Lesson 22: Have Ye Received His Image in Your Countenances?

Reading Assignment:

• Alma 5 - 7
• Born of God - President Ezra Taft Benson
• Beware of Pride - Pres. Ezra Taft Benson

Questions to Ponder:

1. Alma teaches the people how they can experience a "mighty change" of heart.

President Ezra Taft Benson taught why it became important for Alma to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ rather than serve as chief judge: "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).

• At the beginning of his address, Alma spoke of the previous generation, who had been delivered from physical and spiritual bondage (Alma 5:3–9). Why do you think it was important for the people to remember their fathers' captivity and deliverance? How did Alma describe their fathers after the Lord "changed their hearts"? (See Alma 5:7–9.)
  
• What are the answers to these questions? (See Alma 5:11–13.) What was the message that led to "a mighty change [being] wrought" in the heart of Alma's father? (See Mosiah 16:13–15.) What happened to the people who believed Alma the Elder when he taught them the gospel? (See Alma 5:13; see also Mosiah 18:1–11.) How can others' testimonies of the Savior help us experience a change of heart?
  
• We often use the word conversion when we speak of this experience. What does it mean to be converted? (See Mosiah 5:2; 27:24–26.) Is conversion a single event or a process?
• How can it be helpful to imagine ourselves being judged by the Lord? (See Alma 5:15–19.)
• Alma asked, "If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, … can ye feel so now?" (Alma 5:26). Once a person has "felt to sing the song of redeeming love," what might cause that feeling to diminish? What can we do to continue in the process of conversion?

• How can we keep ourselves "blameless before God"? (See Alma 5:27, 50–51.)
  
• How do pride and envy make us unprepared to meet God? (See Alma 5:28–29.) Why are we unprepared to meet God if we mock or persecute others, as recorded in verses 30 and 31?
  
• What invitation does the Savior extend to us? (See Alma 5:33–35.) How can this invitation give us hope?
   
• To the unrighteous people in Zarahemla, Alma said, "A shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!" (Alma 5:37). Who is the shepherd Alma referred to? (See Alma 5:38.) How does the Savior call after us? What can we do to hearken to His voice?
   
• What can we learn from Alma 5:43–49 about the calling of a prophet?
   
• Alma warned the people that they should not persist, or continue, in their wickedness (Alma 5:53–56; note that Alma asked the question "Will ye persist?" four times). Why is forsaking sin a necessary part of repenting? (See Alma 5:56; see also Mosiah 16:5; D&C 58:42–43.)
   
• Alma commanded his people, "Come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate" (Alma 5:57). How can we separate ourselves from wickedness while living in the world?

2. Alma and the people establish the order of the Church in Zarahemla.

Read selected verses from Alma 6.

• After Alma's discourse, many people repented of their sins and humbled themselves before God (Alma 6:1–2). Why were other people unwilling to repent of their sins? (See Alma 6:3.) How does pride prevent people from repenting? How can we overcome pride in our hearts?
  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 and the people in Zarahemla "began to establish the order of the church" by ordaining priests and elders, baptizing new converts, and gathering together often in fasting and prayer (Alma 6:1–6). How does such order in the Church help us continue in the conversion process?
  

3. Alma testifies of Jesus Christ. He encourages the people in Gideon to follow the Savior.

Read selected verses from Alma 7.

• Alma told the people in Gideon that there were "many things to come" but that the coming of Jesus Christ was of the greatest importance (Alma 7:7). What did Alma teach about the Savior's mission on earth? (See Alma 7:10–13.) Why did the Savior take upon Himself our pains, afflictions, sicknesses, and sins? (See Alma 7:11–14)
  
• In what ways was Alma's message to the people in Gideon different from his message in Zarahemla? In what ways were the messages similar? Why did Alma preach repentance to the people in Gideon even though they were striving to live righteously? (See Alma 7:9, 14–16, 22, 26.)