Nephites successful against the Gadiantons

3 Nephi 3 20-21
20 Now the people said unto Gidgiddoni: Pray unto the Lord, and let
us go up upon the mountains and into the wilderness, that we may fall
upon the robbers and destroy them in their own lands.
21 But Gidgiddoni saith unto them: The Lord forbid; for if we should
go up against them the Lord would deliver us into their hands;
therefore we will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we
will gather all our armies together, and we will not go against them,
but we will wait till they shall come against us; therefore as the
Lord liveth, if we do this he will deliver them into our hands.

When the Nephites were righteous they chose righteous and inspired
leaders. Gidgiddoni was such a man. He led the Nephites against the
Gadianton robbers. The Nephites were successful because they fought
the Gadianton's in their home territory, rather than attacking the
Gadiantons in their lands. Rather than taking preemptive action, they
prepared and fought defensively and were successful.

Alma gives up judgment seat to preach

In Alma 7 it appears that Alma speaks for the first time publicly
about the gospel. "I attempt to address you in my language; yea, by
my own mouth, seeing that it is the first time that I have spoken unto
you by the words of my mouth."

His message is a model of what we should teach and provides directions
to guide our lives. It is the essence of the gospel. He taught about
the coming of Christ and his mission "to loose the ands of death" and
"take upon him the sins of his people." (verses 7-13). He called upon
the people to repent and be born again for the Spirit of the Lord can
not dwell in unholy temples (verse 21).

Finally, he tells what we must do after we have repented. " And now I
would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to
be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in
all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all
times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual
and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things
ye do receive. And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then
ye will always abound in good works." (verses 23-24)

In today's world people are mocked who are humble, submissive and
gentle. These qualities are considered signs of weakness. Yet, these
are the characteristics that we must have if we are to be the Lord's
children and have his spirit with us. Also, it is interesting that
the qualities of faith, hope and charity are those that will lead to
good works. In a troubled world where so many suffer, these qualities
will provide relief from the hunger and turmoil that exists.

After the church was established

After Alma had organized the Church in Zarahemla and ordained priests
and elders to preside and watch over the Church, he established a
missionary program among the church members. Members showed concern
for non-members by fasting and praying on their behalf. Alma 6:6
says: "Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they
should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty
prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not
God."

We might have been happy

Laman and Lemuel in 1 Nephi 17 verse 21 complain to Nephi: "Behold,
these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we
might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance;
yea, and we might have been happy."

Happiness is an attitude. My grandmother used to tell her children,
"Get the happy attitude." It was a philosophy my father carried with
him throughout his life.

Too often we dwell on the past, regretting what might have been. The
alternative is to live in the present and make the best of what we
have at the moment.

When I find myself dwelling in the negative past, I sing a song to
myself that draws me out of the past and into the present.

I make a daily plan in the morning before I start my day. When I lose
track of my purpose, I go back to my plan and I refocus on the things
I should be doing.

Doing things and being actively engaged can bring joy and happiness.
Murmuring and dwelling on the negative brings unhappiness.

NPR.org - Next Mormon Leader Inherits Church in Spotlight

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Glenn Beck tribute to Gordon B. Hinckley

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By small means - The Liahona: 1 Nephi 16

26 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.
27 And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives.
28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.
29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

It is the last line that I find interesting. "By small things the Lord can bring about great things." What are the small things in my life that have great significance? What are the Liahona's that direct and guide me. One certainly is the direction of a living prophet. Another the scriptures. And finally, the still small voice that inspires and aids in life's decisions.

Alma referred to the Liahona, when he said (Alma 37:45): And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

Gordon B. Hinckley, the prophet and leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died last night. It is marvelous how the Lord has provided order in the transition of leadership in his Church. President Hinckley will be sorely missed; however, the Lord's kingdom will go forward as Thomas S. Monson now is called as the prophet. The Lord knows who he wants to be his prophet and has preserved Pres. Monson for this purpose.

Read about succession at the following web site:
http://www.ldslivingmagazine.com/articles/show/1370

Lehi calls Jerusalem to repentance

I have always imagined Lehi's experience as a conversion story. Lehi
was a good man, a faithful Jew, a wealthy merchant, living in
Jerusalem about the time of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah's
teachings as well as those of other prophets pricked Lehi (1 Nephi
1:4) and so he prayed about them and the people of Jerusalem. At that
point, Lehi had a vision (or dream). The vision confirmed Jeremiah's
teachings (1 Nephi 5:14). In his vision he saw the Savior and the
Twelve Apostles and from a book the Savior gave him he learned about
Jerusalem's destruction. At that point he knew he must teach these
things as well. So he went also among the people in Jerusalem warning
them of their destruction and the need to repent(1 Nephi 1:18-20).
Because of his message, the citizens of Jerusalem mocked him and some
sought to kill him.

About gossip and criticsm

I listened to someone talking unkindly about someone else. In fact,
the statements were harsh - possibly true - but harsh. My first
reaction was to think, "That is someone's son you are criticizing. How
sad it would be for his mother if she heard what you are saying."

I have learned two things about criticism of others and gossip.
First, once said it can never be retrieved. Communication is
irreversible.

My Dad told me a story about a person, who after gossiping and saying
untruths about someone, went to a wiseman for advise.

The sage said, "Take a pillow of feathers to the top of the Eiffel
Tower and let the feathers blow out into the wind."

After doing as he was told, the man went back to the wiseman.

He told him, "Now go pick up the feathers."

"But I can't. That's impossible," the man protested.

"Gossip is like those feathers. Once it's been said, it's impossible
to bring it back."

The best thing one can do is to apologize to the person who was told
the gossip and to the person who was defamed.

The second thing I have learned is that most people hearing gossip
think, "If he says that about other people, what does he say about me
when I'm not around."

The Savior taught (Luke 6: 41 and 42):

41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but
perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull
out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the
beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam
out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the
mote that is in thy brother's eye.

Politicians could learn a lot from Jesus Christ.