land because there were so many people that they could not all meet
together
in one congregation. However, all the many churches were united in that
they
all taught the same thing--repentance and faith in God. They were all
willing to take upon them the name of Christ and the Spirit was poured out
upon
all of them. This is true even today with the many wards and branches of
the church. They are all united and all teach the same doctrine. Whenever
I've been on vacation and have attended church in a different location,
they've all taught lessons out of the same manuals, had the same sacrament
prayers, and I felt the same Spirit there that would be present in my home
ward.
Mosiah 25:19-24 "And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma
that
he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave
him power to ordain priests and teachers over every church. Now this was
done
because there were so many people that they could not all be governed by
one teacher; neither could they all hear the word of God in one assembly;
Therefore they did assemble themselves together in different bodies, being
called churches; every church having their priests and their teachers, and
every
priest preaching the word according as it was delivered to him by the mouth
of Alma. And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all
one church, yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in
all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God. And now there
were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla. And it came to pass that
whosoever were desirous to take upon them the name of Christ, or of God,
they did
join the churches of God; And they were called the people of God. And the
Lord
did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in
the land."
In the Old Testament we read that after Israel died, Joseph's brothers were
fearful that Joseph would take vengeance against them for selling him into
Egypt. But he reassured them that he would be kind to them and nourish
them
and their children. He told them that good came out of him being sold into
Egypt and they should not fear him. Joseph is a wonderful example of how
we need to be forgiving to those who tresspass against us. Genesis 50:15-21
"And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said,
Joseph
will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which
we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father
did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I
pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did
unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants
of
the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his
brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we
be
thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place
of
God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto
good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now
therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he
comforted
them, and spake kindly unto them."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us not to despise the chastening of
the Lord or get tired of Him correcting us. We need to realize that the
Lord chastens those He loves, just as a loving father chastens his
children.
A wise parent doesn't give a child everything they want and does not allow
their child to have their own way when it's not in their best interest.
Can
we doubt that a loving Heavenly Father would do anything less? Proverbs
3:11-12 "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary
of
his correction:
For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom
he delighteth."
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