| by: Alice Gifford - 1999 Alma Chapter 13 - This is an exciting chapter when you really think about it! We start out in [vs. l] being told to "cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would the ye should remember that the Lord God ordained...." Joseph F. Smith explains "forward" as our pre-earth live and then we are instructed to "remember". If we are diligent in our studies and prayers, is it possible for us to actually have a remembrance? A deep thought isn't it. How can we remember? Do not harden your hearts. Ponder and pray. Talk to parents, grand parents, read personal histories of great great grandparents. What are some of their spiritual experiences? Ask them to bear their testimonies. Is there anytime in their lives when they felt that they did something they were "ordained" to do in our pre-earth life? We are also taught in this chapter that there were many valiant, faithful children who were "ordained" and "prepared" for the work they were called to do upon this earth during this pre-earth life. Does it make you wonder what you might have been "ordained" to do during your life? This is a great chapter to think about the Law of Consecration and Sacrifice. Anytime we are given a calling do we sacrifice for the Lord and give the calling our best. Do we consecrate our time, means, and effort to the Lord? Do we act on promptings when they come - or do we think I don't have the time right now? There are not a lot of women in the scriptures but we can look at those who have been talked about and see how the events could have been much different had they not chosen to follow their hearts. We know Eve was "ordained" to be the first woman and we've been taught what her role was and how she fulfilled that role. There is no doubt in my mind that Mary, the mother of Christ, was also "ordained" to be the mother of the Savior. What about Shiphrah and Puah - the Hebrew Midwives "But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive" (Exodus 1:17) They saved Moses. What about the mother of Moses – all male children had been commanded to be "cast into the river". (Exodus l:22) Jochebed hid Moses for three months (Exodus 2:2) and then when she could no longer hide him she "laid" Moses in the river. (Exodus 2:3) I like the word "cast". When you are fishing and "cast" a line - don't you plan where you are going to "cast" it, don't you try your best to put your line down exactly where you want it - if not carefully (well, as carefully as you can when fishing). I think Jochebed could say she was obedient and if the Pharaoh asked, she could say, "yes, I "cast" him into the river" (LOL) Pharaoh's daughter was one who was "ordained" (JST Genesis 50:29 - which actually gives us 12 mores vs. to this chapter) in our pre-earth life. "for a seer will I raise up to deliver my people out of the land of Egypt; and he shall be called Moses. And by this name he shall know that he is of they house; for he shall be nursed by the king's daughter, and shall be called her son". There are more in the scriptures. Sometimes I feel like all those before be got the "good" jobs (LOL) and what can I do? I believe there have been many great women during our life time that were "ordained" to the work they have preformed upon this earth. I believe that you and I have work to which we were "ordained". The question is, will we do it. I can't find the exact quote, but I believe the prophet Joseph Smith said that if he had been an instrument in the hands of the Lord to bring the restoration of the gospel, someone else would have been called. I often wonder if there is something that I've been called to do that someone else will have the opportunity to do because I let it pass me by. Sad thought. Have a great day and look for opportunities to serve, to consecrate and sacrifice for the Lord °Ü° (c) Alice Gifford, All Rights Reserved
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