Alma 4:1-3 -- On Remembering and Learning

"Now it came to pass in the sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there were no contentions nor wars in the land of Zarahemla;
But the people were afflicted, yea, greatly afflicted for the loss of their brethren, and also for the loss of their flocks and herds, and also for the loss of their fields of grain, which were trodden under foot and destroyed by the Lamanites.
And so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause to mourn; and they believed that it was the judgments of God sent upon them because of their wickedness and their abominations; therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty."
Alma 4:1-3


This is a good illustration of the pride cycle. In this part of it the people are suffering... "every soul had cause to mourn" sounds like a very sad time... and they used that time in a positive way, remembering the Lord and turning to him. And yet, three verses later in the beginning of the 8th year, they are lifted up in pride again.

Today, let's learn from this, and instead of waiting to be humbled and then remembering the Lord, let's remember him now. Let's let go of our pride and humble ourselves, recognizing that we need the Lord constantly, not just in the bad times. Let's work on breaking the cycle and learning to be truly good.