They Did Obey Every Word of Command with Exactness - Lesson Outline

Lesson 32: They Did Obey Every Word of Command with Exactness

Book of Mormon: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (1999), 142–45

1.      Introduction

a)      Began the War Chapters last week

b)      Mormon’s account of this war begins in Alma 46 and continues until 62, making it the longest account of any war recorded in the Book of Mormon.

c)      About 30% of the Book of Mormon is devoted to accounts of wars between Nephites and Lamanites

d)     The length given by Mormon in his record pertaining to this particular war indicates its importance to the message he intended for his latter-day reader.  Recall that Mormon saw our day and chose “those things which would be of greatest worth to us” to include in his record. 

e)      Reading 1 – President Ezra Taft Benson said, “If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon?  We should constantly ask ourselves, “Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record?  What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?” (“The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Nov. 1986)

f)       READ – Then-Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Council of the Twelve Apostles said: “There has been a war between light and darkness, between good and evil, since before the world was created. The battle still rages and the casualties seem to be increasing.” (Henry B. Eyring, “The Power of Teaching Doctrine,” Ensign, May 1999, p. 73)

g)      READ - Elder M. Russell Ballard said: “We are in a war. This war is the same war that raged in the premortal world. Lucifer and his followers are committed to an evil direction.” (M. Russell Ballard, “Filling the World with Goodness and Truth,” Ensign, July 1996, p. 12.)

h)      Reading 2 - President Ezra Taft Benson, spoke of his concern about the spiritual warfare of our day: “We live in a day of great challenge.  We live in that time of which the Lord spoke when he said, ‘Peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion.’ (D&C 1:35.)  We live in that day which John the Revelator foresaw when ‘the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’ (Rev. 12:17.)  The dragon is Satan; the woman represents the Church of Jesus Christ. Satan is waging war against the members of the Church who have testimonies and are trying to keep the commandments.  And while many of our members are remaining faithful and strong, some are wavering.  Some are falling.  Some are fulfilling John’s prophecy that in the war with Satan, some Saints would be overcome. (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986)

i)        Sometimes we read of the prophesies of wars and rumors of war in the last days and think they relate to military conflicts.

(1)   We have certainly had large military conflicts, but Pres. Benson implies that the biggest wars of the last days are wars between good and evil, spiritual wars

2.      Two thousand valiant young Ammonites covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites.

a)      Recall what the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, who would later be known as the people of Ammon did after they were converted.

i)        Reading 3 – Alma 24:15-18

15 Oh, how merciful is our God! And now behold, since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords are made bright, let us hide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day, or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us clean thereby.

 16 And now, my brethren, if our brethren seek to destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords, yea, even we will bury them deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright, as a testimony that we have never used them, at the last day; and if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be saved.

 17 And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man’s blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth.

 18 And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man’s blood; and this they did, vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.

(1)   Note in Verse 18, this was a covenant

b)      The Nephites promised to protect the people of Ammon when they were not able to defend themselves because of this covenant.

i)        When the war with the Lamanites was being waged, the people of Ammon had second thoughts.

ii)      Reading 4 – Alma 53:13-15

13 But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country.

 14 But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war, they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his brethren, for they were about to break the oath which they had made.

 15 And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls; therefore all those who had entered into this covenant were compelled to behold their brethren wade through their afflictions, in their dangerous circumstances at this time.

(1)   Demonstrates the importance of covenants. Helaman, a prophet was concerned for their souls if they broke their covenants.

(2)   ASK – What covenants do we make today?

(a)    Baptism

(b)   Temple

(3)   ASK – Do we regard our covenants with as much reverence as Helman regarded the covenants of the people of Ammon?

c)      The children of the people of Ammon

i)        Reading 5 – Alma 53:16-18

16 But behold, it came to pass they had many sons, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies; therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms, and they called themselves Nephites.

 17 And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage.

 18 Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men, who entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war to defend their country.

(1)   The people of Ammon took their covenants seriously

(2)   Look at the covenants their children made and consider whether these stripling warriors kept their covenants with as much faithfulness as their parents had demonstrated in keeping their covenants.

(3)   Age – Under the law of Moses, a man was able to bear arms at age 20

(a)    Later on, an additional 60 stripling warriors would join the first 2,000 because they had become able to bear arms, presumably since they had reached the age of 20.

ii)      Reading 6 - President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 361)

d)     Choosing a Leader

i)        Reading 6 – Alma 53:19, 22

19 And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helaman should be their leader.

SKIP

22 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea.

ii)      Significance of treating the prophet as our leader in our battles with Satan and his minions

iii)    READ - President Harold B. Lee said:  "The power of Satan will increase; we see it in evidence on every hand....

    "Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, 'as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;…as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.' (D&C 21:4-5.) There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory'." (Conference Report, Oct 1970, p152)

3.      The young soldiers exercise faith in God and fight courageously

a)      The first army that the young Ammonites faced was the Lamanites’ strongest and most numerous army.

b)      Helman asks his stripling warriors an important question.

i)        Reading 7 – Alma 56:44-47

44 Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?

 45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.

 46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.

 47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

ii)      Reading 8 - President Spencer W. Kimball said: “To be a righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the Second Coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home—which is society’s basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 326–27). Xx

iii)    READ Alma 56:48

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

iv)    In this battle and all the battles which followed, none of the stripling warriors were killed in battle.

(1)   The faith of their mothers saved their lives because their mothers had passed their own faith to their children.

c)      In another battle, the Nephites were about to give way before the Lamanites.

i)        A retreating army is subject to many losses.

ii)      Reading 9 – Alma 57:19-20

19 But behold, my little band of two thousand and sixty fought most desperately; yea, they were firm before the Lamanites, and did administer death unto all those who opposed them.

 20 And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted.

(1)   Helman describes the characteristics of warriors who are firm and undaunted.

a. “They were exceedingly valiant for courage” (Alma 53:20).

b. “They were … true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted” (Alma 53:20).

c. “They were men of truth and soberness” (Alma 53:21).

d. They had “exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe” (Alma 57:26).

e. They “put their trust in God continually” (Alma 57:27).

f. They “[stood] fast in that liberty wherewith God [had] made them free” (Alma 58:40).

g. They were “strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day” (Alma 58:40).

h. They kept God’s “statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually” (Alma 58:40).

i. “Their faith [was] strong in the prophecies” (Alma 58:40).

Conclusion

Lesson 32: They Did Obey-Every Word of Command with Exactness – Scriptures and Quotes

 Reading 1 – President Ezra Taft Benson said, “If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon?  We should constantly ask ourselves, “Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record?  What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?” (“The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Nov. 1986)

Then-Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Council of the Twelve Apostles said: “There has been a war between light and darkness, between good and evil, since before the world was created. The battle still rages and the casualties seem to be increasing.” (Henry B. Eyring, “The Power of Teaching Doctrine,” Ensign, May 1999, p. 73)

Elder M. Russell Ballard said: “We are in a war. This war is the same war that raged in the premortal world. Lucifer and his followers are committed to an evil direction.” (M. Russell Ballard, “Filling the World with Goodness and Truth,” Ensign, July 1996, p. 12.)

Reading 2 - President Ezra Taft Benson, spoke of his concern about the spiritual warfare of our day: “We live in a day of great challenge.  We live in that time of which the Lord spoke when he said, ‘Peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion.’ (D&C 1:35.)  We live in that day which John the Revelator foresaw when ‘the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’ (Rev. 12:17.)  The dragon is Satan; the woman represents the Church of Jesus Christ. Satan is waging war against the members of the Church who have testimonies and are trying to keep the commandments.  And while many of our members are remaining faithful and strong, some are wavering.  Some are falling.  Some are fulfilling John’s prophecy that in the war with Satan, some Saints would be overcome. (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986)

Reading 3 – Alma 24:15-18

Reading 4 – Alma 53:13-15

Reading 5 – Alma 53:16-18

Reading 6 - President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 361)

Reading 6 – Alma 53:19, 22

President Harold B. Lee said:  "The power of Satan will increase; we see it in evidence on every hand....

"Now the only safety we have as members of this church is to do exactly what the Lord said to the Church in that day when the Church was organized. We must learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through his prophet, 'as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;…as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.' (D&C 21:4-5.) There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory'." (Conference Report, Oct 1970, p152)

Reading 7 – Alma 56:44-47

Reading 8 - President Spencer W. Kimball said: “To be a righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the Second Coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home—which is society’s basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 326–27).

Alma 56:48

Reading 9 – Alma 57:19-20

Lesson 30: “The Great Plan of Happiness” – Scriptures and Quotes

Reading 1 - Elder Stephen L. Richards taught that the spiritual gift of discernment “arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions–spiritual impressions, if you will — to read under the surface  as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed.”

Reading 1A - Elder Boyd K. Packer has said, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." (Ensign, Nov 1986, 17.)

Reading 2 – Alma 40:11-13

Reading 3 - Parley P. Pratt wrote, "The Spirit World is not the heaven where Jesus Christ, His Father, and other beings dwell, who have, by resurrection or tradition, ascended to eternal mansions and been crowned and seated on thrones of power; but it is an intermediate state, a probation, a place of preparation, improvement, instruction, or education, where spirits are chastened or improved, and where, if found worthy, they may be taught a knowledge of the Gospel. In short, it is a place where the Gospel is preached, and where faith, repentance, hope and charity may be exercised, a place of waiting for the resurrection or redemption of the body; while, to those who deserve it, it is a place of punishment, or purgatory or hell, where spirits are buffeted till the day of redemption. As to its location, it is here on the very planet where we were born." (Key to Theology, Chapter 14)

Reading 4 – Joseph Smith taught: "The great misery of departed spirits in the world of spirits, where they go after death is to know that they come short of the glory that others enjoy and that they might have enjoyed themselves, and they are their own accusers.  A man is his own tormenter and his own condemner. Hence the saying, They shall go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The torment of disappointment in the mind of man is as exquisite as the lake burning with fire and brimstone. I say, so is the torment of man." (TPJS, p310, p357)

Reading 5 – Alma 40:21, 23

Reading 6 – Alma 41:2-6

Reading 7 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote, “The resurrection is a restoration, both a restoration of body and spirit and a restoration to the individual of the same mental and spiritual acquirements and attitudes he had in this life” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 641).

Reading 8 – Alma 42:16-21

Lesson Outline - Lesson 28: “The Word Is in Christ unto Salvation”,

Lesson 28: “The Word Is in Christ unto Salvation”

Book of Mormon

Sherwood Hills Ward – 5 August 2012

1)      Introduction

a)      Two Great Atonement Sermons

i)        Alma in Alma 32-33

ii)      Amulek in Alma 34

b)      Set the Scene

i)        In Alma 31, we see Alma organize a missionary effort to proselyte the Zoramites

ii)      Members of the party included

(1)   Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner – three of the sons of Mosiah

(2)   Amulek and Zeezrom

(a)    The same Zeezrom that opposed Alma in Ammonihah and was converted

(3)   Shiblon and Corianton – two of Alma’s sons

(4)   Perhaps others

iii)    Zoramites were Nephite dissenters

(1)   Danger that they would join the Lamanites

iv)    Apostate

v)      Rameumptom

vi)    Their worship was bizarre

(1)   Worshipped once a week

(2)   A single set prayer

(a)    God is a spirit

(b)   Zoramites are better than the Nephites

(i)     Zoramites will be saved while Nephites are destroyed

(c)    There will be no Christ

(d)   Foolish traditions of the Nephites

vii)  Rodney Turner: "The religion of the ancient Zoramites in the Book of Mormon is paralleled by much of the religion practiced in our modern world: it was false, superficial, undemanding, impotent, and Christless. Consequently, the message of God's prophets to that misguided people is as relevant now as it was over two thousand years ago." (Studies in Scripture, 8:16)

2)      Alma 32

a)      The missionaries are teaching

i)        READ Alma 32, verse 2 - And it came to pass that after much labor among them, they began to have success among the poor class of people; for behold, they were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel

ii)      Alma is preaching to a gathering outside – on the hill Onidah (Verse 3) when “a great multitude unto him, who were those of whom we have been speaking, of whom were poor in heart, because of their poverty as to the things of the world” – Verse 4

iii)    What do the poor Zoramites say?

iv)    Reading 1 – Alma 32:5

 5 And they came unto Alma; and the one who was the foremost among them said unto him: Behold, what shall these my brethren do, for they are despised of all men because of their poverty, yea, and more especially by our priests; for they have cast us out of our synagogues which we have labored abundantly to build with our own hands; and they have cast us out because of our exceeding poverty; and we have no place to worship our God; and behold, what shall we do?

(1)   ASK – Is there a relationship between apostasy and treating the poor badly?

v)      Reading 2 – Alma 32:12-13

  12 I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.

  13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.

(1)   Alma later explains that it is better to be humble without being forced to be humble, but he is happy to teach the poor Zoramites, regardless of how they became humble.

b)      Faith

i)        Alma will take the Zoramites through a series of steps necessary for they and us to come to God

ii)      Reading 3 – Alma 32:21-22

 21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

  22 And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word.

iii)    Reading 4 – President Boyd K. Packer has written:  "Faith, to be faith, must center around something that is not known. Faith, to be faith, must go beyond that for which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to be faith, must go into the unknown. Faith, to be faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness. If everything has to be known, if everything has to be explained, if everything has to be certified, then there is no need for faith. Indeed, there is no room for it."  (Improvement Era, Nov 1968, p62)

(1)   ASK – Why is developing the ability to know without seeing – faith – so important?

(2)   ASK - What is the first step that Alma asks of the Zoramites – Verse 22 – believe

(3)   ASK – What does “word” mean at the end of verse 22?

(a)    Word of God – scriptures, prophesies

(b)   John 1:1 - 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(4)   The words of God given in the scriptures and through the prophets always point to Christ and His Atonement.

iv)    Reading 5 – Alma 32:26-27

 26 Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.

  27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

(1)   We start out with a particle of faith – the tiniest piece – and build on that

(2)   Desire to believe – this isn’t so hard

(3)   ASK – in Verse 27 – what does it mean to “give place”

(a)    ASK – What are examples in our time of people who fail to “give place”?

(b)   ASK – How do we know that we are “giving place” for words and faith to grow in our lives?

c)      The parable of the seed

i)        Reading 6 – Alma 32:28

 28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

(1)   Note the “give place” again in this verse

(2)   Characteristics of a seed

(a)    When we plant a seed in the ground that is properly prepared, we first see a sprout coming out of the ground.

(i)     The fact that the seed sprouted means that it was not an infertile seed – it worked

(b)   Growing our faith

(i)     ASK – Why is the word, the beginning of our faith, more like a seed than, say a jet plane or a computer?

1.      A seed operates on its own time

a.       It’s not fast.

b.      It’s hard to hurry along.

c.       Computers double their power and speed every 18 months, seeds don’t operate that way.

(c)    When the seed first sprouts, we’re not certain what it will become

(i)     An oak tree and a tomato plant are each a one-inch sprout early in their lives

(ii)   What becomes of the seed depends on how well we tend it.

ii)      Evidence of Spiritual Things

(1)   We spoke about Korihor last week – seeking for a sign

(2)   Sometimes we speak of faith as if it’s a spiritual characteristic we must develop without any evidence we can perceive.

(3)   Alma speaks of the evidence that helps us build our faith.

(a)    This is spiritual evidence, not the kind of evidence that skeptics like Korihor prefer, but reliable evidence nonetheless.

(b)   The rods and cones of our eyes are not designed to perceive spiritual things.

(c)    We are surrounded by evidences of the truthfulness of the Gospel if we will only use the senses through which God wants to communicate with us.

(i)     Verse 28

1.      Enlarge my soul

2.      Enlighten my understanding

iii)    Continue parable of seed

(1)   Reading 7 – Alma 32:37-39

 37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.

  38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.

  39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.

40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

(a)    I think this is where we spend the most time – nourishing or neglecting our faith and spirituality

(b)   Note in verse 40 – Alma says this is the tree of life we are preparing ourselves for

3)      Alma 33

a)      Alma begins by going back to the initial concern of the poor Zoramites

i)        Verse 2 - Behold, ye have said that ye could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your synagogues.

b)      Alma then cites the prophet Zenos who says that he worshipped God in the wilderness, in his fields, in his house and in his closet, and in “the congregations” – synagogue

c)      READ – verse 11 –   And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.

(1)   This is the Atonement

(2)   ASK – What was said about Christ in the Rameumptom prayer?

d)     Alma then cites the prophet Zenock, who also testified of Christ

i)        Verse 16 - Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son.

e)      Alma then cites Moses, who also testified of Christ with the brazen serpent

i)        “whosoever would look upon it might live.” – verse 19

f)       Reading 8 – Alma 33:21-22

 21 O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?

  22 If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.

g)      Alma has moved from the question about how the poor Zoramites could worship if they couldn’t go into the synagogue into a powerful testimony of Christ

4)      Alma 34

a)      Amulek begins by reviewing the important points of Alma’s teachings, then comes to the main concern of the Zoramites

b)      READ – Alma 34:5  And we have beheld that the great question which is in your minds is whether the word be in the Son of God, or whether there shall be no Christ.

c)      Reading 9 – Alma 34:8-10

  8 And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

  9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

  10 For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.

i)        An infinite and eternal sacrifice – verse 10

(1)   Infinite in space and coverage

(a)    Reaching all people and all worlds

(2)   Eternal in time

(a)    Reaching backward and forward to all people who have ever lived or ever will live

(3)   An eternal sacrifice because it brings the possibility of eternal life with God

d)     READ – Alma 34:14-16

 14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.

  15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.

  16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.

e)      Amulek warns against neglecting the poor – sounds like he knows King Benjamin’s sermon well

i)        READ – Alma 34:28-29

 28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.

  29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men.

f)       Do Not Procrastinate Your Repentance

i)        READ – Alma 34:33-35

  33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

  34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

  35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked. 

Lesson 28: “The Word Is in Christ unto Salvation” – Scriptures and Quotes

Reading 1 – Alma 32:5

Reading 2 – Alma 32:12-13

Reading 3 – Alma 32:21-22

Reading 4 – President Boyd K. Packer has written:  "Faith, to be faith, must center around something that is not known. Faith, to be faith, must go beyond that for which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to be faith, must go into the unknown. Faith, to be faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness. If everything has to be known, if everything has to be explained, if everything has to be certified, then there is no need for faith. Indeed, there is no room for it."  (Improvement Era, Nov 1968, p62)

Reading 5 – Alma 32:26-27

Reading 6 – Alma 32:28

Reading 7 – Alma 32:37-39

Reading 8 – Alma 33:21-22

Reading 9 – Alma 34:8-10

Lesson 27: All Things Denote There Is a God - Scriptures and Quotes

Words of Mormon 1:5

Reading 1 - President Ezra Taft Benson wrote: "The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat philosophical concepts of our time." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson)

Reading 2 – Antichrist – Bible Dictionary, page 609

Reading 3 – Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: "An antichrist is an opponent of Christ; he is one who is in opposition to the true gospel, the true Church, and the true plan of salvation. He is one who offers salvation to men on some other terms than those laid down by Christ. Sherem, Nehor, and Korihor were antichrists who spread their delusions among the Nephites." (Mormon Doctrine, p39)

Reading 4 – Alma 30:12-18

Reading 5 – Alma 30:19-21

Reading 6 - Alma 30:23–24, 27–28, 31

Reading 7 – Alma 30:32-35

Reading 8 – Alma 30:39:42

Reading 9 – Alma 30:43-44

Alma 30:47

Reading 10 – Joseph Smith said: When I was preaching in Philadelphia, a Quaker called out for a sign. I told him to be still. After the sermon, he again asked for a sign. I told the congregation the man was an adulterer; that a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and that the Lord had said to me in a revelation, that any man who wanted a sign was an adulterous person. “It is true,” cried one, “for I caught him in the very act,” which the man afterwards confessed when he was baptized. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Five 184243, p.278)

Reading 11 – Alma 31:5

Reading 12 - Alma 30:15-18

Reading 13 – Alma 31:26-35

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