Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

This week in Sunday School on the Island of Misfit Toys, we studied the last few chapters of the book of Mosiah. Before his experience of being "touched by an angel," so to speak, Alma the Younger was something of an insufferable punk:

"He became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities" (Mosiah 27:8; emphasis added).

As I have the opportunity to read and study the Book of Mormon again this year, one of my principal foci (focuses?), since it was a book written for our day, after all, is to pay particular attention to the similarities between the days of the Nephites and Lamanites and our time. And the similiarities are abundant. Sometimes, it's a little scary just how close our two societies resemble each other, keeping in mind things like the Pride Cycle and the number of times the people were compelled to be humble through their sufferings.

The problem with flattery is that it's based on telling people what they want to hear rather than what they ought to hear. It often employs partial or half-truths but ends up being lies nonetheless. I think Nephi would have called it "carnal security."

We are constantly flattered by politicians (egad, we're facing in November the most frightening election in my lifetime), celebrities, media, etc. Even our peers sometimes flatter us, principally through social media. This flattery stuff is rarely, if ever, a good thing.

Elsewhere this week, I re-read a message by Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve:

"Sometimes, the adversary tempts us with false ideas that we may confuse with the Holy Ghost. . . . Faithfulness in obeying the commandments and keeping our covenants will protect us from being deceived. Through the Holy Ghost, we will be able to discern these false prophets who teach for doctrine the commandments of men."

Fortunately, Alma the Younger got the message, and through the Atonement became one of the most righteous people in the Book of Mormon. Humility replaced flattery, and he was completely changed for the better. His (and the sons of Mosiah) story is one of my very favorites in that wonderful book. It gives me hope that I can get to that place, too.