Monday, December 31, 2012

Alma 30--All Things Testify

Alma 30 is the chapter that tells us about Korihor.  Korihor went about the land preaching that there is no God and there will be no Christ.  He eventually ends up in front of Alma and I love the approach Alma takes to this.  In Alma 30:40-41 he says:
"And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not?  I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.  But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true and ye also have all these things as a testimony unto you that they are true..."
He goes onto say that the testimony of their brethren and the Holy Prophets, the scriptures, the earth, and the planets, and the motion of the earth and planets "do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." (v.44)

I love it especially because I think of the naysayers of today and how they are still using the same argument that Satan gave to Korihor.  Whenever I have heard these arguments in the past--that there is no tangible proof there is a God--I have felt on the defensive.  I look around myself and come up without something to point to.  But, truly, it is all around us.  Alma is right.  The testimony of God is everywhere and yet Alma's point did not hold much weight with Korihor, and it doesn't hold much weight today with those who don't want to see.  It seems that there is no other way to gain a real testimony but by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

A Holy Calling

I have been thinking about my calling in the church recently and praying about it.  I am in the Relief Society presidency right now and leadership callings are always hard for me.  I have had another one of those experiences with praying and reading my scriptures that I so often get, but that never cease to amaze me.

I had been pondering my calling for some time when in the course of my regular scripture study I read Alma 29.  In this chapter Alma is talking about the missionary efforts put forth by himself and the sons of Mosiah.  Actually, by this time in the chapter he is rejoicing in the opportunity they have had to be instruments in the hands of God.  In and among the wonderful verses of this chapter he says something simple that caught my eye and got me thinking...and praying...and pondering.  For a few days it was in the back of my mind.  In Alma 29:13 he says:  "...God hath called me by a holy calling..."

Yep--that is the simple phrase my mind focused on.  I underlined "a holy calling" and stalled in my scripture study for a while.  In trying to record my impressions and thoughts, I wrote this in my scripture journal:

"I feel as though a calling is less about 'you are meant to be this' as it is about 'I (Heavenly Father) will help you do this!'  A holy calling is one in which the fulfillment of will be aided by divine help and guidance.  Anyone who is willing to be humble and learn will serve well...they will be able to do it.  Perhaps the calling by prophecy [that we read about in the fifth Article of Faith] is less about 'the perfect person for the job' and more about who is ready for that learning experience in their lives.  As we strive to serve others in whatever capacity our callings require, Heavenly Father helps us.  We gain from this a testimony of the reality of our Father in Heaven and can see His loving concern for us and all his children."