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| Copyright Darrell J. Wyatt |
It never ceases to amaze me that each time I read the Book of Mormon, I can come away with a completely different thought than I did the last time.
I've mentioned before how much I love these few chapters in the Book of Mormon (Alma 36-42) because of the great example that Alma sets for me as a parent. He talks to each of his sons in a very personalized manner - holding back neither candor nor unconditional love. He praises Helaman and Shiblon for their straightness in following the commandments and he chastises Corianton for his rebelliousness. He talks to them individually and pointedly, but lovingly. Usually, this is the focus of my thoughts when I'm reading these chapters, but this time my mind took me in a different direction.
I have been, on occasion, questioned about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon by close friends and even family members. They quote verses from the Bible that they interpret to mean that there can be no other scripture apart from that great Book, which invalidates any Word beyond the New and Old Testaments. I have always maintained that it is impossible that Christ would only speak to a portion of the people on the earth, that there were "other sheep" who were surely awaiting his birth and that it only makes sense that they would have kept a record of such. Reading Alma 39:15-19 this morning reinforced this thinking. Corianton must have been questioning the need to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and his impending coming, thinking it to be in vain. His wise father said:
15 And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people.
16 And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them, that they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at the time of his coming.
17 And now I will ease your mind somewhat on this subject. Behold, you marvel why these things should be known so long beforehand. Behold, I say unto you, is not a soul at this time as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of his coming?
18 Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people as well as unto their children?
19 Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send his angel to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our children, or as after the time of his coming?
All souls are precious to the Lord. Why would He ignore an entire continent? He would not. He could not. I also thought, as I was reading, that these verses really are applicable to today. Missionary work is so important! Heavenly Father needs all of his children to know that Christ is coming, that they may prepare for that great day. The work is going forth as never before. The time is near.
I love scriptures like this which seem to serve the purpose of buoying me up and building my testimony.
