071124, Thursday, Journal Entry

Vitals: weight 220.6; GMI 6.7%; Pain level 2

Book of Mormon Review Reading: The Book of Alma the Son of Alma

The account of Alma, who was the son of Alma, the first and chief judge over the people of Nephi, and also the high priest over the Church. An account of the reign of the judges, and the wars and contentions among the people. And also an account of a war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, according to the record of Alma, the first and chief judge.

Alma 1 

Nehor teaches false doctrines, establishes a church, introduces priestcraft, and slays Gideon—Nehor is executed for his crimes—Priestcrafts and persecutions spread among the people—The priests support themselves, the people care for the poor, and the Church prospers. About 91–88 B.C.

And so the reign of The Judges chosen by the people begins... But what happens when the people make wrong choices?

Mosiah 29:27 And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.

Journal Entry 

I didn't get any nap time in yesterday. A little bit of a walk then Cathy took the girls to lunch and shopping. I did some basement exercising but by 7:00 p.m. I was too tired to stay up any longer and went to bed. I woke up just before 2 a.m.after a little over 6 hours sleep and went to the Lazy Boy. Not much pain. I had some right hip pain when I got up but it's pretty much gone now. Not taking Tramadol any longer so I am convinced that my recovery is on its way.

Come Follow Me 

Alma 26:22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.

Today's lesson has to do with why we have to put forth effort in order grow closer to Heavenly Father. It's clearly not because he wants to just put obstacles in our way or make us jump through hoops, so to speak, for no reason. It's that He is so far ahead of us in every productive way and He knows we need to do the work and expend the effort to get closer to Him. He will guide our steps when He sees our effort but it's needed for us to do our part

"In the scriptures, the Lord has specified how we learn by faith. We must be humble, cultivate faith, repent of our sins, serve our fellowmen, and keep the commandments of God...

I have seen some persons attempt to understand or undertake to criticize the gospel or the Church by the method of reason alone, unaccompanied by the use or recognition of revelation. When reason is adopted as the only—or even the principal—method of judging the gospel, the outcome is predetermined. One cannot find God or understand his doctrines and ordinances by closing the door on the means He has prescribed for receiving the truths of his gospel."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 1989