Saturday, January 14

Alma 31

What a great chapter. Wanna know why I think so? Well, it's because the chapter heading itself is beautiful And when there is a beautiful chapter heading, all you can do is brace yourself for the verses that will ensue, because they are always the most eloquent and powerful chapters.
For example, Alma 31.
Chapter Heading :

Alma heads a mission to reclaim the apostate Zoramites—The Zoramites deny Christ, believe in a false concept of election, and worship with set prayers—The missionaries are filled with the Holy SpiritTheir afflictions are swallowed up in the joy of Christ. About 74 B.C.

Beautiful isn't it?
I am crazy about the imagery here. The thought that our pains and afflictions are literally absolved through the atonement. That they are "swallowed up" not in misery and guilt but in "the joy of Christ." 
And the rest of the chapter is simply stuffed full of more power phrases throughout. Here are some of my favorites. I love Alma. 

 31 O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people.
 35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee. 
38 And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.

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