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?