“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the
outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ
takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out
of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their
environment. Christ changes men, who then change their
environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ
can change human nature.”
~ President Ezra Taft Benson
I absolutely love Alma 5! One of the best chapters in The Book. These are some of my favorite things:
ReplyDelete* Alma has gratitude (finally, after worrying his parents to death!) for the foundation and teachings laid down by his "fathers".
* He is so clear in teaching that it is Christ (yet to come, for him) that we follow and want to emulate.
* He teaches by using questions. So effective! (for me anyway)
* It's all about repentance. The Key to learning anything spiritual in nature!
* Verses 45-47 show a pattern for gaining a testimony. Very clearly he was not converted by the angel who appeared to him - that was only the wake-up call.
* He's so black and white - either we follow the one true and living God, or we follow the devil - no in between is mentioned. I get that. I think in black and white (guess that's why I have a hard time with compassion and judging, which is "extreme" black and white - I'm trying to learn to moderate that tendency).
* There are awesome patterns and guidelines all throughout this "talk" - to parents, missionaries, sinners, teachers, leaders, disciples of Christ.
That only scratches the surface of this amazing chapter - I could study it alone for years and it would never cease to inspire me.
I love the quote by ET Benson - it's a classic!
I love this chapter as well. I find that so much hope and guidance is given and it is done by the simplicity of the testimony of a man who has experienced change by the Lord. How remarkable... I see in my own life how change can happen.
ReplyDeleteGreat point about repentance... with repentance it is like the mind is able to open and allow change to take place.
Love it!!! thank you for your insights Lisa. Very profound.