Alma 34-35

Reading Assignment for call on Thurs., Feb. 8: Alma 34-35

Learning Activities:

1. What does it mean that the Atonement is infinite and eternal?  Why is it necessary?

2. Add this quote from Pres. Nelson to your scriptures next to verse 8-10

“His Atonement is infinite—without an end [see 2 Nephi 9:7; 25:16; Alma 34:10, 12, 14]. It was also infinite in that all humankind would be saved from never-ending death. It was infinite in terms of His immense suffering. … It was infinite in scope—it was to be done once for all [see Hebrews 10:10]. And the mercy of the Atonement extends not only to an infinite number of people, but also to an infinite number of worlds created by Him [see D&C 76:24; Moses 1:33]. It was infinite beyond any human scale of measurement or mortal comprehension.

“Jesus was the only one who could offer such an infinite atonement, since He was born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father. Because of that unique birthright, Jesus was an infinite Being” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Atonement,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 35).

3. Mark the phrase, "faith unto repentance" each time it occurs in Alma 34:15-17.  Ponder what it means to you then read and ponder these two quotes:

Pres. Uchtdorf: “We need a strong faith in Christ to be able to repent. … Faith in Christ will change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with God’s will.… Repentance means a change of mind and heart—we stop doing things that are wrong, and we start doing things that are right” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Point of Safe Return,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 100).

Elder Robert E. Wells: 

 “‘Just how much faith do I need for the atonement of Christ to work for me?’ In other words, how much faith do I need to receive salvation? In the book of Alma . . . we find the answer. The prophet Amulek taught this simple but grand principle: ‘The Son of God, . . . bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance’ (Alma 34:14–15; emphasis added). “Please note those three words: faith unto repentance. That is the clue. Four times in three verses he uses that expression [see Alma 34:15–17]. . . . “So the combination of faith in Christ plus faith unto repentance is vitally important. That concept is one of the greatest insights we have into the importance of simple, clear faith—faith sufficient to repent. Apparently faith great enough to move mountains is not required; faith enough to speak in tongues or to heal the sick is not needed; all that we need is just enough faith to recognize that we have sinned and to repent of our sins, to feel remorse for them, and to desire to sin no more but to please Christ the Lord. Then the greatest miracle of all, the Atonement, whereby Christ rescues us from our deserved punishment, is in effect in our behalf” (“The Liahona Triad,” Doctrines of the Book of Mormon, 6–7).

4. Alma 34:27 “Hearts full, drawn out in prayer”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Elder David A. Bednar talked in a general conference about prayer and praying always (see “Pray Always,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 41). He said if our morning prayers are looking out toward the day and what’s coming, we’re previewing the day in our prayer. In our evening prayers, we report to the Lord on what’s happened through the course of the day. We may be thanking Him for blessings received, we may be repenting of a few things that happened that were not right, and then there are all the prayers in between. It just becomes part of a stream of prayers. It’s all part of a pattern, and that goes on day in and day out and week after week and through the years. That’s what it means to have your heart drawn out in prayer to Him.