Day 40: Alma 21-24

Day 40! We're halfway there!! :)

Let's celebrate with some FANTASTIC chapters!

Aaron and his companions taught the Amalekites, but true to form, the people rejected the repentance message and tossed them into prison. Fortunately, the Lord had a rescue plan.

                 

We are treated to some sweet and powerful passages today as Lamoni’s father is taught how to be “born of God," repent and receive eternal life.  

I LOVE this sweet expression: “I will give away all my sins to know thee.” (Alma 22:18)

We cannot "know" God unless we are willing to do the same. Joseph Smith confirmed this when he said: “Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know, most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 69) 

Ammon's faithful Lamanite converts "were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin."  (Alma 24:19)  

As I read of their humility and faith, I ask myself, what "weapons of war" might I bury to show my change of heart and devotion to the Lord? Enjoy your spiritual feast today!

• Opening Song: "Because He Lives"

• Begin Study Session with Prayer
• Scripture Study: Alma 21-24 (listen)
• Study Guide: (here)
• Video: Discussions on the Book of Mormon Alma 22-24

• Video: Ammon Meets King Lamoni's Father

• Video: Aaron teaches King Lamoni's Father

                     

Video: The Anti-Nephi-Lehis

"What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy. But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest." (Alma 22:15-16)

President Ezra Taft Benson expounds on the doctrine of the Fall of Adam as found in the Book of Mormon (Alma 22:1–14):

“The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to change. ‘Repent’ is its most frequent message, and repenting means giving up all of our practices—personal, family, ethnic, and national—that are contrary to the commandments of God. The purpose of the gospel is to transform common creatures into celestial citizens, and that requires change." (Elder Dallin H. Oaks)

Elder Russell M. Nelson talks about how true repentance brings hope (Alma 22:15–18):

                     
"O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day..." Alma 22:18 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:“It takes exactly as long to repent as it takes you to say ‘I’ll change’—and mean it. Of course there will be problems to work out and restitutions to make. You may well spend—indeed you had better spend—the rest of your life proving your repentance by its permanence.”

“The strength of any community lies in the strength of its families. The strength of any nation lines in the strength of its families. Strong family life comes of strong and clear religious understanding of who we are, and why we are here, and of what we may eternally become. Strong family life comes of the perception that each of us is a child of God, born with a divine birthright, and with a great and significant potential. Strong family life comes of parents who love and respect one another, and who love and respect and nurture their children in the ways of the lord. These are undergirding principles of our teachings as a church. To the degree that we observe these teachings we build strong families whose generations will strengthen the nation.” --Gordon B. Hinckley, “Mormon Should Mean More Good”, Ensign Nov. 1990, 51.

• Record thoughts and impressions in your journal.

• Close study session with prayer.