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Alma 23-24

Another day, another amazing block of scriptures.  Aren't you just loving The Book of Mormon! Such good stuff.  Okay, for the sake of the blog post today I just wanted to share the quick thing that stands out to me about the conversion of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. They exemplify continually commitment and conversion despite the fact that many of them stared death in the face and lost. 

This group of faithful converted Lamanites not only joined the church through faith in Christ, repentance, and baptism but they also covenanted with God not to shed the blood of man, give rather than steal from people, and labor with their own hands to provide for themselves (see Alma 24:15-18).  They literally buried their weapons of war to represent to God this willingness be changed and remove the temptation of turning back to their old ways. 

The remaining Lamanites in neighboring lands were not thrilled with the new beliefs of their once companions in hate against the Nephities so they decide instead of putting up with them they will destroy them.  The Lamanites came up to destroy the Anti-Nephi-Lehi people from off the land and these faithful believers didn't fight back or go dig up their weapons.  They just "prostrated (laid on the ground flat on their face or knelt on the ground) themselves before them to the earth and began to call on the name of the Lord" (Alma 24:21) and 1005 were slaughtered.  I love that Mormon inserts here that "we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God" (Alma 24:22) because they had honored their covenants even in the face of extreme difficulty.  He goes on to mention that "the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but that they were saved" (Alma 24:26).

As I thought about this faithful and righteous group of converts I began to think about my own conversion.  Am I converted enough to my Savior to stand up for my beliefs? Am I willing to die to stand up for the truth of the gospel? Does my example of conversion, whether big or small, inspire others to learn more and become more converted?

I don't know how many of you were able to join us on Friday for our Zoom calls but it was such a wonderful experience, no matter what hour you came, to visit with past BHS graduates who are currently serving the Lord.  Some of our visitors were still in the field, some of them were home on quarantine, some were even experiencing the MTC through the new online format.  It really didn't matter how or where they were serving I felt the spirit as they shared their experiences remaining faithful even when things are so uncertain right now.  Their example of keeping covenants and following through with their promptings to serve was just another example of conversion that strengthened and added motivation to me to keep going.

In short, continually work on your own conversion so you can be an example to others.  Continually conversion happens with daily efforts to live the gospel.  Remember the Lord loves effort so do your best and let the Atonement take care of the rest.  And look for those examples around you that help strengthen your resolve to become converted. 

I love you all, keep hanging in there until the end....LIVE BRAVE!!

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