More passion from Captain Moroni today! First, he rejoiced "exceedingly" in Helaman’s success in regaining some of the Nephite cities that had been lost to the Lamanites. Then, he was "exceedingly sorrowful" when he learned the city of Nephihah was captured by the Lamanites. This converted to anger, as he was TOTALLY ticked off at the government for neglecting to send reinforcements. ROYAL tongue lashing for Pahoran!
"You sit in a state of thoughtless stupor on your throne...because of your great neglect...the blood of thousands shall come upon your head for vengeance...ye sit in idleness...have ye forgotten the commandments?...I do not fear you...we know not what but ye are also traitors...except ye administer to our relief...I come unto you to smite you with the sword!"
Amazingly, Pahoran did not take offense at Moroni’s tirade, nor was he turned off by the threats. He actually REJOICED in Moroni’s love of liberty!
"And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart." Incredible guy. He was going through heck, but instantly forgave Moroni and sought to come to his aid.
"And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart." Incredible guy. He was going through heck, but instantly forgave Moroni and sought to come to his aid.
Big take home lessons today:
We can choose not to be offended.
We should avoid making unkind judgments about others.
Often we suffer a while before the Lord grants relief.
When we unite in righteousness with others, we are stronger in our battles against evil!
Alma 58:11 "Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him."
“Tribulations are frightening. And yet the Lord said: 'Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and he riches of eternity are yours.” 'And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious' (D&C 59:7). “The kind of gratitude that receives even tribulations with thanksgiving requires a broken heart and a contrite spirit, humility to accept that which we cannot change, willingness to turn everything over to the Lord –even when we do not understand, thankfulness for hidden opportunities yet to be revealed. Then comes a sense of peace. “When was the last time you thanked the Lord for a trial or tribulation? Adversity compels us to go to our knees; does gratitude for adversity do that as well?” President David O. McKay observed, "We find in the bitter chill of adversity the real test of our gratitude..., which...goes beneath the surface of life, whether sad or joyous."
Alma 59:9 “It was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it from them.”
"It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent.”
--President Ezra Taft Benson
“Through the strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you and I can be blessed to avoid and triumph over offense. ‘Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them’ (Psalm 119:165)
We can choose not to be offended.
We should avoid making unkind judgments about others.
Often we suffer a while before the Lord grants relief.
When we unite in righteousness with others, we are stronger in our battles against evil!
- Opening Song "You Know Better Than I"
- Begin Study Session With Prayer
- Scripture Study: Alma 58-61 (listen)
- Study Guide: (here)
- Video: "Choose Not to Be Offended"
- Video: Pahoran and Captain Moroni
“Tribulations are frightening. And yet the Lord said: 'Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and he riches of eternity are yours.” 'And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious' (D&C 59:7). “The kind of gratitude that receives even tribulations with thanksgiving requires a broken heart and a contrite spirit, humility to accept that which we cannot change, willingness to turn everything over to the Lord –even when we do not understand, thankfulness for hidden opportunities yet to be revealed. Then comes a sense of peace. “When was the last time you thanked the Lord for a trial or tribulation? Adversity compels us to go to our knees; does gratitude for adversity do that as well?” President David O. McKay observed, "We find in the bitter chill of adversity the real test of our gratitude..., which...goes beneath the surface of life, whether sad or joyous."
Alma 59:9 “It was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it from them.”"It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent.”
--President Ezra Taft Benson
“Through the strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you and I can be blessed to avoid and triumph over offense. ‘Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them’ (Psalm 119:165)
"Moroni wrote to Pahoran ‘by the way of condemnation’ (Alma 60:2) and harshly accused him of thoughtlessness, slothfulness, and neglect. Pahoran might easily have resented Moroni and his message, but he chose not to take offense.“One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended—and to say with Pahoran, ‘it mattereth not.’” Elder David A. Bednar
- Record thoughts and favorite verses in your journal.
- End Study Session With Prayer and have a faith-FULL day! :)
