1. Sound Familiar?
Several years ago when my children were young, my husband and I had church callings that kept us very busy. I realized I needed to slow down when I overheard my daughter singing:
I am a child of God,
and He has sent me here.
Has given me an earthly home,
with parents kind of here….

2. “I knew concerning these things…Yet I would not know”
Alma 8-12

3. Callings

4. City of Ammonihah Built a city separated from Zarahemla
A city who followed the Order of Nehor
Filled with many attorneys:
…received their wages according to their employ, therefore, they did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ, that they might get money according to the suits which were brought before them; (Alma 11:20)

5. Alma’s Mission He is rejected by the people of Ammonihah and cast out
He is sent back by an angel and told:
“For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people, (for thus saith the Lord) which is contrary to the statutes, and judgments, and commandments which he has given unto his people.” (Alma 8:17)

6. Ether 8:22-25
22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed…
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; …
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil

7. Two Powerful Spirits on this Earth
Jehovah
Endorsed Plan of Greater Freedom- the Gospel
Seeks our exaltation
“Obey commandments”
We can become joint-heirs with Christ
Spirit evident on earth:
Greater freedom through choosing to obey
Lucifer
Rebelled against the Plan
Tries to stop our exaltation
“We don’t want rules!”
His goal- become powerful dictator- everyone else weak
Spirit evident on earth:
Power and control to a few, less freedom to their subjects

8. During Alma’s Mission to Ammonihah
The people sought to limit his freedom to preach
He then introduces Amulek

9. Who was Amulek? 4 And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation…
…I have many kindreds and friends
…I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry.
5 … I have seen much of (the Lord’s) mysteries and his marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.
6 Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear;
therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know;

10. Elder Neil A. Maxwell
He (Amulek) is a classic case of an essentially good man being out of touch with the great spiritual realities;
he resisted the things of the Spirit because, though he was basically good, he was preoccupied with the cares of the world.

11. Rev. James Covill D&C Section 39:
7 … my servant James, I have looked upon thy works and I know thee.
8 And verily I say unto thee, thine heart is now right…
9 …thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride and the cares of the world.
10 But, behold, the days of thy deliverance are come, if thou wilt hearken to my voice,

12. Just 3 Weeks Later… D&C Section 40
2 And he (James) received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him; and the fear of persecution and the cares of the world caused him to reject the word.
3 Wherefore he broke my covenant, and it remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me good.

13. Elder George Q. Cannon
We find, even among those who have embraced the Gospel, hearts of unbelief.

14. Elder Cannon continues:
We find, even among those who have embraced the Gospel, hearts of unbelief.
… Do you go along day by day like a door turning on its hinges, without having any feeling on the subject, without exercising any faith whatever; content to be baptized and be members of the Church, and to rest there, thinking that your salvation is secure because you have done this?

15. Elder Cannon concludes:
We find, even among those who have embraced the Gospel, hearts of unbelief.
… Do you go along day by day like a door turning on its hinges, without having any feeling on the subject, without exercising any faith whatever; content to be baptized and be members of the Church, and to rest there, thinking that your salvation is secure because you have done this?
I say to you, in the name of the Lord, as one of His servants, that you have need to repent of this. You have need to repent of your hardness of heart, of your indifference, and of your carelessness.
There is not that diligence, there is not that faith, there is not that seeking for the power of God that there should be among a people who have received the precious promises we have I say to you that it is our duty to avail ourselves of the privileges which God has placed within our reach (Millennial Star 56, 1894 )