Rewarded Unto Righteousness

"And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness. These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil. Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved." - Alma 41:6-8

We are able to choose for ourselves whether we will desire good or evil. The way has been prepared by Christ. We will be "rewarded unto righteousness" if we repent and are obedient to his will. The main thing is that if is our choice. We determine our outcome in the next life by the choices we make now.

The scriptures bring us to Christ

"And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls. Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer." - Alma 37:8-9

The scriptures are a powerful tool in bringing others to Christ. This is because they contain the words of the prophets which were received by the prophets from God. These powerful words invite the Holy Ghost. The scriptures also contain the testimonies and good examples from the prophets. These sacred writings also invite the spirit and strengthen our resolve to keep the commandment and to build our relationship with God. Plus, the scriptures were written specifically for the purpose of bringing us to God. As a result those who study the scriptures and apply the principles will come to know God. (See also John 17:3 and John 7:17.)

Obedience brings peace

"Now their dead were not numbered because of the greatness of their numbers; neither were the dead of the Nephites numbered—but it came to pass after they had buried their dead, and also after the days of fasting, and mourning, and prayer, (and it was in the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi) there began to be continual peace throughout all the land. Yea, and the people did observe to keep the commandments of the Lord; and they were strict in observing the ordinances of God, according to the law of Moses; for they were taught to keep the law of Moses until it should be fulfilled." - Alma 30:2-3

Peace comes as a result of obedience. As we are obedient to God we will find peace.

Defining Family

"... The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. ..." - The Family: A Proclamation to the World

There should be no confusion as to how the family is defined. We have it defined by prophets of God as marriage between man and woman where children are born into the bonds of matrimony. This isn't a fairy-tale definition, it is how our Father intended it to be. This family, we learn, is central to his plan for our eternal destiny.

It is interesting that we are told that the family unit is central to God's plan. As a key component of the plan we can know that it is something that is very important. It is not a trivial thing to redefine the family to fit personal situations and feelings. In so doing we risk bringing the judgments of God upon us.

Overcome Pride

"Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you." - Jacob 2:17

This is great counsel on how to overcome and avoid pride. It is also an excellent way to develop charity.

Sacred Ordinances Point Us To Christ

"Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord. " - Alma 13:16

Alma tells us that in Christ we have a "remission" of sins. We know that Christ will take away the sin and stain from our lives if we come to him, but that does not prevent us from going back to our old ways. Not only will Christ take our sins, he will also take away our desire for sin; if we submit ourselves to him. When this change happens in our life we must be vigilant in following Christ. As we continue in the word of Christ, we will have the power given to us from him to stay clean from and avoid the captivity of sin. Keeping free of sin will enable us to one day enter into "the rest of the Lord."

It is also interesting that Alma says the ordinances of the gospel, a key ordinance being baptism by immersion, were given so that we might know how to "look forward on the Son of God." All ordinances given by the Lord to his people have been for this purpose, in addition to providing for his people an opportunity to make sacred covenants with him. Knowing this, it is no surprise that God provides us with so many opportunities to participate in sacred ordinances.

Saved

"I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins." - Alma 5:21

This is the one and only way to be saved in the kingdom of God. If we are not worthy we will not be redeemed. We become worthy by cleansing ourselves with the atoning blood of Christ and keeping his commandments.