Repentance and Mercy

Alma 9:24-25

"For behold, the promises of the Lord are extended to the Lamanites, but they are not unto you if ye transgress; for has not the Lord expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye will rebel against him that ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth?

And now for this cause, that ye may not be destroyed, the Lord has sent his angel to visit many of his people, declaring unto them that they must go forth and cry mightily unto this people, saying: Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand;"

The Lord keeps his promises. He will destroy you if you willfully rebel against him. He has mercy though. He will send prophets to declare to you how to avoid destruction. He does not want to destroy His children. He loves us all so much and wants us to be happy. If we but do what He tells us, we will not be destroyed.

Immediate Obedience

Alma 7:18

"Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yea, by the way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah."

Alma had just been kicked out of the city of Ammonihah because the people did not want religion in their city. He was on his way elsewhere when an angel commanded him to return and warn the people to repent. Even though it was probably a scary thing for Alma to do, he 'returned speedily.' He knew it was most important to follow God's commands. His fears did not matter, so he obeyed.

How to Live

Alma 7:23

"And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive."

Alma urges the people to live righteously. To be humble, submissive, gentle, patient, temperate, diligent in keeping the commandments, asking for needs, and always full of gratitude to God. These are all Christ-like qualities that we should all strive to have. I want to be these things, and I know that I will be a much happier person if I live to have these qualities.

gathering together

Alma 6:6

"Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God."

The Saints in this time would meet together often for church and fasting. We still do this today! This is a true commandment from God, and it brings so many blessings. As we gather we strengthen our convictions and have a stronger Spirit with us. Miracles happen through fasting.

Work for your testimony

Alma 5:26

"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"

Alma teaches the importance of remembering, and working each day to have the Spirit. Life changing experiences do not happen each day, so they should be cherished and remembered. Even though these experiences happen, we change. It is important to never let our testimony dwindle because we are changing.

Humble birth

Luke 2:7

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

Jesus Christ was born to such humble beginnings. He was born in a stable, where animals lived. He, a holy being, came to earth in great humility. How can we ever have pride when our Savior was so humble?

Continually repenting

Alma 4:14

"Looking forward to that day, thus retaining a remission of their sins; being filled with great joy because of the resurrection of the dead, according to the will and power and deliverance of Jesus Christ from the bands of death."

This verse tells of the importance of continually repenting. Christ will come again, and we do not know when that will be. Thus, we need to be prepared all the time. We must repent everyday and try to be better each day. It is a continual process, one that brings joy!

Agency

Alma 3:19

"Now I would that ye should see that they brought upon themselves the curse; and even so doth every man that is cursed bring upon himself his own condemnation."

God doesn't just curse us, we make bad choices and these choices curse/condemn us. We can choose who we want to serve, and if we choose to serve anyone other than God, we curse ourselves to have a miserable life.

God Answers Prayers

Alma 2:28

Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them our of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall before them."

The Nephites were going against a numerous host of Lamanites and Amlicites. It is such a miracle that they were able to stand against them and defeat them! The Lord knew what they were going through and helped them through it. The Lord, likewise, knows what I am going through and will help me if I pray to Him and ask in earnest and with faith.

Mosiah 28:3

"Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."

In chapter 27 Alma and the sons of Mosiah were visited by and angel and were brought back to the light. They were so wicked, and so unhappy in their awful state. Since they experienced such a joyful change they wanted all people to have what they had. Thus, they were desirous to preach the gospel to the Lamanites. They had so much love for all man that they wanted to share true joy with them. They were the best missionaries, because they were truly concerned for the welfare of their brothers and sisters.

Mosiah 27:35-37

"And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them.

And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of  truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.

And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth."

Alma and the sons of Mosiah were wickedly destroying the church. In answer to many prayers, they were visited by an angel of the Lord. After this visitation they realized their wickedness and truly repented and came unto Christ. They did not stop there though! They went throughout the land and fixed the wrongs they did. They became peacemakers as they published the peace of the gospel. It is so wonderful how we can change and become more and more like the Savior. No matter our background.

Mosiah 26:30

"Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me."

The Lord will forgive us if we repent. He will always forgive us if we truly repent and change. We likewise need to be willing to forgive people.

Mosiah 25:24

"And they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land."

These people were righteous. They did what God wanted them to do. Thus they were able to have the Holy Ghost with them and they were blessed.

Mosiah 23:15

"Thus did Alma teach his people, that every man should love his neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention among them."

If everyone lived this way, the world would be a much happier, peaceful place. We should all try to love our neighbors.

Mosiah 20:11

"And it came to pass that the people of Limhi began to drive the Lamanites before them; yet they were not half so numerous as the Lamanites. But they fought for their lives, and for their wives, and for their children; therefore they exerted themselves and like dragons did they fight."

These people acted out of love for their families. The men of Limhi protected their selves, their wives, and their children. They knew what was important in life and fought for it. I love that!

D&C 115:4

"For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

The Lord named his church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly is his church. It was not created or names by a man. It was created by Jesus Christ.

Mosiah 19:8

"And now the king was not so much concerned about his people as he was about his own life; nevertheless, Gideon did spare his life."

This king received mercy from Gideon because he talked about the safety of his people. The king used this trickery to save himself. In reality he did not care about his people at all! He just did not want to die. This is how Satan works, too. He does not care for anyone but himself and will use you for his own benefit.

Mosiah 18:9

"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life-"

These are some of the covenants we make at baptism. We are willing to help others through love, and to always bear witness of the Lord. I love the phrase "even until death." No matter what happens, we should not deny our faith.