The Ultimate Formula
When I was in grade school and learning basic math, I was exposed to formulas. I liked formulas because (if followed correctly) you would always come up with the correct answer. Example 2 + 2 = 4. This made sense to me and I wished that life always worked like a formula and things would be much more predictable. As I was reading in the Book of Mormon, I noticed that Alma had come up with a formula and it’s simple, put your trust in God = deliverance.
To be a true formula it must be tested and always come up with the correct answer. Alma showed example after example of how he tested this formula and his conclusion was the same. His father Alma senior converted many people to the Lord and kept in hiding from wicked King Noah. Eventually they were found by a group of Lamanites. These Lamanites did place great burdens on Alma and his people in so much as, “so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God” (Mosiah 24:10). Soon they realized that none could deliver them but the Lord their God. Their faithful prayers were answered, “it came to pass that he did deliver them and he showed forth his mighty power” (Mosiah 23:24).
Alma the younger pointed out to two of his sons Helaman and Shiblon this same message. To Helaman he recounted the time when he and Amulek were interrogated and imprisoned by the people of Ammonihah. Then after much tribulation Alma said, “...O Lord, give us strength according to our faith in Christ, even unto deliverance” (Alma 14:26). After that their bands were burst, the earth shook, and the walls of prison were rent. To Shiblon he admonished to, “put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 38:5).
Our trials and troubles are given to us so we can build faith in Christ. Even so that we can have unshaken faith in him; that in the ultimate test of faith, death and sin, we can have confidence that the formula will still work.
I so testify Brother Kyle Hays
When I was in grade school and learning basic math, I was exposed to formulas. I liked formulas because (if followed correctly) you would always come up with the correct answer. Example 2 + 2 = 4. This made sense to me and I wished that life always worked like a formula and things would be much more predictable. As I was reading in the Book of Mormon, I noticed that Alma had come up with a formula and it’s simple, put your trust in God = deliverance.
To be a true formula it must be tested and always come up with the correct answer. Alma showed example after example of how he tested this formula and his conclusion was the same. His father Alma senior converted many people to the Lord and kept in hiding from wicked King Noah. Eventually they were found by a group of Lamanites. These Lamanites did place great burdens on Alma and his people in so much as, “so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God” (Mosiah 24:10). Soon they realized that none could deliver them but the Lord their God. Their faithful prayers were answered, “it came to pass that he did deliver them and he showed forth his mighty power” (Mosiah 23:24).
Alma the younger pointed out to two of his sons Helaman and Shiblon this same message. To Helaman he recounted the time when he and Amulek were interrogated and imprisoned by the people of Ammonihah. Then after much tribulation Alma said, “...O Lord, give us strength according to our faith in Christ, even unto deliverance” (Alma 14:26). After that their bands were burst, the earth shook, and the walls of prison were rent. To Shiblon he admonished to, “put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 38:5).
Our trials and troubles are given to us so we can build faith in Christ. Even so that we can have unshaken faith in him; that in the ultimate test of faith, death and sin, we can have confidence that the formula will still work.
I so testify Brother Kyle Hays
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