Alma 37

Alma passes on responsibility for the plates to Helaman. Like Nephi and all the prophets after him, Alma does not understand the full purpose of keeping a record on the plates, but knows there is a special purpose for them beyond what they do for his people. In his charge to Helaman, Alma tells him that if he keeps the commandments, "no power of earth or hell can take them from you." But if he does not keep the commandments, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as chaff before the wind." That's a stern warning, but in a general way, that is true for each of us. Something that is sacred is regarded to be of the greatest value and should be treated with the utmost respect. By not keeping the commandments, we show disrespect for what is sacred and the Lord then takes what is sacred from us. We lose our ability to know and what was once sacred becomes common to us. Outside of the church, people in the world are generally losing a feel for what is sacred and what isn't. There is little that is held sacred and all that should respected is treated with a lack of interest at the least and disdain at the worst. Along with this comes a lack of civility. If we keep the commandments, nothing in this world can cause us to lose our testimonies or knowledge of what is true and sacred.

Nephi and Lehi had the Liahona to guide them. Alma explains to Helaman that this was a very simple thing. Live righteously and have faith in it and follow it's directions and they would travel safely and arrive where they were supposed to be. When they didn't, they lost their way, suffered from hunger and other afflictions. Alma explains that this is symbolic for both our temporal and spiritual lives, that our Liahona is the words of Christ. "For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course carry us beyond this vale os sorrow into a far better land of promise." I think most of understand that. But the important thing is what Helaman says next. "Do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way." The commandments are not hard. They are not extreme and do not ask us to do impossible things. And yet so much rides on our willingness to keep them. What a blessing it is in this confusing life to have this anchor that enables us to know we are on the right path where things will eventually work out as they should.