Sunday School 20 - Mosiah 18-24 The Comforter

Alma changed his life tremendously. He wrote all the words of the prophet and abandoned his old life but could not escape the chastisements of the Lord as it was prophecy, the again none of us can (Hebrews 12:6). Change had only started for the people of the waters of Mormon.

As I studied what I was going to write, I encountered the many meanings of the Comforter that the Lord sent to his people. I am not versed in Latin, Greek, Hebrew or Arabic but encounter small jems that I strive to share. The definition of the Comforter is no different. In Latin the word for Comforter is parakletos, a legal term. It means one who strengthen or stands with. How appropriate that the Comforter lifted the saints of the waters of Mormon when they left their homes, where chased and hunted. Then when they were found, it was by Lamanites and ex-priests of Noah. The harsh conditions were needed like a needed life change that would prepare them to be the saints that Zarahemla would embrace. 

At the same time King Limhi and his people went through the same. The Lamanites raised taxes and pushed the people to beg for redemption. They sent out scouts and wasn't sure if the Nephites even were alive as the expeditions just came back with plates and stories of empty cities and mountains of dead. 

We may face changes that force us to look to the Lord as our Comforter because he is not taking our pain and sorrow away but is lifting us and strengthening us in our darkest of moments. Some have lost family, friends, health, property. These course changes can break us and could be the hardest moments we are asked to experience, and yet we are lift to carry the hardship. It then changes us into a pinnacle or apex we use to fall back on. How many times have we read how Alma (the younger) or Paul's vision changed them. The moments that are our darkest, when we are exercising our faith the hardest, our demons chase us are barking the loudest, the desire to abandon our self to this darkness is at it zenith. That time when we are being chastised by internal and external sources, that is when God is with us the most. We hope to endure all things (Article of Faith 13) and we should realize that the Comforter is there in your trials. Alma was no different. Read it again now when you read the Comforter (like in John 14:26) of a God that lifts, strengthen and comforts. 

One more thing, the scriptures use one more word to describe the Holy Ghost, dunamis. It means spiritual explosion. At times, like dynamite we are placed under pressure and heat that will bring light and a warmth that outside our spiritual experiences would not be lifted to where we want to be, where we are now or, where we were placed because of our experiences. For me, I have been in life/death surgery, held up by gun, been in the worst turbulence at 1500 feet in the air, was in car accidents, went to funerals of family and friends, etc. each moment changed me, made me want to be better. You are not any different, brothers and sisters. We are meant for greatness and a loving Father, Brother and invisible Friend want us to be of good cheer like Alma and Limhi. When we endure it we'll God rewards us, maybe not in this life but remember, this life is the second act to a three act play. Your reward is coming. For me, at times, I hope it's the loving embrace of a brother who rooted for me in my high times and redeemed me in my toughest hours. God loves us brothers and sisters. That I know and is my testimony in our Brother's name, even Jesus Christ, amen.

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