Cortaro Young Men

On Sunday, the teachers quorum discussed why we should serve missions. This was on my mind as I read about Alma and Amulek today.  I want to share a little about one thing we didn't discuss - mission companions.  I benefitted immensely from my experiences with my companions. At the very least, I learned ways to make the best of a difficult relationship. At best, I gained a brother for life. I believe that Alma and Amulek had a lot of brotherly love for each other. Their mission to Ammonihah was really difficult. I think the fact that they did it together created the strong bond that made them bros for life.  A couple months ago, I shot a message to my MTC companion. I heard back from him today. His recollection was "Last I recall seeing you, you had a bad case of pink eye and were on a train headed north to Paris."  It has been more than 15 years since that day and probably close to as long since we've heard from each other at all, but I still feel a strong bond ...

One thing that I've been thinking about while reading the Book of Mormon this time has been the rebirth of societies and groups of people. I just finished reading about how the society tied to King Noah crumbled due to wickedness. I think this wickedness was widespread, not limited to Noah and his priests. Mosiah 11:26 says that it was initially the general populace, not King Noah, who threw Abinadi out. Verse 29 says that they were blinded and hard-hearted.  Abinadi's warnings were ultimately fulfilled due to these Nephites' failure to repent and change. Their society in the Land of Nephi was destroyed. The people who weren't killed or scattered were made slaves of the Lamanites. It was at this point that they humbled themselves and decided to change.  Alma and the people who followed him humbled themselves and were spared much of what happened to their countrymen, even though they underwent a period of enslavement themselves.  I really like how the story ends fo...

I was reading 2 Nephi 13 this morning and was reminded again of one of my favorite stories from my childhood. The verse that triggered it was 24. After describing the superficial ornamentation used by some prideful women seeking to appear beautiful, we are told the truth about what really lies beneath: 24 And it shall come to pass, instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth; burning instead of beauty. The story is called "Sammy" by Louis Sachar. It takes place in a magical elementary school.  14. Sammy It was a horrible, stinky, rainy day. Some rainy days are fun and exciting, but not this one. This one stunk. All the children were wet and wore smelly raincoats. The whole room smelled awful.   "Ooooh, it stinks in here," said Maurecia.  Everybody laughed. But she was right.  There was one good thing, however. There was a new boy in class....