Alma 27-30 Study Guide – to be discussed March 6
Day 1: Read Alma 27:1-15; Review Alma 24:20, 28, Alma 25:1-3
1. Review Alma 24:20, 28 and Alma 25:1-3. Who did the Amalekites want to destroy first? Next? And again in Alma 27:1-2? Why do you think they were so angry? (See also Alma 27:12.)
2. Why was the king of the Lamanites willing to die and allow his people to perish rather than impose upon the mercy of the Nephites?
3. What was the Lord’s instruction to Ammon regarding the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi? What was his promise?
Day 2: Read Alma 27:16-30; Alma 17:1
4. Review Alma 17:1. When Ammon and his brethren met Alma on the road to Zarahemla, Ammon was overcome with joy. Were his troubles over after spending 14 years as a missionary? Why were the old friends so filled with joy?
5. What was the decision of the Nephite people regarding the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi?
6. Where was the land of Jershon? Why do you think this land was chosen for the people of Ammon?
Day 3: Read Alma 28
7. How is the battle that took place in the 15th year of the reign of the judges described? Do you think the Nephites could have avoided war by refusing to defend the people of Ammon?
8. According to Alma 28:6, what did the Nephites’ mourning lead to?
BONUS: Read D&C 42:45. How does this perspective explain Alma 28:11-12?
9. Alma 28 ends with two verses that begin, “And thus we see….” What are the lessons we are to gain from this story?
Day 4: Read Alma 29
10. Why did Alma say he sinned in his wish to cry repentance to every people? How has his wish been granted in the latter days?
11. In what did Alma glory?
12. What did Alma remember? (See also Mosiah 27:16 for one reason WHY he remembered this.)
BONUS: Do you think Alma’s wish to be an angel was influenced by his previous encounters with an angel?
Day 5: Read Alma 30:1-20; Deuteronomy 13:6-8
13. What patterns of behavior among the Nephites brought peace for nearly two years?
14. List the doctrines Korihor preached. What kind of success did Korihor have in Zarahemla? In Jershon? (See also Deut. 13:6-8.)
15. Compare Alma 30:13 with Alma 30:28; Alma 30:15 with Alma 30:40; Alma 30:18 with Alma 30:53. Give an example from each comparison that illustrates the principle that wickedness does not promote rational thought.
Day 6: Read Alma 30:21-42
16. Korihor claimed the people of the Lord were in bondage to what? What was the flaw in his logic? The irony?
17. How did Giddonah and the chief judge in Gideon deal with Korihor’s blasphemy?
18. What weapons did Alma use in fighting Korihor’s lies?
Day 7: Read Alma 30: 43-60; D&C 88:42-47
19. List the “signs” Alma offered as witnesses to support the existence of God.
20. How was the sign the Lord gave Korihor fitting to his request and his personality? From Korihor’s amazing confession in vv. 52-53, list the steps in Korihor’s apostasy.
21. Why wouldn’t Alma reverse the curse? (See also D&C 121:18-20.) We have two more “And thus we see…” phrases in v. 60. What does the story of Korihor illustrate?
BOOK OF MORMON STUDY GUIDES
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Alma 24-26
Alma 24-26 Study Guide – to be discussed February 28
Day 1: Read Alma 24:1-16
1. What was at the root of the contentions leading to war among Lamanite factions? Why did the king command the new converts not to prepare for war?
2. List the things for which the king said he was thankful.
3. What did the bright swords of the Lamanites represent? Why did they need to be buried DEEP?
Day 2: Read Alma 24:17-30
4. Were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi more concerned with their souls or their lives? From Alma 24:18, list three parts of their covenant with the Lord.
5. What were the two goals of the Lamanite army? What caused some of them to repent?
6. What is one of the lessons of chapter 24, as summarized by Mormon in verse 30?
Day 3: Read Alma 25:1-12; Mormon 4:5
7. What inflamed the anger of the Lamanites toward the Nephites? How was this manifested?
8. Read Mormon 4:5, Alma 15:15. What kind of people lived in Ammonihah? What kind of people destroyed them?
9. What was the final disposition of the descendants of Amulon and the wicked priests of Noah?
Day 4: Read Alma 25:13-17; Moses 5:4-9; Exodus 12:1-14; Galatians 3:24
10. As more Lamanites buried their weapons, this literal and symbolic action became a token of what covenant?
11. Why did the converted Lamanites keep the Law of Moses?
12. Read Moses 5:4-9; Exodus 12:1-14 and Galatians 3:24. How was the Law of Moses designed to increase faith in Christ?
Day 5: Read Alma 26:1-15
13. What two blessings did Ammon rejoice over in Alma 26:3? How were these blessings related?
14. Using the extended metaphor in Alma 26:5-7, what does the sickle represent? The sheaves? The garners? The storms? How did Ammon feel about his brethren the Lamanites?
15. Did Ammon sound boastful to you? Why or why not?
Day 6: Read Alma 26:16-26; Jeremiah 9:23-24
16. Read Jeremiah 9:23-24 with Alma 26:16. What do you think it means to “glory in the Lord”? How is joy a byproduct of praise?
17. What evidence did Ammon give of the profound power of God’s mercy?
18. In accepting a call to preach repentance to the Lamanites, how did the sons of Mosiah help bring physical as well as spiritual salvation to the Lamanites? What did they do for their own people?
BONUS: According to Alma 26:22, what is the pattern for the penitent who wish to understand God’s mysteries and bring souls to repentance?
Day 7: Read Alma 26:27-37
19. List the afflictions suffered by the sons of Mosiah and their brethren in preaching among the Lamanites.
20. What quality among the converted Lamanites served as a witness of the sincerity of their changed hearts?
21. From Alma 26:35-37, list the characteristics and attributes of God, which caused Ammon to rejoice.
BONUS: Go back over Alma 26, underlining each time you find the word “rejoice” or “joy” What brought Ammon joy?
Day 1: Read Alma 24:1-16
1. What was at the root of the contentions leading to war among Lamanite factions? Why did the king command the new converts not to prepare for war?
2. List the things for which the king said he was thankful.
3. What did the bright swords of the Lamanites represent? Why did they need to be buried DEEP?
Day 2: Read Alma 24:17-30
4. Were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi more concerned with their souls or their lives? From Alma 24:18, list three parts of their covenant with the Lord.
5. What were the two goals of the Lamanite army? What caused some of them to repent?
6. What is one of the lessons of chapter 24, as summarized by Mormon in verse 30?
Day 3: Read Alma 25:1-12; Mormon 4:5
7. What inflamed the anger of the Lamanites toward the Nephites? How was this manifested?
8. Read Mormon 4:5, Alma 15:15. What kind of people lived in Ammonihah? What kind of people destroyed them?
9. What was the final disposition of the descendants of Amulon and the wicked priests of Noah?
Day 4: Read Alma 25:13-17; Moses 5:4-9; Exodus 12:1-14; Galatians 3:24
10. As more Lamanites buried their weapons, this literal and symbolic action became a token of what covenant?
11. Why did the converted Lamanites keep the Law of Moses?
12. Read Moses 5:4-9; Exodus 12:1-14 and Galatians 3:24. How was the Law of Moses designed to increase faith in Christ?
Day 5: Read Alma 26:1-15
13. What two blessings did Ammon rejoice over in Alma 26:3? How were these blessings related?
14. Using the extended metaphor in Alma 26:5-7, what does the sickle represent? The sheaves? The garners? The storms? How did Ammon feel about his brethren the Lamanites?
15. Did Ammon sound boastful to you? Why or why not?
Day 6: Read Alma 26:16-26; Jeremiah 9:23-24
16. Read Jeremiah 9:23-24 with Alma 26:16. What do you think it means to “glory in the Lord”? How is joy a byproduct of praise?
17. What evidence did Ammon give of the profound power of God’s mercy?
18. In accepting a call to preach repentance to the Lamanites, how did the sons of Mosiah help bring physical as well as spiritual salvation to the Lamanites? What did they do for their own people?
BONUS: According to Alma 26:22, what is the pattern for the penitent who wish to understand God’s mysteries and bring souls to repentance?
Day 7: Read Alma 26:27-37
19. List the afflictions suffered by the sons of Mosiah and their brethren in preaching among the Lamanites.
20. What quality among the converted Lamanites served as a witness of the sincerity of their changed hearts?
21. From Alma 26:35-37, list the characteristics and attributes of God, which caused Ammon to rejoice.
BONUS: Go back over Alma 26, underlining each time you find the word “rejoice” or “joy” What brought Ammon joy?
Alma 21-23
Alma 21-23 Study Guide – to be discussed February 21
Day 1: Read Alma 21:1-11 (with headnote to chapter 21); Mosiah 23:30-34, 24:1
1. What three groups occupied the land of Jerusalem? Review Mosiah 23:30-34, 24:1. Who were the people of Amulon? Approximately how long had thy lived with the Lamanites prior to Aaron’s arrival?
2. What did the Amalekites believe? What did they NOT believe?
3. How did the people in Jerusalem react to Aaron’s preaching?
BONUS: Read 3 Nephi 9:7. What eventually happened to the Lamanite city of Jerusalem? What similarities can you think of between the Old World Jerusalem and the New World Jerusalem?
Day 2: Read Alma 21:12-23; D&C 134:4
4. What happened to Aaron and his brethren in Middoni? Were they discouraged?
5. How did Lamoni put his faith into action on returning to Ishmael?
6. Read D&C 134:4. Why is it critical that people have freedom to worship according to the dictates of their own consciences?
Day 3: Read Alma 22:1-11
7. Why was Lamoni’s father interested in what Aaron and his brethren had to say? What was troubling him?
8. What kind of foundation for faith had the Amalekites unwittingly laid?
9. What did the king already believe about the nature of God and His dealings with the Lamanites’ ancestors?
Day 4: Read Alma 22:12-20
10. What did Aaron teach Lamoni’s father? Do you think his teaching that “the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory” might have been especially sweet to the king? Why or why not?
11. What did the king offer to give up in verse 15 order to know joy and hope? By verse 18 what was he willing to give up?
PERSONAL: What are you willing to place on the altar in order to have redemption and a fullness of joy?
12. Why do you think the queen was determined to have Aaron killed?
Day 5: Read Alma 22:21-35
13. Whose words allayed the fears of the queen, the royal servants and the people assembled?
14. What physically separated the Lamanites and the Nephites? How might this be a “type”?
15. What precaution had the Nephites taken to assure their deliverance from the Lamanites in times of war?
Day 6: Read Alma 23:1-7
16. What was stipulated in the king’s proclamation regarding the sons of Mosiah?
17. What was the result of this one proclamation?
18. How many less-active members were there among the converted Lamanites?
Day 7: Read Alma 23:8-18
19. Why was there only one convert among the Amalekites and none among the Amulonites?
20. Why did the converted Lamanites want a new name? (See also Mosiah 1:11.)
21. Review 2 Nephi 30:5-6. Why was the curse of separation from God lifted from the converted Lamanites?
Is this also a “type”?
BONUS: What were the positive results of large-scale conversion?
Day 1: Read Alma 21:1-11 (with headnote to chapter 21); Mosiah 23:30-34, 24:1
1. What three groups occupied the land of Jerusalem? Review Mosiah 23:30-34, 24:1. Who were the people of Amulon? Approximately how long had thy lived with the Lamanites prior to Aaron’s arrival?
2. What did the Amalekites believe? What did they NOT believe?
3. How did the people in Jerusalem react to Aaron’s preaching?
BONUS: Read 3 Nephi 9:7. What eventually happened to the Lamanite city of Jerusalem? What similarities can you think of between the Old World Jerusalem and the New World Jerusalem?
Day 2: Read Alma 21:12-23; D&C 134:4
4. What happened to Aaron and his brethren in Middoni? Were they discouraged?
5. How did Lamoni put his faith into action on returning to Ishmael?
6. Read D&C 134:4. Why is it critical that people have freedom to worship according to the dictates of their own consciences?
Day 3: Read Alma 22:1-11
7. Why was Lamoni’s father interested in what Aaron and his brethren had to say? What was troubling him?
8. What kind of foundation for faith had the Amalekites unwittingly laid?
9. What did the king already believe about the nature of God and His dealings with the Lamanites’ ancestors?
Day 4: Read Alma 22:12-20
10. What did Aaron teach Lamoni’s father? Do you think his teaching that “the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory” might have been especially sweet to the king? Why or why not?
11. What did the king offer to give up in verse 15 order to know joy and hope? By verse 18 what was he willing to give up?
PERSONAL: What are you willing to place on the altar in order to have redemption and a fullness of joy?
12. Why do you think the queen was determined to have Aaron killed?
Day 5: Read Alma 22:21-35
13. Whose words allayed the fears of the queen, the royal servants and the people assembled?
14. What physically separated the Lamanites and the Nephites? How might this be a “type”?
15. What precaution had the Nephites taken to assure their deliverance from the Lamanites in times of war?
Day 6: Read Alma 23:1-7
16. What was stipulated in the king’s proclamation regarding the sons of Mosiah?
17. What was the result of this one proclamation?
18. How many less-active members were there among the converted Lamanites?
Day 7: Read Alma 23:8-18
19. Why was there only one convert among the Amalekites and none among the Amulonites?
20. Why did the converted Lamanites want a new name? (See also Mosiah 1:11.)
21. Review 2 Nephi 30:5-6. Why was the curse of separation from God lifted from the converted Lamanites?
Is this also a “type”?
BONUS: What were the positive results of large-scale conversion?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Alma 18-20
Alma 18-20 Study Guide – to be discussed February 14
Day 1: Read Alma 18:1-14
1. List the things Lamoni’s servants KNEW about Ammon.
2. What were the “traditions” of Lamoni’s fathers?
3. Why was Lamoni so impressed with Ammon? How did Ammon’s example open the door for serious dialogue?
Day 2: Read Alma 18:15-32; D&C 100:5-8
BONUS: Read D&C 100:5-8 with Alma 18:16. What is the promise to all who teach in meekness? What is meekness?
4. How did Ammon describe himself in Alma 18:17? What commitment did he make to Lamoni? In spite of Ammon’s humble declarations, what were Lamoni’s first questions in verse 18?
5. What was Lamoni’s promise to Ammon in Alma 18:21? What was the desire of Ammon’s heart? How is he described in Alma 18:22?
6. With what did Ammon begin in teaching Lamoni the truths of the gospel?
Day 3: Read Alma 18:33-43
7. How did Ammon explain his extraordinary abilities?
8. In order for Ammon to be able to expound the plan of salvation and relate scriptures and records, what kind of preparation must he have had?
9. What was King Lamoni’s reaction to Ammon’s teaching? Why?
BONUS: Review Alma 18 and list or underline each example of Ammon offering service.
Day 4: Read Alma 19:1-18; D&C 46:13-14
10. What might Ammon have been doing during the two days and two nights when Lamoni was mourned and lay in state? How did Ammon again demonstrate he was “wise yet harmless”?
11. What was the nature of the queen’s faith? In other words, on what was her faith based? See also D&C 46:13-14.
12. What evidence do we have that there were isolated individuals among the Lamanites who looked forward to Christ? How had the Lord made himself known to these Lamanites?
Day 5: Read Alma 19:19-36; 3 Nephi 11:29
13. What explanations were offered by the people as to why Lamoni and his court lay unconscioius? Were any of their theories correct? Who is usually behind contention? (see 3 Nephi 11:29)
14. How did Abish take the situation in hand?
15. Who was the first one to preach openly among the people? What was the result of this preaching?
BONUS: What lesson from this event did Mormon point out in Alma 19:36?
Day 6: Read Alma 20:1-13; Review Alma 17:19
16. Review Alma 17:19. Over what land was Lamoni king? Over what land did Lamoni’s father rule? Why did the Lord tell Ammon to go to Middoni?
17. Why did Lamoni go with Ammon to Middoni?
18. What false traditions did Lamoni’s father believe? Does this sound like racial profiling to you?
Day 7: Read Alma 20:14-30
19. Was it possible for Lamoni’s father to feel the Spirit when he was angry? Why was it better for Lamoni to die than his father?
20. What did the king offer if Ammon would spare his life? Had Ammon turned down a similar offer before? What did Ammon request? What additional blessing did his father bestow on Lamoni?
21. Why do you think Aaron, Muloki and Ammah were not miraculously released from their bonds in the same manner as Alma and Amulek (Alma 14:26-28)?
BONUS: Which of Ammon’s qualities seems to have changed Lamoni’s father’s attitude and opened the door to conversion?
Day 1: Read Alma 18:1-14
1. List the things Lamoni’s servants KNEW about Ammon.
2. What were the “traditions” of Lamoni’s fathers?
3. Why was Lamoni so impressed with Ammon? How did Ammon’s example open the door for serious dialogue?
Day 2: Read Alma 18:15-32; D&C 100:5-8
BONUS: Read D&C 100:5-8 with Alma 18:16. What is the promise to all who teach in meekness? What is meekness?
4. How did Ammon describe himself in Alma 18:17? What commitment did he make to Lamoni? In spite of Ammon’s humble declarations, what were Lamoni’s first questions in verse 18?
5. What was Lamoni’s promise to Ammon in Alma 18:21? What was the desire of Ammon’s heart? How is he described in Alma 18:22?
6. With what did Ammon begin in teaching Lamoni the truths of the gospel?
Day 3: Read Alma 18:33-43
7. How did Ammon explain his extraordinary abilities?
8. In order for Ammon to be able to expound the plan of salvation and relate scriptures and records, what kind of preparation must he have had?
9. What was King Lamoni’s reaction to Ammon’s teaching? Why?
BONUS: Review Alma 18 and list or underline each example of Ammon offering service.
Day 4: Read Alma 19:1-18; D&C 46:13-14
10. What might Ammon have been doing during the two days and two nights when Lamoni was mourned and lay in state? How did Ammon again demonstrate he was “wise yet harmless”?
11. What was the nature of the queen’s faith? In other words, on what was her faith based? See also D&C 46:13-14.
12. What evidence do we have that there were isolated individuals among the Lamanites who looked forward to Christ? How had the Lord made himself known to these Lamanites?
Day 5: Read Alma 19:19-36; 3 Nephi 11:29
13. What explanations were offered by the people as to why Lamoni and his court lay unconscioius? Were any of their theories correct? Who is usually behind contention? (see 3 Nephi 11:29)
14. How did Abish take the situation in hand?
15. Who was the first one to preach openly among the people? What was the result of this preaching?
BONUS: What lesson from this event did Mormon point out in Alma 19:36?
Day 6: Read Alma 20:1-13; Review Alma 17:19
16. Review Alma 17:19. Over what land was Lamoni king? Over what land did Lamoni’s father rule? Why did the Lord tell Ammon to go to Middoni?
17. Why did Lamoni go with Ammon to Middoni?
18. What false traditions did Lamoni’s father believe? Does this sound like racial profiling to you?
Day 7: Read Alma 20:14-30
19. Was it possible for Lamoni’s father to feel the Spirit when he was angry? Why was it better for Lamoni to die than his father?
20. What did the king offer if Ammon would spare his life? Had Ammon turned down a similar offer before? What did Ammon request? What additional blessing did his father bestow on Lamoni?
21. Why do you think Aaron, Muloki and Ammah were not miraculously released from their bonds in the same manner as Alma and Amulek (Alma 14:26-28)?
BONUS: Which of Ammon’s qualities seems to have changed Lamoni’s father’s attitude and opened the door to conversion?
Monday, February 4, 2008
Video Clips of Interest
FAIR (Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research) has posted some video clips on You Tube that touch on topics we have recently discussed. If you are interested in viewing these clips, please check them out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNt2aE_UM8g (Coins and The Book of Mormon) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFZ0TOXNF9c&feature=related (The Book of Mormon and Temples). These are short clips giving the views of prominent Book of Mormon scholars - but are not produced by the Church. You can cut and paste these URLs into your browser, or click on the highlighted text here.