Alma 25-26
Reading Assignment for class on Tues., Jan 30: Alma 25-26
Learning Activities:
1) Introduction: After destroying the city of Ammonihah, the Lamanites had many other battles with the Nephites and were driven back. Having suffered great losses, many Lamanites laid down their weapons of war, repented, and joined the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. As the sons of Mosiah and their companions concluded their 14-year mission among the Lamanites, Ammon praised the Lord and expressed gratitude for the blessing of being instruments in the hands of God to bring the gospel to the Lamanites.
2) Which prophecies of Abinadi are fulfilled in these verses? Write, Abinadi is cool in your margin.
3) What means does God use in these chapters to bring even more souls to Christ?
4) Add this quote to your scriptures by Alma 26:5-6 “The sheaves in this analogy represent newly baptized members of the Church. The garners are the holy temples” (David A. Bednar, “Honorably Hold a Name and Standing,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 97).
5) What verse is your favorite or praise or worship or thanks?
6) Add this quote from Elder Holland to Alma 26:35
“However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Laborers in the Vineyard,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 33).
Want more?
Alma 25:4-12 Elder Maxwell:
“Since … things are, for God, one ‘eternal now,’ it is to be remembered that for God to foresee is not to cause or even to desire a particular occurrence. …
“The actual determinations, however, are made by us mortals using our agency as to this or that course of action. For these determinations and decisions we are accountable” (Neal A. Maxwell, All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience[2007], 12).
Alma 26:13. “Reason to rejoice”
President Boyd K. Packer“In April of 1847, Brigham Young led the first company of pioneers out of Winter Quarters. At that same time, sixteen hundred miles to the west the pathetic survivors of the Donner Party straggled down the slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains into the Sacramento Valley.
“They had spent the ferocious winter trapped in the snowdrifts below the summit. That any survived the days and weeks and months of starvation and indescribable suffering is almost beyond belief.
“Among them was fifteen-year-old John Breen. On the night of April 24, he walked into Johnson’s Ranch. Years later John wrote.
“‘It was long after dark when we got to Johnson’s Ranch, so the first time I saw it was early in the morning. The weather was fine, the ground was covered with green grass, the birds were singing from the tops of the trees, and the journey was over. I could scarcely believe that I was alive.
“‘The scene that I saw that morning seems to be photographed on my mind. Most of the incidents are gone from memory, but I can always see the camp near Johnson’s Ranch’ [“Pioneer Memoirs,” unpublished, as quoted on “The Americanization of Utah,” PBS television broadcast].
“At first I was very puzzled by his statement that ‘most of the incidents are gone from memory.’ How could long months of incredible suffering and sorrow ever be gone from his mind? How could that brutal dark winter be replaced with one brilliant morning?
“On further reflection, I decided it was not puzzling at all. I have seen something similar happen to people I have known. I have seen one who has spent a long winter of guilt and spiritual starvation emerge into the morning of forgiveness.
“When morning came, they learned this:
“‘Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more’ [D&C 58:42]” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 18).