This weeks lesson in Alma 39-42 -teachings of Alma the younger to his own sons. Very powerful teachings and apply to our day as the same truths taught then about 74bc - there was much contention in the land and many following away from the true teachings -Alma 4:19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.
Alma 31:5 -5 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.- from these two scriptures the Word of God is the most powerful to change the hearts of men to do good and repent of their sins. Alma boldly went about the people teaching the word of God.
This gives me the confidence I need to know that sharing the word of God with others -this is what will have more effect upon their minds and can pierce the heart enough for others to want to make changes in their lives to repent and come unto God. Alma’s son Corianton had committed sexual sin, and Alma, as he often did, trusted the power of true doctrine to encourage repentance.
When someone we love has made a serious mistake, it can be hard to know how to respond. Part of what makes Alma 39–42 so valuable is that it reveals how Alma—a disciple of Christ who once had his own grievous sins to repent of—handled such a situation.- I have gained a glimpse of how Alma must have felt when his own son went after the Harlot in another land- and forsake the teaching of his youth from his father. I’m sure he was so disappointed and felt great sorrow. I felt these same feelings as one sins- I know Michael is searching and hurting inside. He feels a void In his life - Asking myself how do I handle the situation? He isn't wanting to participate in our come follow me lesson time as a family- yet this is the time we do gather and learn about the gospel teachings. We need the word of God to give us strength and courage to withstand the temptations and challenges that are before us. I realize as his Grandmother I need to speak up and teach him the word of God this is what will have the most effect in changing his heart and helping him be strengthen. By my example and not being afraid to speak up. I did let him know how disappointed I was in his behavior and that I expect more out of him. Not in our home is he to act this way. I was just so surprised I have not known how to handle the situation- I have been praying for the insight. I have treated him with love and respect. I want him to feel our love in our home and not contention. Being bold in still expressing my feelings about the true teachings of God is what will change his behavior in time and more powerful than anything I can do. This lesson has been an answer of prayer for me to not give up and to speak up -to teach the word of God. -In these chapters, we observe Alma’s boldness in condemning sin and his tenderness and love for Corianton his son- And ultimately, we sense Alma’s confidence that the Savior “shall come to take away [sins and] declare glad tidings of salvation” to those who repent. It is a lesson to learn about the power of Jesus Christ in our own lives -the gift of repentance is the power that will bring us back into the presence of our Heavenly Father. Alma 39:15 And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people.- this scripture was recorded 74 years before the birth of Jesus Christ- having faith the Savior would come and by his life and example bring Salvation to all men if we will repent and turn to God- Jesus atone for all mankind’s sins- he is the mediator between us and God. I believe the Savior did come to redeem his people in the meridian of time and that he will come again to redeem us at his second coming as foretold by the prophets of old and today. Our hope is to repent and Come unto Christ-
Alma 49:30 Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people. -The fact that Corianton eventually returned to the work of the ministry (see Alma 49:30) can give us hope for forgiveness and redemption when we are “trouble[d]” (Alma 42:29) about our own sins or the sins of someone we love.-
Quote I felt very powerful - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles- One who uses the God-given body of another without divine sanction abuses the very soul of that individual, abuses the central purpose and processes of life. - Come follow me lesson this week - I felt greatly impressed as I read the ensign talk Attached - reading this talk brings my soul to tears as I feel the pains of sexual abuse as a child- I felt it hurt my very soul- quote from this talk -precious” truths restored in this dispensation is that “the spirit and the body are the soul of man” and that when the spirit and body are separated, men and women “cannot receive a fulness of joy.”-The body is an essential part of the soul. This distinctive and very important Latter-day Saint doctrine underscores why sexual sin is so serious.-... In exploiting the body of another—which means exploiting his or her soul—one desecrates the Atonement of Christ, which saved that soul.... Ye [have been] bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” In sexual transgression the soul is at stake—the body and the spirit.
