Lesson 21: Alma-Did Judge Righteous Judgments

Purpose:

To help class members understand righteous principles of government and avoid priestcraft and pride.

Reading:

• Mosiah 29
• Alma 1
• Alma 2–3
• Alma 4

Questions to Ponder:

1. Mosiah teaches principles of good government.

Mosiah 29. When all of King Mosiah’s sons refused to succeed him as king, Mosiah sent a written proclamation among the people, recommending a system of government to replace the rule of kings after his death.

• What counsel did Mosiah give his people about having kings? (See Mosiah 29:13, 16.) Which two men did Mosiah describe as different examples of kings? (See Mosiah 29:13, 18. You may want to briefly review the influence these two kings had on the people.) How did Mosiah describe the consequences of having a wicked leader? (See Mosiah 29:16–18, 21–23.)
• Mosiah suggested that the people establish a system of judges to replace the rule of kings. What qualities did Mosiah say these judges should have? (See Mosiah 29:11; see also D&C 98:10.) Why are these qualities important in leaders today?
• What was the foundation of the laws that the people would be judged by? (See Mosiah 29:11; see also Mosiah 29:12–14.) What blessings can people enjoy when they live by laws that are based on righteous principles?
• What did Mosiah propose to limit the power that could be obtained by wicked individuals or groups? (See Mosiah 29:24–26, 28–29. He proposed that they do all things by the voice of the people, appoint judges and make the judges accountable to the people, and have a system of appeals against judges who did not judge by the law.)
• What did Mosiah say would happen if the majority of the people chose wickedness? (See Mosiah 29:27.) What are some ways we can help others understand and choose righteousness?

2. Alma the Younger serves as chief judge and combats priestcraft.

Alma 1. The people had followed Mosiah’s counsel and appointed judges throughout the land, with Alma the Younger as chief judge.

• In the first year of the reign of the judges, a man named Nehor was brought before Alma to be judged (Alma 1:1–2, 15). What had Nehor been teaching the people? (See Alma 1:3–4.) What was the effect of his teaching? (See Alma 1:5–6.) Why do you think Nehor’s teachings were appealing to so many people? Which of these same teachings have you heard in our day?
• While Nehor was preaching to the people, he was met by Gideon, a member of the Church who served as a teacher (Alma 1:7–8; Gideon had served faithfully as a captain for King Limhi). How did Gideon respond to Nehor’s false teachings? (See Alma 1:7.) How does knowing and testifying of the word of God help us withstand false teachings?
• Nehor became angry with Gideon and slew him with a sword (Alma 1:9). When the people took Nehor before Alma, what two crimes did Alma find him guilty of? (See Alma 1:10–13. Priestcraft and murder.) What is priestcraft? (See Alma 1:16; see also 2 Nephi 26:29.) What warning did Alma give regarding priestcraft? (See Alma 1:12.) What evidence have you seen of priestcraft in our day?
• Although Nehor was put to death for his crimes, priestcraft and other wickedness continued to spread throughout the land (Alma 1:15–16). What began to happen between those who belonged to the Church and those who did not? (See Alma 1:19–22.) How should we treat people who disagree with our beliefs? (See D&C 38:41.)
• How did this contention affect some members of the Church? (See Alma 1:23–24.) What can we learn from those who remained in the Church of God? (See Alma 1:25.) How can we remain “steadfast and immovable” in keeping the commandments of God?

Alma 1:26–30 describes a time of peace and prosperity among the people of the Church. 

• How did the priests regard those whom they taught? (See Alma 1:26.) Why is this attitude important when we are teaching others? How have you been blessed by teachers who have taught with humility?
• How did Alma describe the way the members of the Church treated those in need? (See Alma 1:27.) How can following their example bring peace to our lives?

3. Amlici seeks to be king but is rejected by the voice of the people.

Alma 2–3.

• In the fifth year of the reign of the judges, a cunning man named Amlici was joined by many followers who wanted to make him king over the land (Alma 2:1–2). Why did Amlici want to be king? (See Alma 2:4.) What did he do when the majority of the people voted against him? (See Alma 2:7–10.)
• What was the result of the first battle between the Nephites and the Amlicites? (See Alma 2:16–19.) When Alma sent spies to follow the remainder of the Amlicites, what did the spies observe? (See Alma 2:23–25.) Even though they were fewer in number, how were the Nephites able to defeat the combined army of the Amlicites and Lamanites? (See Alma 2:27–28.)
• What did the Amlicites do to distinguish themselves from the Nephites? (See Alma 3:4, 13.) How were these markings a fulfillment of prophecy? (See Alma 3:14–19.) Why is it important for us to “see that they brought upon themselves the curse”? (Alma 3:19).

4. The Church prospers but becomes prideful. Alma resigns the judgment seat to devote himself to the ministry.

Alma 4.

• Even though the Nephites had been victorious in battle over the Amlicites and the Lamanites, many Nephites had died, and those who remained had suffered great losses among their flocks and their grain (Alma 4:1–2). What were some results of these afflictions? (See Alma 4:3–5.) How might our afflictions awaken us to remember our duty?
• How long did it take the members of the Church to return from great righteousness to pride and worldliness? (See Alma 4:5–6. One year.) Why do you think it is often difficult for prosperous people to avoid pride and materialism? How can we avoid these sins?
• How did pride affect the way the people of the Church treated others, both in and out of the Church? (See Alma 4:8–12.) How did this influence the way nonmembers viewed the Church? (See Alma 4:10.) Why is the example of Church members important to the missionary work of the Church? When have you seen people influenced for good by the example of Church members?
• What did Alma do in response to the increasing pride and iniquity of the people? (See Alma 4:15–18.) Why did he do this? (See Alma 4:19.) How can preaching the word of God “stir [people] up in remembrance of their duty”? How can preaching the word of God “pull down” pride, craftiness, and contention?
• What does the phrase “bearing down in pure testimony” suggest about the power with which Alma would teach? (Alma 4:19). How has your life been changed by hearing others bear pure testimony of the gospel? What problems in the world today could be solved by preaching and living the gospel?

Lesson 20: My Soul Is Pained No More

Purpose

To inspire class members to continually apply the principle of repentance, become converted, and share the gospel.

Reading Assignment:

• Mosiah 25 - 28

Additional Reading:

• Alma, Son of Alma - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
• "Go Ye Therefore, and Teach All Nations" - Elder L. Tom Perry

Questions to Ponder:

• Mosiah assembled the people in Zarahemla and read the records of Limhi's people and Alma's people to them (Mosiah 25:5–6). How did the people of Zarahemla respond to these records? (See Mosiah 25:7–11.) How did their responses demonstrate their charity?
• How have you benefited from studying the accounts of Limhi's and Alma's people?
• After Mosiah finished reading the records, he invited Alma to speak (Mosiah 25:14). What did Alma speak about? (See Mosiah 25:15–16.) Why was it important that the people remember who had delivered them out of bondage? What effect did Alma's teachings have on Limhi and his people? (See Mosiah 25:17–18.)
• Mosiah authorized Alma to "establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla" (Mosiah 25:19–20). How were the people able to remain "one church" after being assembled into different congregations? (See Mosiah 25:21–24.) How can their example help us today as we face the challenges of remaining "one" in a worldwide Church?

• Why did many of the "rising generation" refuse to join the Church? (See Mosiah 26:1–4.) How can older generations help youth gain testimonies of Jesus Christ and His gospel? How can older generations help youth feel God's love and understand their relationship to Him?
• Whom did Alma consult when Mosiah declined to judge the people who had sinned? (See Mosiah 26:10–14.) How have you received guidance in your responsibilities when you have turned to God in prayer?
• What did the Lord tell Alma to do with the people who had sinned? (See Mosiah 26:29–30, 32.) Why is confession an important step in the process of repentance? Why is it important to "forgive one another"? (Mosiah 26:31). How have you been blessed by forgiving someone or by having someone forgive you?
• Although the Church "began again to have peace and to prosper," members of the Church were often persecuted by unbelievers (Mosiah 26:37–38; 27:1). What did King Mosiah do when Church members complained about this persecution? (See Mosiah 27:1–5.) In what ways might Church members be persecuted today? What are some productive ways to deal with persecution?

• Why did the Lord send an angel to speak to Alma the Younger and his companions? (See Mosiah 27:14.) How can prayer help us when a loved one strays from the gospel? (See Elder Holland's Talk)
• What are some ways the Lord sends help in response to the prayers of the righteous for loved ones who have strayed? How have you seen the power of prayer help in a situation that appeared to be beyond remedy? (See Elder Holland's Talk)
• What did the angel tell Alma the Younger? (See Mosiah 27:13–17.) What happened to Alma the Younger after the angel departed? (See Mosiah 27:18–19.) How did Alma respond when he heard about his son's experience with the angel? (See Mosiah 27:20.) Why did he rejoice?

• What led Alma to be delivered from his suffering? (See Alma 36:17–18.)
• How can Alma's experiences be compared to our own experiences in becoming converted?

• What did Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah do after their conversion? (See Mosiah 27:32–37.) How did this demonstrate that they were truly converted? How do our actions reflect the sincerity and depth of our conversion?
• Why did the sons of Mosiah and their companions want to preach the gospel among the Lamanites? (See Mosiah 28:1–3 and Elder Perry's Talk) What promises did the Lord give King Mosiah regarding his sons' missionary efforts? (See Mosiah 28:6–7.)
• Once we have been converted, how can we increase our commitment to share the gospel?

• How were Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah, along with other unbelievers, able to lead many members of the Church into sin? (See Mosiah 26:6;27:8–9.) How can flattery deceive us and lead us astray? Why is it important that we be careful about whom we allow to influence us? How can a foundation of faith in Jesus Christ help us avoid being influenced by the flattery of unbelievers?

Lesson 19: None Could Deliver Them but the Lord

Purpose

To encourage class members to renew their determination to honor their baptismal covenants and trust in the Lord.

Reading Assignment:

• From last week's lesson: Mosiah 17:2-4
  2 But there was one among them whose name was Alma, he also being a descendant of Nephi. And he was a young man, and he believed the words which Abinadi had spoken, for he knew concerning the iniquity which Abinadi had testified against them; therefore he began to plead with the king that he would not be angry with Abinadi, but suffer that he might depart in peace.
  
  3 But the king was more wroth, and caused that Alma should be cast out from among them, and sent his servants after him that they might slay him.
  
  4 But he fled from before them and hid himself that they found him not. And he being concealed for many days did write all the words which Abinadi had spoken.
   
• Mosiah 18
• Mosiah 19
• Mosiah 20–22
• Mosiah 23–24

Additional Reading:

• Bible Dictionary, "Baptism"
• Celebrating Covenants - Bonnie D. Parkin
• The Power of Covenants - Elder D. Todd Christofferson
• Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You - By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Questions to Ponder:

1. Alma teaches the baptismal covenant and baptizes many people.  (Mosiah 18)

• What does it mean to "come into the fold of God, and … be called his people"? (See Mosiah 18:16–17; see alsoHebrews 8:10; Alma 5:60.)
• What were the people willing to do as members of "the fold of God"?
  • Mosiah 18:8  
    • How can we "bear one another's burdens"? 
    • How does bearing one another's burdens make those burdens light? 
    • How have you been blessed as others have helped bear your burdens? 
  • Mosiah 18:9
    • Why is it helpful to "mourn with those that mourn"?
  • Mosiah 18:9
    • How can we appropriately offer comfort to others?
  • Mosiah 18:9
    • What does it mean "to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places"?
• Alma invited the people to be baptized and enter into a covenant with the Lord.  
  • What is a covenant? (See Mosiah 18:10.) (See alsoCelebrating Covenants - Bonnie D. Parkin)
    • President Joseph Fielding Smith taught: "A covenant is a contract and an agreement between at least two parties. In the case of gospel covenants, the parties are the Lord in heaven and men on earth. Men agree to keep the commandments and the Lord promises to reward them accordingly" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 91; orImprovement Era, Dec. 1970, 26).
  • According to Mosiah 18:8–13, what do we covenant to do when we are baptized? (See also Moroni 6:2–3; D&C 20:37.) 
  • What does the Lord promise to do when we are baptized and keep our baptismal covenant? (SeeMosiah 18:10, 12–13; see also 2 Nephi 31:17.)
    • Referring to Mosiah 18:8–13, President Marion G. Romney said, "I know of no better explanation of the baptismal covenant" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1975, 109; orEnsign, Nov. 1975, 73). 
• What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ? The Power of Covenants - Elder D. Todd Christofferson
• How did the people respond to Alma's invitation to be baptized? (See Mosiah 18:11.) 
  • What can we do to help others receive this great joy? 
  • Is there someone in your life with whom you can share the gospel?
• After the people were baptized, Alma commanded them to have "their hearts knit together in unity and in love" (Mosiah 18:21). 
  • What can we do at home and in our ward to follow this command? (See Mosiah 18:19–21.)
• Should covenants change the actions of our daily lives? (See Celebrating Covenants - Bonnie D. Parkin)
• What blessing come as a result of our obedience to the principles and commandments of the gospel? The Power of Covenants - Elder D. Todd Christofferson
• What does it mean to keep our covenants with honor and exactness? (See Celebrating Covenants - Bonnie D. Parkin)
• What does it mean to hold on to and celebrate your covenants? (See also Celebrating Covenants - Bonnie D. Parkin)
• What must we do to access divine power? The Power of Covenants - Elder D. Todd Christofferson

2. King Noah betrays his people and suffers death by fire.  (Mosiah 19)

• Some of King Noah's people began to turn against him (Mosiah 19:2–3). One of those people, Gideon, was about to kill Noah when Noah saw an army of Lamanites advancing toward them (Mosiah 19:4–6).
  • What did King Noah do when he saw the advancing Lamanites? (See Mosiah 19:7.) 
  • Who was Noah most concerned about? (SeeMosiah 19:8.) 
  • How does this compare to people today who, like Noah, try to lead us away from the Lord and His prophets?
• What had Abinadi prophesied about King Noah's death? (See Mosiah 12:3.) 
  • How was this prophecy fulfilled? (See Mosiah 19:18–20.)
  • Note that the people who eventually valued Noah's life "as a garment in a hot furnace" had at one time been blind to his wickedness, as shown in Mosiah 11:29.)

3. Limhi's people are chastened and eventually delivered by the Lord.  (Mosiah 20–22)

• After Noah was killed, his son Limhi became king. Limhi made an oath that he and his people would pay one-half of all they possessed to the king of the Lamanites in exchange for a promise that the Lamanites would not slay them (Mosiah 19:25–26).  After two years of peace, the Lamanites waged war against Limhi's people (Mosiah 20:7–10).
  • Why did the Lamanites seek to destroy Limhi's people? (See Mosiah 20:1–6.)
• When the Lamanites learned that they had misjudged Limhi's people, they returned to their own land in peace (Mosiah 20:17–26). However, "after many days the Lamanites began again to be stirred up in anger against the Nephites" (Mosiah 21:2). 
  • What did the Lamanites do to the Nephites rather than break their king's oath that they would not kill them? (See Mosiah 21:3.)
• How did the bondage of Limhi's people fulfill prophecies made by Abinadi? (Compare Mosiah 21:3–5, 14–15 withMosiah 11:20–25 and 12:2, 4–5.) 
  • Why were Limhi's people brought into bondage? (See Mosiah 7:25–32; 20:21.) 
  • Why is it important to remember that sin brings consequences?
• After failing three times to defeat the Lamanites in battle, what did Limhi's people finally do? (See Mosiah 21:13–14.) 
• Why was the Lord slow to respond to their cries? (SeeMosiah 21:15; see also D&C 101:1–9.) 
• Although the Lord did not deliver them immediately, what did He do for them? (See Mosiah 21:15–16.) 
• How does the Lord sometimes permit us to "prosper by degrees"?
• How did Limhi's people escape from the Lamanites? (SeeMosiah 22:3–12.) 
• How were they received by the people in Zarahemla? (SeeMosiah 22:13–14.)

4. The Lord delivers Alma's people from bondage.  (Mosiah 23–24)

• Notice the difference between the way the Lord blessed Limhi's people, who attempted three times to deliver themselves before they turned to Him, and the way He blessed Alma's people, who had turned to Him completely.  Compare to what Elder Holland teaches about our desire to do good in Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You - By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
• When Alma and his people were in the place of Mormon, King Noah "sent his army to destroy them" (Mosiah 18:33). The Lord warned Alma's people and strengthened them so they could escape (Mosiah 18:34–35; 23:1–5). 
  • How was this different from the experience of Limhi's people? (See Mosiah 19:6. Note that the first time the Lamanites attacked these people, when Noah was still their king, the people received no warning.)
• How did Alma respond when the people asked him to be king? (See Mosiah 23:6–7.) 
  • How had Alma learned the danger of "one man think[ing] himself above another"? (See Mosiah 23:8–14.) 
  • What can we learn from Alma and his people to help us avoid this error? (See Mosiah 23:15.)
• Under Alma's leadership, his people lived righteously and prospered (Mosiah 23:15–20). Nevertheless, the Lord allowed them to be brought into bondage under Amulon, who had been one of King Noah's priests (Mosiah 23:23–39). 
  • How did the bondage of Alma's people fulfill prophecies made by Abinadi? (See Mosiah 12:2, 4–5.) 
  • In what ways can our poor choices bring lingering consequences even after we have been forgiven of our sins?
    • Elder Marvin J. Ashton said: "Our freedom to choose our course of conduct does not provide personal freedom from the consequences of our performances. God's love for us is constant and will not diminish, but he cannot rescue us from the painful results that are caused by wrong choices" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 24; orEnsign, Nov. 1990, 20).
  • Although the Lord could not prevent Alma's people from suffering the consequences of their past sins, He comforted and strengthened them in their afflictions. The rest of this lesson discusses how He delivered them from bondage.
• Referring to the bondage of Alma's people, Mormon said, "The Lord seeth fit to chasten his people" (Mosiah 23:21). 
  • Why does the Lord chasten His people? (SeeMosiah 23:21; D&C 95:1–2.) 
  • How should we respond when the Lord chastens us? (See Mosiah 23:22.)
• According to Elder Christofferson, what enabled the ancient saints to endure all their afflictions and persecutions? The Power of Covenants - Elder D. Todd Christofferson
• What did Alma's people do when Amulon threatened to kill them if they prayed? (See Mosiah 24:10–12.) 
  • How did the Lord answer their silent prayers? (SeeMosiah 24:13–16.) 
  • How did this help them "stand as witnesses" for the Lord, as they had covenanted in the waters of Mormon? (See Mosiah 24:14.)
• Why are our burdens easier to bear when we "submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord"? (Mosiah 24:15). 
  • In what ways has the Lord strengthened you to help you "bear up [your] burdens with ease"? 
  • How has this helped you stand as a witness of God?
  • What is the source of moral and spiritual power and how do we obtain it? (See The Power of Covenants - Elder D. Todd Christofferson)
• Why did the Lord bless Alma's people while they were in bondage more quickly and abundantly than He blessed Limhi's people? (Compare Mosiah 21:5–15 with Mosiah 23:26–27; 24:10–16.) 
  • How does this apply in our lives?
• Before the Lord delivered them, both Alma's people and Limhi's people were in bondage to wicked rulers. Alma observed that in the days of King Noah, the people had also been "bound with the bands of iniquity" (Mosiah 23:12). 
  • How is iniquity, or sin, a kind of bondage? 
  • How can we escape the consequences of both sin and stupidity? (See Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You - By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)
  • What can we learn from Limhi's people and Alma's people about receiving deliverance from the bondage of sin? (See Mosiah 7:33; 21:14; 23:23;29:18–20; see also D&C 84:49–51.)

Lessons 18: God Himself-Shall Redeem His People

Purpose:
To help class members appreciate the importance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and stay true to their testimonies of the Atonement.

Reading Assignment:

• Mosiah 12-17

Additional Reading:

• "In the Strength of the Lord" - David A. Bednar
• The Gift of Grace - Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Questions to Ponder:

• What aspects of Christ's Atonement are most important to you in this stage of your life? How has your perspective on how the Atonement works in your life changed as you have matured?
   
• How can you better access the power of the Atonement?
   
• What is the role of the following in the plan of salvation and why is each so important?
  • Commandments?
  • Agency?
  • Obedience?
  • Repentance?
  • Justice?
  • Punishment?
  • Grace?
  • Mercy?
  • Sacrifice?
     
• How can the Atonement make us the Sons/Daughters of Christ?
   
• What does it mean to "apply our hearts to understanding"? Why is this important?
   
• What does it mean to have the commandments "written in [our] hearts"? How does this affect our efforts to be obedient?
   
• How/why does the example of our political, spiritual, business leaders influence the behavior of society in such significant ways?
   
• What can we learn about the Atonement through studying the Law of Moses?
   
• Although it is unlikely we will be called to die for our faith, in what ways can we follow Abinadi's example of sacrifice?