Alma 5:37-62
Reading Assignment for class on Jan 5: Alma 5:37-62
Learning Activities:
As you read and sheep and shepherds, you may want to ponder why the voice of a shepherd was important to his sheep in ancient times, then read this quote:
President Ezra Taft Benson
“Unlike modern sheepherders, the shepherd always walked ahead of his flock. He led them. The shepherd knew each of the sheep and usually had a name for each. The sheep knew his voice and trusted him and would not follow a stranger. Thus, when called, the sheep would come to him. (See John 10:14, 16.)” (Ezra Taft Benson, “A Call to the Priesthood: ‘Feed My Sheep,’” Ensign, May 1983, 43; see also John R. Lasater, “Shepherds of Israel,” Ensign, May 1988, 74–75).
As you read Alma 5:45-46, consider why revelation through the Holy Ghost is so powerful. Then read this quote from President Joseph F. Smith:
“When a man has the manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even of the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. [1958], 2:151).
Alma 5:46–47. “The spirit of revelation”
Alma had seen an angel, but he testified in Alma 5:46–47 that his testimony of the redeeming mission of Jesus Christ was strengthened through the Holy Ghost, after much fasting and prayer. President Heber J. Grant (1856–1945) said, “Many men say: ‘If I could only see an angel, if I could only hear an angel proclaim something, that would cause me to be faithful all the days of my life!’ It had no effect upon these men [Laman and Lemuel] that were not serving the Lord, and it would have no effect today” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1924, 159).
President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) emphasized there is a witness more powerful than sight:
“I can say that more powerful than one’s sight is the witness that comes by the power of the Holy Ghost bearing testimony to our spirits that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee[2000], 216–17).
