Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 24

Introduction

Let’s start by examining the context in which Alma and Amulek are preaching in Ammonihah.  Alma was initially rejected in Ammonihah, and left the city sorrowfully, presuming he would never return.  As he was leaving, an angel commanded Alma to return, and Amulek was prepared by an angel (same angel?) to help him physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  This was the fourth day of the seventh month (see Alma 10:6); although we have no idea how their calendar coincides with ours, we’ll call it July 4 for reference.

After Alma had spent some amount of time with Amulek, during which time Amulek was taught both by Alma and by heavenly messengers (see Alma 10:9-11), they began to preach.  One of the objections the people of Ammonihah raised related to authority; read Alma 9:6.  In Alma 13, Alma addresses the question of authority with a discourse on the Melchizedek Priesthood.

The Priesthood and Foreordination

The Melchizedek Priesthood helps us develop faith in Jesus Christ

Read Alma 13:1-2.  I have always been intrigued by the phrase, they “were ordained…in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.”  Throughout this chapter, look for ways that the priesthood and our interaction with it helps us understand Jesus Christ and the atonement better.

Those foreordained exercised faith and works

Read Alma 13:3-5.  When were men first “called and prepared” to receive the priesthood?  How did they demonstrate their worthiness?  Note in verse 3 that they exercised faith and works.  We do not “earn” our way back to heaven, but we consistently choose good.  Imagine the danger of giving God’s power to those who do otherwise.  How do these verses help us look to the Son for redemption?

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 365).

Does this foreordination in pre-mortality mean there is nothing we need to do in this life to receive the priesthood?  Or that once we have it, it is ours forever, regardless of what we do?  Of course not.  Read Alma 13:8-10.  Verse 8 actually speaks about their ordination – not their foreordination.  And the key is in verse 10 where as mortals, their choices were consistent with their pre-mortal choices; they exercised faith, repented, and chose to do the works of righteousness. 

Side note: notice Alma’s repeated emphasis on the individual choices of those who are righteous.  People who say religion takes away our freedom and ability to choose are simply wrong.  My good choices today do not preclude me from choosing evil tomorrow.  But my evil choices today may in fact remove my ability to choose good in the future.

How do these verses help us look to the Son for redemption?

We should sustain those called to any office in mortality

How do these verses about foreordination affect our actions in relation to callings – Callings we receive and accept?  Callings we receive and would rather not accept?  Callings others receive?  Consider this statement by President Kimball:

President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “Before we came here, faithful women were given certain assignments while faithful men were foreordained to certain priesthood tasks. While we do not now remember the particulars, this does not alter the glorious reality of what we once agreed to. You are accountable for those things which long ago were expected of you just as are those we sustain as prophets and apostles!” (“The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 102).

How do these verses help us look to the Son for redemption?

The “rest of the Lord”

Alma uses a curious phrase in Alma 13:6.  What is “the rest of the Lord”?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “The rest of the Lord, where mortals are concerned, is to gain a perfect knowledge of the divinity of the great latter-day work. [President Joseph F. Smith said,] ‘It means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else; we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive.’ It is ‘rest from the religious turmoil of the world; from the cry that is going forth, here and there—lo, here is Christ; lo, there is Christ.’ (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., pp. 58, 125–126.) The rest of the Lord, in eternity, is to inherit eternal life, to gain the fulness of the Lord’s glory (D. & C. 84:24.)” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 633).

How does the Melchizedek Priesthood help us enter the rest of the Lord?

Melchizedek is a type of Christ

The Melchizedek Priesthood received its name from a great high priest and king.  Read Alma 13:16-19.  Notice again that Alma points out that this is to help us know how to look to Jesus Christ for salvation.  How do these verses help us look to the Son for redemption?

• Melchizedek is a king; Jesus is a king
• Both kings’ subjects had waxed strong in iniquity
• Both exercised faith
• Both were ordained to the priesthood and to their special mission
• Both preached repentance
• Both reigned under their fathers
• Many preceded and followed these great men, but in their assignment, none was ever greater than they.  (Melchizedek was the greatest mortal king; Jesus was not called to be a political king in mortality.)

Alma pleads with the people to repent

Read Alma 13:27-30.  This plea is as relevant to us today as it was to the rebellious in Ammonihah.  How can we “not procrastinate”?  What is the danger in procrastinating?

Believers are persecuted and Ammonihah is destroyed

In Alma 14 the men who believe Alma and Amulek and repent are chased from the city.  Their wives and children are burned to death along with their scriptures.  It is a terrible example of men choosing evil rather than good.  Alma assured Amulek that those who were thus martyred were received by God in glory (see Alma 14:10-11).

Alma and Amulek were cast into prison and abused for “many days.”  On October 12 (by our calendar) Alma and Amulek were miraculously delivered.  The prison in which they were kept fell to the earth, killing all those who were in it except these two missionaries.

On February 5 of the next year the Lamanites invaded Nephite lands and completely destroyed the city of Ammonihah and all its inhabitants in one day (see Alma 16:1-3, 9-11). 

Alma ministers to Amulek and Zeezrom

Zeezrom was among the men chased from the city of Ammonihah, and he was tormented for his wickedness.  When he heard that Alma and Amulek were alive, he asked them to come to him.  See Alma 15:3-12.  Zeezrom spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel and helping others repent.

It was now Alma’s turn to take Amulek to his home and minister to his physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.  See Alma 15:16, 18.

Conclusion

Our lives will be blessed, and we will be able to bless the lives of others more effectively as we understand the order of the Priesthood, and as we strive to exercise faith and repent.  All these things will help us know better how to look to the Son of God for redemption.

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 23

Introduction

Place a wrapped box on the table and ask what might be in it.  Would anyone believe me if I said there was $1,000 inside?  I claim there is.  Now ask someone to look inside my box, and have them tell what is inside it.  Is it easier to believe what you can’t see when a second person has seen and testifies?  Why?

Alma had the tough assignment of preaching repentance to a hardened group of Nephites who did not believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  They rejected his testimony, so the Lord provided a second witness to corroborate Alma’s testimony.  Alma and Amulek were a powerful companionship who taught the truth fearlessly and effectively.

Alma is rejected in Ammonihah

Alma’s example

Alma’s responsibility was not always easy.  He taught in Zarahemla, where the people were falling into wickedness, but many were willing to hear the word and repent.  Then he taught in Gideon and Melek where the people were more righteous.  Then he went to Ammonihah where the people were proud of their wickedness and rejected Alma.  Alma sets a great example for us in two passages:

Read Alma 8:9-10 – In spite of the initial “not hearkening” of the people, he persisted.  What are some of the meaningful things recorded that Alma did?

• Labored in the spirit.  He knew there was no way he could convince them to change by logic or force.  Any change was going to require the influence of the Holy Ghost.
• Wrestled with God in mighty prayer.  This sounds like Enos and the Nephite disciples who were anxious to do right.
• His desires were that God would pour out his Spirit upon the wicked.  That is a great example of charity.

And how was he rewarded?  They spit on him, reviled him, and threw him out of their city.

Read Alma 8:18 – After the angel told Alma to back to those reviling, spitting people who forcefully rejected his teachings, Alma wasted no time in going back.  And he was even resourceful and found an alternate entrance to give him a greater chance at success.

How can we apply Alma’s example in our lives? 

People of Ammonihah had forgotten their righteous traditions

Read Alma 9:8-11 – One of the underlying problems faced by the people in Ammonihah was their lack of “cultural memory.”  They would not or could not learn from history.

• How does this type of forgetfulness lead to wickedness?
• What are some ways you have found that help you remember what the Lord has done for you?

Amulek preaches to the people in Ammonihah

Now Amulek stands to preach.  Apparently he is a wealthy resident of the city and is fairly well known.  He began by telling the people of meeting Alma after being commanded by an angel to care for him.  Amulek told the people that he was converted to the gospel as preached by Alma by the things Alma taught over the course of time while he was living in Amulek’s house.  (see Alma 10:1-11)

After this introduction, the people were surprised to find that there was a second witness delivering the same message as Alma.  However, in the hardness of their hearts, they still tried to trap Amulek.  The lawyers led the way, motivated by a desire to cause problems that they would be paid to solve.  (see Alma 10:12-15, 32; 11:20)

Saved from our sins, not in them

After some preliminary questions, Zeezrom asks a potentially troublesome one.  Read Alma 11:34.  Why is Amulek so emphatic in his answer to this question?  What would it mean to be saved in our sins?  Why is this impossible? 

Consider an analogy of someone trapped in a burning building.  You don’t save them by giving them some water or handing them an electric fan.  The only way to save them is to remove them from the flames.  Likewise with sin, we cannot merely address some of the consequences of sin; to be saved, we need to address the root problem – the sin itself.

Universal and conditional blessings of the Atonement

Read Alma 11:40-45 and identify the blessings that are free gifts to everyone, and those that are only effective in the lives of those who repent.

• Verse 40 – This verse says “he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name…”  This does not mean that Jesus did not suffer the sins of those who do not believe.  It does mean that his suffering is of no effect in their lives.  This is partly what it means to “set at naught the Atonement.”  Our lack of faith makes the Atonement useless in our lives and causes Christ’s suffering to be in vain.  (see 1 Nephi 19:7, 9; Moroni 8:20)
• Resurrection comes to all people, regardless of the choices they make in life.
• What does Amulek teach about the resurrection?  How does this compare to a general understanding in Christianity?

Alma supports Amulek’s teachings

More than one witness

In Alma 11:40-42, Amulek taught several important doctrines.  Following the law of witnesses, Alma follows up and testifies of these same doctrines.

DOCTRINE	AMULEK’S WITNESS	ALMA’S WITNESS
The Atonement	Alma 11:40	Alma 12:33–34
Repentance	Alma 11:40	Alma 12:24
Judgment	Alma 11:41	Alma 12:14
Resurrection	Alma 11:41–42	Alma 12:24–25

Additional doctrines on the plan of redemption

Read Alma 12:14-18

• Notice in verse 15 that God is both merciful and just, and all people will recognize and acknowledge these qualities in him.
• The spiritual death Alma refers to in verse 16 is not the death of our spirit similar to the death of our body.  Rather it is the separation of our spirits from God; our death pertaining to things of righteousness.
• The torment in verse 17 is not God’s vengeful inflicting of torture upon us.  It is the memory of our guilt and the knowledge that by our actions, we have forfeited the wonderful blessings that were offered to us.  Regret is powerful.

Summarize Alma 12:22-34.  This is one of the best summaries of the entire plan of salvation anywhere in scripture.

Conclusion

Alma and Amulek bore their witness of the Savior.  We have the opportunity and obligation to become a witness of these things too.  Our witness will change our lives, and enable us to follow Alma’s example and share these teachings with others.

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 22

Alma teaches of a mighty change of heart

After serving for eight years as both the chief judge and the high priest over the church, Alma recognized a problem.  The spirituality of the people as a whole was diminishing.  This was a problem that had consequences on many levels.  As obedience to God’s commandments decreased, Alma 4 identifies three specific civil consequences:

1. Care for the poor decreased.  This is clearly a welfare problem.  (see Alma 4:12)
2. Economic inequality increased.  The difference between the “haves” and the “have-nots” increased and became more noticeable.  (see Alma 4:12)
3. Persecution of others who are “different” increased.  We might call this a civil rights issue.  (see Alma 4:13, 15)

In his position as both the spiritual leader and civil leader of the people, he could have chosen to address these problems from the political arena and legislated solutions.  A Nephite Social Security Administration, progressive taxation and Human Rights Commission may all have addressed these problems.  And for all we know, Alma’s successor in the judgment seat Nephihah did these things.  Remember: the purpose of the Book of Mormon is to bring people to Christ.  There’s only enough historical context given in each account to accomplish this higher purpose.  Alma tried a different approach.  President Ezra Taft Benson taught:

“The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. … The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 6).

Thus Alma began a “spirituality tour” to tackle these problems from the spiritual angle.  His first visit was to Zarahemla, where many of the problems were deeply rooted.

Learn from the past

Alma begins his address by recounting a little history.  Summarize Alma 5:3-9.  Why do you suppose he did this?

• To establish his proper authority as the high priest
• To highlight that spiritual bondage leads to physical bondage
• Because the people in Zarahemla were in spiritual bondage and they could only be delivered by the same Lord who delivered their fathers physically

Read Alma 5:13.  This is the key to deliverance, both physical and spiritual.

Might change of heart

Read Alma 5:14.  What does this mighty change of heart mean?  And how do we experience one?

• Our hearts – the things we love and that motivate us – change.  We put off again the natural man and do things because we love God and our fellow man.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “Except in … unusual circumstances, as with Alma (Mosiah 27), spiritual rebirth is a process. It does not occur instantaneously. It comes to pass by degrees. Repentant persons become alive to one spiritual reality after another, until they are wholly alive in Christ and are qualified to dwell in his presence forever” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 3:401).

How was Alma converted?  After the initial experience with the angel, his was converted – his heart was changed.  But he did not rest on his newfound change of heart; he worked to continue to build his testimony.  Read Alma 5:45-46.

Can you imagine?

Show the Book of Mormon video presentation of the young man on trial asking himself some of the questions in Alma 5.

Pride and envy

Read Alma 5:28-29.  What is pride?  What is envy?

President Benson quoted C. S. Lewis:

The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others. In the words of C. S. Lewis: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.” (Mere Christianity, New York: Macmillan, 1952, pp. 109–10.)

If in our hearts we are still proud, we measure our worth by how much more we have than other people.  But what has our Father promised us if we are faithful?  All that the He hath.  How would the proud feel in heaven if no one had any less than they did?  They would be miserable.  (see Mormon 9:4)

The church is set in order because of humility

Read Alma 6:2-3, then President Benson quote:

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness (see Alma 7:23). … Let us choose to be humble. We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. … We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. … We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. … We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. … We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. … We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently. … We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. … We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 6; or Ensign, May 1989, 6–7).

Alma testifies of Jesus Christ

Alma went to the land of Gideon where the people were more righteous than Zarahemla had been.  Because they were more righteous, he could teach more of the pure, hopeful doctrines of the gospel.  In Alma 7:8 Alma points out that he doesn’t know everything, but he does know the things that are most important.  He then proceeds to testify of Jesus Christ and call the people to repentance.  Notice that even though the inhabitants of Gideon are primarily righteous, they are still called to repent.

Conclude with Alma 7:9-13.

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 21

Introduction

What do each of the following terms mean?

·         Monarchy: government under the leadership of one ruler, such as a king; sometimes characterized by absolute rule

·         Republic: rule by a group of elected representatives

·         Democracy: government by the people, with majority rule

·         Theocracy: government guided by God through revelation to a prophet

We live in a republic.  Up until now, the Nephites have lived in a monarchy.  When the king was righteous, the monarchy had significant elements of a theocracy too.  When the king was wicked, then it was just a mess.  As Mosiah aged, none of his sons was willing to be the new king.  Drawing on lessons from the recent past and under the inspiration of heaven, Mosiah proposed a new system of government that includes elements of a democracy, a republic, and a theocracy.  Alma the Younger was elected as the first chief judge under this new government.

Mosiah teaches principles of good government

Mosiah gave counsel on having kings, and contrasted the experiences of the people under Benjamin (righteous) and Noah (wicked).  Briefly review the consequences experienced by the people as a result of the leadership of these men:

 

Benjamin	Noah
King Benjamin did not seek riches but worked to serve his people (Mosiah 2:12-14)	Sought for riches (Mosiah 11:2-4)
Taught his people to keep the commandments (Mosiah 2:31)	Did not have the commandments written in his heart (Mosiah 13:11)
Led his people to enter into a righteous covenant with the Lord (Mosiah 5:5-6)	Asked, “Who is God that my people should be judged of him?” (Mosiah 11:27)
His righteous influence extended past his life (Mosiah 29:13)	Noah’s people ended up in captivity as a result of his actions; Noah is later used as an example of a wicked ruler.  (Mosiah 20:21; Mosiah 29:17-18)

 

Because kings are not always righteous, Mosiah proposed a new system of government with judges in place of kings.  Read Mosiah 29:37-38.  Notice that “every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own sins.”  What are some additional responsibilities that come to those living in a free society?

1.      Responsibility to answer for our own sins (Mosiah 29:38)

2.      Abide by established laws – not out of fear of punishment, but because they have been acknowledged by the people (Alma 1:1)

3.      Choose honest and wise men to be leaders (D&C 98:10).  We have an obligation to seek diligently for good leaders.

The Nephites set up a political system that included elements we would be familiar with in our society.   They had a hierarchy of judges responsible for enforcing laws, and this hierarchy also provided a method to judge judges who were not upholding the law.  Read Mosiah 29:27 for an important warning to all those who live in a free society.

Alma combats priestcraft as the chief judge

The first test of the new political system came in the first year of Alma’s reign.  Nehor began preaching a new doctrine.  Read Alma 1:3-4.  Why is this doctrine so appealing?

Besides the fact that it is doctrinally wrong, there is no civil problem with this preaching, as there was no law against a man’s beliefs (see Alma 1:17).  The problem came a few verses later when Nehor got into an argument with Gideon.  Read Alma 1:7-9.  Gideon didn’t try to use logic to refute Nehor; he bore testimony.

What two crimes was Nehor guilty of?  See Alma 1:12-13.  (He tried to force his beliefs on others, and he murdered Gideon.)  Nehor was executed for his crimes, but this did not solve the problems.  Read Alma 1:21-24.  Compare this bad example with the Lord’s command in D&C 38:41.

By living the gospel, the faithful were blessed greatly.  Read Alma 1:26-31.  How can we follow the examples of preaching, hearing, and serving those who are poor?

Alma leaves the judgment seat

Amlici wanted to be king and began a civil war when he was not elected as king.  He was killed and his people were defeated.  As a result of the battle, flocks and herds were destroyed, and the prosperity evaporated.  How did the people respond?  Read Alma 4:3-5.  Just one year later, the humility evaporated as prosperity returned.  I think the key to the problem is in verse 6 – they wore expensive clothes and were proud that they had more than others.

Alma recognized the consequences this pride was having on those who did not belong to the church in verse 10.  Read Alma 4:19-20. He turned the judgment seat over to another righteous man so he could devote his efforts to the work of the ministry.  Notice in verse 19 that he bore down in pure testimony, just as Nehor had borne down against the church.  Whatever we do, we need to be diligent.

Conclusion

This experience is completely relevant to our day.  What can we learn and apply from today’s lesson?

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 20

Introduction

Begin by asking how many class members are converts.  What does the word convert mean?

From Old French convertir, from Latin converto (“‘turn around’”)

1.    (transitive) To transform or change (something) into another form, substance, state, or product.

A kettle converts water into steam.

The lesson manual explains:

[We] often use the term convert to refer to a person who was baptized into the Church after the age of eight. In another sense, however, each of us should be a convert. Each of us, no matter when we are baptized, must acquire his or her own testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For some people this conversion is sudden and dramatic, but for most it is a subtle, gradual process. Some people become converted easily, while others must struggle to develop this testimony and commitment.

Now, how many class members are converts, or are working on becoming one?

Limhi and Alma join King Mosiah

After the events in last week’s lesson, King Mosiah is now leader of a group of people calling themselves Nephites, who are made up of the following four groups:

1. People of Mulek who originally settled in Zarahemla.  These are not descendants from Lehi.
2. People of King Mosiah I who fled from the land of Nephi when the Nephites became too wicked.
3. Alma’s people, who were descended from the people of Zeniff who had returned to the land of Nephi from Zarahemla three generations earlier.
4. King Limhi’s people, who came from the same are as Alma, but didn’t heed Abinadi’s message and repent as quickly.

Mosiah called a type of conference, and everyone gathered.  They read the records of Limhi and Alma’s people.  Alma taught the people in individual groups, reminding them of the bondage of the people and God’s deliverance.  Limhi and all his people were converted and baptized.

Un-converts deconvert others

Read Mosiah 26:1-4.  These people remained in their current state; they were unchanged; they were unconverted.  What did these people do?  (Persecuted the church, deceived many, and led others into sin.)  What can we learn from these four verses?

In verse 6 it becomes necessary for something to be done about these church members who are engaging in sin, so Alma sends them to King Mosiah.  Mosiah’s response is simple and classic.  Read verse 12.  It appears to me that Mosiah said in effect, “This is not a secular issue, it’s a spiritual one.  The sins these people have committed did not break the laws of the land, which is my responsibility.  Instead, they’ve broken the laws of God, and you’re the spiritual leader.  It would not be appropriate for me to judge them, so you have do deal with it.”  Mosiah was a great delegator!  (Note that in Mosiah 27:1-2 when the problem of persecution arises, this time Mosiah does get involved.  This problem is civic in nature.)

Read Mosiah 26:13-14.  The Lord explained to Alma how to set up a church disciplinary system for the benefit of all church members, both repentant and un-repentant sinners.  Read Mosiah 26:37-39.

Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah are converted

Among the un-converts who were trying to destroy the church, Alma, Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni were zealous, and apparently successful!  How do you suppose Alma the Elder and King Mosiah felt about this?  How did they respond?  Read the following quote from Elder Holland:

When he was Church Commissioner of Education, Jeffrey R. Holland said: “Perhaps no anguish of the human spirit matches the anguish of a mother or father who fears for the soul of a child. … [But] parents can never give up hoping or caring or believing. Surely they can never give up praying. At times prayer may be the only course of action remaining—but it is the most powerful of them all” (“Alma, Son of Alma,” Ensign, Mar. 1977, 80–81).

Although not all prayers of this type will be answered by angelic visitation, God will answer each of our prayers according to his love, while respecting the agency of the sinner.  Note that in Mosiah 27:16, the angel does not force Alma to repent; he warns him not to continue persecuting the church, even if he wants to be destroyed. 

How did Alma the Younger respond?  First, he suffered for his sins.  Read Alma 36:12-16 for a description of the remorse he felt.  This is not mild regret for having done wrong; this is life-change, soul-wrenching misery for having done wrong.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: “Alma serves as a pattern. The horror for sin that engulfed him should be felt by every wayward member of the kingdom; then repentance would be forthcoming, as it was with our Nephite friend” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 229).

God did not leave him in his suffering any longer than necessary.  Read Alma 36:17-22.  How can we follow Alma’s good example?  What will happen as we do so?

The new converts seek to convert others

Read Mosiah 27:35-37 and Elder Perry’s quote:

Elder L. Tom Perry said: “After conversion comes the desire to share—not so much out of a sense of duty, even though that responsibility falls on the priesthood, but out of a sincere love and appreciation for that which has been received. When such a ‘pearl of great price’ comes into our lives, we cannot be content just to admire it by ourselves. It must be shared!” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1984, 106; or Ensign, May 1984, 79).

 

 Handout for class

 

Un-converted	Converted
Carnal and fallen, to be cast off (Mosiah 27:25–27; Alma 36:11)	Redeemed of God, born of the Spirit (Mosiah 27:24–25; Alma 36:23)
Wading through much tribulation (Mosiah 27:28)	Snatched out of an everlasting burning (Mosiah 27:28)
In the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity (Mosiah 27:29)	Redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity (Mosiah 27:29)
In the darkest abyss (Mosiah 27:29)	Beheld the marvelous light of God (Mosiah 27:29)
Racked with eternal torment (Mosiah 27:29)	Soul pained no more (Mosiah 27:29)
Harrowed up by the memory of his many sins (Alma 36:17)	No longer harrowed up by the memory of his sins (Alma 36:19)
Felt exquisite and exceeding pain (Alma 36:20–21)	Felt exquisite and exceeding joy (Alma 36:20–21)
Soul racked with horror at the thought of being in the presence of God (Alma 36:14–15)	Soul longed to be in the presence of God (Alma 36:22)