Alma 4-5

Alma 4-5 Study Guide – to be discussed December 13
Day 1: Read Alma 4:1-10
1. What awakened the Nephites to a remembrance of their duty? What did they do because of this remembrance?



2. For how many years did the Nephites enjoy peace at this time? What attitudes and tendencies in the eighth year of the reign of the judges disrupted their peace?


3. How do you think wickedness in the church became a “great stumblingblock” to those outside the church?



Day 2: Read Alma 4:11-20
4. What kinds of divisions or “inequalities” became evident among the Nephites in the ninth year of the reign of the judges?



5. What did Alma give up in order to devote himself more fully to leadership in the church? Around what year did he do this? List Alma’s goals as high priest.




6. Why do you think Alma, as chief judge, didn’t just change laws in order to change behavior among his people?



Day 3: Read Alma 5:1-13, with head note; Ezekiel 11:17-20, 36:25-28
7. What historical events did Alma relate to begin his discourse? Approximately how many years prior had these events occurred?


8. What, specifically, did Alma ask his people to remember? What did Alma’s father’s people sing?



9. Much of Alma’s address is focused on the “mighty change of heart” necessary for salvation (see. vv. 7, 12-13, etc.). Read Ezekiel 11:17-20 and 36:25-28. List what the Lord expects from those who have had their hearts changed.



BONUS: What do you think it means to have one’s soul “illuminated by the light of the everlasting word”? (Alma 5:7)



Day 4: Read Alma 5:14-25; Moses 6:64-68; Psalm 24:3-5; Alma 36:12-15; Review Mosiah 27:23-28
10. What three questions are asked in Alma 5:14? How do you think these questions are related? What does Moses 6:64-68 add to your understanding of what it means to be “spiritually born of God”?

BONUS: Compare the three-fold question in Alma 5:14 with Alma 5:19. What do “clean hands” represent? What does a “pure heart” represent? Cross-reference to Psalm 24:3-5.



11. Alma gives us a series of questions in this chapter, which we can use as a kind of measuring stick or “spiritual cardiogram” for our eternal progress. What does it mean to “look forward with an eye of faith: (v.15)?


12. Read Alma 36:12-15 and review Mosiah 27:25-28. When Alma says “can you imagine…” he is speaking from experience, having an understanding of what it would be like to stand before the Lord with filthy garments. According to Alma, how can we be cleansed?


Day 5: Read Alma 5:26-37; Review 2 Nephi 31:20
13. Is a mighty change of heart a process or an event? What do you think it means to “sing the song of redeeming love”? to “walk… before God”?



14. Alma shifts focus from our relationship with God to our relationships with others in verses 28-37 of Alma 5. Of what two things does Alma say we must be “stripped” in our interpersonal relationships?


15. What invitation is extended to ALL men (and women)?


Day 6: Read Alma 5:38-52; John 10:14-15, 27-28; Psalm 23
16. Who is the Good Shepherd? In what ways are we sometimes dumber than sheep?


17. List phrases Alma uses in sealing his address with his own personal testimony and witness.



18. Underline each time Alma wrote, “the Spirit sayeth,” in verses 50-52. Summarize the two main messages Alma was impressed by the Spirit to deliver.


Day 7: Read Alma 5:53-62; D&C 88:66-68; Ezra 6:21
19. How do we “trample the Holy One” under our feet?


20. Use D&C 88:66-68 with Alma 5:54 to explain what it means to be “sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”


21. From Alma 5:57, what three things do we need to do to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd? Cross-ref. D&C 133:5.


BONUS: Review all of Alma, rewriting some of Alma’s questions to make a list of indicators as to where you are in the path to exaltation. (Eg: From v. 6, “Do I remember and appreciate past blessings?”)