Alma 2-4

Reading Assignment for class on Tuesday, Jan. 2: Alma 2-4

Learning Activity:
Alma 2

Alma 2:4. “Amlici … would deprive them of their rights and privileges of the church”

Before Mosiah died, he established laws that granted liberty and rights to his people, including religious freedom (see Mosiah 29:32; Alma 1:1, 17). Amlici planned to “deprive [the people] of their rights and privileges of the church” (Alma 2:4) or, in other words, extinguish the religious freedom Mosiah had established through law.

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized the importance of exercising and protecting religious freedom in our day and explained how to do so:
“As we walk the path of spiritual liberty in these last days, we must understand that the faithful use of our agency depends upon our having religious freedom. We already know that Satan does not want this freedom to be ours. He attempted to destroy moral agency in heaven, and now on earth he is fiercely undermining, opposing, and spreading confusion about religious freedom—what it is and why it is essential to our spiritual life and our very salvation. …Brothers and sisters, we are responsible to safeguard these sacred freedoms and rights for ourselves and our posterity” (Robert D. Hales, “Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 111–12, 113).

What are you doing to safeguard your rights and freedoms? How much do you value them?

Alma 3 Pride

Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency. As you read this quote, consider ways in which you might be affected by pride.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Pride is sinful … because it breeds hatred or hostility and places us in opposition to God and our fellowmen. …This sin has many faces. It leads some to revel in their own perceived self-worth, accomplishments, talents, wealth, or position. They count these blessings as evidence of being ‘chosen,’ ‘superior,’ or ‘more righteous’ than others. This is the sin of ‘Thank God I am more special than you.’ At its core is the desire to be admired or envied. It is the sin of self-glorification. For others, pride turns to envy: they look bitterly at those who have better positions, more talents, or greater possessions than they do. They seek to hurt, diminish, and tear down others in a misguided and unworthy attempt at self-elevation. When those they envy stumble or suffer, they secretly cheer” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Pride and the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 56).

Alma 3:4Tattoos and body piercings

The Amlicites marked themselves so they could be “distinguished from the Nephites” (Alma 3:4). In our day, prophets have admonished young men and young women to keep their bodies sacred by not marking themselves with tattoos or body piercings. President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) said:

“A tattoo is graffiti on the temple of the body. Likewise the piercing of the body for multiple rings in the ears, in the nose, even in the tongue. … The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve have declared that we discourage tattoos and also ‘the piercing of the body for other than medical purposes.’ We do not, however, take any position ‘on the minimal piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings’—one pair” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 52).

Alma 3:4Following fashion trends

The Amlicites changed their appearance to look more like the Lamanites. Many Latter-day Saints today feel pressured to follow fashion trends so they can look more like people who are popular to the world. But some trends lead people to “disobey the prophet and, instead, follow the fads of the world” (“Questions and Answers,” New Era, Mar. 2006, 14; see also For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 6–8).

Alma 3:6–17The mark and the curse

As students study Alma 3, they might have questions about the mark and the curse placed upon the Lamanites. You may want to explain that there is a difference between the mark and the curse. The mark placed upon the Lamanites was dark skin (see Alma 3:6). The purpose of this mark was to distinguish and separate the Lamanites from the Nephites (see Alma 3:8). The curse, which was more serious, was the state of being “cut off from the presence of the Lord” (2 Nephi 5:20). The Lamanites and the Amlicites brought this curse upon themselves because of their rebellion against God (see 2 Nephi 5:20; Alma 3:18–19). Although dark skin was used in this instance as a mark of the curse placed upon the Lamanites, the Book of Mormon teaches that the Lord “denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33). The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. The Church unequivocally condemns racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both inside and outside the Church. President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) declared:

“No man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church. …

“Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Need for Greater Kindness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 58). For additional help on this subject, see lesson 27.

Alma 4:19“Pure testimony”

When Alma saw that he needed to reclaim the people by “bearing down in pure testimony against them” (Alma 4:19), he called the people to repentance. However, in our fast and testimony meetings, our testimonies should be simple declarations of our faith, not exhortations. President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) said:

“Do not tell others how to live. Just tell how you feel inside. That is the testimony. The moment you begin preaching to others, your testimony ended” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 138).

SCRIPTURE STUDY INCREASES FAITH AND INSPIRATION

“I think that people who study the scriptures get a dimension to their life that nobody else gets and that can't be gained in any way except by studying the scriptures. There's an increase in faith and a desire to do what's right and a feeling of inspiration and understanding that comes to people who study the gospel–meaning particularly the standard works–and who ponder the principles, that can't come in any other way.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Church News, 24 Jan. 1976, p. 4)