Post # 230 -- Come, Follow Me -- Week # 25 --

July 20–26 -- Alma 36–38 -- “Look to God

and Live”

Dear Family and Friends

I hope that this week has gone better for you than it has been

for me. It has been dso crazy for me that I forgot to go to my

chemo appointment this week. Can you believe it? This was a

first for me. I was simply thinking ahead and focusing on the

class that i have been taking, which i just finished so hopefully

this upcoming week will go much better with less to be worried

about.

Speaking of this upcoming week, i am going to add the Come,

Follow Me lesson into this post for your learning and enjoyment.

I hope that you will share the lesson with your family and friends.

This first part as usual comes from the Come, Follow Me for

Individuals and Families manual:

“As you feel the joy that comes from understanding the gospel, you will

want to apply what you learn” (Preach My Gospel [2004], 19). Record

your thoughts and impressions about how to apply the truths you are

learning.

When Alma saw wickedness around him, he felt deep “sorrow,” “tribulation,”

and “anguish of soul” (Alma 8:14). “Wickedness among this people,” he

said of the Zoramites, “doth pain my soul” (Alma 31:30). He felt something

similar after returning from his mission to the Zoramites—he observed that

“the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they began to be

offended because of the strictness of the word,” and this made his heart “exceedingly sorrowful” (Alma 35:15).

What did Alma do about what he saw and felt? He didn’t simply become

discouraged or cynical about the state of the world. Instead, “he caused

that his sons should be gathered together” and taught them “things

pertaining unto righteousness” (Alma 35:16). He taught them that

“there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and

through Christ. … Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness”

(Alma 38:9).

Now could be a good time to ask your family members and friends

to share with the rest of your family study group any  insights or

any verses from the reading from Alma 36–38. What can you do

to build upon the experiences which your family members and

friends have shared with you? 

You could divide your family members and friends into pairs or

if you have enough your could divide them into three groups

and give each group a chapter from this week’s study in

Alma 36–38. Then you could have each group share any waves

that seemed to jump out at them or inspire them in any way. 

If you do not have enough for groups or you have small

children you may want to read through these chapters one by

one and share with your family members and friends any verses

that inspire you and your spouse. 

Alma 36

We can be born of God as we are humble

and repent.

In reading through Alma's teaching and his testimony and learning how he

was converted you may feel like me having never had such a dramatic

experience in my conversion or yours. You and / or your family members

and friends may wonder why they have never had such an experience, like

that of the one that Alma had at his conversion. 

Something that might be helpful for this would be to share what Elder

David A. Bednar taught: “For many of us, conversion is an ongoing

process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic

experience” (“Converted unto the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 107–8).  

As you know from reading about Alma’s conversing you may notice that

although some things about Alma’s conversion experience are uncommon.

We are that  his experience teaches us some principles that we all need to

apply to our own ongoing conversion. 

We need to remember that our conversion is not final, that it

is ongoing and continuous for each one of us. Therefore we

must nurture it every day. And how do we do this? I believe

that it is through contours prayer, studying of the scriptures

[especially the Book of Mormon with the Bible not the Bible alone].

Through  our weekly attendance at church [ when it opens back

up again], through studying the words of the living prophets;

seers; and revelators, through daily service to others, through

keeping the commandments of God.  These are just to name a

few of the things that keeps our conversion ongoing.

You could have your family members and friends  search

through Alma 36 to find these principles then you can get out

your poster board and make a list of the principles you find

together on your poster board. You do still have a poster board

left don't you? Oh, no, you ran out!!! You better run to the

store in the morning and pick up a new batch:)

Then you can ask your family members and friends the

following questions: What else has helped us [you and your

family members and friends]  become more converted to the

gospel of Jesus Christ? Think about your conversion, how did

it happen? How  is it still happening? What can you share with your family members and friends?

Something that might help your family members and friends

understand the concept that Alma used in the phrase “born of God '' to describe his conversion, would be to read

the following verses individually or in pairs or you could read

them together with your family members and friends.

Oh,  what are those verses you ask? Remember you will be

looking for what it means to be born of God. I have those

verses  right here: 1 John 4:7; Mosiah 5:7; 27:25–26; and

Alma 5:14; 22:15. Ask your family members and friends what

they have learned from these verses. Have them each share

what they have learned.

The next thing that you could do together with your family

members and friends is to search through Alma 36. You 

will be looking for the answers to the following question: 

How do people feel and act when they are born of God? To

help your family members and friends think about how you

and each one of them are being born of God, 

 

You  may want to share the statement by President Ezra Taft

Benson : 

Conversion is like a new birth.

President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “When we have undergone this mighty

change, which is brought about only through faith in Jesus Christ and

through the operation of the Spirit upon us, it is as though we have become

a new person. Thus, the change is likened to a new birth. Thousands of you

have experienced this change. You have forsaken lives of sin, sometimes

deep and offensive sin, and through applying the blood of Christ in your

lives, have become clean. You have no more disposition to return to your

old ways. You are in reality a new person. This is what is meant by a

change of heart” (“A Mighty Change of Heart,” Ensign, Oct. 1989, 4).

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Alma 36

I can be born of God as I am humble and repent.

Few will have experiences as dramatic as Alma’s conversion. But there are

principles in his experience that we can all learn from and apply, because

everyone must be “born of God” (Alma 36:23). As you read Alma 36, look

for principles you can apply. For instance, how does someone who has been

born of God feel about sin? about Jesus Christ? You could also look for

changes you might expect to see in the beliefs and actions of someone who

is born of God.

See also Mosiah 5:7; 27:25–26; Alma 5:14; 22:15; Helaman 3:35;

“Conversion,” Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

 

Alma 37

The scriptures have been preserved “for a wise

purpose.”

It might be that studying Alma’s words as he gave sacred

records to his son Helaman can help you and your family

members and friends have a desire to share how they have

felt the power of the scriptures in their individual lives. 

You may want to consider  ways to encourage them to review

Alma 37 to find  the messages that Alma gave to his son

Helaman about the scriptures, it could be very beneficial for

you to especially look at verses 1–19 and 43–47. 

Then be sure to ask the following questions of your family

members and friends: How do we show that the scriptures are

sacred to us? How can we, like Alma, teach our loved ones to

“keep all these things sacred”? This is found in Alma 37:2. How

do the scriptures “show forth [God’s] power” to us? You will

find this in Alma 37:14.

How do you learn about the blessings of having the scriptures?

There is one way to learn about the blessings of having the

scriptures is to study what Alma said in  Alma 37 about the

sacred records and about the other items that he entrusted

to his son Helaman. Did you happen to pick up some more

sheets of poster board?

Next you really could make another list on your poster board.

You will be listing the sacred items that Alma entrusted to his

son Helaman. This lust or the sacred items: the plates of Nephi

and the brass plates as  found in Alma 37:2–20. As well as the

24 plated of Ether and the Interpreters as found

in Alma 37:21–37

There was also the Liahona [ the ball - like compass that Lehi

found outside of his tent], as found in Alma 37:38–47. You

family members and friends could read these verses to learn

what Alma has taught us about each of these items. Then ask

the following questions: In what ways can the scriptures

enlarge our memories? 

You can find this answer in Alma 37:8. What can you and your

family members and friends learn from Alma’s words about

the blessings of having the scriptures in our lives today? You

know that the scriptures teach us how to follow God. 

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Alma 36

Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of the world.

You may notice some repetition in Alma’s account of his conversion in this

chapter. That’s because Alma 36 is a great example of a form of Hebrew

poetry called chiasmus, in which words or ideas are presented in a certain

order, leading to a central idea, and then repeated in reverse order.

In Alma 36, the idea in verse 3 is repeated in verse 27, the idea in

verse 5 is repeated in verse 26, and so on. The central idea is the most important message of the chiasmus. See if you can find the central idea

in verses 17–18. Notice how catching “hold upon this thought” affected

Alma and changed his life. How has this truth affected you? What other

repeated ideas do you find in this passage?

How does this account of repentance and forgiveness inspire you to follow

Alma’s example and turn to the Savior?

For more information about chiasmus, see Book of Mormon Student

Manual (Church Educational System manual [2009], 232–33).

 

Alma 37:6–7, 41–42

“By small and simple things are great things

brought to pass.”

As you know the Lord works by small and simple things. By this

I mean that the Lord can take something small and simple and

turn it into something great. That is why those small and simple

things that we do are so very important. 

Something that might help to teach your family members and

friends about the importance of “small and simple things” in

God’s work, Alma gave two examples: the scriptures and the

Liahona if we look here we will find one example

Alma 37:6–7, 41–42; if you look here you will find the second

example 1 Nephi 17:41. 

When you snf your family members and friends have finished

reading through these verses with the two examples which

Alma has shared with us you can share with one another some

examples from your own lives of some small and simple things

which you have found in God's work.

You could even bring to your family study group some object

that is small and which has brought about great things in your

life or the lives of  your family members and friends.  You can

also share the following statement by President Dallin H. Oaks:

Small and simple things.

President Dallin H. Oaks taught:

“I was reminded of the power of small and simple things over time by

something I saw on a morning walk. … The thick and strong concrete

sidewalk [was] cracking. Is this the result of some large and powerful thrust?

No, this cracking is caused by the slow, small growth of one of the roots

reaching out from the adjoining tree. …

“So is the powerful effect over time of the small and simple things we are

taught in the scriptures and by living prophets.

Consider the scripture study we’ve been taught to incorporate into our

daily lives. Or consider the personal prayers and the kneeling family

prayers that are regular practices for faithful Latter-day Saints. …

Though each of these practices may seem to be small and simple, over

time they result in powerful spiritual uplift and growth. This occurs because each of these small and simple things invites the

companionship of the Holy Ghost, the Testifier who enlightens us and guides us into truth” (“Small and Simple Things,” Ensign or Liahona,

May 2018, 90).

You could ask some questions like the following in order to help

your family members and friends to possibly personalize this

principle: Why do we sometimes fail to do the small and simple

things? How can we inspire ourselves and our families to

overcome this tendency?

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Alma 37

The scriptures have been preserved “for a wise purpose.”

Have you ever thought about what a miracle and blessing it is to have the

scriptures today? God has “entrusted [us] with these things, which are sacred”

(Alma 37:14). As you read Alma 37, look for the blessings that come from

having the scriptures. How have you experienced these blessings? How can

we use the scriptures to help “show forth [God’s] power unto future generations”? (Alma 37:18).

In Alma 37:38–47, Alma compares “the word of Christ” to the Liahona. As

you ponder this comparison, reflect on the ways you have experienced the

miracle and power of Christ’s teachings “day by day” (Alma 37:40).

See also D. Todd Christofferson, “The Blessing of Scripture,” Ensign or

Liahona, May 2010, 32–35.

 Alma 37:38–47

The words of Christ can guide us day by day.

To inspire your family members and friends to be more diligent and more consistent about  their studying of the

scriptures every day you may want to consider comparing the

word of God to the Liahona, which only worked by the faith of

the people using it.  If you remember when Lehi’s family

members weren't acting by faith in God it didn't work. 

 

You could begin a good discussion about this by asking your

family members and friends to read through the following

passage Alma 37:38–47in pairs. They are to be looking for

some similarities between the Liahona and the word of God.

it might be fun to challenge them to find a similarity in each

verse:)

Then on your poster board you could write down the verse

number and have your family members and friends write down

the similarities they have found next to the verse numbers.

Then you could ask the following question:  What does this

comparison suggest about how we should approach our

scripture study?

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Alma 37:6–7

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”

Sometimes we may feel like our problems are so big and complicated that

the solutions must be big and complicated too. Yet time and time again, the

Lord chooses to use “small and simple things” (Alma 37:6) to accomplish

His work and bless the lives of His children. As you read Alma 37:6–7,

ponder and record ways you’ve seen this principle at work in your life.

What are some small and simple things the Lord uses to bless you and

accomplish His work?

See also Alma 37:41–46; Dallin H. Oaks, “Small and Simple Things,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 89–92.

 

Alma 38

Sharing our testimonies of Jesus Christ can

strengthen those we love.

There is a great example of how you can strengthen and also

encourage those you love to live the gospel in Alma’s words to

his son Shiblon Maybe you and/ or your family members  and

friends could read this chapter and then possibly identify how

Alma strengthened Shiblon. 

Now it is time to read Alma 38 which  is a short chapter so you

may want to just read it together aloud with your family

members and friends. Then you might ask your family members

and friends to share a few passages which they found

meaningful or that give them some ideas for strengthening your

own family members and friends family members.

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and

Family Home Evening

As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know

what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your

family. Here are some ideas.

Alma 36:5–26

Although Alma’s experience was extraordinary, his conversion illustrates several principles that apply to all of us. Invite each family member to

select a verse from Alma 36:5–26 that teaches about being “born of God.”

What do we learn from these verses? Perhaps family members could share

how they have applied the principles Alma described.

Alma 36:18–21, 24

How could we use these verses to help someone see that repentance is a

joyful experience, not a dreadful one? How can repentance inspire us to

share the gospel with others?

Alma 37:6–7, 38–46

What are some of the “small and simple things” (Alma 37:6) that bring

about great things in our lives? In what ways is the word of Christ like the

Liahona? How can we help each other study the scriptures more diligently?

Alma 37:35

Why is it wise to learn to keep the commandments while “in [our] youth”?

Alma 38:12

Does your family know what a bridle is? Maybe you could show them a

picture of one and talk about how it is used to control an animal. What does

it mean to “bridle [our] passions”? How does bridling our passions help us

be “filled with love”?

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “As I Search the Holy Scriptures,” Hymns, no. 277.

Hey, have you and/or your family  members and friends ever

wondered how to counsel a loved one who made a serious

mistake? Explain to them that they will find helpful insights 

in this upcoming week's readings in Alma 39–42. I wanted to

share the following with you as well. It comes from the Come,

Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

Improving Personal Study

Record impressions. When you record spiritual impressions, you show

the Lord that you value His direction, and He will bless you with more

frequent revelation. As you study, write down your thoughts.

(See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 12, 30.)  Improving Family study: Invite

learners to teach each other. When family members and friends bear

testimony or share insights, they may be able to reach or inspire another

family member and/or friend  in a way you may not be able to.

(See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 30.)

I hope that each one of you have enjoyed today's post and our

lesson for this upcoming week. I have learned many new things

from this lesson as well as from my review of last week's lesson.

I believe that it is very helpful for me to review the lessons as

I seem to pick up things that I had not seen or realized the

first time when I was sharing it with all of you and our cyber

study buddies out there in cyberspace. 

I have often thought of the Liahona and the word of God

separately but have never put them together in a comparison

and I think that it was helpful for me to do that.

It is always a good idea to take a different perspective

when you study the scriptures. If you look at it differently

you may be surprised by what you find.

I do hope all of you are healthy and doing well. That you will

continue to say your prayers and put your full trust in the Lord. That you will each continue to study the Book of Mormon with

me and our cyber study buddies out there in cyberspace. It is

wonderful to be studying together even if I cannot see you, I

can feel you there:)

Please remember who you are!!! You are each one a child of God.

Either a son or a daughter of a loving, merciful Heavenly Father

who gave up His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ to set us free

and to pay for our debts, something to think about isn't it? I

hope you are all doing your best to stay safe until my next post:)