Mosiah 27- Alma 7

As my first semester with my schooling comes to an end, I can honestly say that I've learned a lot about our prophets in the Book of Mormon.

This week we read Mosiah 27- Alma 7.  My quest to read and understand the scriptures is still a big challenge, for me but I keep pushing on.

In this scripture block, I read how Alma the Younger and King Mosiah's sons started out wicked but how they were able to take advantage of the power of the atonement.  Once they did this they were able to partake of the fruit of happiness and wanted to share this with the Lamanites.  For me, this act of kindness displayed how Christlike they became by wanting to save their enemies.

I'm constantly reminded of how simple and beautiful this gospel truly is.  As King Mosiah was ready to crown one of his sons as the successor, none of his sons wanted to serve as the next king for fear that there would be contention among their people which would result in much wars and shedding of bloods.  Instead, they opted to go on a mission to the Lamanites.  I've learned so much from their humility and love and wonder how can I become better like the Alma the Younger and the sons of King Mosiah.  Because none of the sons took the succeeding seat they moved the ruling to a  seat of judges.

Alma was the chief judge of Zarahemla and leader of the Church.  One of his first challenges was to judge Nehor who was an evil man who taught false doctrines and practiced priestcraft.  "priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion" (2 Nephi 26: 29).  He taught that all priest and teachers should be popular with the people.  Also that the people should pay them for their preaching rather than working to support themselves. 

I can't imagine how imagine living in this day and time.  I think of how we have our own versions of Nehor's in our day today but how we have so much information at our fingertip, that we could easily identify a person who's not being honest.  The people of these days would have to be very faithful and obedient to receive promptings to help guide them. 

As I read more and more about these prophets and their experiences, I am grateful for their testimonies, leadership and the records they kept that help prepare us in these latter days to make better decisions to try and become worthy members of this true church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.