I will never pretend to understand why the thought processes of others is the way it is, since most of the time I don’t even know why my own brain operates the way it does.
This morning when I was doing my morning routine at the computer and wasn’t really concentrating on the Thought I would be writing today, the chorus of the beautiful duet from Evita kept going through my mind.
[Eva:] So what happens now?
[Che:] Another suitcase in another hall
[Eva:] So what happens now?
[Che:] Take your picture off another wall
[Eva:] Where am I going to?
[Che:] You'll get by, you always have before
[Eva:] Where am I going to?
Somehow this caused me to start going through a list of things we do in life which seem to have a self-perpetuating renewal gene.
The last brush stoke on the painting of the Golden Gate Bridge is still drying when the workers begin the application of another coat of paint.
The last room in the house is made to sparkle and we know we must begin cleaning anew.
The last batter strikes out to end a frustrating season and the fans exclaim, wait ‘till next year.
When I opened The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ to the seventh chapter in the Book of Alma to receive some inspiration on what I was going to write this Thought about, it became clear that the process of inspiration was already in full gear. If you think I have trouble conceiving the way my brain processes information, you can understand why I have very little understanding of how the process of preparation by inspiration happens.
Anyway, beginning in the previously cited chapter of Alma, we find the Chief High Priest having had tremendous success in reestablishing the Church in the land of Zarahemla, he departs for another city, Gideon, and having had success in Gideon he departs for another city, Melek, and having had success in Melek he departs for another city Ammonihah… but there in is another Thought for another Sunday.
During Alma’s successful days in Gideon and Melek he adds the following teachings to what we know he gave to those in Zarahemla.
6 But behold, I trust that ye are not in a state of so much unbelief as were your brethren; I trust that ye are not lifted up in the pride of your hearts; yea, I trust that ye have not set your hearts upon riches and the vain things of the world; yea, I trust that you do not worship idols, but that ye do worship the true and the living God, and that ye look forward for the remission of your sins, with an everlasting faith, which is to come.
…this much I do know, that the Lord God hath power to do all things which are according to his word.
9 But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying—Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth.
10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.
21 And he doth not dwell in unholy temples; neither can filthiness or anything which is unclean be received into the kingdom of God; therefore I say unto you the time shall come, yea, and it shall be at the last day, that he who is filthy shall remain in his filthiness.
22 And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.
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.
24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.
Even with these additional teachings I suspect we have but a small portion of what Alma taught during his missionary journeys.
It does not follow my usual pattern of writing these Thoughts to attempt to direct what ponderings the Holy Spirit might direct the reader to ponder, but today I would like to include in this Thought some of the ponderings which have passed through my mind as I have been searching Alma’s words during his missionary journey.
Is there ever a time when it might be appropriate to compare our relative progress to another’s?
When prophets receive such detailed revelations, such as the name of the earthly mother of the Son of God and the events of His earthly sojourn, does it make us wonder about how all things past, present and future are within the parameters of Heavenly Father’s Omnipresence and Omniscience?
Was one of the reasons for the extensive understanding about each of our lives which was gained through the Savior completing His Atoning act, so that he would have all knowledge necessary to make righteous judgements for each of Heavenly Father’s children?
Why does the gestation period of being Born Again seem such a variable among those who are baptized?
What are we to understand about the challenges which will confront us when Alma says we are baptized unto repentance?
When is the last day spoken of by Alma when it will no longer be possible for our filthiness to be removed?
How often should I seek an update on the duty I have to God and an evaluation of how I am doing?
Is there a more concise listing of the attributes, characteristics and perfections of Godliness which I should be attempting to acquire than those found in the 23rd and 24th verses of chapter 7 of the Book of Alma?
As I return to the thoughts which came to my mind about the repetitious-ness of life’s experiences, besides the understanding that this brings both an increase in our ability to do things better and more efficiently, Alma gives us an insight into the eternalness of what we find happening over and over again in our mortal lives.
20 I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round.
[Eva:] So what happens now?
[Che:] Another suitcase in another hall
[Eva:] So what happens now?
[Che:] Take your picture off another wall
[Eva:] Where am I going to?
[Che:] You'll get by, you always have before
[Eva:] Where am I going to?
I pray that the next time we have the thought pass through our minds, ‘oh no, not again’ we will count it as a blessing rather than a curse.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
PEACE - JOY - LOVE - FAITH - HOPE - CHARITY
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