Be The Change...(continued)

Today we were finishing up Alma Chapter 5 during our family scripture study (which consists of me reading a few verses while the kids lay on the couch and try to wake up), when it hits me that Alma (the Younger) embodies what I was talking about in my last blog, and sets a great example for all of us.

If you will recall, the general population of the Church back then, the followers of God, had become so prosperous and blessed so much by the Lord that the majority of them had become puffed up and prideful, thinking they were better than those who were not members, and even denying help to the poor and the needy. Mormon records that this arrogant attitude became "a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress." We talked about this. Because of their unkind words, and envying, and strife, and pride, and wickedness, few were joining the church. I would suppose that many were even leaving the church because of these people. You might even say that they were becoming "offended" by the actions and behaviors of others (who should know and be better than that).

So what did Alma do? Did he throw his hands up and leave the church, too? No. He resigned as the Chief Judge and set out on a "mission" of sorts, speaking and preaching to the members of the church that were the source of the problems and become prideful.

And what did he say? His words were kind, but firm and direct and to the point. This chapter, Alma 5, is a beautiful chapter filled with words of encouragement and a real desire for those who have gone astray to remember what it was like to have the gospel in their lives, to feel the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit, and be happy in serving their fellow men. Can you just feel the love and pleading in his words when he pleaded,

"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"

His actions are a great example of being the change he wanted to see in the church. It would have been easy to "pass judgment" on the members of the church, write them off, and leave or start over somewhere--but he didn't. He saw the need and he filled it, giving up much of his power and authority to bring those who had fallen away back safely into the fold.

May we ever follow Alma's example.