Alma 37 - Counsel with the Lord in All Thy Doings, and He Will Direct Thee for Good

Alma continued to instruct his son Heleman and emphasized the importance of the scriptures. Specifically, he outlined the reasons why God would preserve and pass down the sacred records of his people. "And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have:

• enlarged the memory of this people (Alma 37:8)
• convinced many of the error of their ways (Alma 37:8)
• brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls (Alma 37:8)
• brought them unto repentance (Alma 37:9)
• [brought them] to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer (Alma 37:9)

Enlarged the Memory of This People

The scriptures help us recall the myriad ways that God loves and guides his people. In fact, Moroni's main instruction to everyone who reads the Book of Mormon is to ponder on God's love for His children. This is the primary lens through which to view His works and words. Moroni encouraged, "remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts" (Moroni 10:3).

Convinced Many of the Error of Their Ways

The scriptures help us find and reconcile the gap between our will and the Lord's. If doing it properly, there should be times when we are confused, challenged, and provoked by the word of God. Our greatest opportunity for growth exists at the cusp of what we know and what we don't know; the things we believe and the things we doubt; the things we accept and the things we can't fathom. Mental discomfort and emotional arousal are good signs that we are engaged with God's word, and on the brink of revelation. Revelation usually comes in response to the urgent questions of our hearts sincerely asked, and the scriptures can show us where our previous understanding was incomplete. 

Brought Them to the Knowledge of Their God Unto the Salvation of Their Souls

The scriptures help us know God by telling us about him, and inviting the spirit to witness of Him. Most importantly, living by the word of God we come to relate to Him in a visceral, personal way. Salvation comes by developing faith in Jesus Christ, choosing to repent, entering the waters of baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost. This plan and encouragement to follow it is recorded in the scriptures. I like the equivalency Alma draws between knowing God and being saved, which echos the teachings of John "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). 

[Brought Them] to Rejoice in Jesus Christ Their Redeemer

The scriptures cause us to rejoice in Jesus Christ because they help us appreciate the magnitude of His power, the greatness of His gift to us, and the vastness of our debt to him. They teach us what God has done through eons of time to enable our happiness and growth. They offer perspective to make our challenges bearable, and assure us of the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death. 

Small and Simple Things 

Regarding his instructions to his son Helaman to preserve the spiritual history of his people, Alma said, "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls" (Alma 37:6-7).

The work of God is incremental and iterative; spiritual growth of individuals and institutions is gradual and may not be readily apparent to others. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Christ implies that it is not immediately possible to distinguish the righteous and the wicked. Only after plants had been allowed to grow and start producing fruit could the good plants and the weeds be distinguished. "But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat ... But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn" (Matthew 13:25-30). Even when the wheat and the tares could be readily distinguished, the master of the field waited until the wheat was ready to harvest before destroying the tares. 

Alma and his son Helaman were instructed to keep a record. We have also been asked to do small and simple things. Praying, reading scriptures, attending church meetings, and spending quality time with our families may seem inconsequential in the short-term, but will have huge impacts on our lives and lead to our growth, happiness, and salvation. As we show up in the world doing our best to follow God, we also influence those around us. Alma knew "it is for a wise purpose that [the records] are kept." Alma had faith in God, but could only speculate at the impact his record would have. "Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me ... therefore it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round" (Alma 37:11-12). God's full intent may not be apparent to us, and we may not be able to appreciate the ramifications of obeying his commandments now, but we can have confidence that His will is always in our best interest. When we sincerely try to follow Him, "who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them ... to the knowledge of their Redeemer?" (Alma 37:10)

As I read Alma's instructions to Helaman to preach the gospel to the people, I can't help but think of my responsibilities as a parent and my desires for my children. Alma instructs him to "preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls" (Alma 37:33-34). If I were to compile all the things I want to teach my children before they are grown, these would top the list. But really all these hopes can be contained in one singular desire: for them to know God. 

There is a private, spiritual universe available to all of us, like a thread of light connecting us directly to our Heavenly Father. The more time we spend in this space, the more it expands and the broader, richer, and deeper it becomes. It is our home. It is where we feel the Spirit and commune with God. Alma encouraged Helaman to let this spiritual dimension color and enrich every facet of his earthly life: "Cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good" (Alma 37:36-37). I like to think of it as keeping an open chat window with God, or putting Him on speaker and never hanging up.


Application Questions

When do you feel connected with God? When are you able to see your life and daily experiences in and elevated light?

How are you overtly and implicitly teaching your children the most important things you want them to know?

What impact is the word of God having on your character and actions?


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