In the Book of Mormon we read that when the people heard Alma's words they clapped their hands with joy and said it was the desire of their hearts to be baptized. Alma baptized 204 people, by immersion. They were filled with the grace of God. Mosiah 18:11-16 "And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts. And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart. And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world. And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit. And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time into the water, and baptized him according to the first, only he did not bury himself again in the water. And after this manner he did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God."
In the Old Testament we read that those who love the law of the Lord will have great peace, and they will not be easily offended. It's impossible to feel at peace in our lives if we're out of harmony with the Lord and are not keeping His commandments. Psalms 119:165 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
In some scriptures with a thought booklet we're old that God is no respecter of persons. It doesn't matter what nation a person comes from, if they reverence God and are righteous, God will accept them. So if we have a tendency to look down on certain people because of where they come from or what race they are, we need to repent and change our attitudes. Every soul is precious in the sight of God and we should be ever mindful of that fact. Acts 10:34-35 "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
----------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment