Friday, November 13, 2009

Alma 12

5 Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and he hath exercised his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what I say unto thee I say unto all.

Alma told Zeezrom about "thine adversary." We all have a very personal adversary in Satan. His desire is for us to be miserable like himself. If he can persuade us to not believe or even to be casual about obedience, he can get between us and the love of God. Alma characterized Satan's plans as a "subtle plan, as to the subtlety of the devil." One thing Satan focuses on is trying to set us against the prophets of God. When we reject God's appointed messengers, we are rejecting him.
 
Alma taught in greater detail about the judgment. The Lord sees all of us -- not just what we do but also what we say and even what we think.
 
14 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.
15 But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.
 
Chapter 12 is one of the great doctrinal dissertations in all of the scripture. Alma described clearly the fall of man and the plan of redemption through the atonement of Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
 
The general outline of the plan of salvation in Alma 12 is as follows:
  1. Adam and Eve transgressed and fell becoming mortal so that all men and women will eventually die.
  2. God prevented them from circumventing mortality and left them to make choices according to their own free will.
  3. He sent heavenly messengers to teach them obedience to the commandments of God and the promise of a Savior (see v. 29-30).
  4. Men choose obedience or rebellion to the commandments of God. Those choices have consequences according to the justice of God (v. 31).
  5. Jesus Christ died and rose again, and in like manner all men will die and will be resurrected.
  6. In their resurrected state, all men will stand before God to be judged according to their works.
  7. Those who believe in Christ and do their best to live according to his teachings will be relieved of the consequences of sin on condition of repentance through the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God.
 34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

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