After resigning as chief judge, Alma delivers a series of sermons, beginning in his home city of Zarahemla. This sermon is noteworthy for the number of rhetorical questions he asks his audience, in order to encourage self-reflection and renewed commitment to the gospel. He specifically encourages them to remember the captivity and deliverance of their ancestors, consider the current state of their conversion, and hearken to the voice of the good shepherd.
Chapter Outline
- Have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity [and deliverance] of your fathers? (v. 1-13)
- Have you spiritually been born of God, and if so, do you still feel the same? (v. 14-32)
- Invitation from the good shepherd: Come unto me (v. 33-42)
- I am called to speak these words, and I know of myself that these things are true (v. 43-49)
- Final admonition and invitation: Repent, come out from the wicked, and enter the fold of the good shepherd (v. 50-62)
My Takeaways
- Take time to remember what God has done for those who preceded you.
- God can help us align our desires with what we know we should do.
- Equality is a core principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must treat one another with dignity and respect.
- We need to strip ourselves of pride and envy in order to be prepared to meet God.
- Jesus provides gentle and dedicated leadership, like a shepherd.
- A testimony of the gospel is a living thing. It is not static.
Featured Blog Posts
Asking Better Questions: Learning from Alma 5
A few years ago, I prepared to participate in a general conference of the Church by writing a list of questions. Some were quite open-ended, such as “How can I be a better father?” or “What can I do to minister to others more effectively?” Others involved specific projects I was working on or specific…
A Personal Interview
I took Elder M. Russell Ballard’s challenge to hold a personal interview using Alma 5. As a result, I resolved to remember, to be more adaptable, to exercise faith, to let go of pride, to respect others’ experiences, and to change some patterns of thought
❖ Remembering – Alma 5:1-13
The Legacies of Limhi’s People and Alma’s People
Sometimes it’s only in retrospect that we recognize the significance of our experiences, both in terms of our own spiritual growth and in terms of their influence on other people. We’ve been studying this week about two groups of people—the people of Limhi and the people of Alma—both of whom endured a difficult period of…
Have You Sufficiently Retained in Remembrance… – Alma 5:6
6 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls…
“He Changed Their Hearts” – Alma 5:7
This past Sunday, Elder David A. Bednar taught us about the central role of our hearts in the gospel of Jesus Christ: The word heart is used over 1,000 times in the standard works. This simple but significant word often denotes the inner feelings of an individual. Our hearts—the sum total of our desires, affections,…
❖ Born of God – Alma 5:14-32
Can You Imagine? – Alma 5:16-18
16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?17 Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie…
Sufficiently Humble – Alma 5:27
27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? (Alma 5:27)…
Are Ye Stripped Of Pride? – Alma 5:27-28
27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? 28 Behold,…
Preserving Our Changed Hearts
Alma asked if we have retained the changed heart we have previously received. Elder Dale G. Renlund compared a new spiritual heart to a new physical heart. He pointed out the importance of caring for our new heart, even when we think we’re doing well.
❖ The good shepherd – Alma 5:33-42
Why Is Jesus Called “the Good Shepherd?”
Jesus provides gentle and dedicated leadership. He leads by invitation, not by compulsion, and He invites us to follow His example, becoming shepherds of other people.
❖ Alma’s testimony – Alma 5:43-49
“I Have Spoken Unto You Plainly” – Alma 5:43
From the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi set the standard: in this book, the word of God would be preached in plainness. In the opening chapter, Nephi’s father, Lehi, sees a vision which “[manifests] plainly” to him “of the coming of the Messiah” (1 Nephi 1:19). Nephi later foresees a time when corrupt…
Knowing “Of Myself”
Both Alma and Nephi testified that they had received knowledge directly from God which they could not have gained on their own. These testimonies encouraged their listeners to open their hearts and receive the knowledge that only God can give.
I Have Fasted and Prayed Many Days – Alma 5:45-46
45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? 46 Behold, I say unto you they are made…
❖ Final admonition – Alma 5:50-62
“Will Ye Persist in Supposing That Ye Are Better One Than Another?” – Alma 5:54
Equality is a core principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Alma resigned as chief judge and dedicated himself to the ministry because of the inequality he saw among his people. Members of the church were becoming proud, wearing expensive clothing, being “scornful, one towards another,” and persecuting those who believed differently from them (Alma…
“If You Will Hearken” – Alma 5:60
During Abinadi’s message to the priests of King Noah, he quoted the following words from Isaiah: All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. (Mosiah 14:6) One of those priests, Alma, was converted to the gospel because of Abinadi’s words. Years later, as Alma’s son (also named…
Old Testament Foundations
Clean
It’s an uncomfortable feeling to wear filthy clothing, particularly on a formal occasion. Zechariah saw in a vision the high priest Joshua standing in front of an angel, “clothed with filthy garments” (Zechariah 3:1-3). The angel commanded the people with him to take away Joshua’s filthy clothing. He said, “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity…
Slumbering Shepherds
The prophet Nahum characterized the chaos which would accompany the destruction of the Assyrian Empire in this way: Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them. Nahum 3:18 As Ezekiel would later point out, a shepherd is supposed to be…
Selfless Shepherds
How can you call yourself a shepherd if you only think about yourself? That’s the question Ezekiel asked the leaders of his people. “Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves,” he said. “Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?” (Ezekiel 34:2). When we are young, we are naturally self-centered. It’s to…
A Famine…of Hearing the Words of the Lord
When Alma spoke in the city of Zarahemla, he asked a number of questions to help his listeners assess their own spiritual state. “Have ye spiritually been born of God?” he asked. “Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” (Alma 5:14). Later in the sermon, he addressed a question to…
The King of Glory Shall Come In
Based on: Psalm 24 Core message: We can feel joy today because of a future event that is certain to happen. We need not wait until the event occurs to feel that happiness. Related Book of Mormon passages: Alma 5:50, Alma 13:25
Shine Forth
The Hebrew word or (אוֹר) means light. When used as a verb, it means to be light or to become light. Speaking to a future generation of Israelites who would be gathered home, Isaiah said: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 They could share light…
New Testament Parallels
“Changed into the Same Image”
As we focus on the Savior, trust in His grace, and strive to emulate Him, we gradually become more and more like Him. We may not notice the change from day to day, but little by little, we receive His image in our countenances.
Wedding Garments and Extra Oil
In two of Jesus’s parables, people are punished harshly for seemingly minor infractions: dressing inappropriately or running out of supplies. Important events require careful preparation, so we must be particularly careful in our preparations to meet God.
The Ax Is Laid at the Root of the Tree
Maturity requires awareness and honesty. John the Baptist and Alma both used a metaphor of an ax resting beside a tree to help their listeners overcome complacency and choose to repent.
Freely
John says that each of us can partake of the water of life freely. Alma extended the same invitation to the people in Zarahemla and later to his son Corianton. God offers blessings to His children abundantly, and He invites us to come and receive them.
Out of Great Tribulation
John saw a large multitude at the throne of God dressed in white robes. An angel explained that these people “came out of great tribulation.” Sister Michelle D. Craig taught, “Troubles are part of the plan.” When life is hard, we are in good company!
“I Stand at the Door and Knock”
Jesus said, “Knock, and it shall be opened to you.” In the book of Revelation, John takes this promise one step further: Jesus is knocking on our door. He is not only willing to answer us, He is already speaking to us. Even before we ask, we can listen.
Church History Connections
Equal
In 1832, Joseph Smith received a revelation instructing church leaders to organize themselves more fully to ensure that the needs of all church members could be met. In that revelation, the Lord taught the following principle: If ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things; Doctrine and Covenants 78:6 What…
Stripped of Pride, Stripped of Envy
There are some things we need to acquire as we prepare to meet God. There are also things we need to abandon. As Alma spoke to the people of Zarahemla, he specifically identified two things they needed to eliminate from their lives in order to be ready to be with God: Behold, are ye stripped…
“Fools Mock”
Included in Alma’s list of soul-searching questions to the people of Zarahemla was the following: “Is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?” Alma added, “Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the time is at hand that he must repent or he cannot…
“Ye Are Clean, but Not All”
At the Last Supper, before beginning the meal, the Savior washed the feet of His disciples. Emphasizing the symbolic nature of this action to them, He said, “Ye are clean, but not all” (John 13:10). John explained that this statement referred to Judas Iscariot, who was among them, but who had already committed to betray…
Invite
The Savior has introduced Himself multiple times with a variation of the following statement: I came unto my own, and my own received me not. 3 Nephi 9:16 (See also Doctrine and Covenants 6:21, 10:57, 11:29, 39:3, 45:8.) He knows what it is like to be rejected by the very people He is trying to help.…
“Are Ye Stripped of Pride?” – Alma 5:28
In his sermon to the people of Zarahemla, Alma asked a number of challenging questions, including the following: Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an…
All Posts Referencing Alma 5
- Alma: Receiving God’s Image (1/17/2026)
- Shepherds: Keeping Watch (12/26/2025)
- “Calm as a Summer’s Morning” (11/26/2025)
- Becoming and Remaining Pure in Heart (9/2/2025)
- Seeing the Face of God (8/27/2025)
- “Who Shall Stand in His Holy Place?” (8/7/2025)
- These Truths (7/4/2025)
- Rendering an Account of My Stewardships (7/2/2025)
- A Crown of Eternal Life (6/22/2025)
- The Cares of the World (4/27/2025)
- Esteeming Your Brother as Yourself (4/24/2025)
- Hear His Voice (4/2/2025)
- Walking in Holiness (3/13/2025)
- Wickedness (2/13/2025)
- Called, Chosen, and Faithful (1/30/2025)
- Hearken and Search (1/9/2025)
- “I Am Mormon” (9/20/2024)
- Knowing “Of Myself” (9/4/2024)
- After the Holy Order of God (8/13/2024)
- How to Preach (6/15/2024)
- Looking Forward with An Eye of Faith (6/13/2024)
- Preserving Our Changed Hearts (6/12/2024)
- A Personal Interview (6/11/2024)
- Awakened (6/9/2024)
- Mercy (3/26/2024)
- His Holy Order (2/21/2024)
- Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy (12/30/2023)
- Freely (12/27/2023)
- Out of Great Tribulation (12/16/2023)
- Letters to the Seven Churches (12/7/2023)
- “I Stand at the Door and Knock” (12/5/2023)
- No Darkness (12/2/2023)
- Shepherd and Bishop (11/22/2023)
- Her Perfect Work (11/19/2023)
- Think Celestial! (10/12/2023)
- “Changed into the Same Image” (9/13/2023)
- Where You Want Me to Go (7/21/2023)
- Paul Rebukes Elymas (7/20/2023)
- Wedding Garments and Extra Oil (5/21/2023)
- “Is Your Eye Evil Because I Am Good?” (5/11/2023)
- The Ax Is Laid at the Root of the Tree (1/25/2023)
- Nunc Dimittis (1/12/2023)
- From Their Sins (1/6/2023)
- Repentance and Resolutions (1/1/2023)
- Asking Better Questions: Learning from Alma 5 (12/27/2022)
- The Tree (12/23/2022)
- Clean (12/7/2022)
- Slumbering Shepherds (11/29/2022)
- A Famine…of Hearing the Words of the Lord (11/16/2022)
- Selfless Shepherds (10/28/2022)
- Past Performance Is Not Necessarily Indicative of Future Results (10/26/2022)
- Noonday (10/8/2022)
- The Fast That I Have Chosen (10/6/2022)
- A Tree of Life (9/4/2022)
- The Book of Psalms and the Book of Mormon (8/27/2022)
- The King of Glory Shall Come In (8/12/2022)
- My Shepherd (8/10/2022)
- Fasting with Purpose (7/19/2022)
- Finding Grace (6/12/2022)
- Permanent Promises (6/9/2022)
- “The Lord Bless Thee, and Keep Thee” (5/10/2022)
- Fasting: How Long and How Often? (4/29/2022)
- “Put Off Thy Shoes” (3/23/2022)
- The Face of God (3/6/2022)
- Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (2/20/2022)
- An Help, Meet for Him (1/7/2022)
- Glory (12/28/2021)
- Preside (12/14/2021)
- “Plead the Cause of the Poor and Needy” (10/30/2021)
- Integrity (10/29/2021)
- The Rising Generation (10/24/2021)
- Equal (7/14/2021)
- Stripped of Pride, Stripped of Envy (6/24/2021)
- “Fools Mock” (5/2/2021)
- “Ye Are Clean, but Not All” (4/18/2021)
- If Ye Are Prepared… (4/16/2021)
- Invite (4/14/2021)
- “Are Ye Stripped of Pride?” – Alma 5:28 (3/11/2021)
- Shepherds (12/23/2020)
- Book of Mormon References in Moroni 6 (12/5/2020)
- “Even as I Am” – 3 Nephi 27:27 (10/20/2020)
- “My Time Is at Hand” – 3 Nephi 17:1 (9/29/2020)
- “Shine Forth” – Alma 5:50 (6/5/2020)
- “Will Ye Persist in Supposing That Ye Are Better One Than Another?” – Alma 5:54 (6/4/2020)
- “I Have Spoken Unto You Plainly” – Alma 5:43 (6/3/2020)
- “If You Will Hearken” – Alma 5:60 (6/2/2020)
- The Legacies of Limhi’s People and Alma’s People (5/17/2020)
- “That I Might Rid My Garments of Your Blood” – Mosiah 2:27-28 (4/17/2020)
- “He Changed Their Hearts” – Alma 5:7 (4/10/2020)
- The Arms of Mercy (4/5/2020)
- What Is the Role of Music in the Gospel? (12/17/2019)
- What Do We Know About God’s Love for Us? (12/2/2019)
- What Are the Bread and the Waters of Life? (11/25/2019)
- What Are the Purposes of Fasting? (11/18/2019)
- How Can I Make Better Decisions? (9/25/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Be “Puffed Up?” (9/6/2019)
- What Is Pride? (9/2/2019)
- How Can I Be More Hopeful? (8/25/2019)
- What Is the Spirit of Prophecy? (8/17/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Abraham? (7/20/2019)
- What Should I Do When I Feel Guilty? (6/24/2019)
- How Can I Have More Experiences with God? (6/18/2019)
- How Can I Be More Humble? (5/13/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Complacency? (5/11/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Consecrate Something? (5/4/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Be Steadfast? (4/23/2019)
- What Should I Do About Economic Inequality? (4/5/2019)
- What’s Wrong with “Costly Apparel?” (4/3/2019)
- Why Is Jesus Called “the Good Shepherd?” (3/14/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Be “Baptized Unto Repentance?” (2/22/2019)
- What Is the Relationship Between Baptism and Membership in the Church? (2/21/2019)
- How Does the Savior Invite Us to Come Unto Him? (2/12/2019)
- What Is the Tree of Life? (2/7/2019)
- What Does It Mean for Our Garments to Be “Washed White Through the Blood of the Lamb?” (2/1/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Grace? (1/28/2019)
- What Is the Relationship Between Faith and Knowledge? (1/8/2019)
- Sufficiently Humble – Alma 5:27 (6/20/2018)
- Have Ye Spiritually Been Born of God? – Alma 5:14 (6/19/2018)
- Are Ye Stripped Of Pride? – Alma 5:27-28 (11/2/2017)
- Have You Sufficiently Retained in Remembrance… – Alma 5:6 (11/1/2017)
- They Did Sing Redeeming Love – Alma 5:9 (12/14/2016)
- “Are Ye Stripped of Pride?” – Alma 5:27-28 (3/26/2016)
- What Grounds Had They to Hope? – Alma 5:10 (3/8/2016)
- Can You Imagine? – Alma 5:16-18 (2/24/2016)
- I Have Fasted and Prayed Many Days – Alma 5:45-46 (6/5/2015)
- He Sendeth an Invitation Unto All Men – Alma 5:33-34 (6/3/2015)
- “Have Ye Spiritually Been Born of God?” – Alma 5:14 (6/3/2015)