Friday, July 3, 2015

Alma 12:26 - 12:30

Alma 12:26 And now behold, if it were possible that our first parents could have gone forth and partaken of the tree of life they would have been forever miserable, having no preparatory state; and thus the plan of redemption would have been frustrated, and the word of God would have been void, taking none effect.

Now if God had permitted Adam and Eve to continue in there state in the garden of Eden, they would have lived a life style of eventual misery. Their existence would not have been one of preparing to return to God. The plan of that would help them to return to God would not have kick in and what God told Adam and Eve on how they could return to Him would have not come into effect.

Many religions have condemned Eve for partaking of the forbidden fruit and bring death to us all. Many think they would have children there and we would all be happy and not having to be effected by ills of mortality and death. Of course, they do not know that Adam and Eve could not have children in their state in the garden and they would have to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge to become mortals so they could have children. Actually Eve made an extremely brave decision to partake of the forbidden fruit. She knew what would happen and did so anyway for our benefit. Adam had to go alone with his wife. I have wondered if he would have ever done it if it were entirely up to him. I think he would in time but like any person, sometimes doing what we know to be unpleasant is often times put off for another day.

Alma 12:27 But behold, it was not so; but it was appointed unto men that they must die; and after death, they must come to judgment, even that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is the end.

But God did set it up that men would die a mortal death. And after their deaths, they would be brought before God to assess their performance while in mortality.

At death the test is over. We are all “safely dead” as one general authority put it. For some the test made them better people, for other not so much.

Alma 12:28 And after God had appointed that these things should come unto man, behold, then he saw that it was expedient that man should know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto them;

After the plan was set forth and after death had entered our sphere of life, God wanted us to know what was happening and why we were in this situation. With the vail of forgetfulness over our memory and minds, we should be given some instruction as to how to make the best of this experience.

Alma 12:29 Therefore he sent angels to converse with them, who caused men to behold of his glory.

God therefore sent angels to teach Adam and Eve.

Not sure what is meant by “who caused men to behold of his glory.” Was this to help men to see God in person or by seeing glorious angels, they could see what glory God had and would be available to them if they lived right?

Alma 12:30 And they began from that time forth to call on his name; therefore God conversed with men, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; and this he made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works.

The angels encouraged men to pray to God for more instructions. In their inquiries, Adam and Eve learned of the plan that was in place even before the world was created to get them back to God’s presence. They were instructed as to the process of faith, repentance and serving others which was the method set up to make it so men could return to God.

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