WAR

It wasn’t long after I started this task of using the teachings in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, the first week in January of 2018, that I first started thinking about what I would write when I got to that part of the book where the verses about war seem to be endless.

Had I been capable of expressing my feelings on the subject during my being the young cowboy who continuously went about saving everyone one from the bad guys with his six shooter, my ideas would have been much different.

During my teen years some of my thoughts about war were; wondering about what my draft number would be, would the Korean conflict still be going when I graduated from High School, should we really be involved in the Vietnam war, were those friends who went to Canada disloyal or smart. None of these thoughts occupied a major portion of my teen years, but they did invade my consciousness periodically.

One of the better decisions I made upon graduating high school was to enlist in the military as an Army reservist. I have to admit I was more of a patriot during the time I was serving in the Army than any other time of my life, but I also remember that there never was a time when I was more convinced about the stupidity, evil, ineffectiveness and inhumanity of war.

Almost all of my post teen years have been spent 24/7 being immersed in one stewardship or another in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My marriage, family, career, hobbies and social life have been centered in and around this organization. However, I have often found myself pondering upon why my views on how war can or cannot be justified were and are in conflict with many by whom I am surrounded.

As the conflicts between the Lamanites and the Nephites begin to pile one upon another we encounter a few verses which begin to define where I am in these experienced year of my life.

And now, as the Amalekites were of a more wicked and murderous disposition than the Lamanites were, in and of themselves, therefore, Zerahemnah appointed chief captains over the Lamanites, and they were all Amalekites and Zoramites.

Now this he did that he might preserve their hatred towards the Nephites, that he might bring them into subjection to the accomplishment of his designs.

For behold, his designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage.

And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship God according to their desires. (Alma 43: 6 - 9)

There is no doubt that by reading these verses we will be led to the conclusion that there are reasons and times when going to war is justified and sanctioned by God. However, it shouldn’t take but a moment or two to realize the conflict that war for any reason is contrary to the teachings of the gospel of peace, mercy, forgiveness and love taught by Jesus the Christ.

The following verses in this same chapter of the Book of Alma add an interesting insight.

And they were inspired by the Zoramites and the Amalekites, who were their chief captains and leaders, and by Zerahemnah, who was their chief captain, or their chief leader and commander; yea, they did fight like dragons, and many of the Nephites were slain by their hands, yea, for they did smite in two many of their head-plates, and they did pierce many of their breastplates, and they did smite off many of their arms; and thus the Lamanites did smite in their fierce anger.

Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church.

And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.

And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion. (Alma 43: 44 – 47)

As I read these verses memory of the Anti Nephi Lehies who buried their weapons deep in the earth and prostrated themselves before the Lamanite hordes comes to mind and cause me to wonder if there is possibly a better way of thinking about war beyond the formula outlined by Alma.

At this time of life when my dreams are filled with visions of better worlds I have come to the conclusion that the formula of Alma found in chapter 43 of his writings are being taught to a sometimes righteous people living in a telestial world of carnality, sensuality and devilishness where wicked men’s hearts are set upon putting others under their control.

If I understand the purpose of the gospel correctly it is meant to change the minds and nature of mankind so that they become good and honorable and strive to begin the journey towards becoming perfect like God the Eternal Father.

It seems that if we are the Latter Day Generation commissioned with the task of helping mankind to be prepared for the second coming of the Lord when the lion will lay down in peace with the lamb and peace for all will enjoy its millennial era, then it is important that we begin to look at war not only from the telestial viewpoint as the Nephites did in these passages, but more like the Anti Nephi Lehies did when they buried their weapons deep in the earth.

Therefore, renounce war and proclaim peace, and seek diligently to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children… (Doctrine and Covenants 98:16)


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO ➡️ GENTLENESS + KINDNESS + CARING + GENEROSITY ➡️ HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE ➡️ INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The magnitude of the words which have been used to define the Priesthood of God – should cause all who have been ordained to fall humbly to their knees!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The reason parenting – and – church callings do more to prepare us for Eternal Life – is because they are a necessary part of our apprenticeship into the Eternal work – and – glory of God!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The reason parenting – and – church callings do more to prepare us for Eternal Life – is because they are a part of our apprenticeship into the Eternal work – and – glory of God!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Those stewardships – which are learned through on the job training such at parenting – and – church callings – will do more to prepare us for the eternities – than any other form of training we receive during mortality!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There is probably a very good reason – most of life’s important stewardships – such as being a parent – or – church callings – always require on the job training!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Founding an organization upon the principle of servant leadership – demands such a leap of faith – it could only have come to us as revelation from Heavenly Father!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When my small flickering candle – is used to help guide the way Home for another – I will joyfully behold that its glow has grown a little bit brighter!!

COMING TO KNOW THE LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD

Since it seems that one’s long term memory is more easily accessed during our ‘experienced’ years, I often find myself spending substantial periods of time pondering upon days of yore. Although there is significant value to those who promote the doctrine of living in the moment, I have also found it beneficial to let my mind linger in the yesterdays of my life. Because of this personal tendency of finding comfort and joy in reviewing my life’s passage, as I was starting to make the transition from Alma’s blessings to his sons I reread one of his concluding remarks to his son Corianton found in verse 30 of chapter 42 of Alma.

O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.

This verse sent me on one of my memory searching journeys which had many twists, turns, unnecessary steps and direction corrections. (Maybe someday I will more clearly understand that all the diversities of my life were necessary and providential.)

I beg your indulgence and hope you will join me as I drag out of my mind the history of what I recall to have been my journey to where I feel Alma is telling us our conversion steps should lead us.

The obedience to the directions of father and mother and faith in their words phase:

As much as I can remember, this part of my journey took place from infancy until sometime in my early teens. I suspect that as with all in that age bracket there were times when there were correctional moments when obedience wasn’t strictly adhered to, when it came to my journey to know about Heavenly Father my path would have to have been considered a shadow following my parents’ example.

We said the blessing at meals, we said our individual prayers at night, we had family prayer in the morning, we went to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Sunday and our social life was almost exclusively involved with members of our ward and our family.

If my conduct while participating in these activities were to be the barometer by which my personal faith were to be judged I am sure I would have been found wanting.

I do remember some emotionally charged moments (which I would now identify as promptings of the Holy Spirit) such as the feeling I had when I was told we were moving, when a favorite pet passed away or when I met a new friend which I seemed to have known previously. However, my knowledge of God seemed to be the accumulation of oft repeated phrases in church or in the home.

The years of knowing everything and yet knowing nothing during my teen years phase:

If you were to judge my life by worldly standards during these years I would probably come off looking very good, however, if you were to judge me as one who was seeking to know about God I would be found greatly lacking.

Although I did all the routine church stuff which I had done in the previous phase of my life, and I received and performed the duties of the Aaronic Priesthood, I consider these years as those of putting on hold my journey to come to know God. It is pretty easy to remember that my desire to know about eternal gospel principles was more show than substance.

When I spend time like today pondering these years I realize I was exploring and coming to know more about the ways of mortality than the ways of eternity. Most of my thoughts, words and actions during these years were about sports, girls, friends and how far the envelope of obeying my father and mother could be pushed.

If I had had greater awareness during these years of the personal interaction of my Heavenly Farther with His children while they are on their earthly mission, I would have known that it was only because of Him that I celebrated my 19th birthday.

If I were to sum up the progression I was making to come to know God during this phase of my life I would just say I was pretty much in time out.

The real beginning of my journey to know God phase:

This part of my life started on a train ride to Fort Ord, California, where I was treated to the privilege of going through Basic Training, Clerk Typist Training and being a company mail clerk during the six months of active duty of my eight year Army Reserve Training. It only took a short time in this new and foreign environment for me to realize that the accustomed barriers which aided me to maintain my proper place inside established church and familial parameters had come down like the walls of Jericho. For the first time in my life the way I comported myself outside the strict control of the United States Army was totally my choice.

One of the events I remember which shocked me from my lethargic attitude about seeking to know God the Eternal Father, was when a bunk mate asked me why one of the boys in our platoon wore funny underwear. Since he was a Catholic I told him it was similar to his wearing of the cross. My answer seemed to satisfy him, but I found myself lacking satisfaction.

I soon found myself seeking out and attending the base Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints services and then when I was able to leave base after basic training I found myself attending the local Seaside Ward.

It might have been partly because of having learned to keep low during live fire drills, inhaling nerve gas or learning the spirit of the bayonet, but I found myself kneeling by my bed at night and to the best of my ability trying to pray sincerely and feel a personal closeness to my Father in Heaven. I was also struck with a new and unusual desire to serve a full time mission.

After finishing my six months of active duty I returned home and wasted a semester at Santa Ana Junior College while awaiting to see if the Army would allow me to take a two year sabbatical from my active reserve time and I would also be lucky enough to be granted one of the mission calls which were allotted to a ward each six months because of the Korean conflict.

I found myself conflicted during this period between my active duty in the Army and awaiting my mission call because of the allure of activities with friends and my anxiousness to be in the mission field.

When I was called to serve in the Northern Mexican Mission for two and a half years I was immediately back on the journey which had sprung from a short conversation with a bunk mate.

Although I probably wasn’t among the top 10% of the missionaries which brought zero worries to the mission president, I applied myself diligently to the task of learning about God and the restored gospel and gained the preliminary abilities to testify and teach these principles.

I was also able to receive a wonderful portion of Heavenly Father’s love and grace when he manifested to me the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Little did I know during those years that there was a huge gap between knowing about God and coming to know Him.

Years of learning and teaching phase:

Although these years comprised by far the longest period of my earthly journey I will just briefly state that studying the word and teaching the word are not necessarily an absolute path to coming to know God the Eternal Father and sadly, in fact may account as exercises to come to know about God.

The minister, husband and father phase:

…let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.

In a time in the history of the world when many traditional institutions are being questioned and even mocked, my remembrances about my journey to come to know God, mightily reinforce the absolute essential-ness of fellowship in the kingdom, eternal marriage and parenthood. The growth which has come from the privilege of having been blessed with these opportunities allows me to testify of my absolute knowledge of how they aid one to come to know God the Eternal Father.

The little I understand about justice has come from having the whisperings of the Holy Spirit counsel me when I have had stewardships of judgement.

The little I understand about mercy has come from having the whisperings of the Holy Spirit counsel me when ministering to brothers, sisters and family who were struggling where I once struggled.

The little I understand about long suffering has come from having the whisperings of the Holy Spirit counsel me when I needed to more deeply understand the trials of a brother, sister or family member.

The little I understand about humility has come from having the whisperings of the Holy Spirit counsel me about my relationships with brothers, sisters, family and most especially my Heavenly Parents.

The little I understand about love has come from having the privilege of feeling the love of my Heavenly Father sink deep into my heart.

I am certain that I will pass through the veil and probably well into eternity before my journey to know God is completed, but I am deeply grateful for the privilege I have had to have a measure of his grace, mercy and love attend me.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO ➡️ GENTLENESS + KINDNESS + CARING + GENEROSITY ➡️ HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE ➡️ INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It would be well for us to remember – although our personal candle burns with but a small flicker – it will give off sufficient light – to help at least one person find their way Home!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

I wonder if the reason the Lord used a candle in His object lesson – rather than a torch – was to remind each of us of our littleness!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When referring to the candle which was not to be hid – the Lord uses the singular tense – I suspect it was said this way – so that we would understand He was
referring to each of us individually!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When we are forced to learn – the lesson that it is not all about us – the lesson will always be more difficult – than if we voluntarily learn our lowly place!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Although it might be one of life’s most difficult lessons – eventually we must all learn it is not all about us!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It has always annoyed me that kind – generous – and – loving people – are often mocked – and – ridiculed!!

ALMA’S BLESSINGS TO HIS SONS (CORIANTON) 5

Almost as if it were a testimonial of Elder Perry’s formula which declared that 90% of the time we spend ministering will be spent on the troubled 10% for whom we have stewardship, Alma’s blessing to wayward son Corianton occupy four chapters of his writings.

The fact that Alma wrote down his complete counsel to his son Corianton, that these words then passed the editorial finger of the Lord and that Mormon took the time and effort to inscribe them upon the plates of gold, should be an indication of their importance to all who have been placed in ministering stewardships. I believe the words of this blessing should especially be significant to all who have been given the blessing of having the ministering stewardship of parenthood.

I have chosen to present the words in these chapters as if I were writing Life's Lessons Learned while listening to Alma give this blessing to his son Corianton. (A practice I have enjoyed since receiving an admonition from Elder Scott when Kathleen and I were serving in Colombia which have now been compiled into published volumes and which I share daily on Face Book.)

Parents would be wise to make their offspring aware – of the steadfast – diligent – and – faithful examples which they would benefit from following!!

Parents need to help their children understand – that exaggerating ones own strengths – and – abilities in relationships is a negative characteristic – or – as the Chinese proverb says – the nail that sticks up will be knocked down!!

Parents need to be aware of the wayward steps their children take from the gospel path – and – make them help them understand the consequences of poor choices!!

Parents need to assure their children – that no matter how far they may have wandered from the gospel path – there is always a way back!!

The omniscience of God is a reality – and – our bad choices cannot be hid from him!!
There is no such thing as someone being an island unto themselves – but – our actions will always affect the lives of others!!

Those whom we minister to – must know how seriously we take our stewardship – and – how converted – committed – and convicted we are to fulfilling the missions we have been given!!

Confession of our wrong choices is not only comforting – but – is an essential step in avoiding the eternal consequences of our poor choices!!

We should strive to set our goals on eternal blessings – rather than on temporal riches!!

Setting ones mind upon the ministry to which they have been appointed – will aid us in faithfully abiding on the path leading unto Eternal blessings!!

Parents must make sure that their children understand – that all souls are precious unto God – including their own!!

Since all mankind in all ages are precious unto God – He has ministered unto them during all of this earth’s eras!!

The life and Atonement of Jesus the Christ – assured mankind that all mortality would put on immortality!!

The life and Atonement of Jesus the Christ – assured mankind that all corruption would put on incorruption!!

The life and Atonement of Jesus the Christ – assured mankind that there is a time appointed for
every one of Heavenly Father’s children to come forth from mortal death – and be resurrected unto Eternal Life!!

There is a space of time between ones mortal death – and – the time of resurrection unto Eternal life – which is unique to every soul!!

Since God is an Eternal Being – and – all time is as one moment – the time of each child’s resurrection is all the present with Him!!

At the time of our mortal death – all return to God – and – are assigned unto a place where the work and glory of God – will continue upon them until their appointed time of resurrection!!

The term resurrection refers to the reuniting – and – perfecting of the spirit and the body!!

One of the most important concepts we must learn – is that the words of God are unalterable!!

One of the unalterable truths of God – is that wickedness never is happiness!!

All that we are becoming – during all the stages of our lives – will be restored unto us at the time of our resurrection!!

The characteristic of mercy means – that we deal justly with others!!

The characteristic of mercy means – that we judge others righteously!!

The characteristic of mercy means – that we do good continually!!

Every characteristic of Godliness – which we use in our ministerings – shall be restored unto us!!

The fall brought upon man both the temporal – as well as – a spiritual death!!

Sometime during our probationary stages – prior to the final resurrection – we will come to the understanding that even though God is Omni-just – we can only expect His mercy to match our penitence!!

We should pray that the understanding of God’s justice – and – mercy sinks deep into our hearts – and – strips us of pride and brings us down unto humility!!

I am grateful that in chapter 48 of Alma verses 18-20, it records that all of the sons of Alma and the sons of Mosiah, were men of God. We can hope, and I choose to believe, that just like his father, Alma the Son of Alma, Corianton choose to follow the example and admonition of his father and after repenting went forth to preach the word of God. I want to believe this to be true because it is a wonderful testimony that when someone has the opportunity to spend 90% of their time ministering to someone in the 10% category their efforts can bear good fruit.

One last thought for this week’s Thought, would be that it might be an edifying exercise if sometimes we studied the scriptures writing Life's Lessons Learned.


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💞

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Although resolving to make changes in our lives is an important first step – if it isn’t accompanied by actual change – our resolve soon dissolves – and – we are left just the same as we were!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If you want to see if a young boy is truly valiant – ask him to sing in the girls section of a choir!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We should always remember the words of the true prophets are surer than maps – guides – or – GPS when it comes to showing the way – we need to take to return to our Heavenly Home!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Aids such as an up to date map – a personal guide who knows the way – a current GPS can help us know the way to go – but they all become useless if we refuse to follow directions!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Having a clear vision of one’s desired destination – greatly increases the chance of their getting there!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

One of the real tests of a person’s faith – may come because of the abundance of blessings which have been bestowed upon them!!

ALMA’S BLESSINGS TO HIS SONS (SHIBLON) 4

During our visit with Elder L. Tom Perry and his wife, when Kathleen and I were being set apart as the leaders of the Colombia Bogota Mission, which was later made into two missions while we served (we were never set apart as the leaders of the newly formed Colombia Bogota North Mission, although we served the majority of those wonderful three years serving over that mission); anyway, I remember two items of counsel which he gave us during that meeting. First, I had asked him about what our relationship with the missionaries should be and his response was to love them unconditionally, which we tried to do and continue to do. The other counsel was that we would be spending 90% of our time worrying and struggling to help 10% of the missionaries and that there would be 10% of our missionaries who would serve perfectly even if we had no interaction with them and would even aid us in our ministry. Elder Perry also said that the other 80% would occupy the other 10% of our time.

During my years of ministering in church callings I have found Elder Perry’s formula to be fairly universally applicable.

As I read the blessing of Alma to his son Shiblon, whose relationship to his brother Helaman seemed to be much like that of Sam’s relationship was to Nephi and that both Shiblon and Sam seem to be representative of the 80% who only need occasional and normal assistance during their life’s journey, while Helaman and Nephi were representative of the 10% who need no tending to motivate them to serve perfectly and in fact spend their lives diligently ministering. We can also see that Laman (Lemuel just seems to be one of those companions who is willing to be led astray) and Corianton represent the 10% who seem to occupy 90% of the ministering time of those who have been called to positions of ministering.

As I was pondering on the words of Alma chapter 38 which contains Alma’s blessing to his son Shiblon and as a list of the attributes of the 80% came clearly into my mind, I felt my heart leap with gladness, because I have always been content to be counted as part of this majority group of society as well as the church who walk life’s paths needing only minimal help from the Lord’s anointed.

We who are like unto Sam and Shiblon!!

Strive to give ear to the words of Lord’s anointed.

Are filled with the wisdom that the path towards Eternal Life is lit by the Savior Jesus the Christ.

Believe in and strive to keep the Lord’s commandments.

Find our hearts filled with joy as we strive to be steadfast in faithfulness.

Recognize our blessings as we strive to endure to the end.

Strive to add to our faithfulness diligence, patience and long suffering.

Strive to add to our diligence the attributes of temperance and humility.

Trust in the Lord that he will deliver us out of our trials.

Being filled with His love we begin to understand what it means to be born again.

Believe that we will be lifted up unto Eternal Life at the last day.

Believe the testimonies of those who have had marvelous revelations and have been administered to by angels.

Strive to become publishers of peace and love of the gospel.

Strive to refrain from idleness.

Strive to refrain from feeling superior.

Strive to understand and live according to the characteristics which should attend the universal kinship of mankind.

Acknowledge their unworthiness before God at all times.

Although it may be true that we who are like unto Sam and Shiblon may need minimal attention from those who have been placed in stewardships over us, never the less, as this list which is found in
Alma the Son of Alma’s blessing to his son Shiblon indicates, our attention is drawn to just one more reminder of the constancy of self-ministering we need to be attending to with all vigilance.


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💞

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The responsibility of avoiding the temptations of the world – rests personally with each of us!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

In the end we will probably discover discipleship – has been a very personal path – with a variety of responsibilities!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

None who have been given even a minor stewardship – in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times can abdicate their personal responsibility – to keep the Gospel meaningfully alive!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The fact that for every restoration of the gospel – which ushered in a new dispensation – there has been a succeeding apostasy – should be a warning to those who have been given the mantle – to watch over the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is difficult to deny the existence of true faith – once you have seen – or – felt it exercised!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Neglect is the main reason of failed perpetuation – of most cultural – and – spiritual values!!

ALMA’S BLESSINGS TO HIS SONS (HELAMAN) 3

As I started this continuation of Alma’s blessing to his son Helaman the remembrance came into my mind of one of the ongoing projects Kathleen does as she searches the scriptures. She has made an extensive list of the commandments she finds during her reading. This remembrance caused me to think of a decision I made many years ago that I was going to concentrate my efforts in striving to do the things God has commanded us to do rather than focusing on the things He has commanded us not to do. I think this decision is a result of my being stimulated by positiveness and turned off by negativism.

In verses 13 – 32 of chapter 37 of his book, Alma the Son of Alma, speaks about the extreme results of following either the path of ‘do’ commandments or the path of ‘don’t do’ commandments. If I understand the scriptures correctly from the teachings of Alma to His son Helaman, following the ‘do’ path blesses Heavenly Father’s children with the opportunity of participation in the bringing to light and the fulfilling of His work and glory during mortality, while falling into the ‘don’t do’ pits of life leads away from destruction and damnation. It seems to me, being on the ‘do’ path results in moving closer to God while being on the ‘don’t do’ path puts us at the beginning of the ‘do’ path. Therefore, it seems to be a wise decision just to concentrate on traveling the ‘do’ path.

Lest I be accused of having my vision altered because of having viewed too many glasses half full, I quickly add that I do understand there are times in all of our lives when we have to eliminate ‘don’t do’s’ before we can see clearly the ‘do’s’ we have been commanded to accomplish.

From the book of Proverbs chapter 23 verse 7 which should be correctly subtitled, Proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied, we read As a man thinketh in his heart, so is He. It was not much of a stretch for my wee little brain to conclude that if I think of the ‘do’ commandments that is what I would be becoming and sadly for me, if I concentrate on the ‘don’t do’ commandments my thoughts often end up with me in a bit of a pit.

In these verses, Alma uses his participation in keeping the records as an example of the blessings and opportunities given to those who follow the ‘do’ path and from the record of the Jaredites found on the twenty-four plates he sites an example of the fate of those who fall into the deepest of pits because they are always involved with the ‘don’t do’s’.

As an aside I want to point out in these verses we are introduced to those who join together in Secret Combinations to get gain and the control over others, which seems to be the deepest ‘don’t do’ pit mankind is capable of falling into.

In verses 33 – 37 of Chapter 37, we find an extensive list of the ‘do’ commandments which I will emphasize in bold as an example of what I consider to be the more desirable journey towards fulfilling the mortal part of our Eternal Journey. The careful reader will recognize that I have chosen to ignore the few ‘don’t do’s’ found in these verses.

33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.

35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

From these verses along with others of their persuasion I am able to conclude that concentrating on the ‘do’ commandments should occupy the hours of our days to such an extent that we have little time to worry about falling into the pits signaled by the ‘don’t do’ commandments.

I think it is also important to note that Alma emphasizes that the keeping of the commandments (the don’t do’s) should be done in our youth and as quickly as possible. I believe he gives us this counsel so that we understand the majority of our lives should be spent striving to live the ‘do’ commandments.

If you didn’t ponder the blessings which are promised to those who faithfully ‘do’ those things taught by Alma I would encourage a re-read.

In verses 38 – 47 of chapter 37, Alma reminds his son Helaman about the ball or director (Liahona) which led Lehi and his family trough the wilderness to the Land Bountiful.

As we read these verses we are reminded that it is by small things that the great works of God are bought to pass. Such as: Though our faith be as the grain of a mustard seed, it is possible for us to do marvelous works. Through our faith we can be led on a direct path. Through faith we can be led in things temporal as well as spiritual. Heeding the word of Christ points to a strait course leading to eternal bliss. The way is prepared, if we but look, to lead us unto Life Eternal.

I strongly believe, whether we find it easier to follow the path of ‘do’ commandments or the path of ‘don’t do’ commandments we will never walk alone for He is with us always!


THOUGTHS 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💞

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There is no age limit – on becoming a person – with a positive attitude!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The outstretched loving arms of our Savior are so long – that our unwise choices – will never remove us from His redeeming reach!!