"And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men."
Alma 28:13
The verses before this are talking about the aftermath of some large battles, and commenting how some people are mourning and sad, and others are mourning and rejoicing, based on whether they fear that their departed loved ones are headed for "a state of endless wo" (verse 11) or "a state of never-ending happiness" (verse 12).
It is interesting that the inequality that is talked about here is based on our hopes of happiness in the eternal world, rather than all the things that we focus on as a society when we talk about inequality. ... And I am definitely not dismissing those mortal concerns, as I believe God wants us to be equal in earthly ways as well. However, it is also instructive to think about inequality in a larger, eternal way as well.
From the little we know about the premortal existence and the "war in heaven" (Revelation 12:6), we know that there is a large inequality between the premortal beings that rebelled against God's plan and those that didn't... and that is probably the closest comparison we have to the inequality that will exist between us based on our rebellion in this life.
Of course that is a simplistic explanation because we don't fully understand pre- or post- mortal existence, but it's something we can still work on, remembering that eternity with God is what we need to be preparing for, which will perhaps help us focus on the right things now. :)
Today, let's try to remember those eternal inequalities that we can avoid, and help others to avoid as we teach and help people to know and love God, and all that he offers us. Let's be careful to not harm our eternal lives through our unwise mortal choices.
Alma 28:13
The verses before this are talking about the aftermath of some large battles, and commenting how some people are mourning and sad, and others are mourning and rejoicing, based on whether they fear that their departed loved ones are headed for "a state of endless wo" (verse 11) or "a state of never-ending happiness" (verse 12).
It is interesting that the inequality that is talked about here is based on our hopes of happiness in the eternal world, rather than all the things that we focus on as a society when we talk about inequality. ... And I am definitely not dismissing those mortal concerns, as I believe God wants us to be equal in earthly ways as well. However, it is also instructive to think about inequality in a larger, eternal way as well.
From the little we know about the premortal existence and the "war in heaven" (Revelation 12:6), we know that there is a large inequality between the premortal beings that rebelled against God's plan and those that didn't... and that is probably the closest comparison we have to the inequality that will exist between us based on our rebellion in this life.
Of course that is a simplistic explanation because we don't fully understand pre- or post- mortal existence, but it's something we can still work on, remembering that eternity with God is what we need to be preparing for, which will perhaps help us focus on the right things now. :)
Today, let's try to remember those eternal inequalities that we can avoid, and help others to avoid as we teach and help people to know and love God, and all that he offers us. Let's be careful to not harm our eternal lives through our unwise mortal choices.
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