Alma 38

To Shiblon

(Let me try a new opener:) Hearken, my son! As I said to Helaman, keep God’s commandments and prosper, disregard them and suffer everlasting mega-consequences. (I’m trying to mix it up. I get tired of saying the same thing the same way.)

You’re a good boy, better than some others we know. You make me smile because you’re so steady. Steadiness wins in the end. (I have this concept for an allegory about a tortoise and a rabbit, but I’m still workshopping it.)

I especially admire your persistence with the Zoramites. You got, ahem, tied up and, ahem again, stoned. But you stayed patient, planted yourself. And for that God saved you. He likes that stuff.

Keep trusting God and you’ll always wriggle out of trouble. Good trouble, I mean, not the kind that comes from stupidity.

I always note that I’m not stating my opinion. I’m saying only what God told me to say. How you take that assertion, of course, is up to you.

But, I go back to my tale of how the angel came and insisted I stop persecuting for a living, how he had a face (which he stuck in mine) and the loudest voice on earth. Seismic. Seventy-two hours of gnawing emotional pain, till I called for Jesus, who forgave and pacified me.

He’s the only method for getting peace, I think, not to mention not burning in hell. He’s the real, non-flammable light of conscience in this world. Some call him “The Word.” That sounds good, so long as you have a good word in mind. Which I trust you to do.

We also casually refer to our messages as “the word,” by which we mean the scriptural canon on which we rely. Be as persistent doing so as you were wrestling off the Zoramite twine. At the same time, don’t overdo yourself.

Even though you’re so good, avoid self-absorption. And leave all bragging rights at the door. Be bold but not snotty. Bridle your obvious passion. And don’t be lazy. Relax but don’t get lax.

You remember that idiotic and highly offensive Zoramite praying:

“OthankyouGodthatwearebetterthaneveryoneelse,” etc. That’s toxic. Just admit how unworthy you are all the time. How could anyone earn this beautiful world? Let alone the grace that leads to eternal life.

God bless you—not just a cliché for sneezing’s aftermath. I mean God. Bless. You. Short-term, long-term. And keep preaching the way I taught you. Farewell.