Thursday, April 27, 2023

Alma 16:9-10 -- On Avoiding Destruction

"And thus ended the eleventh year of the judges, the Lamanites having been driven out of the land, and the people of Ammonihah were destroyed; yea, every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city, which they said God could not destroy, because of its greatness.
But behold, in one day it was left desolate; and the carcasses were mangled by dogs and wild beasts of the wilderness."
Alma 16:9-10


Interesting here that they said God couldn't destroy it. Those kinds of crazy, boastful remarks never turn out well. I think overall it is a lesson in humility and reality. We think sometimes that we are super amazing, or that something we were a part of is overpoweringly cool. And sometimes we are amazing, and our stuff is amazing... no question. But let's always have some perspective, and remember that our amazing is never as amazing as God, and even the very coolest or most brilliant creations here on earth pale in comparison to God's creations, and exist because they were inspired by him. If we keep that in mind, then hopefully we won't feel the need to boast and the tapestry of the universe won't see a compelling need to prove us wrong. :)

I think this is also part of the idea of pruning the vineyard in the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees. The Ammonihahites had gotten so wicked that they put the righteous to death, and there was nothing left to save them, so it was time for the branch to be burned. So, another good lesson... let's not murder anyone, especially if they are more righteous than we are. :) So many lessons for today. :) Seriously though, today let's try to remember God and put him first, and practice some healthy humility in our daily lives, and thus avoid this kind of personal or community destruction.

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