Reflections of a True Millennial

Who we can become through God's Plan "Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness." - Alma 41:10 Last week I wrote about Alma speaking to his son Shiblon in one very short chapter. After this account, Alma speaks to his son Corianton, who had previously committed sexual sin, for a section of four chapters. Because of Corianton's actions, people often connotate these chapters with lessons of chastity and virtue, but that is not the case. Morality is an extremely important subject that can be instructed at length, but it is not the main topic of Alma's counsel. Corianton knows the parameters of sin and transgression, as many readers of the Book of Mormon. Because of this, he does not need intense retribution from his father over a past mistake, which would only cause a sense of hopelessness or extreme pride. Alma spends less than 20 ve...

Continuing in the Path   "And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end." - Alma 38:2 There are great figures in the Book of Mormon, such as Nephi or Alma, who take up much of the writing in the record and fill the book with its' true and inspiring messages. Many lesser figures, like Sam and Joseph, are briefly mentioned and never receive much focus. One of these "lesser" figures was Shiblon, as he is only mentioned a handful of times as a missionary with his father, Alma, and others. However, Shiblon receives a page of attention found in Alma 38 as Alma instructs and advises him before Alma passes away. This tiny, 15-verse chapter is sandwiched between much larger messages to Shiblon's brothers, Helaman...

Positive and Negative Examples "Behold, O God, they cry unto thee, and yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride. Behold, O God, they cry unto thee with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness, with the vain things of the world." - Alma 31:27 Imagine trying to learn an abstract concept that you have never heard of before. It might be difficult to grasp the meaning if you only see examples of what the concept is. In order to properly learn something, you need to also see what it isn't . In Book of Mormon class this week, our professor illustrated this concept with an object lesson to teach us the made-up concept of "flop." He first held up a variety of objects at many orientations and declared they were all "flop." From these examples, it was practically impossible to interpret the meaning. Then he began to show us positive and negative examples to clarify. It became clear that "flop" was a condition where an objec...