ALMA 27-29

Alma has a problem in chapter 27. He shows us how to solve a problem. You need to first decide what the problem is (do you have a problem?). Then you decide a plan. What are the pros and cons to your plan? Then take your solution to the Lord. I have a testimony that this will work as you solve life's problems.
Alma 27:18 tells us who will experience the greatest joy and happiness.
Mormon often used the phrase "AND THUS WE SEE" before sharing lessons from The Book of Mormon. Alma 28:10-12 tells us what has been happening. Then in Alma 28:13-14 Mormon gives us an AND THUS WE SEE. What was the lesson he was trying to teach us?
DINNER CONVERSATION: In Alma 28:1-6 we read of a great war. Why were people fasting and praying? Has fasting and prayer ever worked in your life?

ALMA 21-22

To understand our need for a Savior, we must first know that God lives, that He created all things, and that because of the Fall and our own sins, we are cut off from God's presence.
What makes a drink of water appealing?
Why does everyone need water?
Why might some not want it?
Why does food interest those who are hungry?
Why does everyone need food?
If we are not hungry, does food have the same appeal for us?
Does everyone need the Savior in their lives? Why?
Does everyone know they need Him? Why or why not?
President Benson, "Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind. And no other book in the world explains this vital doctrine nearly as well as the Book of Mormon."
Ammon taught Lamoni about the Fall so he could understand why we all need Christ. Now Aaron is teaching the same thing to Lamoni's father. Aaron was a great missionary. President Eyring said, "Aaron taught the word of God in a way that emphasizes God's love and our need for Him." In Chapter 22:9-14 we found the doctrines of the Creation, Fall and Atonement.

DINNER CONVERSATION: What personal meaning does the Lord's suffering in Gethsemane and on Calvary have on you?

ALMA 20

We learned two great principles of the gospel today. First, the Holy Ghost may prompt us to do God's will, even when it is difficult. We learned this when the Lord told Ammon to go to Middoni because Aaron, Muloki and Ammah were in prison. Ammon did not know how he was going to help, but he was willing to go. "I will go and do....". The Lord did provide a way for Ammon to get his brothern out of prison.

DINNER CONVERSATION: Have you ever felt impressed to do something difficult and found a way to do it with the Lord's help?

Second, anger can lead to greater sins. King Lamoni's father became very angry with Lamoni and Ammon. Because of his anger he was ready to slay Lamoni and then Ammon. President Hinckley taught us, "May I suggest that you watch your temper now, in these formative years of your life....This is the season to develop the power and capacity to discipline yourselves. You may think it is the macho thing to flare up in anger and swear and profane the nae of the Lord. It is not the macho thing. It is an indication of weakness. Anger is not an expression of strength. It is an indication of one's inability to control his thoughts, words, his emotions. Of course it is easy to get angry. When the weakness of anger takes over, the strength of reason leaves. Cultivate within yourselves the mighty power of self-discipline." He then says, "Let no member of this Church ever lose control of himself in such an unnecessary and vicious manner."

DINNER CONVERSATION: Why do we get angry? What happens to the Spirit when we are angry?

ALMA 19

Some of us are probably very familiar with this chapter. Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you reread it. Verse 5: Why do you think the queen had a different reaction than others to the idea that her husband was dead? Verse 6: What change was Lamoni going through and what was influencing him? Bruce R. McConkie said, "Those who heed the enticements and submit to the strivings of the Holy Spirit (which is the light of Christ) are enabled to receive the Holy Spirit (which is the Holy Ghost). We have no better illustration of the full operation of the light of Christ upon an investigator of the gospel than what happened to King Lamoni."
Verse 13: What effect did Lamoni's testimony and the power of the Spirit of God have on his wife? Verse 14: How did Ammon show he was a humble missionary? Verses 16 - 17: What do we know about Abish? What opportunity did she recognize and seize? Verses 22 - 23: Read footnote 23a and read the reference. What can we learn from these verses about the Lord's promises? Verse 36: What Is Mormon telling us the lesson is (or principle)?

DINNER CONVERSATION: Like Abish, Lamononi and Ammon we can share our testimony. How can your testimony strengthen others? How does it strengthen you? How do other testimonies strengthen you?

ALMA 17 & 18

Before Ammon started teaching King Lamoni he became his servant. Elder Eyring said, "Thouands of times every day, members of the Church are watched...by people curious to know something about our lives. Because we are under covenant to be witnesses, we will try to tell them how the gospel has brought us happiness. What they think of what we say may depend largely on how much they sense we care for them. Those we meet will feel the love....It may not be in hours or days as it was for King Lamoni, but they will feel our love after testing our hearts. And when they find our concern sincere, the Holy Spirit can more easily touch them to allow us to teach and to testify, as it did for Ammon."

Ammon 18 gives us a plan for teaching the gospel. Think of these different verses as stair steps. These are the steps Ammon used to teach the gospel to King Lamoni:
Alma 18:24-28 (what was taught?)
Alma 18:28-32 (what was taught?)
Alma 18:33-35 (what was taught?)
Alma 18:36-38 (what was taught?)
Alma 18:38-40 (what was taught?)

DINNER CONVERSATION: Why do you think Ammon chose to teach those doctrines in that order?

ALMA 16 & 17

In Chapter 16 we first find peace in the land and then the Lamanites start to destroy cities and people. Zoram (this is not the Zoram who will be the leader of the Zoramites) inquires of Alma what he should do. Alma asks the Lord who instructs him how to have Zoram save his brothers and sisters. There is peace in the land again. Ammonihah is destroyed in one day just as Alma had prophesied.

DINNER CONVERSATION: How is the destruction of Ammonihah a type and shadow of things to come?

In Chapter 17 we find Alma meeting up with the sons of Mosiah (remember their history). How would you feel after seeing close friends/family after 14 years? We learn much from two verses in chapter 17. Verses 2 and 3 show us how the sons of Mosiah prepared for their mission and what the results were. We can use this instruction in our own lives --even if we are not planning on a full-time mission. I called these verses "A RECIPE FOR SPIRITUAL POWER."

DINNER CONVERSATION: What is the recipe??

BACK TO "NORMAL"

We had one birthday and two half birthdays during our break time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOE!!

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY TO MCKENNA AND BRITTANEY!