Day 199 Preaching the Word: More Powerful Than the Sword

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells His followers that they are the salt of the earth, and in the same sentence offers a warning that savorless salt is good for nothing. Join me in an attempt to be savory salt as I share each day one verse of scripture and one small thought. Perhaps this small daily emphasis can lead to greater savor in your life, and ultimately you and I can be savory salt.

Hello, my friends and family, wherever you're listening from. Thank you for joining me and know that I'm cheering for your every success. When I say "preach," what comes to mind for you?

That's what we're going to take a look at today in Savory Salt. Welcome to Day 199. We are one day away from the big 200.

Today, you're going to be reading Alma chapter 30, verses 54 to 60. You will finish that chapter, and you will see at the end of that chapter that Satan does not uplift those who follow him and choose to obey him. He will leave them in their misery and destruction.

And then you also are going to read Alma chapter 31, verses 1 through 7. And you are going to see an interesting shift here. As Alma begins to see the Zoramites separating from the Nephites, he is going to feel sorrow for this, and he is going to say, "What else could possibly be done?" And then he is going to have an idea—an idea that he actually practiced before and he has seen the results.

And so he is going to return to what works, and that is what takes us to our verse for the day in Alma chapter 31, verse 5. What does Alma choose to do? Here's what verse 5 says. "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just, yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword or anything else which had happened unto them.

Therefore, Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the Word of God." I love this because it seems so simple, and I should even just remove the idea that it seems. My friends, it is so simple. Preach the Word.

Now, there's an interesting combo there. First of all, when "preach" is said, what comes to mind for you? Thank you for watching.

He is going to go amongst the Zoramites, and he is going to open his mouth. He is going to teach them. He is going to preach unto them.

And if you are sitting there saying, "Oh, I don't, I don't really like to open my mouth in those scenarios," you know, "I kind of let people just kind of bygones be bygones and let people be," there seems to be a necessary piece here of preaching where you're willing to share with others. I know there are some concepts about showing others by example, but I'm pretty sure what Allen was talking about here is opening your mouth. Share.

Now, what do you share? That's the second half of this: Preaching of the Word. What word?

As we get down to the end of the verse here, "that they should try the virtue of the Word of God." What do you preach to others? You preach from the scriptures. I love how inside of "Preach My Gospel," there are little bits and pieces of things that you can teach others, and then they are surrounded in those bits and pieces with scriptures.

I love how missionaries are learning today to teach and preach from the scriptures. Use the words of God. In fact, they're virtuous.

I love how it says "the virtue of the Word of God." Use those words. We are told here, and Alma knew from experience, that they are more powerful than the sword or anything else when it comes to helping people return to their just living. My friends, part of becoming a little more savory is increasing in your willingness to open your mouth and testify of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Testify at whatever level you know or believe it to be true. Whatever scriptures come to mind for you, whatever scriptures you know, whatever those things are, share them with others. And let's watch and see what happens with our willingness to open our mouths and preach.

And just do as Alma says here at the tail end, "try the virtue of the Word of God." That's all for today, my friends. Remember that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. Keep it small, keep it simple, and always seek to be savory salt. I'll be here tomorrow, and I hope you are too.