| Contributed by: Alice Gifford - 1999 Alma Chapter 11 ends with a trembling Zeezrom. Would Zeezrom humble himself and accept the teachings of Amulek..... Would he admit that he had lied? Would he admit that he tried to persuade the people that Amulek was the one who was lying... In Chapter l2 we discover that not only was he left trembling, but also silenced! By this time a crowd had gathered and Zeezrom was shaking because of his guilt. Not only had Zeezrom lied to the people, but he lied to God - who knows our thoughts. Not only had he lied, but Alma tells him "you" know that we know you "lied". Vs. 5 is a very powerful verse. "....this was the plan of thine adversary, and he hath exercised his power in thee" I find it interesting that Alma points out that not only is the adversary his adversary, but also Zeezrom's adversary and that he had been used to destroy himself! Satan has no more power to destroy us but with what power we give to him. Zeezrom seems to finally see the light - which makes him tremble more! Vs. 8 and Zeezrom is ready to be taught - he's had a "Change of Heart". Remember what King Benjamin taught in Mosiah 2:9? "Open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye many understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view". Zeezrom has opened his ears, heart and mind. Vs. l4 - " we shall not be found spotless...." without a Change of Heart. Have you ever put a piece of clothing away in storage thinking that it was clean only to discover a big yellow stain when you take it out again. You thought you'd taken care of that stain before you stored it, but now lack of proper care has made the problem worse. If we do not fully repent, we may be able to hide "our stains" from man, but not from God. Our stains will become much worse and we will know it is to late to pre-treat and soak. Vs. l7 - In the book "Reading the Book of Mormon in Plain English, he explains this verse as "a lake of burning sulfur with flames that go up forever". This summer when we were in Yellowstone I had my fill of my nose being filled with the smell of sulfur! Not to make light, but to smell that forever would be terrible! It's enough to make you want to be "very" repentant-Change that heart fast! To never smell clean fresh air, flowers, or the earth after fresh rain.....we don't always appreciate the simple pleasure of life that Heavenly Father gives to us. Alma 5:7 describes a change of heart as "a soul awakening out of a deep sleep" Alma 5:14 being spiritual born of God l Cor 2:l6 Paul describes it as obtaining "the mind of Christ" 2 Peter l:4 Peter as partaking of "the divine nature" 2 Peter 1:4 So get out the pre-treatment stick and take care of those stains °Ü° (c) 1999 Alice Gifford, All Rights Reserved Lesson Thoughts
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