COMING UNTO JESUS THE CHRIST

I had barely read the introduction to chapter 19 of the Book of Alma in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ when my mind diverted my attention from the page and I started down a pondering detour about the variety of paths which I have observed people taking on their journey of coming unto Jesus the Christ.

I have known many whom I always identify in the catalogue of my mind as those who are ‘born with believing spirits’. From their earliest recollections they have always believed in the existence of God. This gift never seemed to vary even though their personal journey through the religions of the world may have taken many twists and turns. Some of those in this category are born into families which are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There are many others who come to be members of that church later in life, but their faith in God did not begin with that affiliation. There are some who never become acquainted with the restored gospel and even may have an alternate name for their deity, but retain a lifelong belief and never doubt the existence of God.

Another listing in my mind’s catalogue might be titled ‘life altering events converts’. These are they who usually have little interest one way or another in religion or the existence of God, but because of one of many different but spectacular events, they were put on a wondering journey about the purpose of life and a curiosity about the existence of a higher power. These events include the death of a loved one, a personal physical or emotional affliction, a dramatic loss of wealth, work status, honor and prestige, a change in family or marriage along with a myriad of other sudden changes which come upon mankind. I have noticed that if some action such as scriptural study or affiliation with some religious organization does not quickly follow the life altering event, the moment seems to be lost and those belonging to this group return to their former comfort zone or even become condemning of a deity they don’t believe in.

The next group which I see in my mind’s catalogue would best be titled ‘divine intervention converts’. Although many of those in this category seem to be those who were chosen before the foundation of the world to be the Lord’s prophets and leaders, I have witnessed that there are those who tend but a small corner in the Lord’s vineyard who may also have come unto to Jesus the Christ because of some sort of divine intervention. For every Moses and the Burning Bush, there are thousands whom God has touched in such a way that they spend their lives nurturing little children. For every Paul on the road to Damascus, there are thousands whom God has touched in such a way that they spend nights sleeping on hard ground dedicated to teaching sons and daughters important skills of life. For every Joseph in the Sacred Grove, there are thousands whom God has touched in such a way that they minister by giving of their lives and talents so that others are helped in their journey of coming unto Jesus the Christ. For every Mother Teresa in the streets of Calcutta, there are thousand whom God has touched in such a way that they endlessly kneel beside the afflicted and hold the hands of the sorrowing.

The group which probably has the largest population in my cataloguing of those who have come unto Jesus the Christ is the ‘believers on those who believe’ group. The group upon which this group put their foundation of belief is almost as large as the group itself. They may have built their belief upon the belief of a parent or a missionary or a friend, or a church leader or a Prophet or an Apostle etc. One thing we know for sure about this group is that if they don’t pay the price to build upon whatever stones make up their foundation by personal study and prayer they will shortly be found wandering and become one of the lost sheep.

There is one last group I want to reveal from the list in my mind, which could actually be categorized as one or two groups. The title I have given to this group is the ‘line upon line group’. The reason I identify two groups in this category is that some line upon liner’s are ones who simply want to continue to build by searching for a new stone to add to their library of belief, while others in this group when they find a new stone must first examine it in great detail before they cautiously add it to their library of belief. It is interesting that the two groups often find some fault with each others journey. The first group never understands why anyone would ever question or doubt a doctrine or principle, whereas, the second group has difficulty with the blindness and lack of understanding with which the first group accepts every word. I have a personal belief that no matter how our journey of coming unto Jesus the Christ begins all of us must become line upon liner’s if we are to have hope of enduring.

Returning to chapter 19 of the Book of Alma in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ and rereading the conversion stories of King Lamoni, his wife and one of the servants of the King named Abish we are reminded of the many mysterious ways in which the work and glory of Heavenly Father takes place during the process of His children coming unto Jesus the Christ.

King Lamoni is so overcome by the Spirit that he is presumed to be dead.

His wife is so impressed with Ammon that she recognizes him as a holy prophet of God.

Ammon bears witness of the conversion which is taking place with King Lamoni and of the cloud of darkness which is being removed.

King Lamoni has a vision of his Redeemer who will redeem all mankind.

Abish was converted to God because of the belief she had in a vision her father had received.

Abish recognized that what was happening was due to the power of God.

Ammon teaches the word and all who hears him are converted.

The people undergo a change in their hearts where they no longer have desire to do evil.

Although there are many who resist the invitation to come unto Jesus the Christ and even those who, once having grasped the rod lose their grip and turn away, Alma’s closing words in this chapter should always be remembered.

The Spirit of the Lord is poured out upon all of Heavenly Father’s children.

The Lord’s arm is extended to all of Heavenly Father’s people.

All of Heavenly Father’s children have need to believe on the name of Jesus the Christ and to repent.

As I come to the end of my pondering stimulated by this wonderful chapter in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ I feel impressed to include the following thoughts.

Like all the other differences which make us who we are as individuals, the path which we take in our journey as we strive to come unto Jesus the Christ will be unique.

We should never be intimidated nor feel inferior because our personal journey of belief seems less spectacular than that of a neighbor.

We should be confident that our Heavenly Father knows each of His children and therefore knows the stepping stones to put in their path to help them on their journey of coming unto Jesus the Christ.

We should avoid losing hope or condemning the path others may be taking in their journey of coming unto Jesus the Christ.

We must avoid in every way becoming a stumbling block to someone else’s journey.

We must gain the confidence that the Lord will bless us with the Holy Spirit to guide us in our journey.

I end this thought with a sincere prayer that each us will be led in such a way that our journey of coming unto Jesus the Christ will be full of the stepping stones which aid our personal conversion pattern.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY = THE GOOD LIFE