Question - Why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts?
Writing this entry has been one of the most edifying, and challenging, of my studies of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This entry actually revisits the subject of an earlier post that explored a similar question also asked by Nephi of his older brothers—Laman and Lemuel (Question - How is it ye are so hard in your hearts?). Then, the focus was on the precept of how our forgetfulness contributes to our hard heartedness. Through my continued study I have discovered that the theme of hard-heartedness is much more pervasive, important, and central to the Book of Mormon message than I had realized previously. More importantly, it needs to be much more pervasive, important, and central to my discipleship. Studying hard-heartedness has revealed more precepts that have strengthened my desire to become more repentant, and thereby drawing me closer to God. I trust there are more precepts to learn that will help me draw closer to God. My hope is this writing will help you on your journey to overcome and avoid hard-heartedness.
Of the 35 times derivations of ”hard heart” appear in scripture, 29 are in The Book of Mormon. A list of the Book of Mormon references to hard-heartedness of which I am currently aware are provided at the end of this entry. As you study you will find other characteristics like pride, deafness, blindness, and stiff-kneckedness often accompany references to hard-heartedness.
Hard-heartedness is introduced early in the Book of Mormon when Lehi’s family sets up camp early in their journey to the promised land and when Nephi’s heart is softened (see 1 Nephi 2:6-18). Thereafter, it is referenced or illustrated in a variety of ways concluding with Mormon’s observations about the depth of depravity to which the Nephites had descended because of their hard-heartedness (see Moroni 9:10). The importance of hard-heartedness is emphasized by The Savior himself during his Nephite ministry when he spoke specifically of the effect of hard-heartedness on the Gentiles in the latter-days (see 3 Nephi 20: 27-29 and 3 Nephi 21: 22-29).
Book of Mormon references suggests that hard-heartedness is a condition in which we choose to resist both God’s word being planted in our hearts and the accompanying call to repent. This condition can emerge whether someone has never previously known God’s word, have been called many times but resisted the word, or they are the child of a prophet having grown up surrounded by the word. Receptivity to God’s word and the accompanying call to repent seem to be the litmus tests of whether we are hard-hearted or not. Long-run, the consequences of hard-heartedness are dire. Left unchecked, hard-heartedness leads to captivity by Satan and the things of this world, and eventual spiritual and temporal destruction. Unsurprisingly, hard-heartedness can be directed at both God and neighbor as a frontal assault on the first and second commandments—love of God and love of neighbor.
Of all the many times hard-heartedness is mentioned, I feel impressed to focus on one of the greatest concentrations of references to hard-heartedness found in the Book of Mormon. It is found in the story of Alma, Amulek, the lawyer Zeezrom, and the people of Ammonihah (see Alma 8-15). Alma’s ministry to Ammonihah was part of a “great check” among the Nephites as to “the pride of their hearts”— another way of referencing hard-heartedness. As a result, “the people began to humble themselves before God...to assemble themselves...to worship God...watching and praying continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and from death, and from destruction” (Alma 15:17).
The exception was the people of Ammonihah, where they “remained a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people; and they repented not of their sins, ascribing all the power of Alma and Amulek to the devil.” These “were of the profession of Nehor, and did not believe in the repentance of their sins” (Alma 15:15). The “profession of Nehor'' is an important topic for another time. After rejecting Alma and Amulek and committing incredible atrocities against the believers who remained in the city, the city of Ammonihah was destroyed in one day by the Lamanites (see Alma 16:9-10).
During the prior decade, Nephite disciples of Christ had become very wealthy, far more than those who did not belong to the Church (see Alma 1:31). In the midst of this wealth they survived a political uprising led by Amlici and his followers who wanted to make Amlici king of the Nephites. Eventually these traitors aligned with an army of the Lamanites. The alliance led to a bloody series of battles with significant loss of life on all sides before Amlici and his followers were defeated—all the result of hard-heartedness on the part of the Nephites (see Alma 2-3).
Emerging from this turmoil, “the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches” and a wide range of possessions, by which they were “lifted up in the pride of their eyes.” What was the evidence of this pride? “...they began to wear very costly apparel” (Alma 4:6). Here we see it again, a focus on temporal outward appearance, particularly through clothing, over inward substance (see http://www.themostcorrectbook.org/2017/10/neat-and-comely.html for a discussion of apparel and pride in the Book of Mormon).
Understandably, this state of the church weighed upon Alma and other church leaders. Furthermore, all of this “wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress…” and “...the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.” To make matters even worse, Alma “saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted” (Alma 4:7-12). Left uncheck, destruction, which they had just avoided, loomed.
Given this state of affairs in the church and society at large, Alma resigned his position as chief judge of the Nephite people “that he himself might go forth among his people...that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them” (Alma 4:19). A precept to be derived here is that we can reach a point in our hard-heartedness when all that can be done is for prophets to bear down in pure testimony against the people. When such happens in our own lives it would be well for us to ask if we have become hard-hearted.
Alma performed a remarkable ministry throughout the land of Zarahemla, Gideon, and Melek and the people generally responded positively, although with significant effort on Alma’s part (see Alma 5-7). Then, Alma went to the land of Ammonihah. In this city “Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people.” Alma “labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that” God would:
“pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city,” and
“also grant that Alma might baptize the people unto repentance” (Alma 8:9-10)
In response, the people of Ammonihah “hardened their hearts” and rejected Alma and his message and “caused that he should be cast out of their city.” As he sorrowfully journeyed away from the city an angel appeared and instructed him to return. In response, Alma “returned speedily” (Alma 8:14-18) and met a prominent man of the city named Amulek (see Alma 10:2-4) who had been prepared by the Lord to host Alma as he prepared to preach. Amulek himself had hardened his heart “many times” prior to being visited by an angel and commanded to host Alma (see Alma 10:5-11). Unbeknownst to him, by hosting Alma, Amulek himself was being prepared to confront one of his fellow citizens of Ammonihah, Zeezrom, whom he likely knew, since they were both men of reputations (see Alma 10:4 and 10:31).
Eventually Alma is commanded to take Amulek with him and try one more time to deliver the message to the people of Ammonihah to repent or be destroyed. In the process of delivering their message they were introduced to a prominent attorney named Zeezrom who tried to trap Amulek “in his words.” Amulek was inspired to know Zeezrom’s plan and rebuked him (Alma 9-11). When Alma saw that Zeezrom realized that he had been exposed he stepped into the conversation. What follows in Alma 12 is language drenched in precepts, that if abided by, can help us avoid hard-heartedness, increase our desire to repent, and thereby draw us closer to God.
The turning point came when Zeezrom allowed God’s word, delivered through Amulek, to penetrate his heart. As a result, Zeezrom became astonished and began to tremble. This redemptive turbulence led Zeezrom “to inquire of them [Alma and Amulek] diligently, that he might know more concerning the kingdom of God.” Amulek chose to soften his heart by allowing the word of God spoken through Amulek into his heart. Zeezrom was no longer trying to trap Alma and Amulek. Instead, he wanted to know about something Amulek had said concerning “the resurrection of the dead.” Specifically he asked, “What does this mean which Amulek hath spoken concerning the resurrection of the dead, that all shall rise from the dead, both the just and the unjust, and are brought to stand before God to be judged according to their works?” (Alma 12:8). A precept to be derived from all this is that the type of questions we ask can indicate whether we are choosing to be hard-hearted. There is nothing like the questions we ask that expose the state of our spiritual heart health. With Zeezrom’s inspired question, a floodgate of intense light was opened to Zeezrom and all in view of this exchange—including us.
What follows are key precepts regarding hard-heartedness. Alma began to answer Zeezrom’s question “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” (Alma 12:9). Here is a precept for every sincere seeker of truth—obedience to God’s word and will opens knowledge about God that can only come through divine revelation. This is very much aligned with our Savior’s declaration that “He that doeth the will of the Father shall know of the doctrine, whether I speak of God or whether I speak of myself” (See John 7:17). In spiritual matters, we only truly know as much as we heed. True gospel learning requires the heart and mind. When our heart is hard there are limitations on what our mind can comprehend.
Therefore, it stands to reason that, “he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word.” Another precious precept for the latter-day disciple. However, “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” (Alma 12:10). There is much more to learn about these mysteries and fullness, but it requires we choose to not be hard-hearted—another precious precept.
Returning to those who “will harden their hearts,” Alma explained that “to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries.” What a contrast to those who choose not to be hard-hearted. What makes such spiritual ignorance so bad is that left unchecked the hard-hearted are then “taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction.” Because misery loves company, the captive often attempt to drag others down as well. The irony is that such individuals think that they are in control and doing their own thing when, in fact, they are being carefully led down to hell (or captivated - see 2 Nephi 28:21). They, and those who follow them, give away their agency to the devil. Unless we open our hearts to God’s word we become party to the deception of others, sometimes ignorantly, and sometimes knowingly. Regardless, we will lead others into captivity with us. “Now this,” being taken captive and led by Satan’s will down to destruction, “is what is meant by the chains of hell” (Alma 12:11). Satan is typically very careful in captivating others. He has had a lot of practice in his craft. Therefore, unless we receive God’s word we become very vulnerable to Satan’s efforts to deceive and captivate.
Alma then explained the certainty of death and God’s judgement noting the consequences of our words, works, and thoughts, which would lead to our being captivated by the devil. In response to Alma’s explanation of these truths, “the people began to be more astonished” (Alma 12:12-19). Some of this astonishment is not doubt due to their realizing the trap in which they were caught, but also the redemption and resulting freedom that was being offered.
With Zeezrom no longer trying to entrap Alma and Amulek, another lawyer, Antionah, steps forward to again try and entrap Alma and Amulek by asking his own questions:
What is this that thou hast said, that man should rise from the dead and be changed from this mortal to an immortal state, that the soul can never die?
What does the scripture mean, which saith that God placed cherubim and a flaming sword on the east of the garden of Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and live forever?
He concluded with “And thus we see that there was no possible chance that they should live forever” (Alma 12:20-21). As with Zeeozrom’s original questions, Antionah’s questions were to argue his point of view and entrap rather than seek for the light that might correct him. In Antionah’s stepping forward we are given another important precept. Whenever one of Satan’s followers is exposed and opens their heart to God’s word there is often another who quickly takes their place to pursue Satan’s agenda. Their questions are intended to justify oneself and entrap, not edify. Furthermore, their questions simply display the depth of their ignorance and deception. They, like Satan, are determined to deceive, not enlighten, others. Because Alma enjoyed the gift of the Holy Ghost, he was already anticipating Antionah’s questions.
Alma explained the choice made by Adam and Eve and the plan of salvation emphasizing the reality of death, resurrection, and judgement. Furthermore, he explained that God, having established this plan, chose to reveal the plan to Adam and Eve and has done so since then by sending messengers to his children on earth according to their faith, repentance, and holy works. Through these messengers God also “gave commandments unto men” after Adam’s and Eve’s transgression. Why? Because they had embarked on the path to “becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good.” In other words, they, we, are on a path of agency. “Therefore God gave unto [us] commandments, after having made known unto [us] the plan of redemption, that [we] should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness.” Why reveal such truths? “...for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God.” This is serious business with serious consequences—the business of this life and the freedom to choose.
In an effort to help his children, “God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid).” Here we have a wonderful insight as to at least one meaning of “in the name of his Son.” It is “the plan of redemption.” The “name of Christ” is much more than a label we assume. It encompasses the work in which Christ is engaged—to save mankind. Therefore, when we take upon ourselves the name of Christ we are agreeing to shoulder the work in which Christ is engaged—the work of salvation. Given this, unsurprisingly, the call of God to his children—”If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son.” This is simply another way of summarizing the plan of redemption. We are back to where Alma started—repentance and hard-heartedness. Both are critical and synergistic choices we each must make.
Repentance has been defined as “a turning of the heart and will to God” (Bible Dictionary - https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/repentance?id=p1#p1). The more we choose to repent (turn our hearts to God) the less we choose to be hard-hearted and the more we receive of God’s word. The more we choose to not be hard-hearted the more we receive of God’s word and the more we choose to repent. Doing so sets and keeps us on a path to eventually receive a fullness of knowledge and joy as we remain on the covenant path, following Christ’s example. These are critical precepts for the latter-day disciple.
In addition, those who choose to repent and not harden their hearts “shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.” However, “whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest.” Given this, Alma declared, “that if ye will harden your hearts ye shall not enter into the rest of the Lord; therefore your iniquity provoketh him that he sendeth down his wrath upon you as in the first provocation, yea, according to his word in the last provocation as well as the first, to the everlasting destruction of your souls; therefore, according to his word, unto the last death, as well as the first.” Another precious precept for the latter-day disciple.
In conclusion, Alma implored, “now, my brethren, seeing we know these things, and they are true, let us repent, and harden not our hearts, that we provoke not the Lord our God to pull down his wrath upon us in these...commandments, which he has given unto us; but let us enter into the rest of God, which is prepared according to his word” (Alma 12:22-37). What a magnificent precept for the disciple of any age, but none more so than now. The simplicity and directness of Alma’s instruction is a great protection to the latter-day disciple.
There is much more that I could share, but I feel constrained. Instead, I invite you to consider the following Book of Mormon references to enrich your understanding of hard-heartedness and the associated precepts you can abide by and thereby draw closer to God. Write what you learn. As you feel inspired, share what you learn with others and encourage them to not choose hard-heartedness. The Book of Mormon provides a treasure trove regarding the nature of hard-hardenness, what contributes to it, how it is overcome, what results from it, etc. I invite you to feast upon the word regarding hard-heartedness:
1 Nephi 2:6-18
1 Nephi 7:6-12
1 Nephi 12:14-23
1 Nephi 13:26-27
1 Nephi 14:5-7
1 Nephi 15:1-11
1 Nephi 16:21-22
1 Nephi 17:17-19, 44-46
2 Nephi 1:16-19
2 Nephi 25:1-13
Jacob 1:15-18; 2
Jarom 1:3-4
Mosiah 11-13
Alma 1:1-6
Alma 4:6-13
Alma 9:1-6, 30-31
Alma 10:1-6
Alma 12
Alma 13:3-5
Alma 14:9-11
Alma 15:13-15
Alma 22:21-23
Alma 30:29, 44-47
Alma 33:19-23
Alma 35:14-16
Helaman 6:34-36
Helaman 13:5-8
3 Nephi 2:1-3
3 Nephi 7:15-22
3 Nephi 20: 27-29
3 Nephi 21: 22-29
Mormon 1:15-19
Mormon 3:11-16
Ether 4:6-17
Ether 15:18-19
Moroni 9:10
As I wrote at the beginning of this writing, the past several months spent studying the precepts related to hard-heartedness found in the Book of Mormon have been among the richest of my 50 plus years feasting upon the word of God. Like Nephi, as I have grown in my determination to not harden my heart and to repent, the Lord has visited me and softened my heart that I do believe all the words we are blessed to have in the Book of Mormon (see 1 Nephi 2:16) and eagerly seek to be given more through his latter-day messengers—particularly God’s latter-day prophets and apostles. I fully expect that as I receive more it will require more repenting on my part, which opens me more to more of God’s word—what a wonderful eternal round. My invitation is for you to do the same.
PS - as a bonus, I invite you to carefully ponder the message and precepts found in Doctrine & Covenants 84:24 relative to the importance of overcoming hard-heartedness.
