<< THEY TAUGHT WITH POWER
AND AUTHORITY >>
Alma 17-22
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(1.) PROSELYTIZING AND THE
JEWS:
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The chapters being considered in this lesson deal with proselytizing
in a very genuine way. Proselytizing is an anathema to Jews and that is why
proselytizing to Jews is considered part of "antisemitism." Yet, one
of the Hasidic groups of the Jews, the Habad, makes quite a
"propaganda" effort to convert Jews (and others) to become more
orthodox or actually convert to Judaism.
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(2.) SERVICE TO NEIGHBORS:
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Outside the realm of proselytizing, Israel as a nation, seeks opportunities to
be of service to surrounding nations. Recent earthquakes in nearby Turkey and
fires in neighboring Cyprus brought scores of Israelis with equipment to their
rescue operations. Recent history also includes accounts of Israelis protecting
the late King Hussein in neighboring Jordan from assassination attempts.
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(3.) AMMON SERVES:
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In
the Book of Mormon's accounts of rescues and unusual service, Ammon takes the
opportunity afforded him because of his service to the king, to take the King
back to the thing he believed (the great spirit) and then bring him forward to
an understanding of who the "great spirit" was.
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(4.) AN AMMON-LIKE FUTURE
FOR ISRAEL?
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Ammon's experience might be a parallel to what may eventually
happen to the Jews in Israel. There is a foundation of the kind of faith
described in Ammon's account in some of the people in Israel. Given a chance to
stop and start again, many have the character to follow the Lord's spirit and be
part of miraculous experiences. Just look what they've already done without the
gifts of spirit and priesthood in building a nation and restoring the land.
Modern religious Jews are anticipating the return of prophets (Elijah, Moses,
Joseph, and David - just to mention a few) to come with power and authority to
restore the ancient kingdom and temple.
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(5.) HOW MANY VIEWS OF THE
MIDDLE-EAST ARE A PACK OF LIES?
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The challenges lie in the conflict of
ideologies and ethnic misunderstandings of some that are widely echoed in media
reports. The father of Lamoni was gripped with the rhetoric and even the
"pack of lies" of his days. It created the animosity he felt. That
kind of animosity exists in Israel, both with Arabs and Jews, fed by untruths
that a few continue to propagate. In some instances, force needs to be used to
stop the hatred that develops.
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(6.) WHEN SHOULD FORCE BE
USED?
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At times, Ammon chose to show his beliefs through force that had
righteous intent. The force was necessary to protect property or to save
someone. A look at modern Israel might be compared to these accounts. This could
help in determining the length that Israel had to go to, or is going or might
yet have to go to in fulfilling its God-given destiny.
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(7.) ORSON HYDE'S PROPHETIC
VIEW OF ISRAEL'S DESTINY:
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". . . it is Thy good
pleasure to restore the kingdom unto Israel raise up Jerusalem as its capital,
and constitute her people a distinct nation and government, with David Thy
servant, even a descendant from the loins of ancient David to be their
king."
"Let that nation or that
people who shall take an active part in behalf of Abraham's children, and in
the raising up of Jerusalem, find favor in Thy sight . . . while that nation
or kingdom that will not serve Thee in this glorious work must perish,
according to Thy word -- Yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted."
(History of the Church, vol. 4, pp. 456-57.)
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(8.) REAL PEACE HAS POWER
AND AUTHORITY:
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The connection to the past and its recall can often take us
beyond our present narrow focus and get beyond our present concerns. Even in
their fallen state and distant from their forefather's connection to their
homeland, they called a new city, Jerusalem, City of Shalom, City of Peace.
Every time peace prevailed, it was as a result of righteous "power and
authority." And those that have it . . . quite naturally want to share it!
