Alma 13 - Trying to understand

Alma 13

Alma 8:11-13 - The First reaction of the City of Ammonihah

11 Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts, saying unto him: Behold, we know that thou art Alma; and we know that thou art high priest over the church which thou hast established in many parts of the land, according to your tradition; and we are not of thy church, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions.

12 And now we know that because we are not of thy church we know that thou hast no power over us; and thou hast delivered up the judgment-seat unto Nephihah; therefore thou art not the chief judge over us.

13 Now when the people had said this, and withstood all his words, and reviled him, and spit upon him, and caused that he should be cast out of their city, he departed thence and took his journey towards the city which was called Aaron.

Duty of a High Priest and the symbolism of his calling

1 And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children;

(See Alma 12:31-32)

31 Wherefore, he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good—

32 Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God.

and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son to teach these things (see vs. 6,18) unto the people.

2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.

3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.

What makes it a preparatory redemption?

4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.

(See D&C 121:34-36) Many are Called

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

What are the principles of righteousness?

5 Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared—

6 And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest—

(See Alma 12:34-35) What does it mean to Enter into his rest?

34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

35 And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest.

7 This high priesthood being after the order of his Son (D&C 107:1-4), which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things—

What can be done with this Priesthood?

JST, Gen 14:30-32

30 For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course;

31 To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world.

32 And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven.

8 Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end—

9 Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.

Why you need a High Priest

10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;

11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

How as men can we become Sanctified so our garments can be washed clean?

D&C 84:33 (aka Oath and covenant)

33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

(Explain about Temple is Directed)

What does it mean to magnify ones calling in the Priesthood?

Jacob 1:19

19 And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.

. . . how does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it. An elder magnifies the ordained calling of an elder by learning what his duties as an elder are and then by doing them. . . (Thomas S. Monson,  The Call of Duty)

12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.

Does the phrase, “Fruit meet for repentance” seam familure to any of you?

JST Mathew 3:34-36 (Compare Mathew 3:8-6)

34 Why is it that ye receive not the preaching of him whom God hath sent? If ye receive not this in your hearts, ye receive not me; and if ye receive not me, ye receive not him of whom I am sent to bear record; and for your sins ye have no cloak.

35 Repent, therefore, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance;

36 And think not to say within yourselves, We are the children of Abraham, and we only have power to bring seed unto our father Abraham; for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children into Abraham.

What does the word, “meet” mean in this phrase?

to come into the presence of, to come together with, to come into contact or conjunction with, to enter into conference, argument, or personal dealings with, to conform to especially with exactitude and precision, to pay fully, to become acquainted with. (Merriam Webster dictionary)

How do we, “bring forth Fruit meet for repentance”?

14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood forever.

15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.

16 Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.

What Kind of Man was Melchezidek?

JST, Gen 14:26-27

26 Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.

27 And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch,

17 Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;

18 But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God, 

See Office of High Priesthood See Alma 4:18
            18 Now Alma did not grant unto him (Nephihah) the office of being high                 priest over the church, but he retained the office of high priest unto                           himself; but he delivered the judgment-seat unto Nephihah.

did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.

19 Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention.

This is the full affect a High Priest can effect on a people

JST, Gen 14:34

34 And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world;

20 Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction.

The dictionary defines wrest as, “To twist. … To distort; to turn from truth or twist from its natural meaning … ; to pervert” (Noah Webster’s First Edition of an American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828[1967])

Alma on his Soap Box

21 And now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words unto them, he stretched forth his hand unto them and cried with a mighty voice, saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh;

22 Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the mouth of angels, doth declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and he doth sound these glad tidings among all his people, yea, even to them that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore they have come unto us.

23 And they are made known unto us in plain terms, that we may understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our being wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all parts of our vineyard.

24 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land;

and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.

What is the job of these angles?

preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory

Isn’t that our Job too?

D&C 13:1

1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance . . .

25 And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels (Samual the Laminite), of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.

26 And it shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the mouth of angels, at the time of his coming, that the words of our fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.

27 And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance;

(See Alma 8:14) We know this is true,

14 And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him, saying:

28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.

30 And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye may not bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second death.

31 And Alma spake many more words unto the people, which are not written in this book.

Almas parting words to the city of Gideon

Alma 7:22-27

22 And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.

23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

25 And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out.

26 And now my beloved brethren, I have spoken these words unto you according to the Spirit which testifieth in me; and my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, because of the exceeding diligence and heed which ye have given unto my word.

27 And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen.

Doctrine vs. Gospel

A note about Doctrine vs Gospel

In my studies about the Doctrine of Christ it was apparent that at least in the way Jesus uses the terms, Doctrine and Gospel, they are not one and the same. Here is the major difference I see.

D&C 10:62 (emphasis added)

62 Yea, and I will also bring to light my gospel which was ministered unto them, and, behold, they shall not deny that which you have received, but they shall build it up, and shall bring to light the true points of my doctrine, yea, and the only doctrine which is in me.

Mainly the gospel can and should be added to or built up to expand our understanding of the doctrine. Yet, the doctrine should not be added to or modified.

3 Nephi 11:39-41

39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.

 40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

 41 Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.

One way to look at it, the gospel is all the good news that points us towards the essentials of the doctrine or teachings that are required to bring us eternal life.

Reading online there is lots of debate about these two terms in the christian world but the various conclusions are significantly different from what is stated here. If I find anything else that sticks out about these two terms I'll put them here. I don;t really find any discussion of this difference from within the LDS church.

Perfection and where I'm at.

Our discussion in Elder’s quorum was about not letting our imperfection our weaknesses, our short comings get us down. We just need to be honestly giving our best and that is good enough.

I was receiving another lesson entirely while I sat there holding my 1 year old asleep in my arms. Many scriptures entered into my mind from this week’s random readings. I have included many of them below. I’ll summarize my thoughts at the end.

Moses 1:39

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 11:20

20 Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.

Matthew 22:37-39

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

 38 This is the first and great commandment.

 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

John 14:15

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants 6:20

. . . Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

John 14:23

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

 

Moroni 10:32-33

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

·        Matthew 7:17-18

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Matthew 12:33

 

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

·        3 Nephi 14:17-18

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

It is NOT my job/function to make myself perfect, because it is literally not possible for me to accomplish, that is why we were given a Savior. It IS Christ’s job/function to make me perfect.

It IS my job/function to keep the commandments, and by keeping the commandments and heeding the guidance and direction from his appointed representatives Christ is able to perfect me.

It is NOT Christ’s job/function to force me to change only to invite me to obey so that he can perform a miracle of miracles with/in me.

Why should I be grieved by Christ state of progress with me? If he is perfect and the works of his hands are perfect does that not dictate that if I am keeping the commandments and following the counsel of those appointed to watch over me. Then I am just as perfect as he wants me to be right now, assuming I have repented for the times I have intentionally not followed the commandments. If I am moved by the Spirit to act or asked by a leader to do and I do my best, then, regardless of how flawed my efforts are from my perspective, are they not good and perfect in Gods eyes? He sent me and knows where Christ is with me in my progressive states of perfection.

Is it wrong to be weighed down and recognize our shortcomings? NO. We see this with Nephi and Moses and many others. It is not a sin to know the lord is not done with us yet, but we should also be glad and thankful for where he has brought us thus far.

God does not define perfection as men do, because his ways are higher than our ways, so believe him and do your part so he can do his.

The fifth phase of the Doctrine of Christ

I was reflecting on the doctrine of Christ as taught in in the scriptures and how it differs from what is typically taught in the church.

The scriptures make it clear that we need to teach these things as Priesthood Holders in D&C 88:77-78

77 And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.

 78 Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;

And again as parents we have an obligation as found in D&C 68:25

25 And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

The final phase is described in two ways as I believe I’ve mentioned before. Early in Christ’s instruction the last phase is described and "Becoming as a little Child", for example in 3 Nephi 11:37-39:

 37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

 38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

 39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.

Then in other instruction the final phase is referred to "Enduring to the End". It is this last name that holds new meaning for me. For example in 2 Nephi 31:20 as stated by Nephi at the end of his life.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

It has become Very clear to me that this enduring to the end means continually working to become more like Christ until you become like him. Other names for Christ are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Christ admonition to become like a little child is to begin at the Alpha and to endure to the end is to become the Omega. It is to walk his path and live his life, and to become like him. The final phase has little to do with just enduring, as in doing good as you have always done, but to endure the process of purification that is full of trials and tribulations with an eye single to the glory of god that we might one day stand worth to receive that glory.

Doctrine of Becoming as a Little Child

In King Benjamin’s words to his people after they have taken upon themselves the name of Christ he gives this instruction. Mosiah 5:7-8

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

 8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

Doctrine Covenants section 50:40-43 adds to this:

40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.

 41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;

 42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.

 43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.

Matthew 18:1-5 dictates the need to become like a little child.

 1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me

Luke 18:17

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein

It is interesting to note that Christ, as far as I can find, does not teach the "Enduring to the End" as a part of the Doctrine of Christ. He does mention it when talking about the Gospel. The real interesting thing is who does teach about “Enduring to the End”. In 2 Nephi 31 were enjoy a very rear occurrence in the scriptures. Christ’s direct discussion with his Prophet, Nephi. Were he discusses the first 4 points in the Doctrine of Christ. Then we get this addition.

15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

Nephi even reaffirms in verse 20 that the Concept of 'Enduring to the End' is from the Father not Christ.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Updated 3/2/2017

I'm still preparing for my lesson on the Doctrine of Christ and I'll admit each time I pick it up I'm reminded of something I have lost sight of. The fifth element becoming like a child as taught in 3 Nephi 11 it is taught as both before and after baptism. I always considered this a mistake by the poor man that engraved the plates, that he simply corrects in the next line but then I was reminded that this part of instruction was only given to the 12 apostles of the new world. 3 Nephi 12 goes on to teach the same principle to the crowed of people. He talks about becoming meek as a child to come to baptism then teaches about the beatitudes and the expansion/clarification of the commandments and letting your light shine and how all of this helps you become a child of god and drives you towards protection. 

Changing the perspective of Laman and Nephi's relationship.

I was reading an article about how the Book of Moses seems to have been more representative of what was in the Brass Plates versus the Bible as we have it today. How many teachings that are found solely in the Book of Moses are integrated into the teachings of the Book of Mormon. The one that I found most interesting that changes the perception of Laman towards Nephi I quote it here:

A remarkable passage in the first part of the Book of Mormon pulls all these book of Moses themes about Satan together — to describe someone else. The implication is unmistakable when Laman characterizes his brother Nephi as one who lies and who deceives our eyes, thinking to lead us away for the purpose of making himself “a king and a ruler over us, that he may do with us according to his will and pleasure” (1 Nephi 16:38). Laman insinuates that Nephi, who chastises his wayward brothers, is himself like the devil. And resistance against him is not only righteous but required. This account has the added complexity that it is a speech of Laman, who is quoted here in a record written by the very brother he attacks. If we accept the possibility that this text is dependent on a passage in the ancient book of Moses, we then recognize a major new dimension of meaning, not only in Laman’s speech but also in Nephi’s decision to preserve the speech, thus showing his descendants and any other readers familiar with the Moses text the full nature of the confrontation between the brothers as well as the injustice of the attacks he suffered. The full irony is revealed when we reflect on the facts reported in Nephi’s record and realize that Laman’s false accusation against Nephi is an accurate self-description.⁶ 

This idea places the relationship between Laman and Nephi more akin to Cain and Able which adds an interesting dimension to this relationship.

Lessons from the Teaching the Saviour's way conference

During the teaching the Saviors way broadcast the following things seemed impressed upon my mind. What the full ramifications are unclear at present but I wanted to capture them here.

They read from the book of Enos

 1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—

 2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.

 3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.

 4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

 5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

The thing that stood out to me, but was not said was that although Enos was most likely intending to go to the forest to hunt beast for food of flesh, the intent of the Lord was that he Hunt down the beast of his sole. To seek repentance to cleans himself from the bests of Sin that troubled his sole.

The broadcast reiterated the need to delve into the Scriptures not just read some, but to incorporate the scripture chains, and talk about them. Not to just read the scripture and let that be that. I see this a lot in class and it bothers me immensely. Personal revelation and experience backed by scripture is more what is desired.

Plus, the majority of what was shared was not by the leaders but by others. I have noticed that the instruction manuals / guides in recent years are walking away from focusing on quotes by the "Great scholars of yesteryears", and focused on the current bulwark of instruction from leaders and seeks for students to make use of the gift of the spirit they have been promised to seek and find answers and meaning and then to share those insights and experiences.  As God tried to do with Israel we are to become a nation of Priests not a Nation of those who have just studied a collection of words from past priests.

It was clear that old habits were still modeled in the mist of trying to change directions and they often fell back on old ways during the broadcast. The adage is true that habits are difficult to overcome. This direction the instruction is heading is a dangerous path that has great opportunity to increase the level of gospel understanding and instruction and it is truly exciting. Listening to the spirit is becoming more and more a the desire.

Be Fruitful, Multiply and Replenish?

After discussing these ideas with my wife she read through the accounts and felt the impression that the Replenish is referring to replenishing the Earth. Since we came from the dust of the Earth we are to replenish the Earth. That idea in itself I think has been stated before, but the twist with her remark is not the Fallen Earth but the Celestialized Earth. Basically Be Fruitful, (Do your part to receive the qualify for the Atonement), multiply (Have offspring, do missionary work etc.), and Replenish (Return with honor in Glory).The Hebrew I'm told for replenish should more accurately be translated as Fill the Earth. When I think of the term Fill I think of to complete or glorify so even with this alternate translation I can see how my wife might just be right in what it means to Replenish the Earth. This command was given to Adam before the fall as it was to the animals. They were not fallen at that time so it makes sense. Granted this argument can easily be countered with Genesis 9:1 where God gives Noah the same command but I don't believe the argument is necessary to still drive that point home. 

In the Church there is a lot of focus on the Saviors role, and the requirements that we must fulfill to receive fully from the atonement that was accomplished through his mission. Often I feel that our mission in life is really neglected in reference to the gospel. That command to Adam and Eve really sums up the entirety of our mission. It's that whole, become like a child or endure to the end that Christ teaches as the finial step in the doctrine of Christ. Faith, repentance, baptism bring you from be fruitful to becoming like a child, and Receiving the Holy Ghost guides you through the multiply onto the gaining of light upon light to the perfect day until you can return to live in glory upon the celestialized earth in the presence of all the members of the god head.