Post # 239 -- Come, Follow Me -- July 6–12 -- Alma 30–31-- “The Virtue

of the Word of God”

Dear Family and Friends

How was your week? I hope you and your family members and

friends have had a great week. Are you and your daily members

and friends enjoying one another’s company? I believe that

during this time of COVID 19 we need to embrace our families

and remind them of how our country became free!

I hope that it  wasn't too hot  for your fourth of July celebration activities, wherever you are living.  I felt like it was a bit cooler

here than it has been the past week. We had our favorite three

digit temperatures :( Not my favorite temps! I prefer it to be

more on the cooler side year round. 

My little family here had a couple of friends over and my middle

son and his wife came over,which was great because I haven't

seen them in a while due to his work schedule.  It was nice to

have them stop by for even a little while. I hope you were all

able to enjoy your family members and friends for the day:)

We barbequed burgers and hotdogs, made potato salad,

macaroni salad, added chips, soda and watermelon and called it

our Fourth of July banquet:) Then we sat on the front lawn and

watched a spectacular light show with the neighborhood fireworks.

Of course we added out fireworks to theirs and the kids loved it!!!

The whole neighborhood was lit up in celebration of our county! It

was a pretty amazing sight to see!  I had to enjoy it from inside

the house because it is too loud and the sulfur smell and smoke

makes me so nauseous. It is still enjoyable watching from the

window of the house:)

This first section comes to you directly from our Come, Follow

Me for Individuals and Families manual; 

Alma testified of the “powerful effect” of the word of God (Alma 31:5). As

you read Alma 30–31, record your impressions as you feel the powerful

effect God’s word has on you.

The accounts in Alma 30–31 clearly demonstrate the power of words—for

evil and for good. The “flattering” and “great swelling words” of a false

teacher named Korihor threatened to bring “many souls down to destruction” (Alma 30:31, 47). Similarly, the teachings of a Nephite

dissenter named Zoram led a whole group of people to fall “into great

errors” and “pervert the ways of the Lord” (Alma 31:9, 11).

In contrast, Alma had unwavering faith that the word of God would have a

“more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or

anything else” (Alma 31:5)—including the words of Korihor and Zoram.

Alma’s words expressed eternal truth and drew upon the powers of heaven

to silence Korihor (see Alma 30:39–50), and they invited heaven’s blessing

on those who went with him to bring the Zoramites back to the truth

(see Alma 31:31–38). These are valuable examples for followers of Christ

today, when “great swelling words” and “great errors” again have a

powerful effect on the minds of the people (Alma 30:31; 31:9). But we can

find truth by trusting, as Alma did, “the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5).

You might want to have your family members and friends review

Alma 30–31 sharing with one another things that you each felt

was a powerful message for you that you found during your study

of this week’s chapters. Like do not tempt the Lord!!! 

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Alma 30:6–31

The adversary tries to deceive us with false doctrine.

You know as I was studying through these chapters I noticed

good comparisons for us of the difference between the gospel

truth and that of the counterfeits which Satan uses. If you feel

that your family members and friends might need a little bit of

help in understanding these things you may  want  to consider

using an object lesson.

I found a section for young adults talking about identifying

satan’s counterfeits. I read through the stories and they are

quite suitable for family discussion I think. You can find them

here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2016/04/young-adults/

recognizing-satans-counterfeits?lang=eng

“ I found another talk titled The Great Imitator” by

James E. Faust, if you care to reas it you can do so here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1987/10/the-great-imitator?lang=eng

I feel that it is so important that we teach our family members 

the ways that satan tries to deceive us. This helps us to be on

the lookout for his tactics so we are not taken in by his pans..

I also found a fun Family Home Evening activity which is also an

object lesson about satan and how he deceives people. You can

find it here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2014/03/sodas-slushies-and-spiritual-consequences?lang=eng

Using an object lesson could help your family members and friends

to better understand the differences between gospel truths and satans counterfeits. You might also just use some fake items you

have around your home. Some things like monopoly money, play

food, then get the real things and match them up. 

Then ask your family members and friends the following question:

How can we tell that the fake items are not real? Now read together

with your family members and friends   Alma 30:6–31.. After  you

have finished reading you could identify the false teachings of

Korihor. After you have identified Korihor’s false teachings it’s

question time again:)

What might be enticing about these teachings? What do gospel

truths offer us that Satan’s counterfeit teachings cannot offer? Next you can read with your family members and friends the

following passage of scriptures Alma 30:32–54 have them be

listening and / or looking for the thing that helped Alma to discern

true doctrine and gals doctrine.

Now that your reading is done it is time that you share or have your

family members and friends share with one another what  it was that

helped Alma to discern the true doctrine from the false doctrine. If

you have any difficulties you might want to review the passage of

scripture again. Have you found any other things to be helpful;?

Something that may help your family members and friends to learn

just how they can protect themselves from the effects of false

doctrine you could review the description of an anti;Christ as found

in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and

Families. Which you can find just below here in the following section.

Alma 30:6, 12

What is an anti-Christ?

In Alma 30, Korihor is called “Anti-Christ” (verse 6). An anti-Christ is

“one who would assume the guise of Christ but in reality would be opposed

to Christ (1 John 2:18–22; 4:3–6; 2 John 1:7). In a broader sense it is anyone

or anything that counterfeits the true gospel or plan of salvation and that

openly or secretly is set up in opposition to Christ”

(Bible Dictionary, “Antichrist”).

What “counterfeits [of] the true gospel” do you notice in today’s world?

For example, Sister Julie B. Beck, former Relief Society General President,

taught, “Any doctrine or principle [we] hear from the world that is

antifamily is also anti-Christ” (“Teaching the Doctrine of the Family,”

Ensign, Mar. 2011, 15).

After you've finished reading about the anti= Christ then it's time

for more questions. Now you can ask your family members and

friends  the following questions :

Which verses in Alma 30:6–31 show that Korihor fits this

description? Which of his teachings are similar to false teachings

in our day? 

You may want to get out your poster board and male two columns

with the following headings: “Teachings In Alma’s Day” and “False

Teachings In Our Day”. Read together the following passages of

scripture  Alma 30:12–18, 23–28. Then answer the following

question:: How can we avoid being deceived by these teachings?

The following ideas for personal scripture study comes to you

directly from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals  and Families

manual: 

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Alma 30:6–60

The Book of Mormon can help me resist the influence of those

who try to deceive me.

As you read Alma 30:6–31, the teachings of Korihor may sound familiar.

That’s because, as President Ezra Taft Benson taught, the Book of Mormon

reveals and can fortify us 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 false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of

our time” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson,

[2014], 132).

Consider making a list of the false doctrines Korihor taught in Alma 30:6–31.

What are some of the consequences of believing these teachings? For instance,

what is the result of believing that “when a man [is] dead, that [is] the end

thereof”? (Alma 30:18). What false doctrines taught by Korihor are similar to

false doctrines you’ve noticed in the world today?

Reading about the interaction between Korihor and Alma can help you prepare

for situations when others may try to deceive you. It might help to study

Alma 30:29–60 to understand how Korihor was deceived

(see especially verses 52–53). What can you learn from Alma’s response to

Korihor’s teachings? (see Alma 30:31–35).

Alma 30:39–46

All things testify of God.

As you can probably tell from your study of these chapters and

other chapters as well, our world that we live in is a world that is

so much like the world in which Alma lived where there are some

people out there who try to teach others that there is no God.

you may find Alma's testimony to be helpful for you and your

family members and friends.

You can find Alma’s testimony in Alma 30:39–44. Reading Alma’s

testimony with your family members and friends will be helpful in

making another list on your poster board. When you read Alma;s

testimony, have your family members and friends listen and /or

look for truths and evidence that Alma gives that testify that

there is a God

Here is a great question for you to ponder on:.What other

testimonies do we have that God lives? This should lead into

another good discussion.

Adding to this discussion you may want to consider sharing with

your family members and friends the following statement by

President M. Russell Ballard ;

All things denote there is a God.

President M. Russell Ballard taught that the “eternal evidences” Alma gave for

the existence of God “continue to testify to us today” (see Alma 30:44):

“Astronauts viewing the earth from space have stated how incredibly beautiful

it is and how alive it appears. United States Senator Jake Garn wrote of his

experience in space: ‘It is impossible for me to describe the beauty of the earth.

It is a breathtaking, awe-inspiring, spiritual experience to view the earth from

space while traveling at twenty-five times the speed of sound. I could also look

into the blackness of the vacuum of space and see billions of stars and galaxies

millions of light-years away. The universe is so vast as to be impossible to

comprehend. But I did comprehend the hand of God in all things. I felt his

presence throughout my seven days in space. I know that God created this

earth and the universe. … I know that God lives and is the Creator of us all’

(letter to M. Russell Ballard, 3 March 1988)” (“God’s Love for His Children,”

Ensign, May 1988, 58).

I know that i have mentioned before just how important i feel

that music is, especially in inviting the Spirit to your lessons. Now

would be a great time to sing one of my favorite hymns that

teaches us about the goodness of God. so, with your family

members and friends please at least read the words together to

the following hymn: 

“How Great Thou Art” (Hymns, no. 86), or you could sing the

together. Didn’t you just love that hymn? I knew that you would! 

You remember in Alma 30:42 when Alma was talking with Korihor? 

Then it was as he talked with Korihor that  Alma perceives that

Korihor had “put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in [him]”. 

At this time you may want to have your family members and friends

search through  Alma 30:39–46. Tell them to be looking for other

references to the Holy Ghost. What role does the Holy Ghost play

in testifying to us of the reality of God and Jesus Christ? How can we help those who have doubts or questions seek truth through the Holy Ghost?

Alma 31

God’s word has the power to lead people to righteousness.

Have you or any of your family members and/ or friends had an

experience when “the virtue of the word of God” as we find in

Alma 31:5, that helped you / them or someone you or they know to

make changes in their life? You can share any verses from Alma 31 that might apply to yours or their experiences. 

You and / or you family members and friends could also share ways in which God’s word has had a “powerful effect upon [their] minds”

as we learn in Alma 31:5. You and your family members  and friends could also benefit from reading together some other scriptures

that testify about the power of God’s word.  

The  following passages are a few examples about the power of

God’s word for you and your family members and friends to

explore together:

Scriptures about the power of God’s word.

• 2 Timothy 3:15–17
• Hebrews 4:12
• 1 Nephi 15:23–24
• 2 Nephi 31:20; 33:4–5, 10
• Jacob 2:8
• Helaman 3:29–30
• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37

You and your family members and friends may have been inspired by Alma’s example of when he was praying for the Zoramites as

you and/or they read through and studied Alma 31 this week. You

may want to ask your family members and friends what they have

each learned from this chapter.

If they don't mention what they learned about reaching out to

their family members and friends who have left the gospel path or

who are struggling with their faith. Ask them to think about it.

Then have them search through  Alma 31 together and list on the

board things they notice about Alma that helped him rescue the

Zoramites. 

Then ask them the following questions: How can we use the word

of God more in our efforts to rescue others?  Then you may want

to consider  sharing the following  quotation by

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland for additional insights to discuss:

Nourishing others with God’s word.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:

“Are we really nurturing our youth and our new members in a way that

will sustain them when the stresses of life appear? Or are we giving them

a kind of theological Twinkie—spiritually empty calories? … During a

severe winter several years ago, President Boyd K. Packer noted that a

goodly number of deer had died of starvation while their stomachs were full of hay. In an honest effort to assist, agencies had supplied the

superficial when the substantial was what had been needed. Regrettably they had fed the deer but they had not nourished them. …

“Satan is certainly not subtle in his teachings; why should we be? Whether

we are instructing our children at home or standing before an audience in church, let us never make our faith difficult to detect. … Give scripturally

based sermons. Teach the revealed doctrine” (“A Teacher Come from God,”

Ensign, May 1998, 26–27).

Ine additional question for this section : What do your family members and /or friends  find in Alma 31:30–38 that can help

those who sorrow for the sins of others as Alma did? The following

ideas for personal scripture study comes to you directly from our

Come, Follow Me manual:

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Alma 31

God’s word has the power to lead people to righteousness.

The problem of the Zoramites separating from the Nephites may have seemed

to some like it needed a political or military solution (see Alma 31:1–4). But

Alma had learned to trust “the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5). What

do you learn from Alma 31:5 about the power of God’s word? How have you

seen the word of God lead “people to do that which [is] just”? (Alma 31:5).

Ponder how you can “try” (use or test) the word of God to help someone you

love.

To further understand Alma’s approach to rescuing others, you could compare

his attitudes, feelings, and actions with those of the Zoramites, as described in

Alma 31. A table like the following one might help. What differences do you

notice? How do you feel you could be more like Alma?

Zoramites	Alma
Believed those outside their group were condemned to hell (Alma 31:17).	Believed the Zoramites were his “brethren” and their souls were “precious” (Alma 31:35).
Set their hearts on riches (Alma 31:24, 28).	Desired to bring souls to Jesus Christ (Alma 31:34).

\

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 30:44

Consider reading and discussing Alma 30:44 together as you go on a walk

outside or look at pictures of God’s creations. Family members could share

what they see that testifies of God. How do these things—or other experiences

we’ve had—help us know God is real?

Alma 30:56–60

What do we learn from Alma 30:56–60 about how the devil treats his

followers? What can we do to protect our home against his influence?

Alma 31:20–38

After reading Alma 31:20–38 with your family, you could discuss the following

questions: How was Alma’s prayer different from the prayer of the Zoramites?

How can we follow Alma’s example in our personal and family prayers?

Younger children could put a rock under their pillows to help them remember

to pray every morning and night. They also might enjoy decorating their rock.

Alma 31:23

What are we doing each day in our home to learn about and speak of God?

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

Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” Children’s Songbook,

228–29.

You can now take the time to maybe share what doctrine or gospel

principle you  might teach your family members and friends to

counter the falsehoods Alma found among the Zoramites.. Tell

your family members that as they read and study Alma 32–35 they

will discover hw Alma used God’s word to help the Zoramites see

the need to change. 

You might even ask your family members and friends to look out for which doctrines  or gospel principles they might teach to

counter those falsehoods which Alma discovered there among the

Zoramites. It is important to guide your family and friends so that

they can find the truths in the scriptures themselves

In this way they will be more likely to understand as well as to

cherish the truths and principles that they do find for themselves

than if you just point them out to them. I hope this makes some

sense to each one of you. I pray that you and your family members

and friends have enjoyed this week’s lesson about the deceitful

ways of satan.

I am sorry that I got this lesson up a bit later this week. I hope this didn't throw you off too much in your studying schedule. I

pray that each of you and your family members and friends are

all healthy and well and staying safe from this COVID 19 that is

still out there lurking in the shadows around every corner on

every surface, be careful. 

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

please continue saying your prayers morning and evening and keep

a prayer in your heart throughout the day, please continue to

study the Book of Mormon with me each week and from its pages

each day. Until my next post, please stay safe and make it a

great week!!!