Alma 11

Today in chapter 11 of Alma we return to Alma and Amulek preaching in the streets of the city of Ammonihah. Amulek is approached by a lawyer Zeezrom (Alma 10:31-32).  He offers up 6 onties of silver which is the highest form of payment in the Nephite culture (see the first half of Alma 11).  This is also how much the Chief Judge in the land makes in a week, so Zeezrom is offering Amulek a ton of money.  What must Amulek do to get this money? He must deny there is a God.  Sorry to disappoint Zeezrom but a man of God is not going to fall for the tempting offer. 

However, I want to take it to us.  What are we being tempted with daily to try and get us to deny what we know about God, Christ, the gospel, or importance of obedience? If you participated in the online Module today there were a few more relevant decisions you might be facing as a teenager.  Here are a few of them:

• You and your group of friends are laughing at a meme that really seems funny, but you know is also inappropriate.
• You come home late from your curfew and your parents ask why you were late. You know they won't like your reason, so you have to decide if you’ll be honest about what happened.
• You have the opportunity to steady date someone you really like, even though you know the Lord's standard is not to steady date.
• While watching the latest episode of your favorite show there is a really inappropriate scene. You're struggling with the feelings that you should turn it off and not watch the show anymore.
• You’ve noticed lately you are slipping up and using language you know you shouldn’t use, but doing so has made you feel like you fit in more with the people you hang out with.

Okay, with some more relevant offers you may have received so generously from Satan on the table how would you respond? Or perhaps, how have you responded in these situations? 

Amulek teaches that he is not going to respond in any manner that is contrary to the spirit.  This is an important truth for all of us, responding to promptings of the Spirit can lead us away from temptation or help us avoid temptation. 

Amulek not only withstands this tempting offer but he then proceeds to teach about the Savior, His Atonement, and how everyone will be resurrected and be judged according to their works.  By the end of this chapter Zeezrom is literally trembling because of the words of Amulek.  Why you ask? Because he knows they are true and Zeezrom is terrified to have to account for all he has done if he choses not to repent. 

Such good stuff here you guys.  I hope you take a moment to reflect on things in your life and what you can do to make sure you are not only receiving promptings from the Holy Ghost but responding to them as well.  

Before I sign out for the weekend I wanted to point at one other thing from this block that sometimes hangs people up.  In Alma 11:40 Amulek teaches about Christ: "And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else."

The Book of Mormon Institute manner offers some clarification here, "Some people have thought that Amulek was teaching that Christ suffered only for those who believe and repent.  This is not correct.  The scriptures tell us that the Savior 'suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children' (2 Nephi 9:21; see also Mosiah 4:7).  If mankind will not repent, however, the Savior indicates that 'my blood shall not cleanse them' (D&C 29:17).  Clearly, what Amulek was intending to convey is the fact that the Atonement in part may go unused when the wicked choose not repent--not that the Savior only suffered for those who would repent" (page 187). 

Long story short, use the Atonement in your life people, don't let it go unused and be wasted.