After an angel called Alma to repentance, he "fell to the earth, and...did hear no more" (Alma 36:11). For three days, he was "racked, even with the pains of a damned soul" (Alma 36:16). During that time, he was "tormented with the pains of hell" (Alma 36:13). It was only when he remembered that his... Continue Reading →
Alma 36-38: “Look to God and Live”
After leading the mission to the Zoramites, Alma returned to his home in Zarahemla. He was troubled about the spiritual health of his people, and he wanted his three sons to continue the work of the ministry. So, he met with each of them individually to give them a personal "charge" (Alma 35:15-16). These individual... Continue Reading →
How to Plant the Seed – Alma 33:1
When the poor Zoramites first approached Alma, they had a simple question: How can we worship God when we are not able to go to church? In response, Alma taught them about humility and faith. He also shared an elaborate analogy, comparing the word of God to a seed and saying that, if they planted... Continue Reading →
Procrastination
Twice in the Book of Mormon, we are urged not to procrastinate. When Alma and Amulek teach the people of Ammonihah, Alma ends their joint sermon with a call to action: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh;... I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with... Continue Reading →
Who Were Zenos and Zenock?
The authors of the Book of Mormon quoted a number of prophets who lived in Israel before Lehi's family left Jerusalem (about 600 B.C.). Some of those prophets, like Moses and Isaiah, also appear in the Bible. But others do not. Two of these prophets are Zenos and Zenock. Here's what we know about them:... Continue Reading →
Fruit
In Alma's analogy of the seed, we plant the word of God in our hearts. As it starts to grow, we recognize that it is good, because it begins to enlarge our soul, enlighten our mind, and be delicious to us (Alma 32:28). This is a good sign, but it is not the final goal.... Continue Reading →
“Let Us Nourish It With Great Care” – Alma 32:37
Faith doesn't just happen. It requires positive action. Faith is not the suspension of disbelief. It is the intentional choice to believe. Alma used a number of active verbs to emphasize our role in developing faith. Here are a few examples: "Awake and arouse your faculties" (Alma 32:27). "Exercise a particle of faith" (Alma 32:27).... Continue Reading →
Sometimes… – Alma 32:13
Alma tells a group of poor Zoramites that it's a good thing they are excluded from the synagogues. Why? Because that unfair treatment has made them humble, and humility can prepare us to receive God's mercy (Alma 32:12-13). But Alma adds an important qualifier: "sometimes." Humility, particularly imposed humility, doesn't always lead to mercy and... Continue Reading →
Alma 32-35: “Plant This Word in Your Hearts” (July 13-19)
How do you grow spiritually when you can't worship the way you'd like? What do you do when you can't gather with other believers or enter houses of worship? That is the question the poor Zoramites asked Alma: "We have no place to worship our God; and behold, what shall we do?" they asked (Alma... Continue Reading →
“I Am Infirm” – Alma 31:30
Acknowledging our weakness may be a prerequisite to receiving the help we need from God. (See Ether 12:27, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). After hearing the arrogant and exclusive prayer of the wealthy Zoramites, in which they congratulated themselves on being better than other people (Alma 31:15-18), Alma offered his own prayer, pleading that he and his... Continue Reading →