Sunday, March 8, 2015

Faith and Prayers

March 3, 2015

Would I be able to ask yall for some help?  In Mosiah chapter 27, Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah are going about seeking to destroy the church of God. As they traveled about an angel appeared to them, in their astonishment they fell to the earth, and the angel spake to Alma saying, "Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people.  And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith."

Because of the prayers of the righteous (and I personally feel Alma the elder and Mosiah had done all they could do to try to bring their sons to rightousness) God arranged for experiences to bring about the true conversion of Alma and the sons of Mosiah.
Alma the younger, after this powerful experience of converting to Christ, teaches this same principle. In Alma 6:6  "...the children of God were commanded that they should gatherer themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God." 


This principle that the Book of Mormon prophets of old taught still stands today. We have been going to the members of our ward and inviting them to join us in mighty prayer for the Allens and Martin. Both have their concerns and reservations, but there is something I learned from Alma 23:14. I call it the testimony of the lone Amalekite. When the sons of Mosiah and others went to preach the gospel to the Lamanites and Nephite dissenters they converted many Lamanites with much success. 

Alma and Amulek and others went to the Zoramites to preach as well, similarly with good success. But of the Amalekites and Amulonites, hardened and wicked dissenters from the people of God, only one Amalekite was converted. Think about the opposition this individual must have faced. Family opposition, community opposition, and much more worked against the conversion of these two peoples, yet even then it was still possible to come unto Christ. The testimony of this one person stands as a witness that no matter where we come from or what we have done, it is always possible to repent. 

True conversion brings true commitment to Christ.  On my mission I have seen people that allow the littlest excuse or difficulty keep them from church, such that really anything will keep them from coming unto Christ. Others remain fathful no matter the adversity or difficult circumstances, such that nothing can keep them from coming unto Christ. The difference is the depth of a person's conversion, or complete lack therof. I know that no matter what happens, if we choose so we can overcome anything in the name of our Lord. So please pray for the true conversion of Martin and the Allen family, and we will rely on God's grace after all we can do.

Love you guys!
-Elder Hunt  

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