The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much

Alma and Amulek have the unenviable obligation to preach repentance to the hardened and unresponsive people in Ammonihah. Amulek states that it is the prayers of the righteous that is the only thing that stands between them and destruction. He notes that they will soon kick those people out, and when they do they'll be ready for destruction. That destruction, as we know, came swiftly and decisively - the entire city was destroyed in one day.

So what do effect do your prayers have?

What effect do your cries in the wee hours of the morning have on wayward children?

What effect does the spiritual effort and wrestling with God and one's conscience have on the world at large?

What difference does it make that you or I pray for each other?

Much.

God, in the beginning, gave us each our agency and commanded us that we must repent and choose Him. By so doing, He has promised us peace and prosperity in this life and eternal life in the next. Sounds like a win-win to me...

By kneeling to pray, or even just the quietly whispered expression of gratitude, humility, or despair, we are acknowledging His place in our lives. We are showing that we are abandoning our own selfish desires for Him and suborning our will to His. Really, if you think about the attendant blessings that come as a result of this kind of obedience, prayer should never be difficult nor far from our thoughts.

What about family prayer? Sometimes it can feel like it has become a rote ritual - morning and night, day after day. But there is something in the continuity, the discipline, and the kneeling together, that inspires and motivates. It gives children an example and an anchor for their day. Sure, our children should pray on their own. They should pray throughout the day. But the action of kneeling as a family brings power and unity that is otherwise absent. There is nothing more powerful in the world than the family united in prayer.

Amulek speaks more on this topic later, so we'll revisit it. I just want you to know that I know that there is power in prayer - power that cleanses, strengthens, and brings us closer to the Lord. What else could we possibly want?

Born again

I've been there.

I stood in darkness.

Alone.

Cold.

All of those "friends" I had who had helped me get to this point were gone.

I could not see anything.

All was darkness and shifting figures.

I screamed for my friends to come back, but all I heard was laughter.

The last thing I had seen was the backs of those people I had trusted as they walked away into their own darkness.

They were so persuasive.

Their words like honeyed sweetness, their promises like golden bells in my ears

Tinkling.

I followed them.

At first it all seemed fun and exciting, travelling in forbidden paths.

But then I was left, empty and cold and so very, very, alone.

My soul hungered, my mind darkened, and my screams and shouts were unheeded.

But then I remembered

There is a Light - a great and powerful Light

My father had told me of this Light.

He told me that if I was ever in darkness I could look to this Light for guidance.

So I prayed to the Light:

Please save me!

And He reached out His hand to mine

I noticed there was a scar in His palm as I grasped and pulled it to me

Immediately the darkness was gone.

My pain and sorrow and regret was gone.

I was not alone.

I had a new Friend, a more excellent One who would never leave me.

He had, in fact, been right behind me the whole time

Waiting for me to turn around

And see Him

The Light.

Peace.

Love.

How to judge

In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ said, "Judge not, lest ye be judged" (Matt 7:1).

Seems pretty clear. He then goes on to explain that judging is reciprocal - with the same judgement we judge we will in turn be judged. Further, he explains, we should remove our own visual blocks which enables us to clearly see what is wrong with others and are in a better position to help.

So how does all of this play in to the scripture which enjoins those who are called to be bishops that we must judge (see D & C 107: 72; 74)? And is it possible, in a larger sense, NOT to judge things?

There must be a distinction between judging things or actions and people. We are not given to know all things - that belongs to God only. But Moroni, quoting his father Mormon, shows us the way to judge. He says that things that are from God are light (enlightening), peaceful, and pointing to God. Those things that are dark, contentious, and that take us away from God are of the devil. For those who have the Spirit to guide them, it is as clear as is the summer sun - a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water, neither can a pure fountain bring forth that which is bitter. We can know through the Holy Spirit that which is good and right and holy. We can also discern that which is evil and wrong and devilish. In fact, we must discern between these things so we will know which to choose. We must choose the right.

Judging people and their motives is something that is given to the chosen, called, and anointed servants of God. These are very few in number - bishops, branch presidents, stake presidents, and the First Presidency. In all the world, this amounts to fewer than 50,000 people. They (and I am currently included in that number, but it was not always that way and will not always be that way) are called - as noted in that reference above - to be common judges in Israel. This is a sacred obligation, and there are attendant blessings and responsibilities that come with this. Among these is the promise that discernment will come through the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Ghost (see D & C 46:27).

Thus we (as bishops) may know from God how to judge. In a sense, it is not us who is judging but the member and God. The bishop just acts as God's representative, stating a judgement that the transgressor already knows he/she merits.

It is important to note that those who repent are forgiven - as often as they do repent. That is the glory and the beauty of the Atonement of Christ. And God be praised for His endless mercy. He is truly great!

Why bad things happen to good people

In the history of the Book of Mormon, and really the world, it is difficult to find a group more dedicated to the Lord than those Alma led out of the land of Lehi-Nephi. They were truly humble, submissive, meek, and holy. They formed the first organized church in the land. Their only desire was to be happy and left alone to worship God. Who knows what may have become of them if they had been...

But the Lamanites and the wicked priests of King Noah find them in the valley of Helam.

The verse states that "the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people, yea, he trieth their patience and faith" (Mosiah 23:21).

Why is this?

Why is it when we desire to rejoice we are tried by the Lord?

Doesn't He know our faith? Surely He knows our patience? Doesn't He know of our dedication and love?

Yes, He knows.

So why?

The answer lies, in part, in the next verse: "Whosoever putteth his trust in him shall be lifted up at the last day" (Mosiah 23:22).

What kind of a person do you want to be? Do you want to remain the same kind of person you always were? Do you want to become stagnated and non-progressing - literally and figuratively damned? The Lord tries us often to get us off of top dead center, moving us to great things only He knows we are capable of. We discover these things for ourselves as we move through our trials. And we become pure, malleable, and worthy.

All things are done for the benefit of us. In our limited perspective, it is often difficult to see beyond the current situation and contemplate the import and duration of eternity - indeed, we cannot fully grasp this at all. We must put our trust in the Lord for in Him we hope for better things to come.

When we pray for strength, the Lord gives us heavy burdens to carry. Then we find our strength. We must trust Him that He will not give us something we are not able to bear.

The Desire of Your Heart

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matt 6:21)

Abinadi, having given his all for the truth, had only one direct convert to the truth. He never saw the fruits of this seed which was planted in the good ground. Through the efforts of Abinadi and Alma the Elder, 450 people were baptized. Later Alma would organize a church in Zarahemla, which church would endure until the destruction of the Nephite Nation.

There are a couple of things that stand out to me in this passage (Mosiah 17-20):

1. The Priesthood of God. Whenever the scriptures mentions that someone acted "with power and authority" that is a direct reference to the Priesthood of God. These things were clearly understood. The Priesthood is not a group of men who have been ordained to perform certain offices. The offices are actually appendages to the Priesthood. The Priesthood, in LDS usage, refers to the power and authority to act in the name of God. The worthy priesthood holder is literally authorized to perform ordinances, give blessings, and speak and prophecy in the sacred name of God. This authority is of vital importance. We, proxy-like, stand in for Him and do the things He would do if He were here.

This is important for several reasons. First, it allows us, as men, to bless others - literally and metaphorically. Holding the priesthood of God is a call to serve others. We do this by placing our hands on their heads and bestowing blessings of healing, comfort, and peace. We also have the opportunity as members of quorums and Church unit organizations to serve the temporal and spiritual needs of others. This differs from other service clubs or organizations in that we do so out of a Christian mandate to love and serve others, seeking no reward, standing in the place of God Himself - lifting others burdens that they may be light.

Second, it gives authority to blessings and ordinances performed. Service rendered by any other means or method is not considered valid, in the way that a police officer will not consider valid a hand-written driver's license, no matter how well intentioned the issuer and how proficient the operator. There is power in this Priesthood, power that is generally denied in the world at large. This denial causes a reduction in the amount of blessings available to the world, and the world suffers because of it.

Finally, the Priesthood gives us a structure and organization that is clear and transparent. We can know where we are and to whom we are responsible. Ultimately, we are each individually accountable to God. But here on earth, there is also an accounting that is required and the organization of the Church helps with this. Further, when a person, family, ward, or stake needs assistance, the organization of the Church stands ready to assist. We are a covenant people, and the oath and covenant belonging to the Priesthood brings sacred responsibilities, obligations, and blessings. As mentioned above, the Priesthood is at its most basic level a call to serve. The organization helps make efficient use of men and efforts to bring about the most good. It is inspired and inspiring to behold.

2. The baptismal covenants. As members of this Church, we cannot be passive in our duties and responsibilities. We have a very sacred obligation to care for each other, to strengthen each other, and to love each other. We must be one, having our hearts knit together in unity and love. I love that symbolism. This holds true of individuals as much as families and ward units. It also holds true for us as people, nations, and society.

3. The power of women/the weakness of men. It is not difficult to note how weak and fickle men are, and how steady and wonderful women are. Throughout this passage, and really throughout the entire Book of Mormon, it is clear that the women possess an excellent ability to affect events around them in positive ways. The men are the ones who usually mess things up. Even when women are mentioned in a negative light, it is usually the men who have contributed to this state. Women represent all that is good and sacred, pure and unsullied, clean and holy. They are the repository for the culture of a nation, instilling in all the desire to become more refined, more dignified, more gentle, and more exalted. God be praised for the righteous women in our lives!

Ah, Abinadi...

It is difficult to imagine what it must have been like for Abinadi.

Here's a guy who was only doing what he felt was right, and yet was burned to death. It is interesting to note the similarities between him and others who would suffer death by fire. It is also interesting to note that some were saved from the flames (Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego) and from other similar perils (Daniel, the Three Nephites, etc). But many, many more have to give the ultimate sacrifice for their faith. Would I be able to withstand such torture and pressure? I'd like to think so, but I've certainly never been tested like this.

Abinadi is examined by the wicked King Noah and his evil priests, who question him regarding the law of Moses. He has the opportunity to explain the gospel to them (see earlier posts), noting that the law of Moses points to the ultimate sacrifice of the Savior. It is through Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, that salvation and redemption comes to the children of men. Thus, the law of Moses is a preparatory law, all things directing us to the mission of our Lord. And as Christ, Abinadi, and many others have been willing to sacrifice everything they had for the Lord, so should we be willing to give up everything we have. Our lives may not be required, but in a larger sense, they are required. The Lord requires the heart and a willing mind, and then the blessings flow.

When I was called to be the bishop, as with every other calling I've had or extended, there is the opportunity to accept or reject. The healing that comes through the gospel is the greatest blessings we can hope for in this life, the miracle that transforms the heart of stone into a fleshy heart, one that is easy to be acted upon, one that is flexible, bendable, and moldable. We put our ability to choose into the hands of the Master and allow Him to shape us.

That's what Abinadi's call was for - repentance and humility, both of which were in short supply in the kingdom of Noah. It's unclear from the record if Abinadi ever knew the impact he would have on the world. He affected the Nephite nation for generations - Alma the Elder, Alma the Younger, Helaman, Helaman, Nephi (x3) - the last of which was a disciple called by the Lord Himself. His testimony is now read by millions, in every language and amongst every people. Such is the impact of righteous people on the world.

On a more personal note...

This is actually not intended to be a scriptural commentary, per se. It's just that recently I've been writing some thoughts in relation to the Book of Mormon that have been on my mind. This is in keeping with the direction received from our Stake President. I just didn't want you to think that I had completely abandoned my normal randomness...

I have been the bishop of the Baytown 2nd Ward for the past three months. It has been glorious in the most surpassing way. The members of our ward are generous, kind, and faithful. It is a privilege to serve with and amongst such incredible people. The Lord has truly blessed us, and I am grateful.

There's one thing I would like to note. It is not specific to anyone, or even our ward. It is endemic throughout the world and I have been wondering about it a lot. It has to do with attitude.

Attitude determines so much of what we become in our lives. As Elder Holland said, There is no situation so bad that complaining about it can't make it worse. We rise to the level of our own diligence and faithfulness, but also our own willingness and cheerfulness. We are blessed through having a good outlook on life - not only spiritually and emotionally, but physically as well. Who needs all that added stress. And imagine if everyone complained as much as most whiners will.

Attitude also contributes to the positive feelings others have - about the world and about us. Complaining was what lead Laman and Lemuel to be known eternally as "murmurers". It's an easy transition from "murmurers" to "murderers"... And what kills our peace, tranquility, and solace more quickly than a poor attitude?

Our Young Men recently participated in a camp out where they had to pack in for several miles and then pack it all back out. Do you know what? Not ONE of them complained even ONCE. This so totally shocked me - I'm still in shock! Up and over hills, through mud and sand, carrying heavy loads in decrepit gear - and no one was a whiner or fussed. It was amazing. And what's more, the trip was enjoyable for all - leaders and youth alike. I was really pleased with our group. Granted, we didn't go far (six and a half miles) and the terrain wasn't terribly vertical. But still these Young Men reflected a positive attitude that shone in their willing and eager faces. It was a pleasure to hike with these great young men. I can't wait to see how far they'll go in life.

Their attitudes are clearly a reflection of their upbringing. Their parents are obviously people of faithfulness, diligence, and a willing attitude and spirit. This is reflected in the actions of their sons. I am excited (now) to go on future camp outs with these young men. In fact, the only time I can remember some complaining was last April when it rained during a camp out. Of course, it rained 10 inches that night - nearly a record! - so there was some frustration with the wetness. But even that was minimal...

So to all these young men - and their parents - my hat's off to you. Thanks for an enjoyable weekend!