Alma 12:14: "For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us."
It is important to note that the chapter heading adds that we will also be judged of our beliefs. Also crucial to understand is that this will be the case only "if we have hardened our hearts against the word" (verse 13).
Too often in the Church we think that if we are: reading our scriptures, saying our prayers, paying our tithing, keeping the Word of Wisdom, going to Church, and serving others, that those works will save us. In no part of the scriptures or modern revelation has anyone said, "keep the Sabbath day and you will be saved." Instead they say, "for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming." The negative verbiage being the key difference, if we are tithed we will avoid being condemned but the act of tithing alone will not prepare us for exaltation (even terrestrial beings will not be burned at his coming). So why are we taught to do all these works? Because if we aren't full of good works, then we must be full of bad works (too many scriptures to cite them all: Matthew 12:35, Matthew 7:17, Moroni 7:11, Matthew 6:24, Luke 11:23). For example, one of the key steps in breaking an addiction is filling our lives with good things so at first we don't have time for the bad and then eventually we don't have a desire for the bad. Righteous works have more to do with learning to love the Lord through obedience and then becoming a saint through the Atonement by repentance (Mosiah 3:19). Furthermore, Alma says "the plan of redemption is made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works" (verse 30). So in order for us to know the mysteries of God (such as those in the temple, which are essential for exaltation) we must have holy works. On the contrary, if we harden our hearts against what the prophets of all ages have taught us (namely repent and keep the commandments), then our words, works, beliefs and thoughts will condemn us. "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37) So let us be full of good works not so we can brag but rather so we aren't full of evil works.
It had been awhile so I was happy to see more "Alma's Soul Searching". Interesting discussion of Alma 12:14. I agree that the list of "works" mentioned may not save us directly, however it seems to me that they are the works that draw the spirit into our life and allow the atonement to do its work in bringing about a "mighty change of heart" and then "holy works" come naturally... Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I admit that I tend to go overboard trying to emphasize something just because I feel like we too often are leaning too close to the other extreme. I fully don't intend this to make anyone think they should give up because their works will condemn them. I agree that the Lord intended these works to help transform us because through them we are applying the Atonement in our lives. I just think that it helps me remember that rather than viewing it as my good works saving me, view it as my bad works would condemn me if I don't hearken to the word of the Lord. Alma 42:29 "only let your sins trouble you."
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