They Taught with Power and Authority of God - Lesson Outline

Lesson 25: They Taught with Power and Authority of God

Book of Mormon: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (1999), 112–15

1.      Introduction

a)      We have talked about flashbacks in the Book of Mormon before

i)        When a group of Nephites left the land of Zarahemla and went back to the land of Nephi.

(1)   Story of King Noah and the conversion of Alma the Elder is part of this flashback.

b)      This week, we have another flashback.

c)      Reading 1 – Alma 17:1-5

1 And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.

 2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

 3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

 4 And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him.

 5 Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much labor in the spirit.

i)        Verse 1 – the sons of Mosiah were with Alma the younger when the angel appeared to them

d)     Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah took much different paths after the appearance of the angel.

i)        READ Mosiah 27:25

25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;

ii)      Alma stayed in Zarahemla and became the first judge of the Nephites and the head of the church.

iii)    The sons of Mosiah went on one of the great missionary journeys of all times among the Lamanites and converted thousands.

(1)   14 years

(2)   Alma 17-26 records this mission.

e)      One of the reasons that King Mosiah suggested that kings be replaced by judges is that none of his sons was willing to be king after his death.

i)        The sons of Mosiah not only left on a great mission, each of them gave up the life of a prince in the land of Zarahemla to do so.

f)       Ammon, Aaron, Omni and Himni

i)        Some other Nephites also went with them on their journey.

g)      Reading 2 – Elder Carlos E. Asay said:

“Not too long ago, I heard the testimony of a new convert—a young man obviously touched by the Spirit. Among other things, he indicated that it was his great desire to share the restored gospel with his family and friends. With tears in his eyes and a quiver in his voice, he said:

“‘I want them to know what I know.

“‘I want them to feel what I feel.

“‘I want them to do what I have done.’

“There is a missionary spirit—a spirit which urges us to live outside ourselves and to be concerned for the welfare of others. And anyone who has ever served an honorable mission, assisted in the conversion of a friend, supported a son or daughter in the mission field, or enjoyed close associations with missionaries will testify of its reality” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1976, 58; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, 42).

2.      The sons of Mosiah preach the gospel to the Lamanites.

a)      We see some of the characteristics that made the sons of Mosiah such great missionaries

b)      READ Mosiah 17:2-3

2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

 3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

c)      ASK – Each of the sons of Mosiah would go through much difficulty and suffering over this 14 year period. What motivated them to do so?

i)        Reading 3: Mosiah 17:9, 11, 16

9 And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.

SKIP

11 And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.

SKIP

16 Therefore, this was the cause for which the sons of Mosiah had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption.

d)     At the beginning of their mission, Mosiah was undoubtedly a nervous father about the idea of his sons going among the Lamanites.

i)        Reading 4: Mosiah 28:1-7

1 Now it came to pass that after the sons of Mosiah had done all these things, they took a small number with them and returned to their father, the king, and desired of him that he would grant unto them that they might, with these whom they had selected, go up to the land of Nephi that they might preach the things which they had heard, and that they might impart the word of God to their brethren, the Lamanites—

 2 That perhaps they might bring them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and convince them of the iniquity of their fathers; and that perhaps they might cure them of their hatred towards the Nephites, that they might also be brought to rejoice in the Lord their God, that they might become friendly to one another, and that there should be no more contentions in all the land which the Lord their God had given them.

 3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.

 4 And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever.

 5 And it came to pass that they did plead with their father many days that they might go up to the land of Nephi.

 6 And king Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord if he should let his sons go up among the Lamanites to preach the word.

 7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.

(1)   they were the very vilest of sinners

(a)    Sometimes we don’t forgive others of their sins even when the Lord has forgiven them.

(b)   READ - Doctrine and Covenants 64:10

10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.

3.      Ammon serves and teaches King Lamoni, and many of the people are converted.

a)      Unlike many other missionaries, the sons of Mosiah didn’t go out two-by-two. Initially, at least, each of them went among the Lamanites alone.

b)      Our first story is of Ammon and King Lamoni

i)        Reading 5 – Alma 17:19,21,24-25

19 And Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, the land being called after the sons of Ishmael, who also became Lamanites.

SKIP

21 And thus Ammon was carried before the king who was over the land of Ishmael; and his name was Lamoni; and he was a descendant of Ishmael.

SKIP

24 And it came to pass that king Lamoni was much pleased with Ammon, and caused that his bands should be loosed; and he would that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife.

 25 But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy servant. Therefore Ammon became a servant to king Lamoni. And it came to pass that he was set among other servants to watch the flocks of Lamoni, according to the custom of the Lamanites.

(1)   Ammon did some things – turning down marriage to Lamoni’s daughter – that surprised Lamoni, but Ammon was guided by the Lord to move into a position where he could teach the Gospel to Lamoni.

(2)   Ammon specifically asked to serve Lamoni

(3)   Service outside of their teaching is a key part of what missionaries do today.

(a)    Reading 6 – from Preach My Gospel:

Go About Doing Good

Your faith to find people to teach is demonstrated through your actions. During His mortal ministry, the Savior “took upon him the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). He went about “doing good” (Acts 10:38) and “preaching the gospel” (Matthew 4:23). As you follow this example, you will find those who will receive you.

Through service, you and those who are prepared for the restored gospel come together in a powerful, inspiring way. Your good works will help people recognize you as a servant of God and will lead to opportunities to teach the restored gospel.

Many missionaries’ experience with service before their missions involved planned “service projects,” such as helping someone move, serving at a Church farm, or cleaning a yard. As a missionary, you will offer such planned service each week.

The type of service described in this section focuses on unplanned opportunities. This type of service involves listening to the Spirit to recognize opportunities for small, simple acts of kindness that you can offer to God’s children. Pray and be aware of opportunities throughout each day to do good. As you seek to do good, you will be led to people who are being prepared for the restored gospel.

. . . .

 Believe that people who are being prepared to receive the message of the Restoration will be placed in your path. God will also place you where your good acts and words will prepare people to receive missionaries and Church members. In all your finding efforts, pray and look for opportunities to serve, help, and lift others. As you are serving, talk with everyone you meet. Have the faith that you can share the restored gospel.

In every way you serve, you should do so because you love your brothers and sisters and therefore hope, pray, and earnestly desire to teach them the restored gospel. (Preach My Gospel, pages 168-169)

ii)      Ammon soon has an opportunity to serve

(1)   Reading 7 - Alma 17:27-29

27 Therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king were driving forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a certain number of the Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to water, stood and scattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways.

 28 Now the servants of the king began to murmur, saying: Now the king will slay us, as he has our brethren because their flocks were scattered by the wickedness of these men. And they began to weep exceedingly, saying: Behold, our flocks are scattered already.

 29 Now they wept because of the fear of being slain. Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.

iii)    Ammon’s actions not only win the hearts of the servants, they make a big impression on King Lamoni

(1)   Ammon and the servants come back to the palace with the flocks and a lot of arms

(2)   Ammon is brought before King Lamoni, who is afraid to speak to him

(3)   Reading 8 – Alma 18:16-22

16 And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king. And he said unto him: Is it because thou hast heard that I defended thy servants and thy flocks, and slew seven of their brethren with the sling and with the sword, and smote off the arms of others, in order to defend thy flocks and thy servants; behold, is it this that causeth thy marvelings?

 17 I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great? Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do.

 18 Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all things?

 19 Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.

 20 And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks—

 21 And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it were needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that thou art more powerful than all they; nevertheless, whatsoever thou desirest of me I will grant it unto thee.

 22 Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.

iv)    Ammon begins to teach Lamoni

(1)   Notice how he begins with what Lamoni knows and works from there

(2)   READ Alma 18:24-36, 39-40

24 And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?

 25 And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know what that meaneth.

 26 And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit?

 27 And he said, Yea.

 28 And Ammon said: This is God. And Ammon said unto him again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth?

 29 And he said: Yea, I believe that he created all things which are in the earth; but I do not know the heavens.

 30 And Ammon said unto him: The heavens is a place where God dwells and all his holy angels.

 31 And king Lamoni said: Is it above the earth?

 32 And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.

 33 And king Lamoni said: I believe all these things which thou hast spoken. Art thou sent from God?

 34 Ammon said unto him: I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;

 35 And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.

 36 Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, and also the creation of Adam, and told him all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the records and the holy scriptures of the people, which had been spoken by the prophets, even down to the time that their father, Lehi, left Jerusalem.

SKIP

39 But this is not all; for he expounded unto them the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world; and he also made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and all the works of the Lord did he make known unto them.

 40 And it came to pass that after he had said all these things, and expounded them to the king, that the king believed all his words.

c)      Ammon’s teachings are so powerful that Lamoni falls to the ground as if he were dead

i)        Interesting parallel to what happened to Alma, and, perhaps to the sons of Mosiah, when the angel appeared to call them to repentance.

d)     Ammon is able to teach with such power because he is teaching with the spirit of God.

i)        Lamoni is receiving Ammon’s words by the spirit of God.

ii)      READ – Doctrine and Covenants 50:17-22

17 Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?

 18 And if it be by some other way it is not of God.

 19 And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?

 20 If it be some other way it is not of God.

 21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?

 22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.

iii)    Reading 8A - President Ezra Taft Benson wrote:  "Our preaching and our teaching must be by the power of the Holy Ghost. There are so many passages that counsel us to teach by the power of the Holy Ghost. We must ever remember that in this glorious work, the most essential element is the Spirit." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p313)

iv)    Reading 8B - Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:  "The crowning, convincing, converting power of gospel teaching is manifest when an inspired teacher says, 'I know by the power of the Holy Ghost, by the revelations of the Holy Spirit to my soul, that the doctrines I have taught are true.' This divine seal of approval makes the spoken word binding upon the hearers." (The Promised Messiah, p516)

v)      ASK – When we think about being missionaries, do we rehearse in detail what we will say and do or do we strive to speak by the Spirit?

4.      Ammon is led by the Spirit to deliver his brethren. Lamoni’s father is converted.

a)      Lamoni’s desire after establishing the church among his people

b)      Reading 9 – Alma 20:1

1 And it came to pass that when they had established a church in that land, that king Lamoni desired that Ammon should go with him to the land of Nephi, that he might show him unto his father.

i)        This is a new convert sharing his testimony with others.

c)      The voice of the Lord comes to Ammon and tells him not to go to the land of Nephi, but rather the land of Middoni where his brother, Aaron, and two other missionaries, Muloki and Ammah, are in prison.

d)     Although he’s a new convert, Lamoni already has a tremendous testimony.

i)        READ Alma 20:4-5

4 Now Lamoni said unto Ammon: I know, in the strength of the Lord thou canst do all things. But behold, I will go with thee to the land of Middoni; for the king of the land of Middoni, whose name is Antiomno, is a friend unto me; therefore I go to the land of Middoni, that I may flatter the king of the land, and he will cast thy brethren out of prison. Now Lamoni said unto him: Who told thee that thy brethren were in prison?

 5 And Ammon said unto him: No one hath told me, save it be God; and he said unto me—Go and deliver thy brethren, for they are in prison in the land of Middoni.

(1)   Another learning experience for the new convert.

e)      Problems with Lamoni’s father – they meet on the road to Middoni

i)        Reading 10 – Alma 20:13-15

13 And now when Lamoni had rehearsed unto him all these things, behold, to his astonishment, his father was angry with him, and said: Lamoni, thou art going to deliver these Nephites, who are sons of a liar. Behold, he robbed our fathers; and now his children are also come amongst us that they may, by their cunning and their lyings, deceive us, that they again may rob us of our property.

 14 Now the father of Lamoni commanded him that he should slay Ammon with the sword. And he also commanded him that he should not go to the land of Middoni, but that he should return with him to the land of Ishmael.

 15 But Lamoni said unto him: I will not slay Ammon, neither will I return to the land of Ishmael, but I go to the land of Middoni that I may release the brethren of Ammon, for I know that they are just men and holy prophets of the true God.

(1)   ASK – Is the meeting with Lamoni’s father a trial of the new convert’s faith?

5.      Aaron and the other missionaries released

a)      When Ammon and Lamoni arrive in Middoni, they discover that Aaron and those with him are in prison and have suffered greatly there.

b)      Response of those who have been in prison to their release

i)        READ Alma 21:14-16

14 And those who were cast into prison suffered many things, and they were delivered by the hand of Lamoni and Ammon, and they were fed and clothed.

 15 And they went forth again to declare the word, and thus they were delivered for the first time out of prison; and thus they had suffered.

16 And they went forth whithersoever they were led by the Spirit of the Lord, preaching the word of God in every synagogue of the Amalekites, or in every assembly of the Lamanites where they could be admitted.

c)      Lamoni and Ammon return to teach the people of Lamoni.

d)     Aaron was lead by the Spirit to the land of Nephi where the father of Lamoni lived.

i)        READ Alma 22:2-4

2 And it came to pass that he went in unto him into the king’s palace, with his brethren, and bowed himself before the king, and said unto him: Behold, O king, we are the brethren of Ammon, whom thou hast delivered out of prison.

 3 And now, O king, if thou wilt spare our lives, we will be thy servants. And the king said unto them: Arise, for I will grant unto you your lives, and I will not suffer that ye shall be my servants; but I will insist that ye shall administer unto me; for I have been somewhat troubled in mind because of the generosity and the greatness of the words of thy brother Ammon; and I desire to know the cause why he has not come up out of Middoni with thee.

 4 And Aaron said unto the king: Behold, the Spirit of the Lord has called him another way; he has gone to the land of Ishmael, to teach the people of Lamoni.

ii)      As Aaron starts to teach the father of Lamoni, look at the similarity between his teaching and Ammon’s teaching of Lamoni:

(1)   READ Alma 22:7-11

7 And Aaron answered him and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God? And the king said: I know that the Amalekites say that there is a God, and I have granted unto them that they should build sanctuaries, that they may assemble themselves together to worship him. And if now thou sayest there is a God, behold I will believe.

 8 And now when Aaron heard this, his heart began to rejoice, and he said: Behold, assuredly as thou livest, O king, there is a God.

 9 And the king said: Is God that Great Spirit that brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem?

 10 And Aaron said unto him: Yea, he is that Great Spirit, and he created all things both in heaven and in earth. Believest thou this?

 11 And he said: Yea, I believe that the Great Spirit created all things, and I desire that ye should tell me concerning all these things, and I will believe thy words.

Conclusion