If you’ve made it this far with me CONGRATULATIONS! We hit the halfway point this week and after I got caught up with my reading today I spent some time to reflect on how much I’ve gained from reading the Book of Mormon in such a condensed period of time. I’ve started reading in the morning when I wake up, instead of putting it off until late at night like I used to. The stories all make more sense, because I can remember what they are talking about when they reference things in the recent past. And I’m so proud of myself for doing this, the good kind of pride that makes you feel a little bit glowly, and makes you want to take on even more challenges like this one in the future!
Today we were given a sweet treat in Relief Society. I wish I had the money to mail one out to each of you as well!
Today while reading in Alma I discovered something I had never noticed before. In Alma 18 & 22, Ammon and Aaron give us a type for how to spread the word of Christ. In chapter 18 Ammon is speaking to King Lamoni, after working as his servant and proving himself to be a man of mighty strength (if you’re unfamiliar with the story, Ammon defends the kings sheep by cutting off the arms of some evil men who come to scatter them). Ammon begins in verse 24 by asking a question: “Believest thou that there is a God?” King Lamoni answer that he believes in what his people call the “Great Spirit”, and after talking about the nature of God for a few verses Ammon begins preaching to King Lamoni.
36 Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, and also the creation of Adam, and told him all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the records and the holy scriptures of the people, which had been spoken by the prophets, even down to the time that their father, Lehi, left Jerusalem.
37 And he also rehearsed unto them (for it was unto the king and to his servants) all the journeyings of their fathers in the wilderness, and all their sufferings with hunger and thirst, and their travail, and so forth.
38 And he also rehearsed unto them concerning the rebellions of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, yea, all their rebellions did he relate unto them; and he expounded unto them all the records and scriptures from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem down to the present time.
39 But this is not all; for he expounded unto them the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world; and he also made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and all the works of the Lord did he make known unto them.
King Lamoni believes and is converted. Then, three chapters later, Aaron, Ammons brother, encounters King Lamoni’s father, and converts him using the exact same process that Ammon used to convert the King’s son, Lamoni. First he finds out what the King believes, then he teaches what he knows to be the truth.
What a wonderful lesson for me! If I want to spread the gospel I need to first take the time to know and serve (for both Ammona nd Aaron offered to be servants to the Kings they converted before they preached the gospel to them) those I would like to introduce the gospel to. Ammon and Aaron give us a type for how we can preach to people, not at them.
Tags: LDS
This story reminds me of Paul in Hebrews 11:1 - 12:3. He uses a similar persuasive strategy, starting at the creation of the world through the history of Israel. I particularly like this passage. It’s like looking back at a family history and noting the greatness which came before me. And how awesome a thought that I will someday sit beside these men and women and together worship our Savior and God!
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Since baby was born I’ve gotten a little behind (I thought that would happen). Before he came, I was ahead of schedule and rediscovered that when I committ to reading, I really start to “feast” on the words of Christ - I want to keep reading more, not just to check off the box but because I feel like I’m learning and growing.
“They” say that it takes 2 weeks for something to become habit, and that seems to have occured this time like other times. I am so glad I started this with you this summer and you are right about reading everyday - - you remember better what happened the time before and it’s easier to follow along with the timeline/story of it all (even when Mormon jumps around a tad and interjects his own explanations).
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That’s an excellent insight. I don’t think I’ve made that connection before. Perhaps my favorite part, the most sincere part, is King Lamoni’s prayer. More specifically when he says “I will give up all my sins to know Thee”. It is powerful to me.
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