What Makes The Difference?

     In the Book of Mormon there are two incidents that are almost the same, but each ends with a different result! Why? Well, perhaps a short sketch of the incidents is necessary, right? Each has to do with missionaries teaching the Lord's gospel. So on to the incidents!

     Ammon, the missionary, did some things for the Lamanite King Lamoni, that had the king stumped and without words. Ammon asked what the problem was and then through the Spirit told King Lamoni what his (the king's) thoughts were. King Lamoni was astounded to think that Ammon knew what he was thinking and wanted to know how! So Ammon explained that the God helped him and then he continued to teach King Lamoni the gospel.  Lamoni accepted Ammon's words and sought for the Lord. Later he and many of his people accepted the Lord's gospel and became a righteous people.

     Aaron, the missionary, was teaching a group of Amalekites and Amulonites, and did the same thing as Ammon. He knew their thoughts and told them. And their response? "How knowest thou the thought and intent of our hearts?" And as Aaron tried to teach them the gospel, as Ammon had to King Lamoni, this was the result: ". . . they were angry with him, and began to mock him; and they would not hear the words  which he spake."

     Okay! What makes the difference here? Was it the missionaries? (And just as a note of interest, Ammon and Aaron were brothers.) Was it their way of teaching? Or was it the people they were teaching? 

     The missionaries were both serving the Lord and had the Lord's spirit to direct them in righteousness! The difference was the hearts and minds of the people listening to them! King Lamoni and his people were willing to open their hearts and minds and seek confirmation from the Lord. The Amalekites and Amulonites hardened their hearts and closed their minds to the word of God. And that makes all the difference in the world as to what happened.

     So why is this important? All the scriptures are lessons for us to learn from! What can we learn from these incidents? Well, it is in US as to how we respond to the Lord and His teachings. It is in US how we respond to His leaders here upon the earth today! It is in US to make the choice of having an open mind and heart that then seeks to receive confirmation for ourselves or to shut down and walk away!!