Commentary for Book of Mormon: Alma 5 - 7

Chapter 5

Alma 5 is rich with detail and insights that are worth exploring on a deeper level. For this chapter, I'll provide an outline of how the chapter is structured. Then I'll dive into some of the principles taught by Alma.  

Overview and Outline of Alma's Sermon 

Alma's sermon to the people of Zarahemla is seeking to get the members of the church to recognize their state before God. To do this, Alma uses the experience of his father and his father's followers as a comparison for the members of the church. 

Verse 2 states that Alma's works are directed to the "people in the church which was established in Zarahemla." Alma then is speaking to a specific group -- the church members. 

Verse 61 informs us that the words Alma spoke to the church in Zarahemla were by command. Thus what Alma has to say is not his opinion, but a directive from the Lord. 

The Experience of Alma the Elder and His People 

In verse 4, Alma begins by stating that Alma the Elder and his people were delivered "out of the hands" of king Noah by the "mercy and power of God." In verse 5, he explains that Alma the Elder and his people were also delivered out of the hands of the Lamanites. By referring to these two events, it appears that Alma is stressing that deliverance from captivity only comes from God, who is the power and source of deliverance. 

Moreover, it's also appears that the people Alma is talking to are descendants, children, of the followers of Alma the Elder (this is made clear when Alma asks the members whether they remember the captivity of their fathers). Alma's statement at the end of verse 5 takes on a nuanced meaning -- if it wasn't for God, then members of the Zarahemla church would not be in Zarahemla, but in bondage. This is evidenced by Alma stating that 

again the Lord did deliver them out of bondage by the power of his word; and we were brought into this land, and here we began to establish the church of God throughout this land also.

Notice that Alma shifts from discussing Alma the Elder and his followers in the 3rd person, to addressing the members of the church in the 1st person plural ("we"), indicating that the blessing of deliverance for their fathers meant liberty for the members of the church. Because of God's mercy towards Alma the Elder and his followers, God brought them out and into the land of Zarahemla where Alma and the members can establish the church of God throughout the land. 

In verse 6, Alma shifts from explaining the captivity of Alma the Elder and his father, which he refers to "your fathers", to asking the people whether they've remembered the captivity and deliverance of their fathers. 

6 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?

Having led with the question in verse 6, Alma elaborates on what God has done for their fathers. 

7 Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.

...

9 And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are saved.

Having shown that the Lord saved their fathers from hell (spiritual captivity), Alma then asks the members of the church what grounds did their fathers have to believe they we're saved. In others words, how did their fathers (followers of Alma the Elder) know that they were saved. 

10 And now I ask of you on what conditions are they saved? Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell?

Alma's question is an important one. A question that we should all ask ourselves. As Christian we talk of being saved, but how do we know that we are? Alma's answer to the members of the Zarahemla church is therefore also relevant for us. Alma's answer is that we know if we're saved if we've experienced a mighty change of heart. 

And how do we know whether we've experienced a mighty change of heart? Alma asks an extensive set of questions to the people for them to gauge whether they've experienced the might change of heart. These questions are in verse 12-30 . I'll go over them later. 

After asking the series of questions, Alma explains that now is the time to repent. The Lord's arms are extended to all, inviting them to partake of the tree of life. The requirement for partaking from the tree of life is to "bring forth works of righteousness." To bring forth works of righteousness means to bring forth good fruit. Those who don't, Alma declares, will have cause to mourn. 

Alma then moves to warning the wicked. Yet, the wicked he directs his attention are those who claim to be righteous, but instead are not. It directs his comments to the professing righteous. [see "5:37--Workers of Iniquity"] These are the people who will have cause to mourn. 

After inviting all to come unto Christ, Alma states that the Lord commanded him to speak. Alma states that because he is of the holy order of God, he is commanded to speak about the things which are to come. 

Given that Alma was commanded to speak of things to come, Alma raises the questions of how does he know that what he has taught is true. Alma answers that he knows of the truth of what he has taught through the spirit of revelation and prophecy [see "5:46-47 Made Known Unto Me"]

Alma declares that his calling is to preach to all people that they must repent and be born again, stating that the judgement soon comes. And judgment will be based on the works of the individual, represented as fruit. Those "trees" that do not bear good fruit will be case into the fire. 

Alma asks more questions to the members. 

He then repeats his call to repentance, inviting those who are desirous to come out form among the wicked, and be separate. 

5:12-35,53-55 -- Knowing Whether You've Experienced A Mighty Change of Heart

Alma asks a series of questions to measure whether the members of the church in Zarahemla can have the same assurance of salvation as those of their fathers. These questions are also instructive for us. 

• Have you
• Been born of God
• Received God's image in your countenance
• Exercised faith in the redemption of the Lord 
• Can you imagine 
• the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed
• ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you?
• Being brought before God with your soul filled with guilt and remorse 
• Can you look up
• To God with a pure heart and clean hands 
• Can you think 
• Of being saved when you've yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil 
• How will you feel
• Standing before God with stained garments
• If you have been redeemed before, can you still sing the song of redeeming love? (i.e., can you praise God with full adoration/) 
• Have you 
• kept yourself blameless before God? 
• been sufficiently humble
• been stripped of pride 
• been stripped of envy 
• Do you make a mock of his brother (neighbor, friend, family, etc)? 
• Do you persecute your brother (neighbor, friend, family, etc)? 
• Persist in
• Wearing costly apparel [i.e., spend money on costly material items]
• Supposing that you are better than one another 
• Persecute those who humble themselves
• Turning your backs on the poor and needy 
• Your wickedness 

5:37 Workers of Iniquity 

Alma's statement to workers of iniquity provides a list of their attributes: 

• Puffed up (made proud and arrogant) in the vain things of the world
• Professed to know righteousness, but have gone astray 
• Have ignored Christ calling after them by not obeying his voice.

The key characteristic of the "workers of iniquity" is that this group professes to be righteous, where, in reality, they are not. As we saw in verse 2, Alma is directing his statements to the members of the church. Seeing, this Alma is warning that members of the church who don't repent, despite being members, will have reason to mourn.

Notably for us, as members of the LDS church, Alma's statement runs across many parallels. Alma's sermon is likely speaking to many who were born into the covenant. This is evidenced with his reminding them of what the Lord did for their fathers. Many of these members who were born into the covenant have fallen away. Although they may still attend worship, these members are not producing good fruit. 

Thus Alma holds a mirror up to us. Although his comments were directed to a group living around 83 BC, the principle expressed is applicable today. And the principle is this: the hallmark of righteousness is not whether you are a member of the church, but instead, is whether you produce good works. 

Yet we should distinguish between doing good work and producing/or bringing forth good works. Any person can do a good work. We see this throughout the world, where volunteers, or any belief, will dedicate their time helping others. 

But to produce good works means that good work flows out of the person. In other words, the righteous are those whose mere existence is a good work. This is because their lives are concerned with producing goodness. Notice that Alma uses the word or phrase produce and bring forth. These verbs deal with creating or bringing into existence something. In the case of the righteous, they create/ bring into existence goodness. 

Having reconciled their lives to God, the righteous are only concerned with obeying the Lord's will. This concern leads them to arranging their lives so that they reflect Christ in their actions and deeds. 

Given that workers of iniquity existed in the Zarahemla church, is it not possible that there are workers of iniquity in the LDS church -- members professing to be righteous, but are not? To answer this question, consider the revelation pertaining the the organization to the church 

32 But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God;

33 Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation;

34 Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also. 

 No matter one's position or years in the church -- whether they served a mission, are in a leadership position, or whatever it may be -- is safe from falling. No one. Notice that verse 34 are refers to a specific category of people -- the sanctified. The sanctified are those who have been made holy. These are men who commune with God and the heavens. Even this group is not immune for falling. 

The gravity of a person having gone astray is that the person is a worker of iniquity. Having known the right way and departed from it, the conduct, actions, and statements of the person are out of alignment with God. And because they are out of alignment, the conduct, actions, and statements leads to distorting God's commands. These distortions spread.

And given that this can happen to anyone, we should deeply reflect whether we are in this category by pondering over the question Alma asked the members (see above). 

There are a great many wise men and women too in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance, and in the resurrection they will find their mistake. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 309) 

5:41 -- Hearkeneth to the Voice...

Continuing the message of Lehi, Jacob, King Benjamin, Alma's statement shows that there are only two options -- follow the Lord or follow Satan. 

Further notice the language Alma uses: 

41 Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him.

In this life, we have the choice, based on which voice we'll heed, of who we will make as our father. We can choose Christ, by being born again and receiving the Holy Ghost; or we can choose Satan, by persisting in wickedness and succumbing to temptations.  

5:46-47 -- Made Known Unto Me

Alma's explanation for how he knows the things he does is important to consider. There is a branch of philosophy called epistemology. Epistemology deals with the question how we come to know things. 

Given that Alma is testing of things to come, how does Alma know this? Alma explains that his knowledge comes through two sources: 1) the spirit of revelation and 2) the spirit of prophecy. 

These are sources that we should utilize in our quest for knowledge. 

1. Spirit of Revelation

The Spirit of Revelation works through manifestations by the Holy Spirit. It is how anyone comes to know of the truth of the gospel. It is also the channel we came to know the truth of the Book of Mormon. Mormon's invitation at the end of the Book of Mormon is an invitation to gain knowledge of the truth of the Book of Mormon through the Spirit of Revelation. 

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost is a revelator 

This spirit is available to all. Jospeh Smith explains how the Spirit of Revelation works:

A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.,) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus. (Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 151) 

We determine by our heed and diligence how much revelation, and the degree of revelation, we receive. Revelation is a channel to knowledge. But it requires practice in understanding how it works to recognize the voice of the Spirit. Nevertheless, as you practice on hearing and obeying its prompting, the Spirit will become more and more pronounced in your life, leading to further and deeper truth. It is through this medium that you can come to know the things of God. 

2. Spirit of Prophecy 

The other channel of knowledge is the Spirit of Prophecy. The Spirit of Prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. In an earlier post, I explained what it means to have the testimony of Jesus. See here. In short, having a testimony of Jesus is to have a witness of him -- an actual knowledge. When one has this, one has the Spirit of Prophecy. 

3. Obtaining the Two Comforters

Notable is that each of these mediums of knowledge is associated with receiving comforters. In Doctrine and Covenants and through the teachings of Joseph Smith, we learn that there are two comforters we are to receive. 

The first comforter is the Holy Ghost. Although we can all experience the impression and influence of the Holy Ghost from time-to-time, to fully possess the Spirit of revelation requires that we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, as explained here and here and here. This is because the primary function of the Holy Ghost is to reveal. We must possess the gift of the Holy Ghost to continually receive revelations. 

There are two Comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost, and that all Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism. This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 149) 

The second comforter is Jesus Christ. And just like the comforter of the Holy Ghost is available to all 

Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions--Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn. (Teachings of Joseph Smith, 150)

The second comforter of Jesus Christ is the testimony of Christ. To receive the second comforter means that one has the spirit of prophecy. Joseph Smith's teaching makes this apparent. Having the Spirit of Prophecy means that Christ and the Father will teach you the mysteries of God. It is through the medium of the Spirit of Prophecy that one advances in greater degree of light and truth. It is through this medium that the prophets of old foresaw the coming of Christ. 

5:57 -- Come Ye Out From Among the Wicked

Alma's call for the righteous (or those who desire to be righteous) to separate themselves from the wicked provides further insight into the meaning of righteousness and holiness. This has been discussed before, but it's worth looking at it again in the light of Alma's statement. 

Righteousness is about separating oneself from the world. Yet this separation doesn't mean that the righteous don't involve themselves in the world, but it means that they don't participate in the wicked things of the world. The righteous are to be separate in word, action, and deed. 

5:58 -- The Book of Life 

Only those whose names are written in the Book of Life can take a place at the right hand of the Lord. 

For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right hand. (Alma 5:58) 

The first mention of the Book of Life is when Moses makes intercession on behalf of the Israelites for their transgression is worshiping the golden calf. (see Exodus 32:31-32). 

The Book of Life is the record kept in heaven. This is the record the Jesus alludes when speaking to this disciples 

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

John the Revelator mentions the Book of Life of different occasions: 

5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Those who worship the beast are those whose names are not written in the Book of Life

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13)

....

8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Revelation 17)

There are only two books people will be judged by: 1) the book of life and 2) the book of the dead. Our works are recorded in each book. We are judged by our works. 

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20)

Those whose names are not recorded in the Book of Life are cast into fire.  

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20)

Only those whose names are written in the Book of Life may enter Zion

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21)

Those who corrupt or take away any of the John's revelation from the Book of Revelation, his/her name will be removed from the Book of Life

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22) 

Chapter 6

After delivering his message, Alma ordained priests to "preside and watch over the church." This, after all, is the duty of a priest. 

Those who repent, despite their transgression and iniquity, are immediately forgiven and restored into fellowship. Those who don't repent we excommunicated -- because they showed no desire to separate themselves from the wicked and enter into Christ's fold.  

Mormon notes that all had the freedom to worship, and "none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God." Freedom of religion is a hallmark of a society that values liberty. Each person has the choice as to whether the will follow God or not. Not one should be compelled to follow God. And those who seek to follow and worship God, should be given that freedom. 

Mormon also explains the worship of the members: they gathered "themselves oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls who knew not God." Thus worship revolved around the care and concern for those outside the church. 

At the end, we learn that Alma, after having established the church, moves on to preach in Gideon according to the Spirit of Revelation (what is revealed by the Holy Ghost) and the Spirit of Prophecy, according to his witness of Jesus. 

Chapter 7 

The following is Alma's message to the people in Gideon. In his message, Alma explains the role of Christ and also Christ's experiences in mortality. 

7:11-13 -- He Will Take...

Alma explains all that Christ's ministry and purpose entailed: 

1. go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

2. take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people;

3. take upon him their infirmities (weaknesses, imperfections) that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

4. take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

7:15 -- Lay Aside Every Sin 

Here, Alma describes the process of repentance. Again, like others have taught, repentance is more than apologizing. Instead, it concerns a change of one's heart. To repent is to lay aside "every sin" which "bests you." Repentance, then, involves the forsaking of sin. If you struggle with a weakness or temptation, and you continue to yield to it, then you haven't repented. Every sin must be laid aside. 

7:23 -- I Would That Ye...

Alma's provides a helpful understanding of who we should seek to become as followers of Christ. He states: 

23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

These breakdown as follows: 

• be humble
• submissive
• gentle
• easy to be entreated 
• full of patience
• full of long-suffering
• being temperate in all things
• being diligent in keeping the commandments
• Asking for whatever you stand in need of
• this includes both spiritual and temporal 
• Always thanking God 

Humility

Humility in the gospel means that one seeks for correction. The humble are those who recognize that they know nothing and therefore are not surprised when greater truth comes along and corrects their previous understanding. 

The Lord can only teach us what we are willing to handle. Many of us think we know enough and therefore don't seek to learn more, to have our understanding adjusted. Those who believe the know enough then shut themselves out from receiving more. They can't progress; they can't grow line-upon-line, precept-upon-precept. 

The Lord, in teaching Abraham about the eternal laws and the ordering of the universe, revealed an important principle relevant for us. The Lord taught: 

16 If two things exist, and there be one above the other, there shall be greater things above them; therefore Kolob is the greatest of all the Kokaubeam that thou hast seen, because it is nearest unto me.

17 Now, if there be two things, one above the other, and the moon be above the earth, then it may be that a planet or a star may exist above it; and there is nothing that the Lord thy God shall take in his heart to do but what he will do it.

18 Howbeit that he made the greater star; as, also, if there be two spirits, and one shall be more intelligent than the other, yet these two spirits, notwithstanding one is more intelligent than the other, have no beginning; they existed before, they shall have no end, they shall exist after, for they are gnolaum, or eternal. (Abraham 3) 

Simply put, whether it deals with celestial bodies or intelligences, where there are two things and one is greater than the others, it also follows that there is something greater than both of those. 

This means that no matter what position you are in the world, whatever knowledge you possess, there is always greater knowledge that you don't possess that someone else does. Because the humble recognize this, they are the only ones who grow in light and truth. 

Patience and Long-Suffering 

The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith an important principle about how to make the priesthood operative in our life. 

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

What does it mean to be patient and long-suffering? One way we show patience and long-suffering is when reaching out to share light and truth with other. Jospeh Smith taught, 

If I esteem mankind to be in error, shall I bear them down? No. I will lift them up, and in their own way too, if I cannot persuade them my way is better; and I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do, only by the force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 313) 

Asking of God

One sign of a follower of Christ is their willingness to ask God and inquire of him. Asking open up the doors to revelations. Asking is how we learn. Many people allow their faith the stagnate or even regress because they don't take the time to inquire of the Lord. Sadly, many depart from God upon hearing information that might cause them to doubt the restoration of the gospel. Instead of turning to God, they let the world be their source. 

The Lord deals with his people as a tender parent with a child, communicating light and intelligence and the knowledge of his ways as they can bear it. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 305).

We should not hesitate to inquire of God. To ask and learn from him. Some may believe that they do, but receive no answer. But sometimes answers don't come immediately. As we read with Alma (the Elder), his answer for wisdom on how to handle the wicked and unrepentant members of the church did not come until after might prayer, the pouring of his entire soul. 

Another step to improve your prayer is to align yourself with God. This comes from repentance and seeking after the gift of the Holy Ghost. When we receive the Holy Ghost, it acts as an intermediary for us, making up for what we lack. The Apostle Paul taught how the Holy Ghost serves as an intermediary. 

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[g] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

Here, Paul teaches that because the Spirit knows the mind of God, it knows how to intercede for us unto God. Thus the Spirit makes up for what we lack. And by doing this, makes it so our prayers are heard. 

The last way to ensure your prayer is heard is to pray sincerely and with real intent. To pray with real intent means that you are serious about what you're praying for. And to be serious means that you have thought deeply about your question or concern. In other words, you are not asking God something based on mere whim. 

You also need to know that what you're asking for is according to his will. To understand his will requires you to understand his character. This is what the scriptures are for -- to teach you about God's character by reading of people experiences with him and teaching about him. 

Search the scriptures--search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to his glory nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 11) 

Once you understand who God is by diligent study and prayer, then answers will come. 

Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to approach him, and how to ask so as to receive an answer. When we understand the character of God, and how to come to him, he begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to him, he is ready to come to us. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 350)

Last, consider this quote from Joseph Smith that encapsulates ideas already taught and also expands on others: 

Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive; and, at the same time, is more terrible to the workers of iniquity, more awful in the executions of His punishments, and more ready to detect every false way, than we are apt to suppose Him to be. He will be inquired of by His children. He says, "Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find;" but, if you will take that which is not your own, or which I have not given you, you shall be rewarded according to your deeds; but no good thing will I withhold from them who walk uprightly before me, and do my will in all things--who will listen to my voice and to the voice of my servant whom I have sent; for I delight in those who seek diligently to know my precepts, and abide by the law of my kingdom; for all things shall be made known unto them in mine own due time, and in the end they shall have joy. (Aug. 27, 1842.) DHC 5:134-136 

7:24 --- Abounding in Good Works

As taught by Alma in chapter 5, God will measure us by the works we produce (bring forth). We, as imagers of God, made in his image, are to bring forth goodness into the world. It's not enough to refrain from doing bad actions. Coming unto God means bringing forth goodness into the world. To make the world a better place. To ensure that we are bringing forth good works, we need to have faith, hope and charity. 

• Faith is a trust in God that is animated by his promises which causes us to act. 

• Hope is a confident expectation that promises will be fulfilled based on assurance from God through signs and revelation. 

• Charity is (true and godly) love for others that is manifested for the wellbeing and concern of others over oneself. 

Why does possessing these attributes lead to us always abounding in good works? One reason is that each on these traits affects the way we receive the word and interact with it. 

Faith is a principle of action. To have faith requires us to act. This is because God's promises can only be fulfilled by acting to obtain it. 

Hope is what allows us to endure and not faint in our pursuit of seeking after God. Because hope is a confident expectation, a person who has hope is not being naively optimistic in the fulfillment of events, but has an assurance that future events will occur (at some point), which allows us to press forward and endure because they know something better awaits them in the future. 

Charity is the mindset that allows one to abound in good works. Because charity is a love that is manifested for the wellbeing and concern of others over oneself, a person who has charity is continually concerned about the welfare of others and how to relieve their suffering. Helping others leads to producing goodness in the world. The Lord's ministry was fully dedicated to serving and helping others. 

Yet charity, for most, and like all other attributes, is a gift from God. Most of us don't have charity. This is because the trait of charity is so contrary to what the world values. Rarely do we hear that we should set aside our own pursuits to help others. Thus charity needs to be sought. 

Again, Peter lays out the steps one takes to obtain charity. Let's review: 

5 And beside this [having received the Holy Ghost], giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 To receive the gift of the Holy Ghost we exercise faith. Once having established our faith (as faith can always grow) we move on to virtue and then to knowledge and so forth. The end result of having done this is that we progress until we obtain charity.