Lesson 30: The Great Plan of Happiness

Reading Assignment:

• Alma 40-42
• Where Justice, Love and Mercy Meet - Jeffrey R. Holland
• The Resurrection of Jesus Christ - D. Todd Christofferson
• The Great Plan of Happiness - Dallin H. Oaks

Questions to Ponder:

1. Alma teaches Corianton about death and resurrection.

• How did Alma decide which subjects he should talk to Corianton about? (See Alma 40:1; see also Alma 41:1; 42:1.) How do you think Alma was able to "perceive" Corianton's concerns? How can we better perceive the needs of those we teach?
   
• What happens to our spirits between death and resurrection? (See Alma 40:11–13.) How did Alma describe paradise and spirit prison?
   
• Alma said that at an appointed time, we will be resurrected (Alma 40:21). What does it mean to be resurrected? (See Alma 40:21, 23.) Who will be resurrected? (See Alma 40:5; see also Alma 11:42–44.)
   
• Alma mentioned several things that he did not know about death and resurrection (Alma 40:2–5, 8, 19–21). What can we learn of the fact that Alma testified of the doctrine of resurrection even though he did not know all the details about it?

2. Alma teaches that after we are resurrected, the righteous will be restored to happiness and the wicked will be restored to misery.

• Alma referred to resurrection as a restoration because the spirit and body are reunited and the body is restored to its "perfect frame" (Alma 40:23;41:2). What further restoration will take place when we are resurrected and "judged according to [our] works"? (See Alma 41:3–6. ) What does it mean to be restored unto good or evil?
   
• In what sense are we "[our] own judges"? (See Alma 41:7–8.)
   
• Alma explained that Corianton could not be restored from sin to happiness because "wickedness never was happiness" (Alma 41:10). Why can't wickedness bring happiness? (See Alma 41:10–13; Helaman 13:38.) How would you respond to the argument that some people seem to find happiness in activities that are against the commandments?
   
• What did Alma say that Corianton needed to do to have good restored to him? (See Alma 41:14–15.) What experiences have shown you the truth of the statement that "that which ye do send out shall return unto you again"?

3. Alma teaches Corianton about justice and mercy.

• What would happen to us if we were subjected only to justice? (See Alma 42:14.) What is required to satisfy the demands of justice so we can return to dwell in Heavenly Father's presence? (See Alma 42:15.)
   
• How did the Atonement of Jesus Christ "appease the demands of justice"? (See Mosiah 15:7–9. He subjected Himself to death and took upon Himself the sins of all mankind.)
   
• Alma testified that "mercy cometh because of the atonement" (Alma 42:23). What must we do to be able to receive the fulness of God's mercy? (See Alma 42:13, 23, 27, 29–30; see also Alma 41:14; D&C 19:15–18.)