October 14, 2010

I read Alma 34:18-41. I am really loving these sermons of Alma!

I love verse 28 that says if we aren't helping the needy, sick, naked and afflicted, that our prayers our in vain. They don't do anything for us. We must be charitable. I think it's also important to remember the importance of prayer in conjunction with charity. It's not one or the other that brings blessings, it's both.

I love verses 31-33 that teach that now is the time, this is the day to work out our salvation! I am so grateful for every day I have to be alive and to study and live the gospel. I thought a lot about my grandfather as I read the next verses that explain we aren't going to magically change into something we're not after we die, but that the same spirit that possesses our bodies when we die will go with us into the eternal world. The last I knew, my grandfather was still of an unrepentant spirit at his death. My heart yearns for him to repent. I know I'm not the only one who has that hope for him. Even last week, my aunt made reference to him on the other side and all that he must be working out. My prayer is for him to be acting on a desire to repent and accept the power of the Atonement. So many in our family have forgiven him. Every single one of his children was at his funeral service, something no one foresaw even being possible. We just have so much hope and love for you grandpa... please come unto Christ! This is the yearning of my heart.

I loved in verse 38 where it says, "contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but receive it." Isn't that what the natural man does? Resists and argues with those promptings of the Spirit. So I love this scripture. Just stop contending and receive the Spirit. The blessings for doing so are so great it's impossible to comprehend.

And finally, I love verse 41: "Have patience and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions." I couldn't help but think of my brothers and sisters struggling with same sex attraction. Please, have patience... keep the faith! I and many others, especially the Lord are here to support you and love you.