31 Look to God and Live
Look to God and
Live
Book of Mormon Videos https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/videos-and-images/book-of-mormon-videos?lang=eng
Alma 8:14
Alma felt anguish of soul when he looked around him and saw the wickedness of
the people. Remember that sadness is the appropriate emotion to grab. Anger
doesn’t breed kindness, hope, love, or a desire for a better outcome. Sorrow
shows love and compassion and a desire for change. What can I do? What would I
like to happen for others?
Alma 31:30
The wickedness of the people pained his soul. He knew that he’d been lost
before he repented too. He desires that the people repent and gain favor with
God.
Alma 35:15
Just like in Alma’s time, we see loved ones become offended because the
strictness of the word, and because God’s laws will never be flexible in
allowing wickedness or revision from truth.
What was Alma’s response? Not anger. Not revenge.
Not convincing people that they were inferior to him. His response was to share
the gospel of Jesus Christ, to be a missionary, and to invite others to join
him.
Alma 35:16
Alma gathered his family and talked them things pertaining to righteousness.
Are we equipping our children to know and feel the truth and to be prepared for
the dangers in the world around them?
Alma 38:9 “And
now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn
of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved,
only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of
the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness.”
I
can be born of God.
Alma 36; 38:5–6
Because Alma was visited by
an angel, and because of his sore repentance, his rebirth may appear to be more
dramatic. But even after that, he fasted and prayed many days to gain knowledge
and testimony.
Contemplate what it means to be born of God. Most of us have many spiritual,
even miraculous, experiences throughout our lives. Being born again has
everything to do with Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and forgiveness. Of
course it has to do with covenants and baptism too.
As a child, I was baptized and began to understand right from wrong. The Gift
of the Holy Ghost was an important Teacher for me from that point on. The words
“receive the Holy Ghost” are important. That is not a onetime reception, but a
conscience choice to invite Him and welcome Him into our lives every day, and
live in such a way that we can feel His presence with, and quickly recognize
when He shies away because of our choices. Those who live with the constant
companionship of the Holy Ghost, don’t want to be without this Friend.
Being born again also has to
do with wanting to please God and do His will, it has to do with submission,
submitting our will to the will of the Lord. It has to do with a broken heart
and a contrite spirit. It has to do with accepting light and truth and living
by it.
I believe that I was truly
born again (and received the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost) after Robby’s
death, by spending quiet moments in prayer and pondering, and yielding my
broken heart, and wounded soul to God. I felt Jesus visit me and tell me, Thy
sins are forgiven. At that time, I had no desire to do evil, and only wanted to
please him and follow Him.
Being born again has to do with loving God and loving our neighbors as
ourselves. It has to do with ministering and developing charity. I think it has
to do with trying to become more consistently closer to the Spirit and more
like our Savior and our Heavenly Father. It has to do with actually becoming
part of the Church of the Firstborn.
Alma 36:23 Alma
proclaimed that he’d been born of God.
38:6 From Alma receiving the
Holy Ghost, he was able to study, learn, and recognize spiritual truths.
Being born again, gives us a
greater love and appreciation for our Heavenly Father’s Plan and for our Savior
Jesus Christ who have made it possible for us to change our hearts and minds,
our attitudes, habits and desires, and be born again.
Mosiah 5:7
When our hearts are changed through faith in the name of Jesus Christ, we are
born of him and become His sons and daughters.
27:25–26 Everyone must be born again
in order to inherit the kingdom of God.
Alma 5:14 “And now behold, I ask of
you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of
God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this
mighty change in your hearts?”
22:15 “What shall I do that
I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do
that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out
of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may
not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give
up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may
receive this great joy.”
Helaman 3:35 “Nevertheless
they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and
stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ,
unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to
the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which
sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto
God.”
Video: Alma the Younger Is
Converted unto the Lord: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2020-03-0300-alma-the-younger-is-converted-unto-the-lord-mosiah-27-alma-36?lang=eng
For kids:
Repentance
brings me joy in Jesus Christ.
Alma
36:6–24
Alma 36:13, 17–20 Read
Alma’s account with children, and let them choose a smiley face or frowning
face (or a thumbs up or down to show how Alma was feeling. Are there words or
phrases that describe how he felt? What things make you feel sad? And what
things bring you joy?
Jesus
Christ replaces sorrow with joy.
Alma
36:12–24; 38:8–9
Some people are afraid of repentance, because change can be difficult and even painful. What type of changes can cause physical pain? What type of changes can cause spiritual pain? How about emotional pain?
What is the cost of not repenting? Which is of greater value?
Alma 36:6–17 verses 18–27 Look for how Alma describes
the pain of repenting of his sins and then how he contrasts that with the joy
of his redemption.
Alma 36:17–18 How did Alma receive
forgiveness? He remembered Jesus Christ and His purpose and mission, and he
prayed for Jesus to have mercy on him.
The
scriptures have been preserved “for a wise purpose.”
Alma 37
Do you appreciate and understand how important the
scriptures are to you in your life?
Blessings that come from having the scriptures, include:
1. The scriptures can confound the wise and bring to light their pretended sophistry.
2. Since there is more wisdom found in the word of God than by those who think they are wise, many souls are brought to salvation. Truth really can set us free.
3. The scriptures enlarge our memory (bringing to light truths we once knew and now recognize).
4. The scriptures can help us see the mistakes we are making, so that we can change our course.
5. The scriptures can bring us to a knowledge of our God, and to the salvation of our souls through Him.
6. The scriptures are powerful tools for missionary work. The convincing power of the Holy Ghost can be present when we witness of the truths found in the scriptures, and when others receive that in the Spirit of truth.
7. The scriptures can help us overcome generational challenges that have plagued our families because of false misconceptions.
8. The scriptures can bring us to repentance, and to a faith and hope in Jesus Christ, to the remission of our sins; whereby, we can rejoice in our Father’s Plan and in our Redeemer Jesus Christ.
9. The scriptures, through our faith and sharing the gospel, can reclaim many of our faltering brothers and sisters who have forsaken the truth, find their way back to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith and salvation.
10. Jesus preserved the scriptures, so that He could show forth His power to future generations, including ours.
11. We see the purposes of God being fulfilled as Latter-day scriptures are being shared, so that The Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ are working hand-in-hand in proving to the world that Jesus is the Christ.
12. If we give heed to the words of Christ, found in the scriptures, we will be able to stay on the gospel path and be land to safe ground and eventually to eternal life.
13. Vs 45 “The words of Christ [shall], if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.”
See AI lesson plan, The Scriptures Have Been Given to Me for
a Wise Purpose: https://aiandigospelstudy.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-scriptures-have-been-given-to-me.html
Alma
37:38–47 Look for how the Liahona and the scriptures, “the word of Christ”,
have the same function. (See notes below.)
Alma
37:40 How have you experienced the miracle and power of Christ’s teachings
day by day?
(You have to read His words day by day, and treasure them up. We ponder as we
make connections with previous learning and new understanding.)
As I Search the Holy Scriptures
Hymn 277: As I Search the Holy Scriptures: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/as-i-search-the-holy-scriptures?lang=eng
Video: Alma Testifies to His Son Helaman: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/alma-36-42/2020-03-0910-alma-testifies-to-his-son-helaman-alma-36-37-1080p?lang=eng
The scriptures teach us how to follow God
For kids:
“By
small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”
Alma
37:6–7
Demonstrate how small things can move great things. Things that use batteries or have gears or keys; or even how a Teddy Bear or favorite toy brings comfort.
Alma 37:6–7 What
are some small and simple things the Lord wants us to do?
What big things will the
Lord cause to happen if we do those small and simple things?
How about with your parents?
Do you ever have to eat some vegetables in order to get some ice cream? Is it
worth it?
Alma 37:6–7 If we
read the scriptures daily, and even we learn to put into practice his teachings
as we learn them, how is this like filling our lamps with oil, or a cup with
water, one drop at a time?
Will you make a plan to
bring about great things in your home, or at school, church, or work? What
simple steps can you take to put that into action?
‘Give,’ Said the Little Stream”
“By small
and simple things are great things brought to pass.”
Alma
37:1–14
Do you ever feeling like your problems are so big, that there is no way to work through them?
This lesson is for me. Bring it down into small and simple steps, and don’t listen to any disparaging or discouraging voices from without or from within. Look to God to help; He always will.
The Lord’s way is not to give us complicated solutions to our complicated problems. He invites us to yoke with Him.
Alma 37:1–14 Note ways that the Lord does His work; then, record ways you’ve seen this principle in action in your life. (See notes below.)
Think of ways that you can illustrate and teach this principle.
What are some small and simple things that you can do to get closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus?
How have your small and simple choices made a huge difference in your life?
For the Strength of Youth: A Guide to Making Choices Pick a topic and then ask, “How do my choices about this affect me and the people around me? What small and simple changes can I make that will lead to greater peace and happiness?”
Agency Study more about agency sometime.
Use small and simple things. Like many other things in life, gospel teaching and learning can be done through small and simple means. For example, how could a little bit of salt or yeast be used to teach the power of small and simple things? (see Matthew 5:13; 13:33).
Matthew 5:13 Be the salt of the earth!
13:33 A little leaven can raise the whole lump.
“Counsel
with the Lord.”
Alma
37:35–37
Alma
37:35–37 Alma invites his son Helaman to remember. He invites him to learn
to be wise while he is young; to learn to keep the commandments of God in his
youth. This is so important. We can establish habits that can later carry is
through difficult times.
Alma invites his son Helaman to pray all the time, everywhere, about everything;
and when he isn’t engaged in formal prayer to have his heart, thoughts, and
gratitude still directed to God.
35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in
thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
Choose one of these invitations to act upon in your own life.
Pray over your specific ministry: your family, your callings, your friends, and your ward family, especially those you’ve been asked to minister to. Remember to counsel with the Lord.
Note how the Lord is blessing you as you put these things into practice.
For kids:
The
scriptures can help me every day.
Alma
37:38–47
How can we help our children learn to love the scriptures, and the word of God found in them and in our prophets?
no. 68 Show a picture of the Liahona; let them draw one of their own if they’d like to.
How are the scriptures like the Liahona?
Alma 37:38–47 (See notes below)
1 Nephi 16:10, 28–29 The Liahona had spindles and sometimes a new writing to let the people know which direction they should go, in order to arrive in the promised land. The scriptures help us to Lord to Jesus Christ for our salvation and they teach us his doctrine. By following the principles and ordinances of His gospel, we can enter into a covenant relationship with Him, and we can find direction through the Holy Ghost, so that we are constantly fed by His Spirit and led in the right way.
Sharing my
testimony of Jesus Christ can strengthen people I love.
Alma 38
Learn from Alma’s words to his son Shiblon, how you can also
teach and strengthen your own family. Come up with some ideas of your own.
How can I strengthen and encourage the people I love in living the gospel of
Jesus Christ? (See notes below.)
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/36?lang=eng
Alma testifies to Helaman of his conversion after seeing
an angel—He suffered the pains of a damned soul; he called upon the name of
Jesus, and was then born of God—Sweet joy filled his soul—He saw concourses of
angels praising God—Many converts have tasted and seen as he has tasted and
seen. About 74 B.C.
Vs 2 Work on being
a good example of remembering the captivity and the deliverance of your
parents. Talk about their conversion. Talk about their service. Talk about
their love of the Lord and their testimony in Him. Talk about their leaving
their homelands for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Vs 4-5 Testimony is
not gained just from our own effort, it is a gift given by the Lord through the
Holy Ghost.
Vs 6 ff Alma
recounts his own conversion path.
God also sent an angel to our family to help bring us back
to him. Our Robby.
17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was
harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have
heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus
Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
Vs 20 Think on that! Joy will fill all the places where there used to be pain!
Vs 21 When Alma turned his thoughts and heart to Jesus and
asked for mercy, it was immediately extended. His pain was taken away and he
was released from the damnation of soul that he felt. This was replaced with
joy, hope, and thanksgiving.
Vs 23-24 Ever since Alma's conversion story, he never was enticed to go back to
his evil ways; and he has labored continually to bring souls to Christ.
Vs 25-26 Because of Alma's missionary efforts, many have sought forgiveness through Jesus Christ and obtained a remission of their sins and the hope of eternal life.
Vs 27-29 Alma acknowledges that the Lord has continually blessed him and delivered him; and he recounts the blessings of deliverance his fathers have received.
The Lord wants us all to be free from captivity, spiritual, physical, mental, social, and emotional.
Vs 30 We will only prosper spiritually (and even temporally eventually) by keeping the commandments of the Lord.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/37?lang=eng
The plates of brass and other scriptures are preserved to bring souls to salvation—The Jaredites were destroyed because of their wickedness—Their secret oaths and covenants must be kept from the people—Counsel with the Lord in all your doings—As the Liahona guided the Nephites, so the word of Christ leads men to eternal life. About 74 B.C.
Alma 37:1–14 Note ways that the Lord does His work; then, record ways you’ve seen this principle in action in your life.
1-7 The Lord has always wanted His people to be a recorded keeping people and to testify of His Son.
Vs 8 Very good reason to keep and pay attention to scriptures.
Vs 34-34 The best way to keep people away from evil and wrong is to teach them righteousness and truth.
Vs 36-37 Include the Lord in the doings of your day. Pray to Him and seek his counsel and direction. If you do, you'll have salvation.
Alma 37:38–47 Look for how the Liahona and the scriptures have the same function.
Vs 44-47 The words of Christ are found in the scriptures. Take heed, read, and learn them. Then learn to hear the voice of the Lord. Look to God and live.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/38?lang=eng
Shiblon was persecuted for righteousness’ sake—Salvation is in Christ, who is the life and the light of the world—Bridle all your passions. About 74 B.C.
Learn from Alma’s words to his son Shiblon, how you can also
teach and strengthen your own family. Come up with some ideas of your own.
How can I strengthen and encourage the people I love in living the gospel of
Jesus Christ?
Vs 2 A parent's joy and confidence in the righteousness of his child expressed.
Vs 3-4 We have had great joy in all six of our children choosing to serve missions.
Vs 5 We need to put our faith in Jesus Christ and seek His sustaining support. He will deliver us from our trials and our enemies.
Vs 6 ff Alma recounts his own conversion.
Vs 7 Robby is my angel that I saw face to face. He was given to our family to help us refocus on Jesus Christ and His mission of salvation in our behalf.
Vs 9 Jesus is our salvation. There is no other Way, means, nor Name.
Vs 10-14 Council for all those engaged in missionary work.
Vs 15 Eternal Life is the blessing to all who make a life of missionary service.
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