9 - And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
How many know the mysteries of God? Of those that do know these things, are only great prophets included? Is God a respecter of persons? What does this imply about who can possibly be a part of this group that is privileged to know the mysteries of God? Of those that have knowledge of the mysteries of God, why are they given strict commandments not to share? How do we ( children of men ), get more of a portion of his word? What does the word 'heed' mean? Does it imply action in response to information given? In this same context, does the word 'diligence' mean that once you have received and acted upon information received that we should actively seek more information? How do you go about actively seeking for more information from God?
10 - And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
Just like in 3 Nephi 26:6-11 there are two categorizations given of the word, the lesser and the greater. What does it mean to receive the word of God? Is that the same as hearing it? Is it the same as acting upon the principle taught in the word of God? Is it more than hearing and acting? Is the heart somehow involved? How do you go about making your heart hard? How do you go about making your heart soft? Having a hard or soft heart appears to be of great eternal importance. Do you want to know the mysteries of God? Do you want to know them in full? Have a soft heart and it is possible.
11 - And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.
Here for the second time, it is mentioned that those who harden their hearts will receive the lesser portion of the word. Why is this warning given twice in the span of two verses? What effect does having a hard heart have on our knowledge of the mysteries of God? Where does having the lesser portion of the word and not softening your heart lead to? Whose will is leading you at that point?
One of the names of the Savior is The Word. Are you content to have a lesser portion of His truth, or do you want to have the greater portion of His truth? On one hand you have stagnation and status quo which leads to one being bound by the chains of hell. On the other hand, you have eternal progression which leads to knowing the mysteries of God in full. We are place here in our mortal lives to choose between those two paths.
...Great things 2 ponder upon.
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