(Read and Follow the Directions)
Today was our annual family Fall Freeze Picnic. This annual tradition came about because we always procrastinated our family canyon picnic until it was nearly too late. The family is growing and it gets better and better.
I have loved reading this chapter of Alma. I’m so glad I read it more slowly than usual, because I got so much out of it. I’m a little sad to see it end, but I know there are more good ideas coming as I continue on.
It is interesting to me that just a few verses earlier here, Alma was telling these people (who had been kicked out of their churches because they were poor and didn’t dress well enough) that if they didn’t help those less fortunate than themselves, then God would not hear their prayers. Now here he is telling them not to be angry with people who are unkind to them, or refuse to help them, because of their poverty. Basically he’s telling them it’s as wrong for the poor to pass judgment on the rich, as it is for the rich to pass judgment on the poor.
40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them; 41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.
