Alma 13

In this chapter Alma talks about the holy Order of God, the high priesthood, and Melchizedek. Here are a few facts about the man they name the high priesthood after:
1. Melchizedek lived about 2000 B.C. (BD)
2. He was righteous even from his youth and received divine protection (JST, Genesis 14:26-40)
3. The Church in ancient days called the holy priesthood after his name (D&C 107:2-4)
4. Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek (D&C 84:14)

In the last part of the chapter I saw how important it is for us to love all of our brothers and sisters unconditionally. In verses 27-31 Alma talks about how he had "anxiety even unto pain" because he ws concerned about the people.

Also, in verse 29 it talks about "...having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest."

I probably won't be posting very often the next 2 weeks. My family is getting in town today and they are staying in Provo, so I will be down there most everyday. I will see how good my scripture study is without having the blog to keep me responsible :) It will be a good test.

Alma 7

I have decided that on the weekends I will read, but just wait to post my readings on Monday...

This weekend I finished up chapter 5 and 6...In chapter 7 there are a couple points that I thought were interesting in my manual.

Alma 7:10: This verse has been one of the favorites for anti-mormon literature. It says that Jesus will be born in the land of Jerusalem. In my manual it talks a lot about the wording. Alma had no intention of declaring that Jesus would be born in the city of Jerusalem. He simply said he would be born "at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers." Here Jerusalem is not the city, it is the land. Christ was born about six miles from Jerusalem in the village of Bethlehem. So, technically it WAS in the land of Jerusalem. This makes sense to me, as I always tell people I am from Seattle, when I am actually from Maple Valley (but no one knows where that is) :)

The second point in this chapter is Alma 7:23-24 which lists requirements of a true follower of Christ.

1. Humble

2. Submissive

3. Gentle

4. Easy to be entreated

5. Full of Patience

6. Long-suffering

7. Temperate in all things

8. Diligent

9. Keep commandments

10. Asking for what we need (spiritual & temporal)

11. Returning thanks for those things

12. Faith

13. Hope

14. Charity

15. Good works