Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 26:20-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 26:20-21
"Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.
And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent."

There is a purpose in sin when we repent. When we feel God's mercy, forgiveness and redeeming love our hearts are forever bound to Him. We are willing to submit to His will, and be an instrument for good in bringing others to Him. We rejoice in His amazing grace.

Day 3470

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 25:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 25:16
"Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come."

In the Book of Mormon we understand the role the law of Moses played, in bringing them closer to Jesus Christ. I really liked this general conference talk that describes the state of the children of Israel and how they lost their way. It's important for us to also not get lost in culture over covenants and true worship.

"The law of Moses was given to the early Israelites as a preparatory gospel, designed to ready the people for a higher covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
The law, rich with symbolism pointing believers to “look forward to the coming” and Atonement of Jesus Christ, was meant to help the people of Israel focus on the Savior by practicing faith in Him, His sacrifice, and His laws and commandments in their lives—it was intended to bring them to a greater understanding of their Redeemer.
Just as we are today, God’s ancient people were invited to see their lives through Him in order to see more of Him in their lives. But by the time of the Savior’s ministry, the Israelites had lost sight of Christ in their observances, setting Him aside and adding to the law unauthorized practices that had no instructive symbolism pointing to the true and only source of their salvation and redemption—Jesus Christ.
The everyday world of the Israelites had become disoriented and obscure. The children of Israel, in this state, believed that the practices and rituals of the law were the path to personal salvation and in part reduced the law of Moses to a set of protocols administered to rule civilian life.
This required the Savior to restore focus and clarity to His gospel.
Ultimately a great portion of the Israelites rejected His message, even going so far as to accuse the Savior—He who gave the law and declared that He was “the law, and the light”—of breaking it. Yet Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, speaking on the law of Moses, declared, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Then the Savior, through His eternal Atonement, ended the codes, regulations, and ceremonial practices observed by the people of Israel at that time. His final sacrifice led the shift from sacrificial burnt offerings to our rendering of “a broken heart and a contrite spirit,” from the ordinance of sacrifice to the ordinance of sacrament."
(Tracy Y. Browning, "Seeing More of Jesus Christ in Our Lives", Oct 2022 General Conference)

Day 3469

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 24:6, 19

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 24:6, 19
"Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against their brethren; nay, they would not even make any preparations for war; yea, and also their king commanded them that they should not.
And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace."

I pondered on how this showed true conversion. The people of Ammon truly repented of all their sins. The honoring of the covenants they made, meant more to them than life itself. We should look at sin in the same way, for the death of the soul is greater than the death of the body.

Day 3468

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 23:5, 14

Today's Favorite Verse: Alma 23:5, 14
"And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea, thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they were taught the records and prophecies which were handed down even to the present time.
And the Amalekites were not converted, save only one; neither were any of the Amulonites; but they did harden their hearts, and also the hearts of the Lamanites in that part of the land wheresoever they dwelt, yea, and all their villages and all their cities."

I could not help but think of that one Amalekite that joined the church. How precious one soul is.

"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
(Luke 15:10)

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;"
(Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)

And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
(Doctrine and Covenants 18:15)

Day 3467