One of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon is Alma 26. Ammon and his brothers are returning to the land of the Nephites with the thousands of converted Lamanites. I've always imagined this like a missionary reunion where they gather together and swap missionary stories. I can picture Ammon standing up, and with the excitement of a new RM, recounting how thrilling it was to go into the land of their enemy and being able to baptize so many even with the odds firmly against them. "Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might ..." (Alma 26:5)
I can also picture the small remaining sibling rivalry that leads Aaron to 'rebuke' his brother. 'You're getting a little conceited there brother.' But Ammon's response reminds us that the difference between pride in ourselves and praise to the Lord is our focus and motivation. "But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God." (Alma 26:11)
This time of the year, lots of people like to write the obligatory Facebook posts or emails about all the things they are thankful for all month long. I have to be honest, to me they sometimes have come across as boasting. 'Look at all the things I have that I bet you wish you did.' I want to rebuke them like Aaron did and stop them form bragging so much. But, Ammon reminds me that if the motives are pure, being thankful is not boasting in one's self, but boasting in our God who gave it all to us.
So write your posts. Make your lists. Let us all "boast in [our] God, for in his strength [we] can do all things"! (Alma 26:12)
Happy Thanksgiving!
