< ALMA 26 >
v. 21 And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent.
Penitent: Only the penitent man shall pass (Indiana Jones anyone?)... Being penitent really means feeling genuine sorrow for sin, turning away from it, and humbly seeking to change and be reconciled with God.
At its core: Godly sorrow, humility, turning (repentance), desire to be clean. It's not self hatred, not despair, not perfection, not endlessly replaying guilt. It's about being willing to change.
Penitent: Only the penitent man shall pass (Indiana Jones anyone?)... Being penitent really means feeling genuine sorrow for sin, turning away from it, and humbly seeking to change and be reconciled with God.
At its core: Godly sorrow, humility, turning (repentance), desire to be clean. It's not self hatred, not despair, not perfection, not endlessly replaying guilt. It's about being willing to change.
v. 22 Yea, he that repented and excerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayers continually without ceasing - unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed....
How to know the mysteries of God:
1) Repent
2) Exercise faith
3) Bring forth good works
4) Pray continually without ceasing
1) Repentance - Not just confession, but realignment. Your heart softens, pride loosens, defensiveness decreases. This matters becuase hard hearts can't receive truth.
2) Exercise faith - It's not just belief in abstract ideas, it's trusting God enough to act. Obeying without understanding everything. If you use the light you have, you get more.
3) Good works - Serving, forgiving, resisting tempation, showing kindness, keeping covenants. You aren't earning knowledge, you are doing this becuase you have become aligned with Christ.
4) Pray Continually - Not constant talking, but ongiong awareness of God. Frequent gratitude. It's not someone you visit occasionally, but someone you walk wiht.
Mysteries - Not secret codes, hidden prophesies or esoteric ideas about the universe. Mysteries feel obvious once you've experienced them. They make sense after spiritual change.
Mysteries are things that can only be understood by becoming, not just by studying. You have to live as a disciple, you have to exist as a disciple, then you can see the world as Christ sees it. Hence Moses 7.
How to know the mysteries of God:
1) Repent
2) Exercise faith
3) Bring forth good works
4) Pray continually without ceasing
1) Repentance - Not just confession, but realignment. Your heart softens, pride loosens, defensiveness decreases. This matters becuase hard hearts can't receive truth.
2) Exercise faith - It's not just belief in abstract ideas, it's trusting God enough to act. Obeying without understanding everything. If you use the light you have, you get more.
3) Good works - Serving, forgiving, resisting tempation, showing kindness, keeping covenants. You aren't earning knowledge, you are doing this becuase you have become aligned with Christ.
4) Pray Continually - Not constant talking, but ongiong awareness of God. Frequent gratitude. It's not someone you visit occasionally, but someone you walk wiht.
Mysteries - Not secret codes, hidden prophesies or esoteric ideas about the universe. Mysteries feel obvious once you've experienced them. They make sense after spiritual change.
Mysteries are things that can only be understood by becoming, not just by studying. You have to live as a disciple, you have to exist as a disciple, then you can see the world as Christ sees it. Hence Moses 7.