Day 42: Alma 29-31

Welcome to Day 42...

Alma truly practiced what he preached: "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth." (Alma 29:1-2) 

He dedicated his life to saving as many souls as possible, full of gratitude for his own salvation. He took on wicked Ammonihah, the Lamanites and then "Korihorrible." 

Love his reply to Korihor's demands for proof of a God: "And now what evidence have ye that there is NO God, or that Christ cometh NOT? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only. But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them? Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you, and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may destroy the children of God." (Alma 30:40-42) 

 And then...Korihor made the mistake of asking for a "sign" and suffered the consequences.

                        
Now on to the Zoramites and their unfortunate Rameumptom! Alma took a group of missionaries to teach the word of God to the Zoramites, only to find them in a state of astounding pride and wickedness. The poor and needy citizens were the only ones that would listen. They were "golden investigators." I guess that's a silver lining in being destitute and rejected - it can humble people to receive the word of God.

Alma and his fellow missionaries were blessed as the Lord "gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith." (Alma 31:31)

May your afflictions be "swallowed up in Christ" today, as well.  :)

• Opening Song: "O That I Were An Angel"

• Begin Study Session with Prayer

• Scripture Study: Alma 29-31 (listen)

• Study Guide: (here)

• Video: Discussions on the Book of Mormon

• Video: Gordon B. Hinckley "O That I Were an Angel"

          

• Video: "Korihor"

• Video: "The Zoramites and Rameumptom"

                   

"And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God." Alma 31:5

Along these same lines: "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the Gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the Gospel." (Boyd K. Packer, CR, Oct. 1986, p. 20)

                          

“...yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.” Alma 30:44 

• Video: "Finding the Lamb of God"

“The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. … It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.”--Ezra Taft Benson (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1988, 3).

• Record thoughts and impressions in your journal.

• Close session with prayer and have a beautiful day!