Alma's Warning to us

     I was reading the book of Mormon this morning in Alma chapter 12.  And verse 6 really jumped out to me.  Alma and Amulek were having words with Zeezrom about what they had just discussed with the wicked Nephites.  They had told them to repent.  This man, Zeezrom, made his money stirring up trouble in the community. He was a lawyer.  When there arose problems, his profession was able to profit from "riotings and all manner of disturbances and wickedness.....that they might get money according to the suits which were brought before them; therefore, they did stir up the people against Alma and Amulek."(Alma 11:20 )

                           
     Verse 21 tells us that Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good. He tried to catch Alma and Amulek in their words, but because of the preparations of these two men and their faithfulness in the call from God to return to the city of Ammonihah, Zeezrom was able to see his own wrongdoings in his efforts to destroy Alma and Amulek.  He still pursued them in question, but after Amulek taught more on God's plan of happiness, Zeezrom became troubled by his conscience. Alma in Chapter 12 confirms Amulek's words and tells Zeezrom, the Nephites, and us of the adversary's plan.

 
6 And behold I say unto you all that this was a snare of the adversary, which he has laid to catch this people, that he might bring you into subjection unto him, that he might encircle you about with his chains, that he might chain you down to everlasting destruction, according to the power of his captivity.

Do we not see this in our world today?


     There are so many distractions, so many voices out there competing for our attention as we walk our path that if we are not careful we will be caught in satan's snares that he has subtly placed to bring us under his control. We are like the rabbit in it's innocent quest for food and adventure getting caught in a trap placed so casually that we fail to recognize we've been caught until after we see our lack of progress or start to feel the pain from the consequences of our actions leading us into subjection, at the mercy of one who is without mercy. Then the adversary can control us as he desires. I see this on social media and in the news with the riots going on. Many people feel the need to apologize for mistakes of the past that they were not apart of, and for the actions of one man who made a terrible decision that gathered attention world-wide. When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, did that make me guilty? Am I responsible for them or myself and my actions and words? Am I to be held accountable for their choices or anyone else's choices? Alma 12:14 says " For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence." So it isn't the words or actions of our neighbor that will condemn us but our own.  I see a lot of rants on facebook, especially from people I associate with at church. I am quite surprised at their perspective.

Now, I don't mind a perspective that is different from my own, in fact my wife and I have differing political views but we discuss certain things and I can appreciate her view in some areas. I see others putting their opinions on the internet and being passionate about justice for George Floyd, but at what point are people being deceived and not noticing the snare around their leg that has them under the subjection of an ideology that is false but plays on the emotions of others. This situation was not right how he died. However it has been used to divide the country. Many people are now kneeling to blacks in what they call a protest to police brutality or the oppression of blacks. How wrong is that? We only need to kneel before God. We do not need to idolize any one or anything. I had no plans of going this route in this post but this verse showed me how satan loves to stir up division among God's children to pit them one against another, to inflate contention towards another and create riots. The scriptures tell us the love of man will wax cold in the last days. Are we not seeing that?

Folks these times we live in are a testimony of the book of Mormon. I am so grateful for the foresight that ancient american prophets had through prophecy and revelation and by the power of God were able to testify of our Heavenly Father's plan to send His son to redeem us from our sins and when we fall short I am grateful for it's messages of hope through the Savior and His gospel.