Gaining a More Sure Knowledge of the Scriptures

A couple of days ago, I was reading in Alma 12 & 13. I learned a lot that night and it really got me thinking.

While reading Alma's words about how it is given to many to know the mysteries of God, I thought, Obedience to God brings knowledge. If we obey and keep His commandments, we will come to know of His mysteries until we, one day, will know all. However, if we do not obey His word, we retain less and less of the knowledge of God until we know nothing. It is possible to regain that knowledge if we repent and strive to do what is right once more. Christ's Atonement can purify and cleanse us of all our sins if we will forsake them and follow Him. Are you willing to drop all and go? If so, Christ will bless you when you act on that willingness and prove yourself before Him. His Atonement is open to all who come to Him and humble themselves before Him.

I wondered, what are the chains of Hell? Are they subtle distractions, punishments, literal chains? As I was pondering this, I realized the chains of Hell are more like spiritual ignorance. Each time we go against the commandments of God, we can gain a "chain." But if we repent and use the Savior's perfect Atonement, those chains can be loosed so that when the day to stand before God and be judged comes, we will be able to stand with confidence and know we did what is right.

This life is a test and a preparation for the eternities to come. We have the opportunity to repent in this life as we are on "probation." We are preparing to meet God. It is part of the Plan of Salvation. This brings the Resurrection. God had a plan and we were sent here with a purpose. He knows everything that is to happen. He knew beforehand what needed to happen so we could return to Him. During this time, we must pray to Heavenly Father and call on Him often. That is one thing I need to work on. He wants to help us make it through this life and to help us avoid or deny temptations to take over our lives. To do this, we must stay close to Him and make sure He is a part of our lives. God does speak to men through the Holy Ghost. Be worthy for its presence so you can receive His guidance.

We have been given agency so we can choose to do right or to do wrong. We are to act in this life in order to determine where we will be in the eternities. God gives builds a foundation by showing us the Plan of Salvation and then giving us commandments. Thus, the missionaries teach the Plan in the first lesson.

A lot of chapter 13 speaks of the high priesthood, the holy order, and holy calling a lot. I looked back to the end of chapter 12 and thought of how order brings peace. By the priesthood, we can enter into God's rest. If men are worthy to hold this priesthood and all are worthy to receive the blessings of it, we know we will be worthy to live with God. Thus, is it any wonder if we do nothing all day and just lay around all day, we are restless later and if we are working all day, we are tired and rested later? We must work in this life to endure and enjoy to the end and follow God's word, keeping the commandments and following the straight and narrow path to Him. So who is called? Men are called to hold this priesthood if they are faithful, obedient, serving others, and choosing good. Women need not be angry or fret over not holding the priesthood. Men can't have babies. It's not something against one gender. We are all loved sons and daughters of Heavenly Father and Christ is our Savior. It is His priesthood and worthy males are to hold it. Women can still partake of its blessings as they are worthy. Men and women support each other in these different roles and must continue faithfully following God and what He has spoken to His servants here on Earth.

I know that the scriptures are true. They are before us and available for our use. I know if we study them diligently and try to be obedient to the truths they contain, we can learn of these "mysteries" of God. We must work now and be prepared. This is not a test to procrastinate the study or use of the material. We must repent now and be worthy to enter into God's rest. The gospel is here for us and our benefit. It is simple and understandable so we can return to God one day. The Atonement occurred to help us be clean and pure so that we do not have to suffer for the sins we have committed. We must lose our pride and gain more humility. We cannot just pick and chose which sins to forsake. We must be willing to be rid of all of our sins.

I know these things to be true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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