Mormon Life - Lesson Helps tag

FHE: Children of the Covenant

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us." -Russell M. Nelson

Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read “Covenants,” by Elder Russell M. Nelson,

Ensign, Nov 2011, 86.

Thought:

When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us.

(Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Covenants,” Ensign, Nov 2011, 86.)

Song:

“I Am a Child of God,” Children’s Songbook, p. 2.

Scripture:

The Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant.

(3 Nephi 20:26)

Lesson:

Invite your family to think of the last promise they made to someone. (You might have a willing family member share the promise.) Ask:

• Why do we make promises?

• What do we call promises we make with Heavenly Father? (Covenants.)

• Why is it important that we keep our promises and covenants?

Take turns reading D&C 3:16–20 and ask the following questions as you read:

• What did the Lord promise He would do for His people? (Give them knowledge of

the Savior—verse 16.)

• To whom did the Lord make that same promise in verses 17 and 18? (The

descendants of the Nephites and Lamanites.)

• How will the Lord keep His promise? (By preserving the Book of Mormon record.)

• What part can we play in helping the Lord to fulfill this promise? (Do missionary work.)

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 7.)

Story:

While standing on the banks of the river Jordan, I thought of Joshua leading all of Israel to that river and the great challenge they faced in crossing the water. As the great mass of people approached the river Jordan, the Lord spoke to Joshua and instructed him to go to the very brink and then to stand still. He was apparently telling Joshua what He is telling us—to go as far as we can and then stand still, stop, be calm, and listen to the voice from within. The Lord further told Joshua, “And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.” We go to the brink, stand still, feel the Spirit, and then prepare to go just a little further if necessary. After Joshua had obeyed, we are told, “the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground.” (See Joshua 3.)

One of the really exciting things about reading the scriptures is to learn how our Father has cared about His children through the ages. We know that He will care about us no differently. We know what to expect, and our faith grows stronger because we know He is unchanging, and that His rules do not change. We know that He abides the law even when it must hurt Him dreadfully to see one of His children leave the path and wander off into dangerous territory.

(Ardeth Greene Kapp, My Neighbor, My Sister, My Friend, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1990].)

Activity:

Go for a short walk and look for evidences of God’s love for you.

Refreshment

Butterscotch Brownies

They’ll be in love with these.

3⁄4 cup butter or margarine

3 cups packed brown sugar

3 eggs, beaten

2 1⁄4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

3⁄4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

1 cup flaked coconut

In a large saucepan, melt butter or margarine over low heat; remove from heat and cool. Blend

in brown sugar and eggs. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and salt; add to first mixture and blend well. Stir in vanilla, nuts, and coconut. Spread in greased 9x13-inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 to 35 minutes. Makes about 15 bars.

(Julie Badger Jensen, Essential Mormon Celebrations, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2005], p. 47.)

To access the PDF version of this lesson, click here.

Book of Mormon Lesson 21: "Alma ... Did Judge Righteous Judgments"

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Ted L. Gibbons
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: The need for good government is perhaps greater today than any other time in history. We find wonderful examples of good leaders in Mosiah and Alma, who fearlessly stood for the right.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

The Book of Mormon was written for us today. God is the author of that book. It is a record of a fallen people, compiled by inspired men for our blessing today. These people never had the Book. It was meant for us. Mormon, the ancient prophet after whom the book is named, abridged centuries of records. God, who knows the end from the beginning, told him what to include in his abridgement that we would need for our day. Mormon turned the records over to his son Moroni, the last recorder; and Moroni, writing over 1500 years ago but speaking to us today, states: “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not, but behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing." (Mormon 8:35) (President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, January 1988)

INTRODUCTION:

Perhaps the need for good government is greater today than at any time in the history of the world. With the pervasiveness of evil and permissiveness in the world and with the strident voices of sinners demanding absolute freedom and with the disappearing standards of honor and integrity, we have a great need for men and women who will stand fearlessly for what is right. Both Mosiah and Alma were these kinds of rulers.

Joseph Smith wrote,

We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. (D&C 121:39)

Note that the revelation tells us it is a description of “almost all men." In these chapters we will meet two men who did not fit this pattern. They were men who did not exercise unrighteous dominion, but who sought the will of God and the welfare of their people in everything they did.

1. MOSIAH TEACHES CORRECT PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT (Mosiah 29)

With the departure of the four sons of Mosiah on a mission, Mosiah was left without an heir to the throne, and he therefore determined to change the Nephite government from kings to judges. In his explanation to his people, we can find a wonderful discussion of good government. Consider the following verses and ponder what they teach about the kind of government that “will make for the peace of the people" (Mosiah 29:10).

-[Mosiah 29:11] Appointed “wise men" to positions of leadership. (See D&C 98:10)

-[Mosiah 29:11-14] Established laws that rested on a foundation of the commandments of God and promoted peace, security, and happiness.

-[Mosiah 29:16-24] Since wicked leaders “pervert the ways of all righteousness," their power was limited.

-[Mosiah 29:25-27] Decisions were to be made according to “the voice of the people."

-[Mosiah 29:28,29,31] Officials were to be made accountable for their decisions and actions. (See D&C 134:1)

-[Mosiah 29:32] Laws were to provide that “every man may enjoy his rights and privileges." (See D&C 98:5)

-[Mosiah 29:30,34,38] “Every man [was expected to] bear his part" and “answer for his own sins."

Who do the people choose as their first chief judge? (Mosiah 29:42) Why do you think they chose Alma?

2. AS CHIEF JUDGE, ALMA FACES PROBLEMS OF PRIESTCRAFT, REBELLION, AND PRIDE. (Alma 1-4.)

A. In the first year of his reign as chief judge, what problem did Alma face? (Alma 1:1-6) What was Nehor teaching that was so attractive? (Alma 1:3-5,16)

We have traditionally taught that Satan's plan was to force all men to be righteous. The scriptures do not say this, however. They simply tell us that Satan “sought to destroy the agency of man." (Moses 4:3) I suspect that there are two ways to do this. One is to remove all choices. The other is to remove all consequences from choices. It there is no accountability there is no agency. Might it be possible that Lucifer's plan was like the doctrine expounded by Nehor in Alma 1:4?

And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life (Alma 1:4).

What if Lucifer said to us in our pre-mortal councils, “I will save you no matter what you do." That certainly sounds like a more attractive plan than the one than this one: “I will make you do what is right no matter how you feel about it."

Anyway, Nehor's declaration of universal salvation without effort was so attractive that “many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money." (Alma 4:5)

What makes this doctrine so dangerous? (Alma 1:12; see also 2 Nephi 26:29-31)

What crime did Nehor commit as he about preaching? (Alma 1:7-9)

What judgement does Alma pronounce? (Alma 1:12-15)

We also face apostate doctrine from time to time. What does Gideon teach us to do in order to withstand such doctrine? (Alma 1:7) Gideon “admonished [him] with the words of God." What spirit should we avoid as we confront such doctrine? (Alma 1:21-22; see also D&C 38:41)

B. In the fifth year of the Alma's reign, what problem did he face? (Alma 2:1-10) What did the Amlicites do in order to be distinguished from the Nephites? (Alma 3:4,13,18) What other significance did this mark have? (Alma 3:14-19)

What are some things today, like the marks of the Amlicites, that might show an association with the world rather than an association with the Lord and his people? Why is it important for Latter-day Saints not to have these distinguishing characteristics? Is it possible that certain kinds of jewelry and clothing and haircuts mark us in much the same way that the Amlicites marked themselves?

What are the things that distinguish Latter-day Saints from the world? The Lord has given us a number of blessings that keep us from being too much like the world. How does the Word of Wisdom make us different from the world? What about our garments? What other things come to mind?

C. What had been the condition of the church in the second year of the reign of the judges? (Alma 1:23-31) How long did it take for the people of the Lord to turn to pride and worldliness? (Alma 4:6) Why is it so difficult for a prosperous people to avoid pride and materialism?

"The worst fear I have about this people is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and His people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty and all manner of persecution and be true. But my greatest fear is that they cannot stand wealth" (Brigham Young, cited in Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p.48).

What can a righteous person or people do to avoid this natural tendency? (See Alma 1:27)

What problems does Alma face in the 8th year of the reign of the judges? (See Alma 4:6-14) What would Alma have seen among his people to cause him to have written these observations? What do people do who are waxing proud? (4:6) What does costly apparel have to do with pride and riches?

Why do these financial transgressions lead to the conditions in Alma 4:9?

And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of God.

We are told in 4:10 that the “wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block" to the non-members. Have you ever encountered a situation in which the actions of a member prevented a non-member from taking the Church seriously?

3. ALMA RESIGNS THE JUDGMENT SEAT IN ORDER TO PREACH THE GOSPEL (Alma 4:15-20)

Alma's reaction to the problems in the church was to become very sorrowful (Alma 4:15). How did Alma choose to deal with the problem? (Alma 4:16-19) What does the phrase “bearing down in pure testimony" suggest to you? What is a pure testimony? Have you heard many of them in your fast and testimony meetings? What is suggested by the phrase, bearing down in this context?

Why is it that the most powerful political figure in the nation of the Nephites could see “no way that he might reclaim them" except for bearing down in pure testimony?

What does Alma decide to do? (Alma 4:16,17)

Why does Alma select this solution? (Alma 4:19) Why is the preaching of the word the best solution to these kinds of problems?

What problems facing the world today are also best dealt with by the preaching of the gospel?

Why are some problems better solved by the preaching of the gospel than by the decrees of government?

CONCLUSION:

We live in a world replete with social programs and governmental agencies. Members of the legislature are frantic to communicate their willingness to help with state and national problems by throwing money at them. But the truth is that we will probably never change people lives by changing their environment. The Savior had all the tools to do that, much as Alma did.

Christ could feed thousands with food that had been intended to feed a small boy. He could heal the sick. He could raise the dead. He had the power to eradicate every social problem. Just after he fed the 5000 (see John 6) some of the Jews wanted to “take him by force, to make him a king" (John 6:15). But Jesus “departed again into a mountain himself alone" (John 6:15).

Jesus knew what Alma knew—that the only way to really change people is to start on the inside. The sequence looks like this:

CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE

HEART ATTITUDE LIFE ENVIRONMENT

Teachings of George Albert Smith 11: Revelation from God to His Children

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:04:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "Why does the Lord want us to pray to Him and to ask? Because that is how revelation is received." -Richard G. Scott Note: As the Church has said, the manual has been prepared as the primary source of lesson material. This supplement, from a general conference address, is only meant as a complement to your study on this lesson’s topic.

Excerpt from "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life," by Elder Richard G. Scott, April 2012 General Conference:

The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we need to guide us in our mortal journey. When it is crisp and clear and essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for the purpose of this message, it is inspiration.

An example of revelation would be the direction that President Spencer W. Kimball received after his long and continued supplication to the Lord regarding providing the priesthood to all worthy men in the Church when at the time it was available to only some of them.

Another example of revelation is this guidance given to President Joseph F. Smith: “I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. … We are closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors … who have preceded us into the spirit world. We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them; we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to them by ties that we can not break. … If this is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, … how much more certain it is … to believe that those who have been faithful, who have gone beyond … can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know them. … We live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; … their love for us and their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves.”1

To read the full talk, click here.

Young Men Lesson 21: Pure Thoughts: Clean Language

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:03:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today." -Jeffrey R. Holland

Discussion Questions

• What are some sources of bad thoughts that can lead to bad language or behavior? (see D&C 88:121).

• What are some sources of good thoughts? How do good thoughts lead to good language or behavior?

Excerpt from "Tongue of Angels" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2007 General Conference:

The Prophet Joseph Smith deepened our understanding of the power of speech when he taught, “It is by words … [that] every being works when he works by faith. God said, ‘Let there be light: and there was light.’ Joshua spake, and the great lights which God had created stood still. Elijah commanded, and the heavens were stayed for the space of three years and six months, so that it did not rain. … All this was done by faith. … Faith, then, works by words; and with [words] its mightiest works have been, and will be, performed.” 1 Like all gifts “which cometh from above,” words are “sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit.” 2

It is with this realization of the power and sanctity of words that I wish to caution us, if caution is needed, regarding how we speak to each other and how we speak of ourselves.

There is a line from the Apocrypha which puts the seriousness of this issue better than I can. It reads, “The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.” 3 With that stinging image in mind, I was particularly impressed to read in the book of James that there was a way I could be “a perfect man.”

To read the full talk, click here.

Young Women Lesson 21: A Righteous Example Influences Others

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:04:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "It is our duty to live our lives in such a way that we may be examples of righteousness." -Thomas S. Monson

Discussion Questions

• How do your friends react when you live Church standards? How can you respond if they label your obedience as being self-righteous?

• What are some ways you can respond to others who may tease you or put you down for living Church standards?

• How does our honesty with others impact our relationships with them?

Excerpt from "Examples of Righteousness" by President Thomas S. Monson, April 2008 General Conference:

My young friends, be strong. The philosophies of men surround us. The face of sin today often wears the mask of tolerance. Do not be deceived; behind that facade is heartache, unhappiness, and pain. You know what is right and what is wrong, and no disguise, however appealing, can change that. The character of transgression remains the same. If your so-called friends urge you to do anything you know to be wrong, you be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow. There is no friendship more valuable than your own clear conscience, your own moral cleanliness—and what a glorious feeling it is to know that you stand in your appointed place clean and with the confidence that you are worthy to do so.

To read the full talk, click here.

RS/MP Lesson 9: “Open Your Soul to the Lord in Prayer” (George Albert Smith Manual)

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:39:00 -0600

source: feastuponthewordblog.org

Pres. Smith says, after God saved him from his harrowing, near-death experience, “my heart was filled with gratitude and humility that the Lord had . . . spared my life” (p. 95). What strikes me most about this lesson is the link between prayer, gratitude, and humility.

On p. 99, we read:

Do not put away from you the power of God. Retain in your homes the influences of prayer and of thanksgiving, and let gratitude flow to him who is the author of our beings and the giver of all good.

Sharing Time 2012 – May Week 3: The Holy Ghost can help Me

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:12:00 -0600

source: itstimeforsharing.wordpress.com

Thoughts: I wanted to start by helping the children know that we are given the Holy Ghost as a gift. But that often it take us a long time to learn how the Holy Ghost talks to us. And that it is ok if we don’t know when we feel it, but that it takes practice.

Book of Mormon Lesson 20: "My Soul Is Pained No More"

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Ted L. Gibbons
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Sometimes it's hard to forget our own mistakes - so it can be heard to believe God can fully forgive us if we repent. But Alma the Younger is a supreme example that God means it when He says "I will forgive."

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“Like the Bible, [the Book of Mormon] is a volume of holy writ that speaks forth the mind and will of the Almighty. Like the Bible, it invites men to forsake the world and live as becometh saints. Like the Bible, it has such an impact upon the hearts of men that they are prepared to die in defense of their beliefs. Already the ten thousands of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh have left Babylon and come to Zion with songs of everlasting joy because of it. And before the end of the world, which is the premillennial destruction of the wicked, and before the end of the earth, which shall not occur until after the Millennium, the Book of Mormon shall so affect men that the whole earth and all its peoples will have been influenced and governed by it.” (Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, p.170)

INTRODUCTION:

If you were a bookie making bets in Zarahemla between 100 and 92 BC, with the fore-knowledge provided by the Book of Mormon, you could have made a million dollars a day by giving long odds on this proposition: “I'm willing to wager 10,000 senines that Alma the Younger will one day be President of the Church!"

Anyone with money would have been delighted to get some of that action. The chance that Alma would one day be President of the Church was about the same as the chance that a curelom would learn to play the clarinet. But in about 91 BC, Alma became the leader of the Church, and the Chief Judge as well. All of which teaches us a major message of these chapters: WHEN THE LORD SAYS, "I WILL FORGIVE," WHAT HE REALLY MEANS IS, "I WILL FORGIVE!"

1. LIMHI AND ALMA'S PEOPLE JOIN MOSIAH'S PEOPLE IN THE LAND OF ZARAHEMLA (Mosiah 25)

At the end of Mosiah, the Nephite nation consists of the Mulekites, the Nephites of Zarahemla, the people of Limhi, the people of Alma, and the children of the Amulonites (see Mosiah 25:12). These five groups became one group under the leadership of king Mosiah II, son of Benjamin. But “there were not so many of the people of Nephi and of the people of Zarahemla as there were of the Lamanites; yea, they were not half so numerous" (Mosiah 25:3).

The decision of Limhi and Alma and the Amulonites and the Mulekites to join the people of Mosiah is instructive. They had a desire, I suspect, to associate with people led by a prophet of God. They wanted the fellowship of disciples of Christ. The request of the people of Limhi for baptism shows their commitment to this concept.

Lucifer would like to divide us. If he could find a way to drive a wedge between us and the people of the Lord, between us and the prophet, between us and the Spirit, between us and members of our family, his efforts to make us miserable would be much more effective.

2. MANY CHURCH MEMBERS ARE LED INTO SIN BY UNBELIEVERS (Mosiah 26; 27:1-7)

The challenge of conveying the testimonies of the fathers to the hearts of the children confronts every generation. But some generations seem to have handled it better than others. Many Nephites must have agonized when they saw their children make some of the same mistakes and suffer some of the same consequences as their parents. The dilemma facing the Nephites in Mosiah 26:1-4 is a classic example.

Benjamin's sermon was instrumental in helping convert a nation (see Mosiah 2-5). Everyone who heard that sermon, believed, repented, and received a mighty change of heart. Is it possible that these converts assumed that their children would acquire the same conversion experience by osmosis? By association? By the trickle-down effect? We do not know, but is it possible that they were so converted that they failed to pay the price to convert their kids, never dreaming that their children would need more than the opportunity to live among believers? Whatever the cause,

it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers. They did not believe what had been said concerning the resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming of Christ. And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened. And they would not be baptized; neither would they join the church. And they were a separate people as to their faith, and remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state; for they would not call upon the Lord their God (Mosiah 26:1-4).

These members of the 'rising generation' had three problems, and the sequence in which those problems are mentioned is critical. First (because they had been too small to understand the words of Benjamin), they did not believe the traditions of their fathers. The did not believe in the resurrection nor in the coming of Christ. Their first problem was THAT THEY DID NOT BELIEVE in Christ and his mission.

And “because of their unbelief", the word of God was incomprehensible to them. Their second problem, which came directly as a result of the first, was that THEY COULD NOT UNDERSTAND. This increased the problem, for their hearts were hardened.

The result of this lack of understanding was that “they would not be baptized; neither would they join the church . . . they would not call upon the Lord their God (Mosiah 26:1-4). Simply stated, THEY WOULD NOT OBEY the commandments.

I believe that this is the way it always happens. When people will not obey the word of the Lord, it is not necessarily because they do not want to obey. It is often because they do not understand. And they do not understand because they do not believe. President Packer spoke of this matter in a Christmas devotional at BYU.

. . . we have every encouragement to adopt the attitude, "seeing is believing." The remarkable thing is that if you hold that spirit, you do not have the hope or the chance of ever finding Christmas as it ought to be, because, you see, it is just the other way around, "believing is seeing." (Boyd K. Packer, BYU Speeches, December 19, 1962, p.5, emphasis added)

People who believe will see—will understand—the meaning behind the commandments; and seeing, they will have an increased inclination to obey.

I have attended some wonderful firesides about the importance of missionary work and temple marriage. Stakes have reviewed their statistics, felt concern, and gathered the youth and some great speakers to proclaim the importance of this gospel duty that needed attention. We had a missionary fireside a few years ago in my current stake. A returned mission president spoke. A returned missionary spoke. A missionary who had just received his call also spoke. My son was electrified by the meeting. He had never been more excited to go on a mission. But he had always planned on going. My guess is that such a meeting will never inspire one who does not believe in Christ enough to give two years of his life to serve. The solution for those who do not want to serve is to help them believe in Christ. Everything else will come in its place, for when they believe they will understand. And when they understand, they will be more likely to obey.

Of course, one of the best ways to get people to believe in Christ is to get them into the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Perhaps part of the condemnation of which President Benson spoke so frequently, a condemnation related to our use of the Book of Mormon, devolved from our failure to use this book to impart belief and testimony to our children. When I first began to understand this principle from the first four verses of Mosiah 26, I discussed it with my wife. We decided that for one year we would focus on Christ in every Family Home Evening in order to assist our children in learning to believe in Christ and his mission.

The problem among the people of Mosiah increased.

For it came to pass that [the unbelievers] did deceive many with their flattering words, who were in the church, and did cause them to commit many sins; therefore it became expedient that those who committed sin, that were in the church, should be admonished by the church (Mosiah 26:6).

This was new ground of course, for “there had not any such thing happened before in the church" (Mosiah 26:10). Alma took the matter to the King who deferred to Alma, who then went to the Lord, “for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God" (Mosiah 26:13).

Note that the Lord answered Alma about this matter “after he had poured out his whole soul to God" (Mosiah 26:14). Consider that phrase. What does it mean to pour out your whole soul in prayer? This is a phrase that appears 12 times in the Book of Mormon. (Here is a list: Enos 1:9; Mosiah 14:2; 24:12; 24:21; 26:14; Alma 19:14; 34:26; 46:17; 58:10; Hel. 7:11; 7:14; Morm. 3:12) Even for one as righteous as Alma (in 26:20, the Lord covenants with Alma that he will have eternal life), the effort to obtain light and knowledge is a strenuous one.

As the Lord conveys his will to Alma, he makes a remarkable statement about forgivenessCa statement that is worth a prominent place on every refrigerator in Zion. “And whomsoever you receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive." (Mosiah 26:22, emphasis added) Words such as eagerly, graciously, readily, and willingly are synonyms for freely. Mark this verse and memorize it. If we come to Christ and believe in his name, he will eagerly, graciously, readily, and willingly forgive us. He will freely forgive! Note also that the first step for receiving this forgiveness is that we believe in his name. And he also promises “as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me" (Mosiah 26:30)

A related verse in Isaiah teaches this same truth:

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:7, emphasis added).

The Lord's revealed pattern for dealing with those who sin is still followed by the Church (see Mosiah 26:29-32).

In a fast and testimony meeting last Sunday, a member of my ward pointed out a phrase in a chapter I have read often that speaks of this desire of the Lord to bless us. The phrase is in Luke 15:2: “This man receiveth sinners.”

3. ALMA THE Younger AND THE SONS OF MOSIAH ARE VISITED BY AN ANGEL (Mosiah 27:8-31; Alma 36:6-23)

Among the youthful unbelievers tormenting the Nephites were the son of Alma and the sons of Mosiah. Alma gets special attention in the verses of Mosiah 27, although we may assume that he acted in almost every affair with the support of the King's sons and a few others. Notice the descriptions of the wickedness of this man:

-(27:8) “very wicked"

-(27:8) “an idolatrous man"

-(27:8) “he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities"

-(27:9) “he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church"

-(27:9) he was guilty of “stealing away the hearts of the people"

-(27:9) he caused “much dissension among the people"

-(27:9) he provided “a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over [the people]"

-(27:10) “he was going about to destroy the church of God"

-(27:10) he was “seeking to lead astray the people of the Lord"

-(27:11) he was “going about rebelling against God"

-(28:4) he and his companions were “the very vilest of sinners"

-(Alma 36:14) he had “murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction"

This review of Alma's iniquities is sobering. I have referred to him from time to time as John the Baptist for Satan. He helped prepare the way for Lucifer to steal souls. How it must have pained his father's heart to see him in such a condition. We can imagine that a multitude of words had been spoken as the father tried to reason with his son. But the son would not listen and father Alma turned to the only possible source of assistance. Alma the elder might have said what Lincoln said:

"I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go" (cited by Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April 1963, p.109).

Finally an angel appeared to the rebels, telling them the Church was the Lord's (see Mosiah 27:13) and commanding them to leave it alone. The angel reported to Alma the Younger that the provocation for his visit was the prayers of Alma's father and others of the Nephite people:

Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith (Mosiah 27:14).

Every parent who has a wayward child ought to remember this verse. Prayers have great power! I am convinced that every prayer of faith by an anxious parent for a struggling child is heard and answered. Angels do not often appear, but someone appearsBa bishop, a home teacher, a friend, a seminary teacher with a powerful witness of the Church and the work of God and of the danger of opposing it. Unfortunately, not everyone is as willing to listen as young Alma was. Also, we would be making a mistake if we insisted that every conversion occur in the way that this one began to occur. President Benson taught:

We must be careful as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were; Alma the Younger, Paul on the road to Damascus, Enos praying far into the night, King Lamoni. Such astonishing examples of the power to change even those steeped in sin give confidence that the Atonement can reach even those in despair.

But we must be careful as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said, “were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not (3 Nephi 9:20). (Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, October 1989, p. 5).

Alma was paralyzed by the announcement of the angel. The sons of Mosiah picked up their friend and carried him home. The reaction of the father to the appearance of his comatose son was interesting: “and his father rejoiced . . ." Alma the elder had seen his son come home in a lot of ways, but never in a better way than this.

It came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort: For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit (Mosiah 27:23,24).

Unless we are careful, the apparent simplicity of this spiritual rebirth may confuse us. Alma, wicked as he was, did not have an interview with an angel, sleep for three days, and then announce his conversion. He said this of the experience his soul had while his body lay unmoving, “after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God" (Mosiah 27:28, emphasis added). Does that sound easy?

Alma uses a word—a verb—in Mosiah 27: 28,29, that is most interesting. The verb is snatch. Alma praises the Lord who “in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning . . . I was in the darkest abyss . . . My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more." The word was used again in the Book of Mormon in Alma 26:17 by Ammon to describe what the Lord had done for him and his brothers.

Think of that snatching from the other side of the veil. Consider the willingness, indeed the longing of the Redeemer to apply his atoning blood to the spiritual wounds of these young men. Alma's witness that he was snatched “out of an everlasting burning" reminds me of a story told by Elder M. Russell Ballard.

I remember reading about a fire fighter in the eastern United States who ran into a burning house to rescue several children from an arson-induced fire. While his colleagues battled the blaze to keep it from spreading to other structures in the neigh- boyhood, this man dashed into the building again and again, each time emerging with a child in his arms. After rescuing a fifth child, he started into the inferno once more. Neighbors shouted that there were no more children in the family. But he insisted that he had seen a baby in a cradle, and he dove into the intensifying heat.

Moments after he disappeared into the fire and smoke, a horrifying explosion shook the building and the entire structure collapsed. It was several hours before fire fighters were able to locate their colleague's body. They found him in the nursery near the crib, huddled protectively over a life-sized . . . and practically unscratched . . . doll.

I'm overwhelmed by that story. I'm touched by the fire fighter's courageous and selfless devotion to duty, and I'm thankful that there are men and women in the world who are willing to put their lives on the line for the sake of others.

As I think about such heroism, however, I'm reminded that the most heroic act of all time ever was performed in behalf of all mankind by the Son of God. In a very real sense, all humanity . . . past, present, and future . . . was trapped behind a wall of flame that was fueled and fanned by our own faithlessness. Sin separated mortals from God (see Romans 6:23), and would do so forever unless a way was found to put out the fires of sin and rescue us from ourselves (Our Search for Happiness, p. 11).

Alma and his friends were not the only ones who have been snatched!

As Alma recounted his conversion to his son Helaman, he added significant insights to our understanding of the atonement and the willingness of the Lord to forgive. Perhaps those insights can be best summarized by this statement from President Boyd K. Packer:

You need not know everything before the power of the Atonement will work for you. Have faith in Christ. It begins to work the day you ask (Ensign, May 1997, p. 10).

As you know, there are many marvelous comparisons in the accounts of Alma's conversion in Mosiah 27 and Alma 36. One of those, for me, has always been especially moving. As Alma the Younger confronted the horror of his rebellion and sinfulness, and contemplated an appearance before the bar of God in such a woeful condition, he said,

the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror (Alma 36:14).

But after the change, what he called in Mosiah 27 being “born of the Spirit" (Mosiah 27:24), he said this:

Methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there (Alma 36:22, emphasis added).

Many times in the scriptures we are told that Christ has made possible through his suffering our reconciliation with the Father, for “all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18) Alma's transformation from inexpressible horror at the thought of God's presence, to a divine longing to be there, is among the most powerful witnesses in the scriptures of the reality of the power of that reconciliation.

4. ALMA AND THE SONS OF MOSIAH DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO TEACHING THE GOSPEL (Mosiah 27:32-28:20; Alma 36:24)

Latter-day Saints believe that individuals who are truly born of God gladly give a life of service to their fellow beings—they share the gospel message, sacrifice their own time, energy, and resources for the benefit of others, and in general hold high the Light of Christ, being faithful to all the commandments (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.1, BORN OF GOD).

The only proper response, when we are permitted to view ourselves and our lives in the startling light of gospel clarity, is to try to kindle other lights. Having received the witness, we are obligated to share the witness. As the Lord said, “It becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor" (D&C 88:81).

And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people, and those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them, traveling round about through all the land, publishing to all the people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation . . . (Mosiah 27:32).

But there was more to this mission than reflecting the light of Christ.

And they traveled throughout all the lands of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them (Mosiah 27:35).

CONCLUSION:

I was standing by the side of a busy street in Phoenix years ago, my 4-year old son Michael by my side, waiting for a break in traffic. The road had no parking spaces at the sides. The outside lanes ended at the curb where we stood, automobiles racing by just a few feet away from us. Suddenly my son jerked his hand from mine and started across the street. A vehicle swerved and raced by, missing him by the tiniest of margins. As my mind and eyes registered the impending disaster and the narrow escape, my legs gave way. I grabbed (snatched!) my son and sat down on the grass by the thoroughfare. My heart rate had leapt to triple digits in seconds. My legs could not support me. I was trembling in every extremity from the most devastating fear I had ever known.

That experience has come back to me from time to time as I have read about the conversion of the Sons of Mosiah and their associates, and about their longing to serve a mission among the Lamanites. They were motivated by their own rescue, and their own forgiveness. But most of all they were motivated by fear—

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 (Mosiah 28:3).

What I had experienced at the thought of a physical catastrophe, they experienced at the thought of a spiritual catastrophe. And that is a lesson worth learning. Which is worse? To break an arm or a commandment? To poison a stomach or a spirit? To lose a limb or to lose a testimony. The record in Mosiah makes it quite clear how Alma and his companions would answer that question.

Young Women Lesson 20: Reach Out to Others

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:04:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "Benevolence can bring joy and unity to your home, your class, your ward, and your school." -Mary N. Cook

Discussion Questions

• In what ways can we reach out to others and encourage their activity in Church meetings?

• How can we overcome our own self-consciousness to reach out to others?

Excerpt from "Remember This: Kindness Begins with Me" by Sister Mary N. Cook, May 2011 General Conference:

We build that unity and share our unique colors through benevolence: individual acts of kindness.

Have you ever felt lonely? Do you notice those who are lonely, living in a black-and-white world? Young women, I’ve watched as you bring your unique color into the lives of others with your smiles, your kind words, or a note of encouragement.

President Thomas S. Monson taught us how to interact with our peers and everyone we meet when he told the young women of the Church, “My precious young sisters, I plead with you to have the courage to refrain from judging and criticizing those around you, as well as the courage to make certain everyone is included and feels loved and valued.” 7

We can follow the example of the good Samaritan and “change the world” of just one person by being benevolent. 8 I would like to invite each of you to do at least one Samaritan-like act this coming week. It may require that you reach beyond your usual friends or overcome your shyness. You may courageously choose to serve someone who doesn’t treat you well. I promise that if you will extend yourself beyond what is easy to do, you will feel so good inside that kindness will start to become a part of your everyday life. You’ll see that benevolence can bring joy and unity to your home, your class, your ward, and your school. “Remember this: kindness begins with me.”

To read the full talk, click here.

Teachings of George Albert Smith 10: The Scriptures, the Most Valuable Library in the World

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:04:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "God loves all His children. He wants all of them to return to Him. He desires everyone to be in tune with the sacred music of faith." - Quentin L. Cook

Excerpt from "In Tune with the Music of Faith" by Elder Quentin L. Cook, April 2012 General Conference:

Clearly, a dividing line between those who hear the music of faith and those who are tone-deaf or off-key is the active study of the scriptures. I was deeply touched years ago that a beloved prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, emphasized the need to continually read and study the scriptures. He said: “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.”24

I hope we are reading the Book of Mormon with our children regularly. I have discussed this with my own children. They have shared with me two observations. First, persistence in reading the scriptures daily as a family is the key. My daughter in a lighthearted way describes their early-morning efforts with mostly teenage children to consistently read the scriptures. She and her husband wake up early in the morning and move through the blurry mist to grasp the iron railing that lines their staircase to where their family gathers to read the word of God. Persistence is the answer, and a sense of humor helps. It requires great effort from every family member every day, but it is worth the effort. Temporary setbacks are overshadowed by persistence.

The second is how our youngest son and his wife are reading the scriptures with their young family. Two out of their four children are not old enough to read. For the five-year-old, they have five finger signals to which he responds in order for him to participate fully in the family scripture reading. The signal for finger 1 is for him to repeat, “And it came to pass” whenever it appears in the Book of Mormon. I have to admit that I love the fact that the phrase appears so often. Incidentally, for the interest of young families, finger signal 2 is “And thus we see”; fingers 3, 4, and 5 are chosen by the parents based on the words contained in the chapter they are reading.

We know that family scripture study and family home evenings are not always perfect. Regardless of the challenges you face, do not become discouraged.

To read the full talk, click here.

Young Men Lesson 20: Proper Use of Agency

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:03:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "Each of us has come to this earth with all the tools necessary to make correct choices." -Thomas S. Monson

Discussion Questions

• What blessings have you received from making correct choices?

• What changes could you make in your life that would make it easier for you to always choose the right?

Excerpt from "The Three Rs of Choice" by President Thomas S. Monson, October 2010 General Conference:

I have been thinking recently about choices and their consequences. Scarcely an hour of the day goes by but what we are called upon to make choices of one sort or another. Some are trivial, some more far-reaching. Some will make no difference in the eternal scheme of things, and others will make all the difference.

As I’ve contemplated the various aspects of choice, I’ve put them into three categories: first, the right of choice; second, the responsibility of choice; and third, the results of choice. I call these the three Rs of choice.

I mention first the right of choice. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father for His gift of agency, or the right to choose. President David O. McKay, ninth President of the Church, said, “Next to the bestowal of life itself, the right to direct that life is God’s greatest gift to man.”1

We know that we had our agency before this world was and that Lucifer attempted to take it from us. He had no confidence in the principle of agency or in us and argued for imposed salvation. He insisted that with his plan none would be lost, but he seemed not to recognize—or perhaps not to care—that in addition, none would be any wiser, any stronger, any more compassionate, or any more grateful if his plan were followed.

To read the full talk, click here.

Relief Society Lesson #10: The Scriptures, the Most Valuable Library in the World

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:12:00 -0600

source: the-exponent.com

I’ve cut much of what GAS has written and would recommend having a lesson primarily on the scriptures and how to study them while supplementing with GAS’s words. My notes are in regular font, his are in italics.

From what GAS says in the manual, it’s clear that this is a prophet with a firm testimony of the power of each of the books of scripture. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes:

FHE: Family

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "The family is ordained of God. Families are central to our Heavenly Father’s plan here on earth and through the eternities." -Neil L. Andersen

Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read “Children,” by Elder Neil L. Andersen, Ensign, Nov 2011, 28.

Thought:

The family is ordained of God. Families are central to our Heavenly Father’s plan here on earth and through the eternities.

(Elder Neil L. Andersen, “Children,” Enisgn, Nov 2011, 28.)

Song:

“Families Can Be Together Forever,” Children’s Songbook, p. 188

Scripture:

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

(Mark 9:36–37)

Lesson:

Bring a photograph of your family to scripture study. Show your family the photograph and tell your family that Paul gives some great council for specific family members in Colossians 3:18–25. Take turns reading verses 18–24 and have your family watch for the counsel for the different family members. Ask:

• What should wives do? (Verse 18.)

• What should husbands do? (Verse 19.)

• What should children do? (Verse 20.)

• How should fathers deal with their children? (Verse 21.)

Read verse 25 to your family and ask them how they feel when someone in the family is

mean to them. According to verse 25, what is the reward for those who are mean? Encourage them to be kind to each other and build family unity thus becoming a Christlike family.

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The New Testament, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006], p. 249.)

Story:

Billy Casper

We are all one happy family when we are members of the Mormon Church.

This all started back in 1959, the year that I won the United States Open for the first time. That year I was contacted by the Utah Golf Association to come to Salt Lake City to play in the Utah Open. We accepted, and almost immediately upon arriving in Salt Lake City, we found there was something special about the city. As we became acquainted with the people we found that there was something very special about them: they were very genuine, humble people. They had a wonderful fellowship with one another that we had not experienced in

a large group of people anywhere that we had traveled. It was very interesting to us. The examples that we witnessed in the people that we met started us investigating. I must say

that it took me quite a time to make up my mind, but I’m sure Sister Casper had made up her mind three or four years ago. (I am sure one of the reasons for that is that she is one-sixteenth

Indian.)

All during this time that she was studying and I was wrapped up in playing golf, it seemed like

I had no time to sit down and do the things that were really important in my life. It seemed like the things that were important were the material things. If I wasn’t playing golf, I would be on a diversion someplace, vacationing or fishing. If I wasn’t fishing, I would be watching television, so that my spare time was not being channeled in the right directions.

At that time, I think if I had been asked the question “What is the most important thing in your life?”, it would have been a very difficult question to answer. I think golf would have been a prime concern at that time. Now there is no question in my mind as to what is the most important thing in my life: it is my family and the Church. Golf is now the vehicle I travel by, and I am very fortunate to be gifted with a good talent.

For quite some time in my life I had asked myself the question, “What am I trying to accomplish while I’m here on the earth?” I had been thinking about this some three or four years before I ever became interested in the Church. By that I mean I feel that I really didn’t become interested in the Church until about October of 1965. For several years previous to that time I had asked myself the question, ‘What am I trying to accomplish while I’m here on this earth?”

I now know the answer to this question. When I was beginning to study the gospel I thought about two other questions, “Where did I come from?” and “Where am I going?” I found the answers to all of these questions, and I found them through the gospel of Jesus Christ, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Almost immediately after I was baptized into the Church on the first of January, 1966, a great change came over my life. I had a wonderful inner peace with myself that I did not have before. Little things that seemed to bother me in the past no longer seemed to be as important. This meant that every facet of my life I improved on, I could do better. My golf improved, my life and my family improved, and of course my religious life improved.

I know that if we will just study and practice the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can become as firm as the rock on which it is built. I know that as I have the opportunity of traveling and listening to Saints bear their testimonies, my testimony is strengthened. My testimony grows daily as to the trueness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

(Leon R. Hartshort, Powerful Stories from the Lives of Latter-day Saint Men, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1974].)

Activity:

Play one of your family’s favorite board games.

Refreshment

Coconut Macaroons

2 cups coconut

2 1⁄4 cups granulated sugar

1 cup flour

Pinch of salt

1 1⁄2 tablespoons corn syrup

3⁄4 cup hot water

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup milk chocolate chips, melted

Mix coconut, sugar, flour, and salt in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, add corn syrup to

water and dissolve. Add eggs and vanilla. With a mixer on low speed, add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until evenly blended. Allow mixture to rest and absorb moisture for 30 minutes. Scoop onto cookie sheet with an ice cream scoop. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 18–20 minutes.

For added flair, dip half of the cookie in melted chocolate chips and place on wax paper to set up.

(Recipes from the Roof, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2011] p.120.)

To access the PDF version of this lesson, click here.

“The Purpose of Covenants and Ordinances” YW Lesson 17, Manual 1

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:53:00 -0600

source: feastuponthewordblog.org

From my perspective, it seemed like the purpose of this lesson was to teach YW about covenants and ordinances through what they have already experienced in baptism/confirmation/sacrament, and all this as a preparation for the temple. I think that’s a great idea and a great way to prepare them for the temple and the covenants there.

It also seems very effective way to open a space for discussion in the classroom. To that end, these seem like great suggestions on the sidebar for lesson 17: (for anyone unfamiliar with the updated information for the YW manual, let me fill you in: each online lesson outline (at lds.org) has updated material in the sidebars. There are links to recent talks, media like Mormon Messages, additional discussion questions, scriptures, etc. YW Leaders are encouraged to use this updated material.)

Book of Mormon Lesson 19: "None Could Deliver Them But the Lord"

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Ted L. Gibbons
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: The middle chapters of Mosiah are full of examples that God is perfectly reliable. We must know this for ourselves and trust in the promises of the Lord.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Few men on earth, either in or out of the Church, have caught the vision of what the Book of Mormon is all about. Few are they among men who know the part it has played and will yet play in preparing the way for the coming of Him of whom it is a new witness. Few are they who believe its truths and abide by its precepts to such a degree that they would qualify to read the sealed portion of the plates and learn the full account of what the Lord has in store for the people of the world (Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, p.159).

INTRODUCTION:

One of the overarching messages of these accounts from the end of the book of Mosiah is that God keeps his promises. Over and over again as these dramas unfold, we see evidence—powerful evidence—of the truthfulness of the Lord's declaration in D&C 1:38:

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

As you study and ponder and teach these chapters, watch for the fulfillment of the Lord's promises made to the people of Nephi in the Land of Nephi, and to all men.

1. ALMA TEACHES THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT AND BAPTIZES MANY PEOPLE (Mosiah 18)

Alma, converted by the words of Abinadi and the Spirit of the Lord, “repented of his sins and iniquities, and went about privately among the people and began to teach the words of Abinadi . . ." (Mosiah 18:1, emphasis added). He went privately rather than openly like Abinadi. I am fully confident that he did not give many first discussions to Noah or his priests during this time. He had narrowly escaped martyrdom himself and he seems to have had a different purpose than Abinadi. Alma's mission was to convert. Abinadi's was to warn. Alma's message was also the message of the atonement—“the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven" (Mosiah 18:2). Alma was another person who had “beautiful feet." And he taught anyone who would listen. “And as many as would hear his word he did teach" (Mosiah 18:3).

This brings to mind Paul's counsel to Timothy: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Tim. 4:2). All of us serve under the same obligation as Timothy and Alma. When an opportunity to preach presents itself, we must preach. The “season"---the practicality, the preparation, our personal fears---cannot be considerations.

Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say (D&C 100:5,6).

We will say a bit more about this later in the lesson.

Note that Alma taught them privately. The threat of discovery and destruction by Noah was a dark shadow over every meeting, every sermon, every action associated with this tiny group of believers. Still they met and preached and acted, for their love of the work and the word surpassed their fear of the king. So, in spite of the danger—the searches (Mosiah 18:5)—they met and worshiped. Their gathering place was in a grove of trees near a body of pure water in a place called Mormon.

Finally, “After many days," when a significant crowd had gathered, Alma preached about repentance and redemption and faith and then offered this people the opportunity to enter into the covenant of baptism.

A careful analysis of these verses of covenant and promise teach wonderful lessons about the obligations we assume by entering into the water, and the obligations God assumes if we abide by our promises (Mosiah 18:8-10).

OUR PART

1. A desire to come into the fold of God

2. A desire to be called his people

3. A willingness to bear one another's burdens

4. A willingness to mourn with those that mourn

5. A willingness to comfort those that stand in need of comfort

6. A commitment to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places

7. A determination to serve him

8. A determination to keep his commandments

GOD'S PART

1. He will redeem us

2. We will be numbered with those of the first resurrection

3. We will have eternal life

4. He will pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon us

I read a story the other day on the Internet. I love the net, but I get crazy when I find wonderful stories and striking insights and important information without any sources cited. However, I'd like to share this story here because it teaches a great lesson about our part of the baptismal covenant, whether the story is true or not. We'll call it a parable—“The Parable of the Brick and the Jaguar."

A young executive was driving his brand new Jaguar in an area where there were usually several children playing in the street. He thought he saw something darting our from between parked cars and slowed down. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and spun the Jag back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown. He jumped out of the car, grabbed some kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting . . . “Just what the heck are you doing? . . . That's a new car and the damage that brick you threw is going to cost me a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

“Please mister, please. I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do!" pleaded the youngster. “I threw the brick because no one else would stop . . ." Tears were dripping down the boy's cheeks as he pointed around the parked car. “It's my brother," he said. “He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, “Would you please help me get him back in his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver . . . lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK.

“Thank you and God bless you," the grateful child said to him. The man then watched the little boy push his brother down the street toward their home. It was a long walk back to his Jaguar: a long, slow walk. He never did repair the side door. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone had to throw a brick at you to get your attention.

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your heart. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, he has to throw a “brick” at you (Author unknown).

The sacramental prayers remind us of our baptismal obligations to take the name of the Lord and to keep his commandments and to always remember him. I have wished on occasion that we had a regular reminder of the other part of the baptismal covenant. We have promised to bear one another's burdens, and to mourn and to comfort. But so often it takes a brick to get our attention.

We exert our forces and offer our resources when hurricanes devastate the poor in Central America, or when floods leave thousands homeless in Africa, or when tsunami’s devastate Indonesia or Japan. I believe that the baptismal covenant requires us to be just as willing to act in behalf of those who suffer silently in our own neighborhood—the widow, the orphan, the blind, the halt, the lonely, the poor.

Elie Weisel writes:

If there is one word that described all the woes and threats that exist today, it's indifference. You see tragedy on televison for three minutes and them comes something else and something else. Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil. The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference (From the Citation for an Honorary Doctoral Degree, awarded to Elie Weisel at the 114th Summer Commencement Exercises at BYU, August 17, 1989).

We are prohibited by the covenant we made at baptism from being indifferent to the suffering around us. In Matthew 25, the Lord made our duties crystal clear in his parable of the sheep and the goats. There we are taught this:

If we ignore misery when we encounter it and could reduce it, we are not disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. If, when we have the opportunity and capacity we fail to minister to those who hunger or thirst, to those who are sick or lonely or incarcerated, then it is as though we had abandoned the Savior himself in his hour of need, and without repentance, we may Ago away into everlasting punishment." [Matthew 25:46 (34-36)] Our prayers and professions are hypocritical. In practice, our indifference is a denial of our faith (Misery and Joy, by Ted Gibbons, p. 95).

The people of Alma “clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: this is the desire of our hearts" (Mosiah 18:11). Then Alma baptized them, and organized a church. (Mosiah 18:17) This is the first mention of a church in America in the Book of Mormon.

Mosiah 18 gives a sweet view of the articles and covenants of Alma's church: the provisions made for the teaching and meeting of the people, that which the priests were to receive for their labor (18:26), the doctrine that was to be preached, etc.

He also organized the people to assist in the application of their baptismal covenants.

And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given. And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul. And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants (Mosiah 18:27-29).

Our part of the baptismal covenant contains one other provision worth a brief mention here. We are under covenant to stand as witnesses of God always and everywhere. There are a multitude of wonderful examples of disciples who have done this very thing under the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances. Abinadi and Alma come to mind at once. But in my study of the Old Testament this year, I found an example that I have often overlooked.

In 2 Kings 5, we read the story of Naaman, the captain of the host of Syria, a great an honorable man, and a mighty man of valor, who happened to be a leper (2K5:1).

Serving in the home of this man was an Israelite slave, a little maid “brought away captive out of the land Israel" (2K5:2). Consider her circumstances. She is an innocent victim of a war waged by men she probably does not know over issues she may not understand. She has been torn from her family and her religious community. But when she learns that her master has leprosy, she stands as a witness. The God in whom she has trusted has allowed her life to go in directions she could never have imagined. Every hope she had seemed to have been destroyed. All of her faith and obedience had not kept her safe, home, happy. And yet, when the opportunity presents itself, she stands as a witness.

And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy (2K5:3).

She is a wonderful example for those of us who are under covenant to stand as witnesses at all times and in all things and in all places.

Noah learned of a movement among his people, sent spies to watch Alma and his people, and then an army to destroy them (Mosiah 18:32,33). Alma received a warning of the coming of the king's army, and he and his people departed into the wilderness.

2. KING NOAH BETRAYS HIS PEOPLE AND SUFFERS DEATH BY FIRE (Mosiah 19)

A certain amount of political intrigue followed the escape of Alma and his people. Part of the people began to oppose the king and contentions followed. Finally the people of Noah seem to have begun to see their king for what he really was. Gideon would have sent the king to his eternal reward except for the timely attack of the Lamanites (Mosiah 19:6-8).

As the people fled, Noah commanded his followers to abandon their families and follow him, for “he himself did flee before them . . ." (Mosiah 19:9).

Many would not do this thing, but “the rest left their wives and children and fled" (Mosiah 19:12). We know from the records that the wicked priests were among those who abandoned their families in favor of their own lives. And we know the name of at least one child who was left behind by a fleeing father: Limhi. He may have had a family of his own by then. The record refers to him as a “just man" (Mosiah 19:17), and it may be that he refused to leave his own family. Either way, Ahe was not ignorant of the iniquities of his father.”

The Lamanites captured those who remained behind, and they conferred the kingdom on Limhi, who made an oath to give to the Lamanites one half of all they possessed (see Mosiah 19:26).

Those who fled soon had a change of heart, however. We learn that

they had sworn in their hearts that they would return to the land of Nephi, and if their wives and their children were slain, and also those that had tarried with them, that they would seek revenge, and also perish with them. And the king commanded them that they should not return; and they were angry with the king, and caused that he should suffer, even unto death by fire (Mosiah 19:19,20).

You may remember that I suggested that one of the messages of these chapters is that the Lord keeps his promises. All of them. Without excuse. The death of Noah by fire fulfilled one such promise, a promise mentioned in Mosiah 12:3; 13:10; and 17:18. Abinadi had predicted that those who followed Noah with such devotion during his spiral into iniquity would one day value his life “as a garment in a hot furnace." We see here that they did.

But there was another promise—another prophecy—made by Abinadi to the people of Noah. That promise, found in Mosiah 12:1-8, was that these rebellious Nephites would be brought into bondage (12:2) and would be smitten and slain (12:2) because of their refusal to repent. That bondage began, as we have seen, in Mosiah 19. The fulfillment of the rest of the prophecy, with regard to the people of Limhi, we will see in Mosiah 21 and 22.

3. LIMHI'S PEOPLE ARE CHASTENED AND EVENTUALLY DELIVERED BY THE LORD (Mosiah 20-22)

The wicked priests ought to be in the Guinness Book of World Records under misery. Their drunkenness and immorality, their support of king Noah, their abandonment of their wives and children, their flight into the wilderness . . . and if that were not enough, they were able to initiate through their iniquity and lack of self control to initiate a war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, following two years of relative peace (see Mosiah 20:29), by kidnaping 24 Lamanite daughters. And there is more.

One of Limhi's great desires was that these men should be captured. They were thieves.

And he caused that his people should watch the land round about, that by some means they might take those priests that fled into the wilderness, who had stolen the daughters of the Lamanites, and that had caused such a great destruction to come upon them. For they were desirous to take them that they might punish them; for they had come into the land of Nephi by night, and carried off their grain and many of their precious things; therefore they laid wait for them (Mosiah 21:20,21).

The misery the Nephites experienced at the hands of the Lamanites was in fulfillment of the prophecies of Abinadi.

And it came to pass that after many days the Lamanites began again to be stirred up in anger against the Nephites, and they began to come into the borders of the land round about. Now they durst not slay them, because of the oath which their king had made unto Limhi; but they would smite them on their cheeks, and exercise authority over them; and began to put heavy burdens upon their backs, and drive them as they would a dumb ass Yea, all this was done that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled (Mosiah 21:2-4).

The people were in agony and “did afflict the king sorely" (21:6) with their desires to go to battle. They went, three times, and were defeated each time. Then, finally, it happened.

And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies. And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions (Mosiah 21:13,14).

Their humility and their cries did not go unnoticed, but . . .

the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage. And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger (Mosiah 21:15,16).

In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord said this:

They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble. In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me (D&C 101:7,8).

We have seen too many TV shows. We are not accustomed to problems than cannot be solved quickly. But the Lord is working on the composition of the human soul, where eternal changes are almost always prolonged.

We should remember that people don't get in serious trouble in one step. I don't think anyone steps off a precipice into the depths of immorality and apostasy. They slide down the slippery sides of the chasm. When they hit bottom, it's interesting that usually they want to take one step out. There's not one step out any more than there was one step in. It's a long, hard climb. Mostly they have to crawl to get outCon their knees. The best way out is to get into the organized activity pattern of the Church, to stay in it and resist the temptation to be drawn out of it. When people get out of this pattern, penalties come. They find themselves unhappy . . . and no one wants to be unhappy (Elder Boyd K. Packer, Improvement Era, May 1970, p. 7).

Chapter 21 explains the arrest of Ammon and some of his men from Zarahemla. Limhi thought perhaps they were some of the wicked priests of Noah (see 21:23.24). We also learn in this chapter the of the manner in which the plates of the Book of Ether were discovered (see 21:25-27).

In Mosiah 22, the Nephites escape from the Lamanites and return to the land of Zarahemla where they join the people of Nephi. This escape is fulfillment of another promise of the Lord to his children.

Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards them. I will not utterly cast them off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy (D&C 101:9).

4. THE LORD DELIVERS ALMA'S PEOPLE FROM BONDAGE (Mosiah 23,24)

The righteousness of Alma's people did not prevent the prophecies of Abinadi from being fulfilled. But their experience with their enemies and with bondage was a much different one from the experience of the people of Noah and Limhi.

When his people asked Alma to be king, he deferred. He had seen (so had they for that matter!) how much damage a wicked king could do to a righteous people. Nephi (see 2 Nephi 5:18) and the brother of Jared (see Ether 6:22,23) had similar concerns. Alma defined the issue clearly when he warned:

And also trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments (Mosiah 23:14)

This is a lesson worth exploring. We cannot be too careful about those to whom we give our allegiance.

I had a friend in high school. He came from a broken home and lived with a father who beat him frequently and made life miserable for him, his younger brother, and his mother. But I liked him. He was bold and creative and resourceful. From time to time he would confide in me that one day he and his brother were going away . . . far away. When the time was right, and the opportunity appeared, they would find a way to leave their father behind forever. Usually following such a sharing of confidence, J.M. would ask me if I would come with them.

I was always flattered that he would ask, and I always said Yes. The truth is that I had no need or desire to go. My family was great! Mom and Dad were warm and loving and I was safe. But I wanted to be accepted, to appear adventurous. After a couple of years, the family moved to a nearby state. Months later we got a newspaper clipping in the mail from the mother of the two boys. J.M. had learned enough by reading and observation to convince himself and his brother that he could fly a plane. One night they went to the airport, stole and Piper Cub, and took off. At 5000 feet J.M. apparently lost control of the aircraft. It crashed and they were both killed.

I remember sitting at the kitchen table reading the article with my mother. What if they had attempted the flight while they lived in my ward? What if I had been invited to come along? I might have trusted J.M. enough to go. It could have cost me everything.

And also trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments (Mosiah 23:14)

We cannot be too careful about whom we decide to trust.

The Lamanite army that had followed Limhi and his people into the wilderness became lost. In their wanderings they had found the people of the wicked priests in a place they called Amulon (23:31). Then they stumbled upon the people of Alma in Helam.

In the book of Mosiah we see four different groups of people react to the coming of a Lamanite army. Their reactions are diverse and most enlightening.

ZENIFF (see Mosiah 10:9,10). “And it came to pass that I caused that the women and children of my people should be hid in the wilderness; and I also caused that all my old men that could bear arms, and also all my young men that were able to bear arms, should gather themselves together to go to battle against the Lamanites; and I did place them in their ranks, every man according to his age. And it came to pass that we did go up to battle against the Lamanites; and I, even I, in my old age, did go up to battle against the Lamanites. And it came to pass that we did go up in the strength of the Lord to battle."

NOAH (see Mosiah 19:9). “And the king commanded the people that they should flee before the Lamanites, and he himself did go before them, and they did flee into the wilderness, with their women and their children."

LIMHI (see Mosiah 20:7-9). “Therefore they sent their armies forth; yea, even the king himself went before his people; and they went up to the land of Nephi to destroy the people of Limhi. And now Limhi had discovered them from the tower, even all their preparations for war did he discover; therefore he gathered his people together, and laid wait for them in the fields and in the forests. And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had come up, that the people of Limhi began to fall upon them from their waiting places, and began to slay them."

ALMA (see Mosiah 23:27-29). “Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that they should not be frightened, but that they should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them. Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto the Lord that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they would spare them, and their wives, and their children. And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the hearts of the Lamanites. And Alma and his brethren went forth and delivered themselves up into their hands; and the Lamanites took possession of the land of Helam."

There is a lesson here, and it is the lesson of Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

When the Lamanite king gave Amulon permission to rule Helam and the people of Alma, things became nearly unbearable. But from that experience came a wonderful lesson. I wrote the following several years ago.

The Nephites who had joined the church at the Waters of Mormon and who had settled at Helam were placed in bondage by the Lamanites. (See Mosiah 18, 23, and 24.) Amulon, Alma's former colleague and present enemy, was made king over the people of Alma, and he undertook to make their lives miserable. He "exercised authority over them, and put tasks upon them, and put taskmasters over them." (Mosiah 24:9.)
And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.
And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death. (Mosiah 24:10, 11.)
In the bitterness of his apostasy, Amulon could not bear the shame generated by the worship of his subjects. To end his discomfort, he installed the death penalty for prayer:
And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts. (Mosiah 24: 25.)
The Lord responded, “Lift up your heads and be of good comfort . . . I will deliver [you] out of bondage. And I will ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders." (Mosiah 24:13, 14.)

An account of a similar incident comes from the Massacre at Haun's Mill in 1838. Almost twenty men or boys were killed in the attack on a small Mormon settlement by a mob of Missouri settlers. Fifteen others were wounded. The mob, before leaving, "pillaged the village and robbed the dead of their boots, clothing, and valuables." When they left the mill "they dragged with them horses, wagons, cows, and property of nearly every description belonging to the settlement." (Joseph Smith and the Restoration, Ivan J. Barrett, 1968, p. 330.)
A few days following the attack, a number of the mob returned. According to members of this group of rabble, they "lived fat, too," feasting on the remaining cattle and hogs that should have sustained the surviving widows and orphans, as well as the wounded. (Ibid.)
Like the people of Alma, these unfortunate victims found their only solace in prayer, and the widows vented their feelings in heartfelt appeals to their Heavenly Father. (Assorted Gems of Priceless Value, N.B. Lundwall, p. 97.) And, like Amulon, two thousand years earlier, the mobbers could not endure the guilt engendered by these prayers.
One of the mobbers delivered the warning, "The captain [Captain Comstock] says if you women don't stop your damn praying, he will send down a posse and kill every damn one of you!" Even the solutions were the same. Prayers and cries were hushed as women, fearful for their lives, spoke to their Creator in the silence of their hearts and minds.
But for at least one, this terrified silence was a shame and humiliation. Amanda Smith longed to hear her own voice raised in prayer. One morning, as the day began, she slipped into a nearby cornfield, crawled into a shock of corn, and raised her "voice high that it reached the heavens." (Enos 1:4.)
As she left her sanctuary a voice spoke to her, repeating the following words from the hymn "How Firm a Foundation":

That soul who on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I cannot, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

From that moment on, she was at peace. (Ibid.) [From Rending the Veil of Heaven, Ted Gibbons, pp. 51,52)

Alma's people paint a powerful portrait of true disciples in a time of trouble. We learn from them what we ought to do (see Mosiah 24:15,16)

-They did submit cheerfully and with patience to the will of the Lord

-They had great faith

We also learn what God is able to do for us in such situations:

-The Lord softened the hearts of their enemies (23:29)

-The Lord eased the burdens upon their shoulders (24:14)

-The Lord did strengthen them (24:15)

-He promised to go with them and deliver them out of bondage (24:16,17)

-He caused a deep sleep to come upon their enemies (24:19)

-He promised to stop their pursuers in the valley of Alma (24:23)

-They reached Zarahemla in only twelve days (24:25) The people of Limhi were many days in the wilderness (see 22:13)

CONCLUSION:

Enos and the Brother of Jared knew that God cannot lie (Enos 1:6; Ether 3:12). We must know it too. We must put our trust in the promises of the Lord. We have seen in these chapters that he is perfectly reliable. It is that quality that enables us to have faith in him.

I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round. (Alma 7:20)

Young Women Lesson 19: Personal Records

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:04:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children?" -Henry B. Eyring

Discussion Questions

• What blessings from the Lord could we record in our journals? How can recording these blessings remind us of the Lord’s love for us?

• Who else might be blessed when we keep personal records? How?

Excerpt from "O Remember, Remember" by President Henry B. Eyring, October 2007 General Conference:

My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You may not keep a journal. You may not share whatever record you keep with those you love and serve. But you and they will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done. You remember that song we sometimes sing: “Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” 2

It won’t be easy to remember. Living as we do with a veil over our eyes, we cannot remember what it was like to be with our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, in the premortal world; nor can we see with our physical eyes or with reason alone the hand of God in our lives. Seeing such things takes the Holy Ghost. And it is not easy to be worthy of the Holy Ghost’s companionship in a wicked world.

That is why forgetting God has been such a persistent problem among His children since the world began. Think of the times of Moses, when God provided manna and in miraculous and visible ways led and protected His children. Still, the prophet warned the people who had been so blessed, as prophets always have warned and always will: “Take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life.”

To read the full talk, click here.

Young Men Lesson 19: Overcoming Temptation

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:03:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "We must be alert not to let sin grow around us." -Jairo Mazzagardi

Discussion Questions

• What are some deceptions Satan uses to tempt us to break a commandment or lower our standards? (see 2 Nephi 28:7–9, 20–22). What can we do to overcome his deceptions?

• What can you do to maintain your standards when those around you have different values?

Excerpt from "Avoiding the Trap of Sin" by Elder Jairo Mazzagardi, October 2010 General Conference:

We must be alert because small choices can bring great consequences, just as going to bed early and waking up early have great consequences. Doctrine and Covenants 88:124 teaches us, “Arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.” Those who go to bed early wake up rested, with the body and mind invigorated and blessed by the Lord because of obedience.

What may appear to be of little importance, such as going to bed late, not praying for a day, skipping fasting, or breaking the Sabbath—such little slips—will make us lose sensitivity little by little, allowing us to do worse things.

When I was a teenager, my curfew was 10:00 p.m. Today, that is the time some go out in order to have fun. Yet we know that it is at night that some of the worst things happen. It is during the dark hours that some youth go to places with inappropriate environments, where music and lyrics do not allow them to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Then, under these circumstances, they become easy prey to sin.

Often, becoming prey to sin starts with someone choosing friends whose standards are not consistent with the gospel; and in order to be popular or to be accepted by peers, the person then compromises gospel principles and laws, going down a path that will bring only pain and sadness to this person and to his or her loved ones.

To read the full talk, click here.

May 2012 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:07:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

Monthly Theme: I Choose the Right When I Am Baptized and Confirmed a Member of the Church Monthly Scripture: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" Acts 2:38

Book of Mormon Lesson #18: “God Himself Shall Redeem His People,” Mosiah 12-17

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:51:00 -0600

source: feastuponthewordblog.org

We are saddled with the task of sorting out the whole of Abinadi’s speech in a single lesson. That’s devastatingly difficult, particularly because Abinadi’s speech marks the—and I mean the—turning point in the history of the Nephites, and in about a dozen ways. We’ve got to look very carefully at those details. That’s all the more difficult, given that the historical setting still needs some serious work, even after last week’s lesson and associated notes, and given that we’ve also got to do some serious theological work on the text as we work through it. There’s too much to be done on Abinadi’s speech.

But we’ll get started and see what we can’t do here.

Free May 2012 Visiting Teaching Printables

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:52:00 -0600

source: mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com

Happy May Mormon Mommies!

The Visiting Teaching message for the month is up to you! We encourage you to pray about your sisters, and follow the direction the Lord gives you. NOW, that being said, we have a lot of printable options for you this month!