite anyone else to share their ideas.

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