THEN AND NOW 1

Since we are encouraged to read The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, over and over again throughout our lives, we need to come to the realization that there are many ways we can change our emphasis while we are our reading in order to continue to make our study exciting and revelatory. One of the more exciting revealing searches in the book will come when we concentrate on, ask for and receive the understandings of the historical parallels between the days written about in the book and what is transpiring in our own lives today.

After the inhabitants of the world woke on January 2, 2000, and it was apparent that with the opening of a new century had begun and the world had not ended, there came with it the opening of a new way of judging religiousness among the younger generation which would bring about a new relationship between the mortal children of Heavenly Father and the established Churches of the World.

With the exception of a short period after September 11, 2001, there has been a steady decline in the attendance of this rising generation at weekly houses of worship. It is interesting to note that although attending organized religious service has declined, there has actually been an increase in the number of this generation over many previous generations of those who believe in the existence of a universal divine directing force, which may or may not be referred to by them as God, Yahwah, Allah or Zeus.

The reasons for their rejection of organized religions are multiple. A few of their reasonings include; the many destructive wars which have and are conducted in the name of religion, the greed and pomposity of many who have and are directing some religions, the hypocritical gulf between the moral teachings of some clergy and their personal adherence to those creeds, the conflict between the building of grand cathedrals, temples and mosques and the starving throngs which lie at their doorsteps, they find themselves feeling closer to God surrounded by the beauties of His creations than in the confines of buildings built by men.

Although as with all comparisons, we know that details will not always be in direct correlation throughout, we do find interesting parallels between the anti-church philosophies of the early 21st century and that which Alma found among the Zoramites in the year 74 B.C.

And Alma said unto them: Behold, ye have said that ye could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your synagogues. But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures; if ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not understand them.

Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?

For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.

Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.

And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.

And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.

Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them. (Alma 33: 2-8)

Although there seems to be a glowing difference between the poor among the Zoramites being driven from worshipping in their synagogues and the first generation of the 21st century choosing to absent themselves from the buildings designated for worship a more exhaustive pondering might reveal that the distance between religious teachings and many who govern or attend those places of worship have driven this generation away from their pews and they have therefore retreated to God’s beautifully created nature for their worship and devotion.

One of the flaws I find in the path which those who have chosen to rely solely on their personal efforts to overcome the gulf between themselves and the love, mercy and grace of God, is that they deny themselves the synergistic miracle which results from sincere believers worshiping in unison. Even though the reasons for the modern’s having absented themselves from these gatherings may have merit, it does not hold that exceptions do not exist. My personal testimony is that there are those gatherings where groups of imperfect people who are attempting to be a little bit better today than yesterday gather and strengthen one another in coming more completely to that which Alma declares to be the true reason for individual and group religious efforts.

If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.

And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen. (Alma 33: 22, 23)

Since I believe in the constancy and continuation of the reality of God being involved in His declared work and glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children, it causes my soul to burn with the truth that His work has not slackened, neither for all past generations, nor for today’s generation, as well as all future generations. I am convinced of the reality that just as the problems of the impoverished among the Zoramites were resolved and they were shown the way to overcome their difficulties of worship by a prophet anointed and sent by God, likewise, Heavenly Father’s children of this generation as well as all other generations will be blessed in the same manner.

(To be continued)


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💞