Free and Equal by God

For the freedom I enjoy, I am grateful to those who pledged everything so long ago to make this possible.

Pattern of Conversion (Come, Follow Me)

As we continue to study the missionary labors of Ammon and his brethren, and the permanent and enduring change of heart experienced by so many of their Lamanite brothers and sisters, I think we can look at their pattern of conversion to learn how we might become more converted. Here's one example from Alma 23:6

Alma 23:6

And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.

Ammon, A Type of Christ (Come, Follow Me)

One of my favorite people in the Book of Mormon is Ammon, son of Mosiah, because he serves as a powerful and instructive type of Christ. I've listed some of the ways he typifies the Savior. I'm sure there are more.

Alma chapters 17 and 18 are powerful in helping us to understand the nature and mission of Jesus Christ.

Purpose in Christ's Suffering (Come, Follow Me)

In this week's Come, Follow Me readings, Alma helps us to understand why the Savior suffered and died for us. In a study of complementary contrasts, Jesus Christ suffered and died that we might be comforted, resurrected, and saved. He knows our pain, and turning to Him, we can find strength and relief.

Alma 7

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.


13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

The Source of Salvation (Come, Follow Me)

Our Come, Follow Me readings this week (Alma 5-7) have provided me with a powerful and poetic reminder that Jesus Christ is the source of salvation from spiritual and temporal captivity, sin and death.
These chapters, especially 5, have also demonstrated a remarkable literary depth and richness.  I love this book.

These chapters are filled with Hebrew-style parallelism like chiasmus.