ETERNAL HOPE 2

Since this is a continuation from last week’s Thought I will include the introductory paragraph before continuing my wandering Thoughts.

As I was reading in the 26th chapter of Mosiah seeking for inspiration for writing a Thought, I became clearly aware that my mind was rapidly jumping from one thought to another. I was also struck with the idea that it might be fun for me and hopefully interesting for those who read my Thoughts to go on that kind of random mind journey. Hopefully, you will not come to the conclusion that this journey was worthless and felt like we were wandering into unknown places.

23 For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand.
I am grateful that my faith in the Atonement of Jesus the Christ has sustained me during my life and that it continues to grow as I increase in age.

24 For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand.

25 And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me.

26 And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed.

I am grateful for the visions which have enlightened my mind as I was privileged to minister to those on the eternal side of the veil. I am grateful that that light has strengthen my belief that the inviting of Heavenly Father’s children to come unto Jesus the Christ will continue eternally.

I must never allow my belief in the eternalness of the work of the Lord to cause my efforts to be diminished while I sojourn in this mortal frame.

27 And then I will confess unto them that I never knew them; and they shall depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

28 Therefore I say unto you, that he that will not hear my voice, the same shall ye not receive into my church, for him I will not receive at the last day.

29 Therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever transgresseth against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also.

I have to admit that these verses cause me to wonder about my belief in the eternal efforts of the Father and the Son to bring to pass our eternal life and immortality that of all of our brothers and sisters. At one time my little bit of understanding made me put this quandary on the shelf of things I would be asking when I passed through the veil, but more recently I have come to believe that many times the word is presented with urgency so that we procrastinating mortals will perhaps be less prone to put off the day of our repentance.

30 Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.
The Lord gives a great hint, that His Father’s work would have no end for any or for all of us.

31 And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor’s trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation.

32 Now I say unto you, Go; and whosoever will not repent of his sins the same shall not be numbered among my people; and this shall be observed from this time forward.

33 And it came to pass when Alma had heard these words he wrote them down that he might have them, and that he might judge the people of that church according to the commandments of God.

34 And it came to pass that Alma went and judged those that had been taken in iniquity, according to the word of the Lord.

35 And whosoever repented of their sins and did confess them, them he did number among the people of the church;

36 And those that would not confess their sins and repent of their iniquity, the same were not numbered among the people of the church, and their names were blotted out.

37 And it came to pass that Alma did regulate all the affairs of the church; and they began again to have peace and to prosper exceedingly in the affairs of the church, walking circumspectly before God, receiving many, and baptizing many.

I believe there are some instructions which are given for specific occasions. It seems to me that since a judgement which could lead to excommunication from the Church was included in these instructions, there is a strong possibility we should be very careful about using them as a universal guide.

38 And now all these things did Alma and his fellow laborers do who were over the church, walking in all diligence, teaching the word of God in all things, suffering all manner of afflictions, being persecuted by all those who did not belong to the church of God.

39 And they did admonish their brethren; and they were also admonished, every one by the word of God, according to his sins, or to the sins which he had committed, being commanded of God to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things.

I am made well aware when I read the words all diligence, all things, all suffering and all persecution I am left to examine my weakness and personal littleness in my ministering unto my family and friends.

I am struck with the magnitude of the word admonish, which sounds in my mind like a soft toned bell which calls us to come unto Christ.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY