A few thoughts on Alma 36:1, Book of Mormon

Thursday 12 April 2012 12:43
Alma 36:1
“I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land.” A prophet of God is swearing that if we keep his commandments, we will prosper in the land. If we want to be happy, we should keep the commandments. Satan, the god of this world, and the philosophies of men, will teach us to follow fame, fortune and lust. Christ teaches us laws that will bring us happiness now and in eternity. Life is a test. We should expect, even anticipate bumps in the road. Trials are the stuff that tempers our faith. In the heat of trial, we learn what we are at the core. The Lord has said that he will purify his people by fire, and that he sits as a purifier of silver. He watches over and pays careful attention. Let us take comfort in the fact that the trial will never be too great, the temptation never too strong, and the challenge never too much, if we will seek his face (see Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 93:1) 


Christ is our ever-attentive master. God’s holy purpose in our existence is that we can gain physical bodies and prove ourselves. What a marvelous opportunity to develop faith! Truly, we say with the prophet, o how great is the glory of our God (see 2 Nephi 9:10)! He truly wants us to succeed in life. But the success he wants for us in not success by the definitions of the world. In my mind, real success is this: righteousness, faith, and peace. I think that is it. I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I know that Peter, James and John, the ancient apostles of Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, laid their hands upon them, and conveyed the eternal priesthood authority of Jesus Christ to men on earth. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet and mouthpiece of God today. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.