Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Decreeth Unto them Decrees Which Are Unalterable...

Since Susan and I watched The Secret both our minds have been working to validate the claims and methods proposed in the show. The other day my dad mentioned that he had come across these verses in Alma 29 some time back that seemed to speak to the topic. So as timing seems to always be impecable, two days ago we read Alma 29 as the natural course of our family scripture study. I found the 'set up' fantastic. Alma 28 and 29 almost shouldn't be separated at all. At any rate, let's take a closer look at the first few verses of Alma 29.

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! 2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. 3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. 4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. 5 Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. 6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called? 7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth? 8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. If you see what I'm talking about...share your insights. I'll hit this post with a follow up...later.

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