Alma 1-3: to be discussed December 6

Alma 1-3 Study Guide – to be discussed December 6
Day 1: Read Alma 1:1-14; Review Mosiah 19:4-8, 22:3-9; 2 Nephi 26:29; Topical Guide “Priestcraft”; Bible Dictionary “Antichrist”
1. What false doctrine had the man brought before Alma (Nehor) been teaching? Why do you think people were willing to pay him for his preaching?



2. What do we know about Gideon? (Review Mosiah 19:4-8, 22:3-9.) What weapon did Gideon wield? Do you think, even in his advanced years, he went down quietly?



3. Look up “Priestcraft” in the Topical Guide. What other entries are referenced and how do they define this destructive practice? (See also 2 Nephi 26:29.) Why do you think Alma said that if priestcraft was enforced it would bring destruction?
For EXTRA CREDIT, look up “Antichrist” in the Bible Dictionary. Who is the great antichrist?



BONUS: Which of Nehor’s teachings are taught in the world today?


Day 2: Read Alma 1:15-33
4. Why didn’t the death of Nehor and his last-minute confession put an end to the spreading of priestcraft? What kind of persecution did Nehor’s followers exact? Did church members fight back?



5. How did the members of the true church in Alma’s day take care of one another? What was the result?



6. List the iniquities of the dissenters. Which of these sins were punishable by law? Which one attitude seems to have been the source of all the other sins?



Day 3: Read Alma 2:1-15
7. What made Amlici dangerous? Why do you think his followers wanted to make him their king?



8. How did the Amlicites react when their candidate lost the election? Use footnote 9a to explain by what authority the Amlicites consecrated their king.



9. Where did the Amlicites gather their forces for attack?



Day 4: Read Alma 2:16-28; D&C 38:11-12; D&C 109:24-26
10. Who led the Nephites in battle? List casualties for both sides.



11. What was Alma’s strategy for preserving his people? Can you liken this strategy to ways we can protect ourselves against the hosts of Satan today? For EXTRA CREDIT use D&C 38:11-12, 109:24-26.



12. Why were the Nephites able to overcome the more numerous combined forces of the enemy? Are we ever really outnumbered? (See again D&C 38:11-12, 109:24-26.)



Day 5: Read Alma 2:29-38
13. What motivated Alma when he was in the throes of battle with the enemy?


14. What kind of leadership skills did the Lamanite king exhibit?


15. Draw a map showing Zarahemla, the river Sidon, the hill Amnihu (v.15), the land Minon (v.24), the valley of Gideon (v.26), and the wilderness of Hermounts. Mark where the two battles took place (Alma 2:17-19 and 2:27-34).


BONUS: Go back over Alma 2 and mark every place where the word “strength” or “strengthen(ed)” is used. What is the message of this chapter?

Day 6: Read Alma 3:1-12; Revelation 13:16, 14:1; 1Nephi 2:23, 2Nephi 5:21-25
16. List what was destroyed in the war with the Amlicites and Lamanites.



17. How and why did the Amlicites mark themselves? See also Revelation 13:16, 14:1.



18. Why had the Lord set a mark upon the Lamanites? See also 1Nephi 2:23, 2Nephi 5:21-25.



Day 7: Read Alma 3:13-27; D&C 10:26; Alma 30:60; John 8:34; Romans 6:23
19. How was the mark the Amlicites gave themselves a fulfillment of prophecy? How do people give themselves “marks” today?


20. How many wars had the Nephites fought during the first five years of the reign of the judges?

21. How do we receive “wages,” either from God or from the adversary? What are the wages of sin? See also D&C 10:26; Alma 30:60; John 8:34; Romans 6:23.

Mosiah 28-29

Mosiah 28-29 Study Guide – to be discussed November 15
Day 1: Read Mosiah 28:1-9
1. List all the reasons the sons of Mosiah gave for wanting to preach the gospel to the Lamanites.



BONUS: Why were Mosiah’s sons so concerned about the suffering of others for sin?



2. Why do you think Mosiah’s sons had to plead with their father to be allowed to go on this particular mission?



3. What did the Lord promise Mosiah concerning his sons? What do you think the sons of Mosiah had to sacrifice to serve?



Day 2: Read Mosiah 28:10-20
4. To what did Mosiah turn his attention after his sons left?



5. What was the reaction of Mosiah’s people to the record of the Jaredites (Book of Ether)?



6. What items did Mosiah give to Alma? Why?



Day 3: Read Mosiah 29:1-10; D&C 101:76-80
7. Who did the people of Zarahemla want to be their king? Why was this impossible?



8. What reasons did Mosiah give for not appointing another king?



9. Read D&C 101:76-80. Why is the Lord concerned with the governments of men?



Day 4: Read Mosiah 29:11-20
10. What system of government did Mosiah suggest for the people to adopt at his death?


11. Compare Mosiah’s arguments in Mosiah 29:13-16 with Alma’s thoughts on the same subject in Mosiah 23:6-9. What are the dangers of submitting to a king? Who is the only one worthy to be called King?

12. Why did the Lord intercede in behalf of his people to deliver them from bondage?




Day 5: Read Mosiah 29:21-27; D&C 134:1-2
13. What did Mosiah say about why it is hard to dethrone a wicked king?



14. What kinds of laws constitute good government?




15. What happens when the voice of the people (majority vote) chooses iniquity?



Day 6: Read Mosiah 29:28-36
16. What system of checks and balances did Mosiah suggest?



17. If everyone has agency and the Light of Christ, why are the iniquities of an evil king answered upon the head of the king?



18. In what ways is the monarchy a burden to the righteous monarch?



Day 7: Read Mosiah 29:37-47
19. Why did the people esteem Mosiah so highly?




20. Who was elected to be the first chief judge? What other office did he hold?




21. Two great Nephite leaders’ deaths are recorded at the end of the Book of Mosiah. If you were called upon to speak at the funeral services of one of these great men, which verse(s) from Mosiah might you quote?