Cry Unto Him

Cry Unto Him

When study and ponder the words of Alma and Amulek to the Zoromites. I find it interesting that Alma explains with great simplicity how being humbled is a good thing if we will have faith upon THE WORD. Then he gives an analogy of the WORD being compared to a seed in Alma 32. In chapter 33 Alma says this about which Word his is talking about, that needs to be planted. I wish Alma 31-34 was regarded as one chapter so we would read these chapters in context and get a better understanding of what these men of God were truly trying to teach.  

Alma 33:22-23

22 If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and ^abegin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to ^batone for their sins; and that he shall ^crise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the ^dresurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be ^ejudged at the last and judgment day, according to their^fworks.

This is the message that we must understand deeply. How do we believe that, in the Son of God he will come to redeem HIS people? What does it mean to you and me that he will suffer and die to atone for their (HIS PEOPLE) sins? He shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection? All men shall stand before him (does this mean we need to be resurrected in order to stand before him?), to be judged at the last and judgement day, according to their works? What works is Alma talking about? Is he talking about having meetings all day Sunday, attending eagle scout award ceremonies, having monthly firesides,  showing up to elders quorum and playing games on your phone? I am not sure.... What works I am sure of are found in scripture and modern day writtings:  is lifting others, lifting others burdens that they may be light. Loving and praying for your enemies, loving God with all your mind, might and strength. Having your eye (focus and desire) single to the glory of God. 

 23 And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall ^aplant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, ^bspringing up in you unto ^ceverlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your^dburdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye ^ewill. Amen.

15 And thus he shall bring ^asalvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.

 16 And thus ^amercy can satisfy the demands of ^bjustice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of ^cjustice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal ^dplan of ^eredemption.

 17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your ^afaith unto repentance, that ye begin to ^bcallupon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;

 18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is ^amighty to save.

 19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in ^aprayer unto him.

 20 Cry unto him when ye are in your ^afields, yea, over all your flocks.

 21 ^aCry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

 22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your ^aenemies.

 23 Yea, ^acry unto him against the ^bdevil, who is an enemy to all^crighteousness.

 24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

 25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

 26 But this is not all; ye must ^apour out your souls in your^bclosets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

I find it interesting that he puts a little more focus on verse 26. Why do you think he does that? I find it interesting the word "and" is in place instead of the word "or" Home, Temple, Wilderness? I guess secret places could mean anywhere where you find yourself alone, where no one can bother you. If we are not careful smart phones will start robbing our closets, secret places, usually the wilderness takes away the power of the smart phone distractions. 

 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your ^aheartsbe ^bfull, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your^cwelfare, and also for the welfare of ^dthose who are around you.

 28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye^aturn away the ^bneedy, and the ^cnaked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and ^dimpart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your ^eprayer is ^fvain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as ^ghypocrites who do deny the faith.