Sunday, April 9, 2000

Alma 28:13-14

"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 the children of men.
And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing--sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life."
Alma 28:13-14


This scripture is given after a huge battle between the Lamanites and the Nephites... thousands of people have died, and the preceding two verses talk about how it is sad for everyone, that it is worse for some than others, depending on whether they are headed for "a state of endless wo" or "a state of never-ending happiness" ... what a choice, eh?
Anyway, then we get into the philosophy part... :)  God created all of us equally... not in physical attributes or in class structure... but in the ability to choose, and the ability to come back to him.  We all have that chance.  We have equal opportunities to plead with God, and to get his help in our lives... and he wants us to treat each other equally as brothers and sisters, regardless of class, race, gender, finances, outward appearance, etc.  So when the scripture says here... we see the great inequality of man... those are inequalities that we have chosen.  God put us down here to take the test, and he has catered the questions and activities to each of us individually so that we all have a great chance to pass.  It's open book, and we can confer with the instructor whenever we want to... we all have the same chance to pass, and seriously, if we try, there isn't much chance of failing.  It's when we give up, or decide to doodle on the paper instead, or figure there really is no instructor and throw away the answer sheet that we get into trouble.  And you know, as long as we live, there is still a chance to get a new answer sheet, to finish one we abandoned long ago... to pass.  we just have to stay focused and not pretend there is no test for ourselves... and when we see someone else drawing pictures on the answer sheet and then burning it in effigy, we should probably remind them where they can get a new one.

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