THE TEST

 

“You may wonder why we are not sharing the fun here on earth. That’s because we have been quarantined. We’ve been isolated for a special testing situation. Remember, that’s what the Lord told Enoch when he was talking about the world. He had created “worlds without number” and yet he told Enoch, “Among all the workmanship of my hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren.” (Moses 7:36) 

“So, in worlds without number, this is number one, the worst. This means when you are here, you are getting a real test.”   (Hugh Nibley, Old Testament and Related Studies [Deseret Book Co., Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies], 1986, 146)

He was one of us. He was great and mighty. He was in the bosom of the Father and in authority among us (D&C 76:25). He was also a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). And he was full of pride and unrighteous ambition and when he fell the heavens wept over him (D&C 76:26).

He is now cast to this earth, a Thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He seeks to steal our spiritual identity, kill our faith in God and destroy our commitment to Christ, the source of our salvation, and this is his method of destruction:

HIS THREE DOCTRINES are: 1. No punishment for sin; 2. Nothing after death; 3. He does not exist.

HIS LIES THROUGH RATIONALISATION: 1. Just once won’t hurt; 2. No one will know; 3. Everybody is doing it.

HIS VALUE SYSTEM: 1. Selfishness; 2. Self-indulgence; 3. Immediate gratification.

HIS SALES TECHNIQUES: 1. Pacifying; 2. Flattering; 3. Lulling (see 2 Nephi 28:21-22)

HIS WORDLY ENTICEMENTS: 1. Power; 2. Popularity; 3. Praise.

I can see all these playing out in our society but there is something the Thief cannot do….he cannot overcome Him who came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly (John 10:10)……the Saviour of all mankind, the Lion of Judah who keeps us in His care.

 

He was the Son of the Morning,

His pride yielded irreversible cost

In the beginning we sorely wept

When his soul was forever lost.

 

Like a thief in the night,

He now seeks to steal, kill and destroy.

He is the collector of ruined lives,

The Master of ravaged souls.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: In God's Care by Greg Collins)

WHAT WE DO MATTERS

 

Have you ever heard someone say, "It's my life, I'll do with it what I want"? I am pretty certain we are all familiar with this statement. A lot of us have heard it from our defiant children. People who have this mentality have the illusion that what they do has no or very little effect on others. There is a very powerful story in the BOM that proves this theory wrong.

I wrote a post recently about the Zoromites tribe in the Book of Mormon which had the tendency to swing between the Nephites and the Lamanites. In 74 BC, Alma organised a mission to the Zoramites to strenghten their alliance with the Nephites and be counted amongst the believers (Alma 31:1-6). Thus the Zoromite mission became a political move as well as a spiritual endeavour. The mission did yield some converts, who had to flee to Jershon to join the people of Ammon  but the mission overall was a failure (Alma 35:6). The majority of the Zoramites did not choose to repent and they joined the Lamanites and ignited the wars contained in the Book of Alma. Their initial aim was to reclaim and persecute the believers who had defected to Jershon (Alma 35:10,11).

And here is the startling part of the story: Zoramites' tipping point was Alma's son, Corianton who was part of the missionary force. Alma attributed the failure of the mission to Corianton because his misconduct caused the Zoramites to not believe in Alma's words (Alma 39:11). In his attempt to bring Corianton to repentance, Alma expounded on the seriousness of sexual sin which stands next to two unpardonable sins, that of murder and the denying of the Holy Ghost (Alma 39:5,6). Not only did Corianton abandon his mission in favour of iniquity but his behaviour was so sinful that he led many people into disbelief (Alma 39:3,4,11,12).

I am certain that Corinaton never knew that his choices would lead to wars as he made his way to the land of Siron in search of Isabel (Alma 39:3). Imagine heading a missionary expedition and preaching repentance to a group of people while your son is going against the very principles you are expounding in open defiance. I am also certain that Alma had no idea that his persecution of the Church and his riotous living would lead others into spiritual destruction he later deemed was as good as murder (Alma 36:14). This is something he deduced through many years of reflection, following his repentance. And this might be another thing he learnt: what pain you inflict on others, one day becomes your own. It is no coincidence that he had an erring son because once upon a time, he was one too. He too led away many believers and caused his father, who was the high priest of the whole land of Zarahemla, great embarrassment and sorrow (Mosiah 27:14). This lesson is reflected in his advice to Corinaton: “For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again….” (Alma 41:15), whether good or bad.

What we do matters. There is not one action we perform that does not affect another human being, directly or indirectly, for we are all connected. We lead each other into light or darkness. We are beacons of faith or destroyers of truth. Imagine if the light of this world was taken away and Satan reigned supreme. Imagine if there was no Christ to light the way, and because of it, we knew no love, compassion, faith, hope, joy. We do not want to cower in the shadows of darkness. As we journey on life's many roads, may we leave a trail behind us for others to follow into the light of His love where awaits eternal life.

I will spread the light

Your gift of salvation to honour

And satisfy man’s hidden hunger;

I will help them know

Your arms are their shelter,

Your heart is their home,

Their only hope

For protection from the storm.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: As I Have Loved You by B. Laura Wilson)