Nathan was one of the prophets I could not included in my book Last Words for the Last Days due to lack of information and space. I would like to include his words here though. We first read his words in 2 Samuel chapter 7, where we learn that through Nathan the Lord commanded David to start making preparations for the building of the original Temple in Jerusalem, but that his son would actually build the temple:
“And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying, go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? …And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. (2 Samuel 7:4-7, 12-13)
Then in 2 Samuel chapter 12 we learn that the Lord sent Nathan to rebuke King David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband Uriah to be killed. The Lord wanted David to know that He knew of his sins:
“And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
“And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despiesd the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. (2 Samuel 12:1-9)
Then Nathan revealed the plot of David’s son Adonijah in his attempt to succeed David as king in place of Solomon:
“And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants: But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
“Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not? Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? Why then doth Adonijah reign? Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.” (1 Kings 1:9-14)
That’s all we hear from the prophet Nathan. Perhaps someday the Lord will restore the Book of Nathan so we can learn more about this devout prophet of God.
]]>Many may wonder why I did not include the last words of King Solomon in my book Last Words for the Last Days. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, no one is quite sure of the order of the writings in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Therefore, his last words could not accurately be determined. Secondly, although he started off as a righteous prophet/king, by the end of his reign he had fallen into gross sin and had lost favor with God.
The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was a man of great wisdom, wealth and power. He succeeded his father to the throne as the third king of the United Kingdom of Israel. Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem and was the last king before the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah split. In 1 Kings chapter 3:9-14 we read the account of where the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and told Solomon that He would grant him whatever he wished. Solomon said:
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I many discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
Then in I Kings 10:24 we read, “The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.”
It is thought that Solomon spoke or compiled over three thousands proverbs covering all facets of the relationships of nature, man and God and wrote 1,005 songs. The Proverbs of Solomon chapters 1-9 are largely in the form of counsel from a father to a son. They are indeed words of wisdom. This being Father’s Day, I thought it appropriate to include some of this wise counsel from King Solomon in this blog; specifically where he teaches his son the seven things God hates, found in Proverbs chapter 6:16-19.
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Now this sounds to me like a list that should be up on everybody’s refrigerator! Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there! May God grant you the wisdom and guidance you need in your most solemn responsibilities of fatherhood.
]]>Though not a priest, he performed priestly functions and constantly offered sacrifice at various places. Throughout his long and difficult life the prophet Samuel’s example of faith, patience, self-sacrifice and integrity proves exemplary to all.
We read about the life and ministry of this great Old Testament prophet beginning in chapter one of 1 Samuel. By chapter twelve he is old and gives up the judge’s seat. In chapter fifteen the prophet chastises King Saul for disobedience tells him the Lord has chosen another to take his place. In chapter sixteen Samuel anoints David to be king, and in chapter nineteen we read how David fled to Samuel in Ramah when Saul sought his life. Then in the first sentence of chapter twenty-five we read that Samuel died and all the Israelites gathered together to grieve for him, and buried him in his house at Ramah.
But it is in chapter twelve that we read the last recorded discourse of Samuel to his people. He is angry at them for insisting on a king contrary to God’s will and chastises them for their ingratitude and promising the Lord’s condemnation if they do not keep the commandments. If we “liken” these last words of prophet Samuel to Israel, we see just how applicable they are to us today. We find them in 1 Samuel 12:1-17 concluding with 20-25.
“Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord, which he did to you and to your fathers. When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the Lord, then the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.
“And when they forgat the Lord their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. And they cried unto the Lord, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.
“And the Lord sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe. And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king. Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the Lord hath set a king over you.
“If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God: But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers.
“Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the Lord, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking you a king.”
So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.
“And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people.
“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.”
]]>We learn in The Book of Mormon that Ether was the last great Jaredite prophet, record keeper. He wrote the twenty-four places of Ether that Moroni edited, abridged, and called the Book of Ether. Ether was the son of Coriantor and the grandson of Moron, a direct descendant of Jared, the same Jared who lived in Babylon during the time when the Lord confounded the languages of the people living in and around the great tower of Babel. Jared, with his brother, family and others, fled the land and were led by the hand of God to the Promised Land.
In Ether 11 we read about a long succession of wicked kings including Ethem who did execute judgment in wickedness all his days and he begat Moron. And it came to pass that Moron did reign in his place. Now Moron also did that which was wicked before the Lord. Because of the wicket secret combination in the land, there was a great rebellion among the people built up to gain power. Moron was ousted and spent the rest of his days in captivity. A son was also born to him in captivity whose name was Coriantor.
Now, during Coriantor’s days there were many prophets prophesying many great and marvelous things, and calling the people to repentance. The prophets warned that if they would not repent, they would suffer utter destruction and God would bring forth another people to possess the land. But they rejected all the words of the prophets and continued in wickedness. Coriantor spent all his days in captivity and begat a son named Ether. Ether heeded the words of the prophets and chose to serve the Lord to his last breath of life. He too prophesied many great and marvelous things only to be rejected by the majority of the people. Undeterred, he continued the record of the Jaredite witnessing the utter destruction of the Jaredite Nation.
We pick up the record where Moroni is completing his abridgement in Ether15: 33-34:
And the Lord spake unto Ether, and said unto him: Go forth. And he went forth, and beheld that the words of the Lord had all been fulfilled; and he finished his record (and the hundredth part I have not written) and he hid them in a manner that the people of Limhi did find them.
Now the last words which are written by Ether are these: Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen.
]]>When I was a child I was somewhat obsessed and fearful about death wondering what happens to people after they die. Then I started wondering why were were here in the first place and the whole purpose of my existence. These questions eventually led me to the gospel of Jesus Christ and baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of fifteen.
With this new knowledge the doubts, confusion, conflicts and concerns that haunted my childhood parted like the Red Sea. Like everyone else, I still think about death once in a while. But it’s different now due to the words of so many great prophets who have taught us what happens when we die. Now I look at death with hope and assurance knowing it’s just another step in my eternal progression. I also have the blessed assurance that the family unit continues on forever and ever.
The great Book of Mormon Prophet Alma (the younger) had a son named Corianton. He had similar questions about what happens to us after we die. Alma answers these questions in his last words to Corianton. We find it in Alma 40 beginning in verse 11. I’d like to share a segment of them here, as I did in my book Last Words for the Last Days.
“Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.”
“And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.”
“Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, feaful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.”
“Now, there are some that have understood that this state of happiness and this state of misery of the soul, before the resurrection, was a first resurrection. Yea, I admit it may be termed a resurrection, the raising of the spirit or the soul and their consignation to happiness or misery, according to the words which have been spoken. And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection, a resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead.”
“Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection, which is spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls and their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot suppose that this is what it meaneth. Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but it meaneth the reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam down to the resurrection of Christ.”
“Now, whether the souls and the bodies of those of whom has been spoken shall all be reunited at once, the wicked as well as the righteous, I do not say; let it suffice, that I say that they all come forth; or in other words, their resurrection cometh to pass before the resurrection of those who die after the resurrection of Christ.”
“Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven. But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do not say; but this much I say, that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works.”
“Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets. The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame. And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets–And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God.”
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For Immediate Release: March 21, 2010-During this time each year, Christians around the world commemorate an event that took place nearly 2,000 years ago – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Known as Easter, this religious celebration brings with it much reflection on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of the crucified Lord.
“Easter is a good time to go back and read the last words of all the great Christian prophets and apostles, because those final words often testify of the resurrected Christ,” said Kathleen Ryan, author of the book Last Words for the Last Days.
This point was driven home for Ryan while researching and writing her book, which is a compilation of the last words of more than 50 Christian prophets. She sights the example of Paul as recorded in the King James Version of the New Testament.
According to Ryan, prior to his sacred calling as an apostle Paul fought to crush the early Christian movement. Although his knowledge of the Mosaic Law taught him that a savior would one day come, Paul did not believe that Jesus Christ was the true messiah. He became a believer only after receiving a personal message from the resurrected Christ, while traveling on the road to Damascus. From that moment on, Paul’s unshakable faith fueled in him a burning desire to serve the Lord the remainder of his life.
“After his conversion Paul suffered much at the hands of non-believers. But he continued in the faith and proved instrumental in spreading Christianity,” Ryan explained. “In a poignant letter from prison, written just prior to his death, Paul bore strong testimony of the resurrected Christ. You can find this throughout 1st and 2nd Timothy.”
Ryan said the same was true of Peter. As a leader of the early Church, Peter nurtured the infant organization after the Savior’s death and brought many to the waters of baptism. He too told of having seen the Savior after his resurrection. His last words, found in 2 Peter, testify of Christ’s divinity.
“Many of these prophets and apostles became martyrs for the cause – having sealed their testimonies of the Savior with their blood. That’s a part of the of Easter we should never forget.”
]]>Although Aaron, the second son born to King Mosiah, is not officially named as a Book or Mormon prophet, by a looser definition of the word this Prince of Zarahemla certainly qualifies. We do not have his last words, or many of his sermons for that matter. But Aaron’s example of missionary work, his complete obedience to God, and his untiring efforts to help build the kingdom is quite remarkable. I was not able to in include his words in Last Words for the Last Days, so I wanted to do that here in this blog.
You will recall that Aaron and his brothers, along with Alma (the younger) rebelled against their fathers, the church, and their God. After an angelic messenger convinced the young men of the error of their ways, they all took up the great cause of missionary work (See Mosiah 26-28). In fact, from that point on all five spent the remainder of their lives serving the Lord among the Lamanites at great personal sacrifice – even giving up their rightful seats on the throne. Alma and the brothers separated, were reunited briefly, and then separated again.
In Alma chapters 20 & 21, we learn that Aaron and a certain number of his brethren were taken and cast into prison where they “suffered many things”. Ammon and King Lamoni eventually rescued them, (a must read if you haven’t already – very exciting!) after receiving permission from Lamoni’s father the king of all the land. After a brief period of rest and recovery we learn in Alma chapter 22, that the spirit led Aaron to the land of Nephi, “even to the house of the king which was over all the land of Ishmael.”
“And it came to pass that he went in unto him into the king’s palace, with his brethren, and bowed himself before the king, and said unto him: Behold, O king, we are the brethren of Ammon, whom thou hast delivered out of prison. And now, O king, if thou wilt spare our lives, we will be thy servants (who could refuse and offer like this!) And the king said unto them: Arise, for I will grant unto you your lives, and I will not suffer that ye shall be my servants; but I will insist that ye shall administer unto me; for I have been somewhat troubled in mind…” So Aaron began teaching the great king the plan of salvation.
In Alma 22:13-18 we read: “And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name.
“And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king.
“And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
“But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
“And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying: O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead.”
The rest of the story of the great king’s conversion completes Alma Chapter 22 – and it’s very exciting ending up with the conversion of his entire household. In fact, the great king sent a proclamation throughout all the land, “amongst all his people who were in all his land, who were in all the regions round about” saying that Aaron and his brethren were free to preach the gospel and should not be harmed. As a result of Aaron’s heroic missionary efforts, thousands of Lamanites were converted to the truth.
But image this…what if Aaron had not followed the promptings of the Spirit to go preach the gospel to the king? After all, he had suffered untold atrocities in prison at the hands of the Lamanites. What if he had decided to give up teaching them? And he knew the all-powerful king could have him killed in a heartbeat. What if he didn’t have the courage to do what he knew was right – to go where the Holy Sprite prompted him to go?
We are all given promptings in our lives as well. Do we have the courage to follow Aaron’s example of heeding those promptings wherever they may take us. Thousands of Lamanites owe their soul to this faithful missionary/prophet, and I am personally indebted to him for his great love and example to us all.
]]>In Last Words for the Last Days I featured the last words of the prophet Alma (the younger) to his sons, along with his burning testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ. What I could not include in this book, since it was not among his last words, is Alma’s positively brilliant discourse on faith in Christ found in the Book of Mormon Alma 32-34. It starts off in chapter 32 with Alma offering simple steps on how we can develop and grow our faith.
I wanted to include it here because Alma’s powerful words make so much sense and are so simple to understand yet the principals he teaches are so profound.
I recently had an opportunity to put this exercise into practice with amazing personal results. I strongly urge everyone who wishes to grow in faith, learn more about the gospel, or gain a greater testimony of the Savior to study and follow the simple pattern laid out by Alma in this great lesson in faith found in Alma 32:26-43.
“Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.
But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.
But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow.
And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.
And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.
Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away.
And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.
And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.
O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?
Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good.
And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.
But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.
And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.
But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.
And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.
“Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.” (Alma 32:26-43)
]]>Ammon is another Book of Mormon prophet whose impact was profound, but whose words were few. We do not currently have Ammon’s last words, or many other records of his teachings, only what we find in Alma. But these few excerpts provide great lessons and example for all of us.
As the oldest son of King Mosiah, Ammon and his brothers Aaron, Omner and Himni were best buddies with Alma (the younger). Born of noble, righteous parents these four young men decided to rebel against their fathers and the church, until they had caused great damage to the reputation of both throughout the land of Zarahemla.
The scriptures tell us that it was the prayers of Alma (the Elder) that precipitated a visit from an angelic messenger to help convince the young men of the error of their ways. It worked out well too (See Mosiah 26-28). In fact, from that point on all five of them became truly converted and committed to building up God’s Kingdom insomuch that they spent the rest of their lives serving the Lord and his people, at great personal sacrifice.
As the firstborn son, Ammon was the rightful heir to the kingdom after his father stepped down from the throne. But Ammon, and subsequently all three of his brothers, gave up the crown to go in among the Lamanites as missionaries preaching the word of God. Alma went in one direction and the four sons of Mosiah in another.
“They had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God…having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him… they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much labor in the spirit.” (Alma 17:3-5)
Fourteen years after their departure from Zarahemla, Alma, accompanied by Amulek, once again meets up with the four sons of Mosiah. Great is their joy. And after spending an undisclosed amount of time together rejoicing and uplifting, teaching, and inspiring and blessing one another they once again separate – with the four sons of Mosiah each going in a different direction.
“Now Ammon being the chief among them, or rather he did administer unto them, and he departed from them, after having blessed them according to their several stations, having imparted the word of God unto them, or administered unto them before his departure; and thus they took their several journeys throughout the land. And Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, the land being called after the sons of Ishmael, who also became Lamanites. (Alma 18-19)
Ammon was immediately captured and brought before King Lamoni. Whereupon the king asks him why he has come to their land. Ammon’s response is simply that he wishes to dwell among them and serve the king. Now what king could refuse an offer like that? So Ammon is assigned to help protect the king’s flock of sheep – which was being systematically hijacked by other Lamanite groups. It seems there was a standing order that if any sheep were lost on your watch, you paid for it with your life, making this responsibility a grave one (no pun intended). Sure enough, after only three days on the job the sheep pirates hit again. Ammon single handedly beats them all back in an exciting “must read” counter attack that won him the king’s respect – even awe, as they were quite certain no mere “man” could have performed the almost supernatural feat. (Alma 17:26-39)
Humbled and fearful of Ammon’s strength and superpowers, King Lamoni suspects that Ammon might just be the “Great Spirit” his fathers had believed in, sent down to punish him for slaying the servants who failed to adequately guard his sheep. With trepidation the king approaches Ammon, while he is yet again serving in the stables preparing the king’s chariots. That ensuing dialogue led to the king’s complete conversion, as Ammon teaches Lamoni the Plan of Salvation. (Alma 18)
We can learn three great missionary lessons from Ammon’s experience with King Lamoni – which gets even in more nail-biting in Alma chapter 19.
How much more successful could each of us be in leading others to Gospel truths if we followed this wonderful example? In speaking of Ammon’s experience with King Lamoni, President Henry B. Eyring said, “Never, never underestimate the spiritual value of doing temporal things well for those whom you serve…be their servants, and you will love them. And they will feel your love. And more importantly they will feel God’s love.” (The Book of Mormon Will Change Your Life,” Ensign, Feb. 2004, 13-14).
]]>Speaking to the youth of the church, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of The Twelve Apostles said, “We who have already walked that portion of life’s path that you are now on try to call back to you something of what we have learned. We shout encouragement. We try to warn of pitfalls or perils along the way. Where possible we try to walk with you and keep you close to our side” (Ensign, May 1995, 38).
I love this quote. It is exactly the message that all the prophets through all dispensations of time have tried to get across to us – that they’ve been there, they know, they can help if we just read their words and follow their counsel.
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