“Be True to God and His Work—Excerpts,” For the Strength of Youth, Nov. 2022.
Be True to God and His Work
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One of the most compelling examples in the scriptures of … concerns about seeking a testimony of God’s work and Jesus Christ is set forth in Alma’s counsel to his three sons—Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton. …
Alma’s first concern … was that each have a testimony of Jesus Christ and be true to God and His work.
… Shiblon was righteous, like his brother Helaman. The counsel I want to emphasize is Alma 38:12, which reads in part, “See that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love.”
… The body is not evil—it is beautiful and essential—but some passions, if not used properly and appropriately bridled, can separate us from God and His work and adversely impact our testimony. …
In addition to controlling anger and bridling other passions, we need to lead pure moral lives by controlling our thoughts, language, and actions. …
Because Corianton had engaged in immorality, it was necessary for Alma to teach him about repentance. …
So Alma’s preventive counsel was to bridle passions, but his counsel for those who have transgressed was to repent. …
None can return to God by his or her own good works alone; we all need the benefit of the Savior’s sacrifice. All have sinned, and it is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can obtain mercy and live with God.