Seminary: 70 Alma 41

Background: Alma continues his discussion of the resurrection and afterlife with Corianton.


Write: Restoration

What does Restoration mean: (the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment)

Can a broken table be restored to a chair?

Why not?

Alma 41:1-2

What form of restoration is mentioned in this scripture?

How is the resurrection an example of restoration?

Alma 41:3

What two things are we judged by? (works and desires of our hearts)

Moroni 7:8

What benefit is there for someone to give when they do not want to give?

Alma 41:5-6

What is restored or brought back to us at the judgment?

What does receiving happiness for a life of righteousness illustrate about the judgment?

What are some examples of gospel principles that may be more difficult for some people to live than for others?

How does knowing we will be judged according to the desires of our hearts as well as our actions make you feel about the final judgment?

Elder Dallin H. Oaks:

“Just as we will be accountable for our evil desires, we will also be rewarded for our righteous desire as a substitute for actions that are genuinely impossible. My father-in-law was fond of expressing his version of this principle. When someone wanted to do something for him but was prevented by circumstances, he would say: ‘Thank you. I will take the good will for the deed.’

“This is the principle that blessed Abraham for his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. The Lord stopped him at the last instant (see genesis 22:11-12), but his willingness to follow the Lord’s command ‘was accounted unto him for righteousness’ (D&C 132:36).

“This principle means that when we have done all that we can, our desires will carry us the rest of the way. It also means that if our desires are right, we can be forgiven for the unintended errors or mistakes we will inevitably make as we try to carry those desires into effect. What a comfort for our feelings of inadequacy!”
(Pure in Heart [1988], 59).

Video: Elder Richard G. Scott, “Wickedness Never Was Happiness”

Alma 41:10

What is Elder Scott and Alma telling us?

Joy comes from keeping the commandments of the Lord. Glory comes from continuing to keep the commandments of the Lord for the rest of your life?

Seminary: 69 Alma 40

Background: Alma is counseling his son Corianton regarding his transgressions and questions regarding the resurrection.


After counseling his son about his sins Alma senses that his son has some questions regarding the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (chiasmus)

What does “For as in Adam all die” refer to?

What does “even so, Christ shall all be made alive” refer to?

Why would someone who has been involved in serious sin be concerned with the resurrection?

What happens at the resurrection?

How does our view of the resurrection affect our view of life and death?

Alma gave one of the longest discourses on the resurrection found in the scriptures.

-Have the students read the following and determine what the main points are

Alma 40:1-2 (There will be no Resurrection until after the coming of Jesus Christ.

Alma 40:3 (Jesus Christ brings the resurrection)

Alma 40:4 (There is a time appointed for all people to be resurrected).

Alma 40:6-9 (There is a period of time between death and the Resurrection).

Alma 40:11-12 (Righteous spirits await the resurrection in a state of happiness called paradise).

Alma 40:13-14 (The wicked await the Resurrection in darkness and fear of judgment).

Alma 40:16-19 (Those who lived before Jesus Christ are resurrected before those who live after Him).

Alma 40:23; 41:2 (When the spirit and the body are reunited, every limb, joint, hair and part of the physical body will be restored to its proper place).

Alma 42:23 (The Atonement makes the Resurrection possible, and the Resurrection brings everyone back into the presence of God to be judged).

Resurrection is our rescue from Physical death.

What saves us from Spiritual death? (Atonement)

What does Justice mean? (righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness)

What does Mercy mean? (Compassionate, Kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence)

What does Mediator mean? (A person who mediates, esp. between parties at variance)

Video: Book of Mormon Video 15, The Mediator

How did the mediator resolve the issue between Justice and Mercy?

Who does the Mediator represent?

Seminary: 68 Alma 39

Background: Alma continues his counsel with his sons. This chapter and the next few covers his counsel to his son Corianton.


What does “abominable” mean? (repugnantly hateful; detestable; loathsome)

What are the three most abominable sins?
1. Denying the Holy Ghost
2. Shedding blood
3. Fornication

Why do you think that Fornication is next to murder in seriousness?

Video: President Boyd K. Packer; “Unchastity is ‘Most Abominable’”

Who was Corianton?

What happened to him?

The Uniform System for Teaching Families [missionary discussions, 1973], H-13):

“One of God’s many powers, one that he values very highly, is the power to give and take life. He has forbidden us to take life, but has shared with us his power to create it, by allowing us to bring children into this world. Because this is a divine power, he has commanded all of his children to use it correctly and reserve it only for marriage. He has also told us that the desire behind this great power must be controlled and used within the bounds he has set”

Video: Book of Mormon Video 14, These Things Are an Abomination

Why is fornication an abomination?

Alma 39:1-2

What do you think may have lead to his being tempted? (Pride)

How does Pride lead us into other sins?

Elder Richard G. Scott:

“Satan tempts a weaker individual to rationalize that when two are in love and agree that sexual intimacies can be performed, that such things are acceptable. They positively are not. The boundaries of appropriate behavior are defined by God.

Strongly tied to the sacred, private parts of the body are powerful emotions intended to be used within the covenant of marriage between a man and woman in ways that are appropriate and acceptable to them both. They are an important part of the love and trust that bond a husband and wife together and prepare them for the responsibilities of a family. They bring the blessing of children. These emotions are not to be stimulated or used for personal gratification outside of the covenant of marriage. Do not touch the private, sacred parts of another person's body to stimulate those emotions. Do not allow anyone to do that with you, with or without clothing. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body. These things are wrong. Do not do them. Such practices would undermine your ability to be inspired by the Holy Ghost in the vitally important decisions you must make for your future. They lead to binding addictions and grievous transgressions.

Satan knows that those powerful emotions can be aroused by things you could see, hear, or touch. When stirred, those emotions can be used to lead one to destructive experimentation, then to serious transgressions. He uses pornography through videotapes, movies, magazines, computer images, or contaminated music for this purpose. Close your eyes, ears, mind, and heart to it. Unchecked, it would surely grow unrelentingly from initial curiosity step-by-step to become a raging monster. That demon would wreck wholesome desires, worthy companionship, noble thoughts and acts until it could destroy you. Don't lift the cover of salacious material in any form, and you will not be captured by it.”

What relationship did Alma have to Corianton? (Father and priesthood leader)

Corianton had committed a serious sin. As his father and priesthood leader he desired to help him through the repentance process.

Alma 39:7-8

What is Alma trying to teach Corianton here?

Why might people want to hide their sins?

What might they hope to gain by hiding their sins?

Why do you think that Satan wants us to hide our sins instead of confessing them?

What could be the consequences of a missionary trying to hide sins from a priesthood leader?

Sexual sins are serious and bring great sorry. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can receive peace and a clear conscience to those who repent fully.

Seminary: 67 Alma 37-38

Background: Alma is giving his final counsel/PPI to his sons. He discussed his conversion story with Helaman and then moved to give him counsel and to give counsel to his second son Shiblon.


Show Book of Mormon video 13, “God has delivered me”

Going through times of struggle can be a challenge

Elder Marvin J. Ashton:

“How often have we ourselves said or have we heard others exclaim in times of crisis or trouble, ‘I just don’t know where to turn’?

“If we will just use it, a gift is available to all of us-the gift of looking to God for direction. Here is an avenue of strength, comfort, and guidance”
(The Measure of Our Hearts [1991], 18).

Show video “Learn in Thy Youth to Keep the Commandments”, President Gordon B. Hinckley

Alma 37:35

What does this verse and President Hinckley’s words mean?

What are your thoughts about this?

How much easier is it to keep commandments if we start when we are young?

Alma 37:32

What did Alma say that Helaman should have an everlasting hatred toward?

Why should be hate sin?

Is choosing not to participate in since enough?

Why?

How can sin damage a person’s life?

Why, can’t we just repent?

Can’t we be just as clean if we sin and repent than if we do not sin in the first place?

Alma 37:33-34

Why do you think it is important to be humble?

In what ways can humility help you better keep the commandments?

Elder Boyd K. Packer:

“When I was president of the New England Mission, the Tabernacle Choir was to sing at the world’s fair in Montreal. The choir had one day unscheduled and suggested a concert in New England. One of the industrial leaders there asked for the privilege of sponsoring the concert.

“Brother Condie and Brother Stewart came to Boston to discuss this matter. We met at the Boston airport and then drove to Attleboro, Massachusetts. Along the way Me. Yeager asked about the concert. He said, ‘I would like to have a reception for the choir members. I could have it either at my home or at my club.’ He wanted to invite his friends who were, of course, the prominent people of New England-indeed, of the nation. He talked of this, and then he asked about serving alcoholic beverages.

“In answering, Brother Stewart said, ‘Well, Mr. Yeager, since it is your home and you are the host, I suppose you could do just as you want to do.’

“’That isn’t what I had in mind,’ this wonderful man said. ‘I don’t want to do what I want to do. I want to do what you want me to do.’

“Somewhere in that spirit is the key to freedom. We should put ourselves in a position before our Father in Heaven and say, individually, ‘I do not want to do what I want to do. I want to do what Thou wouldst have me do.’ Suddenly, like any father, the Lord could say, ‘Well, there is one more of my children almost free from the need of constant supervision.’”
(That All May Be Edified [1982],257).

Seminary: 66 Alma 35-36

Background: Alma, Amulek and their brethren complete their teachings to the Zoramites.

Come Unto Me – Charlotte Dawkins 3/5/2008

‘Come unto me’, those heavily laden

Down trodden, forgotten.

‘Come unto me’, my yolk is light,

A delight, don’t take flight…

‘Come unto me’, all in need,

Just believe, you’ll achieve,

Whence, you come unto me.

What kind of literature is this?

Rhyming poetry is a form of writing that is easy to listen to because it has a predictable pattern. A lesser-known literary form is “chiasmus”

Have any of you heard of chiasmus?

Chiasmus was sometimes used by Hebrew writers. It is an arrangement of words or ideas placed in certain order and then repeated in reverse order.

Example:

Isaiah 55:8

For (A) my thoughts are not (B) your thoughts, neither are (B) your ways (A) my ways, saith the Lord.

Matthew 10:39

He that (A) findeth his life shall (B) lose it: and he that (B) loseth his life for my sake shall (A) find it.

In the next few chapters we will hear Alma’s final PPI with his three sons, Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton.

What is a PPI?

Alma also used this form of writing style when telling his conversion style to his Son Helaman.

Pass out Chiasmus Diagrams

Based upon this layout, what is the main message of this chapter? (harrowed up for the memory of his many sins, petitions Christ for mercy).

Have a student read:

Jeffrey R. Holland:

“Christ is the power behind all repentance….Alma had been touched by the teaching of his father, but it is particularly important that the prophecy he remembered was one regarding ‘the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.’ (Alma 36:17.) That is the name and that is the message that every person must hear….Whatever other prayers we offer, whatever other needs we have, all somehow depends on that plea: ‘O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me.’ He is prepared to provide that mercy. He paid with his very life in order to give it” (However Long and Hard the Road [1985], 85).

We must humble ourselves before we can recognize the need for the Savior’s help in our lives.

Seminary: 65 Alma 33-34

Background: Alma and friends are with the Zoramites preaching. The rich are not interested in their words. The poor are looking for religion and Alma teaches them about faith.


In our last discussion what did Alma compare to the growth of a seed to a tree?

Alma 33:22-23

What was the message that Alma said we should place in our heart and nourish with faith?

What will become of the word if it is nourished by faith?

What does the tree represent?

In the verse Alma said that if we can nourish the word so that it becomes a “tree” that the Lord will make our burdens light.

What does this mean?

How does the Lord make our burdens light?

Matthew 11:28-30

What does this mean?

So what is required in order for the Lord to make our burdens light? (testimony)

What is the required to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ?
• Humility
• Desire to believe
• Faith in the Lord
• Correct Doctrine
• Study
• Prayer
• Patience
• Obedience
• Diligence

President Gordon B. Hinckley:

“The strength of the Church lies in the conviction carried in the hearts of its members, by the individual members of the Church. It is the privilege, it is the opportunity, it is the privilege, it is the opportunity, it is the obligation of every Latter-day Saint to gain for himself or herself a certain knowledge that this is the work of the Almighty, that God our Eternal Father lives and watches over His children when they look to Him in faith; that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Redeemer of all mankind, who rose from the dead to become the firstfruits of them that slept. That testimony…is the most precious possession that any of us can hold” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 647)

“I am satisfied, I know it’s so, that whenever a man has a true witness in his heart of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ all else will come together as it should….That is the root from which all virtue springs among those who call themselves Latter-day Saints” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 648)

Display picture of Jesus in Gethsemene

What did Jesus pray for in Gethsemene?

What are other times we have his prayers recorded from his ministry?

• Night prior to choosing his disciples (Luke 6:12-13)

• At the Last Supper, he prayed on behalf of His disciples (John 17)

• While visiting the Nephites (3 Nephi 17:15-17)

Why does prayer require humility?

Why does prayer require faith?

Write:
• When can the Lord hear and answer our prayers?

• Where can we pray and worship?

• What should we pray for?

• How does prayer help us recognize our need for Heavenly father and His Son?

• What are some of the circumstances in which Heavenly Father grants us His mercy?

What can we do to improve our prayers?

Why do we pray?

Procrastination is the thief of eternal life (Joseph Fielding Smith).

Now is the time to prepare to meet god (Alma 34:32-34)

Seminary: 64 Doctrine of the Family

We are going to take a step back from the story of the Zoramites for a moment.


Recently in a seminary conference we had a discussion about looking at the Book of Mormon through the “family” perspective.

What do you think that means?

Much of the first half of the Book or Mormon focuses on teaching us about the doctrine of the family

What does doctrine mean? (A body of system of teachings relating to a particular subject)

Doctrines of the family include:

1. The Atonement (sacrifice for others, repentance)

a. Our eternal nature

b. Exaltation

c. Grace/Love

d. Repentance / Forgiveness

e. Obedience

f. Change

g. Purchase

2. Creation

a. All things testify of Christ

3. Doctrine of the Fall

a. No family without the fall

b. Agency

The second half of the Book of Mormon focuses on how to protect the family

In what ways do we need to protect our families? Physically and Spiritually

In what ways have we seen the Nephites protect their families spiritually?

• Advise / Council

• Be active in the lives of our family

• Teach proper principles

• What is a principle (truth that you can apply to a behavior)

• Provide safety

Nine keys or principles to teach our children to help protect them (Alma 35-41, Alma 50-52, 3 Nephi 3-4):

1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

2. Importance and proper method of prayer

3. The need for and how to repent

4. Forgiveness

5. Responsibility

6. Love

7. Compassion

8. Work

9. Wholesome Recreation

What is the process for teaching these things?

Process:

Prepare -> Battle -> Reinforce