Seminary: 59 Alma 21-22

Background: Ammon and Lamoni reach Middoni and were able to convince the king of that land to release Ammon’s brethren.

Show a polished stone or other object that has been refined.

What do you notice about this object?

Prophet Joseph Smith:

“I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else,…knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus will I become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty”
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 304).

What did Joseph Smith say helped him become a better servant of the Lord?

What are some examples of his suffering?

What are some examples of righteous persons in the scriptures who suffered?

Why does Heavenly father allow his servants to suffer?

Alma 17:2-3, Alma 20:28-30, Alma 21:13-14

What experiences faced by Ammon’s brothers might have challenged their faith?

Why do you think their missionary experience was so different from Ammon’s?

How did they react to their hardships?

Elder Marion D. Hanks:

“The promise is that in times of sorrow and affliction, if we endure and remain faithful and put our trust in him and are courageous, the Lord will visit us in our afflictions, strengthen us to carry our burdens, and support us in our trials. He’ll be with us to the end of our days, lift us at the last day to greater opportunities for service, and exalt us at last with us at last with him and reunited loved ones, and he will consecrate our afflictions to our gain.”

Elder Rex D. Pinegar:

“There is terrible suffering in our world today. Tragic things happen to good people. God does not cause them, nor does He always prevent them. He does, however, strengthen us and bless us with His peace through earnest prayer.”
(Ensign, May 1993, 67)

Elder Ronald E. Poelman:

“Without adversity, we may tend to forget the divine purpose of mortality and live our lives focused on the transitory things of the world.

“Should we therefore desire or seek to experience adversity and suffering? No! May we appropriately try to avoid it? Yes! Is it proper to ask for relief? Yes, always adding, in accordance with the Savior’s example, ‘nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt’ (Matthew 26:39)” (Ensign, May 1989, 24)

Tell the story of Lamoni’s father

What do you think it means to “know God”?

What do you think it means to “give away your sins”?