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| ©Darrell Wyatt |
There are times where I just sit around and mope and think of everything I don't have. I am far from wealthy. My vehicles are both in various states of disrepair. My refrigerator is a great place to be if you like lots of empty space. Money (or the lack thereof) is usually what's forefront on my mind. That's just life right now, as it is for many people in these tough economic times.
Contrast that to King Lamoni's father. He was a very powerful man. He was the king over all of the Lamanite lands. The king of kings, even. I imagine that he had many servants and riches and could have anything he desired. He probably didn't have a lot to worry about. Enter Aaron. Aaron was Ammon's brother who came to speak to the king as he requested after he had commanded they be released from prison. The king knew nothing of God, although he had heard a little of Him from some of his subjects and of course from his son, Lamoni. He was very curious, and asked Aaron many questions. Aaron read to the king from the scriptures about the fall of man and the coming Atonement of Christ.
And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy. (Alma 22:15)
What a lesson this is to me. The king, without having much knowledge of God or his eternal plan, realized something that some of us never realize - that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is worth more than all the kingdoms and all the riches and all the power in the world. Jesus Christ had not even been born yet, let alone atoned for the sins of mankind, yet the king was willing to give up everything that he had in order to be a benefactor of His atonement. What unbelievable faith.
Aaron told the king that all he needed to do was repent of his sins and pray in faith, believing that he would receive, and the Lord would grant him that which he desired.
And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:
O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.(Alma 22:17-18)
In my mind's eye, I see this powerful, powerful man - prostrate upon the earth, pouring his soul out to a God that he wasn't even completely sure was there. It was not a grand or eloquent prayer, and the simplicity of it really touched my heart. "Are you there? Are you real? Are you listening?" This mighty man, as to world's standards, brought himself down into the depths of humility in order to speak to the real King of Kings.
This morning, instead of moping about the things I am missing in my life, I am full of gratitude for the boundless wealth that I very often take for granted. I have the fullness of the gospel and a knowledge of my Savior, who suffered that He may pay my way - not with money, but with drops of His blood. I am rich beyond belief.
You keep giving me new favorites. I love this and I love you.
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