Alma 38-39

(April 15, 2015)

                I think that we each have a conceit that we are to not boast because we lack strength, but if we really had strength we could boast about it.  We consider this when we feel weak, because it accurately reflects our feeling of weakness but it also cleverly frees us up for a little bit of pride and boasting for those areas we feel legitimately up to snuff at.

                But even this is not appropriate.  Alma is quite clear with Shiblon – Shiblon admittedly had great strength, but he was not to boast about even this trait.  The reason goes back to why we are not to boast – we don’t boast not because we lack strength but rather because the strength that we have is a gift from God and we have no claim on any glory that may come from it.