Sound Familiar?

1
Sound Familiar?

• Several years ago when my children were young, my
  husband and I had church callings that kept us
  very busy. I realized I needed to slow down when
  I overheard my daughter singing
• I am a child of God,
• and He has sent me here.
• Has given me an earthly home,
• with parents kind of here.

2
I knew concerning these thingsYet I would not
know

• Alma 8-12

3
Callings
4
City of Ammonihah

• Built a city separated from Zarahemla
• A city who followed the Order of Nehor
• Filled with many attorneys
• received their wages according to their employ,
  therefore, they did stir up the people to
  riotings, and all manner of disturbances and
  wickedness, that they might have more employ,
  that they might get money according to the suits
  which were brought before them (Alma 1120)

5
Almas Mission

• He is rejected by the people of Ammonihah and
  cast out
• He is sent back by an angel and told
• For behold, they do study at this time that
  they may destroy the liberty of thy people, (for
  thus saith the Lord) which is contrary to the
  statutes, and judgments, and commandments which
  he has given unto his people. (Alma 817)

6
Ether 822-25

• 22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret
  combinations, to get power and gain, until they
  shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall
  be destroyed
• 24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye
  shall see these things come among you that ye
  shall awake to a sense of your awful situation,
  because of this secret combination which shall be
  among you
• 25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it
  up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands,
  nations, and countries and it bringeth to pass
  the destruction of all people, for it is built up
  by the devil

7
Two Powerful Spirits on this Earth

• Jehovah
• Endorsed Plan of Greater Freedom- the Gospel
• Seeks our exaltation
• Obey commandments
• We can become joint-heirs with Christ
• Spirit evident on earth
• Greater freedom through choosing to obey

• Lucifer
• Rebelled against the Plan
• Tries to stop our exaltation
• We dont want rules!
• His goal- become powerful dictator- everyone else
  weak
• Spirit evident on earth
• Power and control to a few, less freedom to
  their subjects

8
During Almas Mission to Ammonihah

• The people sought to limit his freedom to preach
• He then introduces Amulek

9
Who was Amulek?

• 4 And behold, I am also a man of no small
  reputation
• I have many kindreds and friends
• I have also acquired much riches by the hand of
  my industry.
• 5 I have seen much of (the Lords) mysteries
  and his marvelous power yea, even in the
  preservation of the lives of this people.
• 6 Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was
  called many times and I would not hear
• therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I
  would not know

10
Elder Neil A. Maxwell

• He (Amulek) is a classic case of an essentially
  good man being out of touch with the great
  spiritual realities
• he resisted the things of the Spirit because,
  though he was basically good, he was preoccupied
  with the cares of the world.

11
Rev. James Covill

• DC Section 39
• 7 my servant James, I have looked upon thy
  works and I know thee.
• 8 And verily I say unto thee, thine heart is now
  right
• 9 thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast
  rejected me many times because of pride and the
  cares of the world.
• 10 But, behold, the days of thy deliverance are
  come, if thou wilt hearken to my voice,

12
Just 3 Weeks Later

• DC Section 40
• 2 And he (James) received the word with
  gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him and
  the fear of persecution and the cares of the
  world caused him to reject the word.
• 3 Wherefore he broke my covenant, and it
  remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me
  good.

13
Elder George Q. Cannon

• We find, even among those who have embraced the
  Gospel, hearts of unbelief.

14
Elder Cannon continues

• We find, even among those who have embraced the
  Gospel, hearts of unbelief.
• Do you go along day by day like a door turning
  on its hinges, without having any feeling on the
  subject, without exercising any faith whatever
  content to be baptized and be members of the
  Church, and to rest there, thinking that your
  salvation is secure because you have done this?

15
Elder Cannon concludes

• We find, even among those who have embraced the
  Gospel, hearts of unbelief.
• Do you go along day by day like a door turning
  on its hinges, without having any feeling on the
  subject, without exercising any faith whatever
  content to be baptized and be members of the
  Church, and to rest there, thinking that your
  salvation is secure because you have done this?
• I say to you, in the name of the Lord, as one of
  His servants, that you have need to repent of
  this. You have need to repent of your hardness of
  heart, of your indifference, and of your
  carelessness.
• There is not that diligence, there is not that
  faith, there is not that seeking for the power of
  God that there should be among a people who have
  received the precious promises we have. . . . I
  say to you that it is our duty to avail ourselves
  of the privileges which God has placed within our
  reach. . . . (Millennial Star 56, 1894 )