Alma 57-60

Alma 57-60 Study Guide – to be discussed May 29
Day 1: Read Alma 57:1-18; Ephesians 6:17; review Alma 51:1-2, 52:1, 54:1, 56:1,9
1. Why did Ammoron’s people evacuate the city of Antiparah?


BONUS: Make a simple time line showing the years 70-60BC. Review Alma 51:1-2, 52:1, 54:1, 56:1,9. List on your timeline the rise of the king-men, the death of Amalickiah, Ammoron’s letter to Helaman requesting an exchange of prisoners, Helaman’s letter to Moroni, the first march of the 2,000 stripling warriors to Judea, the evacuation of Antiparah, and the arrival of supplies and reinforcements from Zarahemla (Alma 57:6).

2. Why did Helaman’s army sleep upon their swords? How can we “sleep upon our swords” metaphorically today? (See also Ephesians 6:17.)



3. What problems were associated with taking too many prisoners of war?



Day 2: Read Alma 57:19-36; D&C 59:21; D&C 84:24
4. List qualities of Helaman’s 2,000 warriors you would like to emulate. To what did Helaman ascribe his army’s astonishing preservation?



5. What happened to the Lamanite POW’s? What caused their rebellion?



6. Read Alma 57:35-36 with D&C 59:21. What is one of the great lessons of the war chapters, as exemplified here?



BONUS: According to D&C 84:24, what is the “rest” of the Lord? Do righteous men die in war?


Day 3: Read Alma 58:1-22; 2 Nephi 31:20
7. Why couldn’t Helaman’s forces take Manti? What did they decide to do? How can we apply their strategy from Alma 58:3-10?



8. How did Helaman’s army gain hope and courage in a seemingly impossible situation? (See also 2 Nephi 31:20.)



9. On what did the Lamanites base their decision to go against Helaman’s forces in battle?



10. What can we learn from the foolish over-confidence of the Lamanite army? What can we learn from Helaman about relying on the Spirit and using available resources?
Day 4: Read Alma 58:23-41
11. How does fear sometimes cause us to “flee into the wilderness”? (Alma 58:29)



12. What were Helaman’s concerns after he had retaken all the Nephite cities in the west? Why didn’t he murmur?



13. List further qualities of Helaman’s “sons.”



Day 5: Read Alma 59
14. How did Moroni respond to Helaman’s letter? What was the good news? What was the bad news?



15. Where did the armies fleeing Manti go? Who was their leader?



16.Why did Moroni doubt the righteousness of the Nephite people? What caused his anger?



Day 6: Read Alma 60:1-17
17. What was Moroni’s perception of government support of troops?



18. Do you think Moroni was too severe in his reproach of Pahoran? What does this tell you about the side effects of war?



19. Ultimately, whom did Moroni blame for the Nephites’ losses?



Day 7: Read Alma 60:18-36
20. In Alma 60:20, what word did Moroni use three times? What is the message he wanted to emphasize to his government – and which is equally pertinent today?


BONUS: What word is used four times in verses 21-23?

21. What “inner vessel” did Moroni suggest needed cleansing? How can we cleanse our own inner vessels? Why should we?



22. List what Moroni threatened to do unless Pahoran sent supplies and reinforcements. Was this a selfish request?

Alma 54-56

Alma 54-56 Study Guide – to be discussed May 22
Day 1: Read Alma 54:1-14; 2 Nephi 5:1-7; Omni 1:12-13
1. Why do you think the Lamanites took women and children prisoner?



2. Moroni wrote about God’s justice, the “sword of his almighty wrath,” and the perils of hell in his letter to Ammoron – even though he seems to have assumed Ammoron would not be moved to repentance. Why do you think his epistle lacked diplomacy and political correctness?



3. List Moroni’s terms for exchanging prisoners.



BONUS: Why did Moroni refer to Lamanite lands (the land of Nephi) as “the land of our first inheritance”?


Day 2: Read Alma 54:15-24; 1 Nephi 4:35-37; 2 Nephi 1:30-32
4. Around what year did Ammoron write to Moroni? For about how many years had the Lamanites held a grudge against the Nephites? Was Ammoron a Lamanite?



5. Rephrase Ammoron’s religious philosophy.



6. From whom was Ammoron descended? After reading 1 Nephi 4:35-37 and 2 Nephi 1:30-32, list blessings promised to Ammoron’s family according to their faithfulness.



Day 3: Read Alma 55:1-18
7. Why was Moroni angry after he had received Ammoron’s letter? Why didn’t he just exchange prisoners?



8. Who was Laman and how did he end up in Moroni’s army? What does the search for a descendant of Laman tell you about the ethnicity of Moroni’s army?



9. Did Moroni’s army disable the Lamanites at Gid, or did they disable themselves? How do we disable ourselves?



Day 4: Read Alma 55:19-35
10. Why didn’t Moroni’s army kill all the drunken Lamanites when they had the chance?


11. In freeing the prisoners of war, how was Moroni a “type” of Christ?



12. The Lamanites tried to turn tables on the Nephites by laying “snares” for them. What kept the Nephite army safe? What kinds of “snares” does Satan set for us today?



Day 5: Read Alma 56:1-19
13. What was Helaman’s leadership role among the Nephites? Who is his counterpart today?



14. Why did Helaman refer to his 2000 warriors as his “sons” (see verses 10, 17)?



15. Name the cities taken by Lamanite forces, as listed by Helaman in this chapter. Using your small map of possible Book of Mormon sites, describe the locations of these cities.



Day 6: Read Alma 56:20-40
16. Why didn’t Helaman and Antipus attack the Lamanites directly? What was their first plan? How was it frustrated?



17. How many troops did the Nephites have at Judea, including Helaman’s army and the reinforcements from Zarahemla?



18. Why wouldn’t either army turn to the right or to the left? How could this be a metaphor for staying on the “strait and narrow path”?


BONUS: Make a diagram of the conflict described in these verses, including the city of Judea, the Lamanite army, Antipus’ army, Helaman’s army, Zarahemla, reinforcements from Zarahemla, the city of Antiparah, and the wilderness.


Day 7: Read Alma 56:41-57
19. On what was the courage of the stripling warriors based? In whom did they trust?



20. What caused confusion among Antipus’ army? How did they regain their focus?



21. List keys to the success of Helaman’s army. Was their survival a miracle? How can we use their example in fighting the forces of the adversary today?

Alma 50-53

Alma 50-53 Study Guide – to be discussed May 15
Day 1: Read Alma 50:1-23
1. Why do you think Moroni continued to build “places of security” (v.4) in a time of peace? How can we do this personally?



2. Why did Moroni’s armies increase daily?


3. What does Mormon list as causes of war and destruction? Why were the Nephites so happy in the 21st year of the reign of the judges? (See also Alma 49:30.)



Day 2: Read Alma 50:24-40
4. What was the cause of the “warm contention” between the people of Morianton and the people of Lehi?



5. What kind of a man was Morianton? Why was it so important for Moroni to keep Morianton from establishing his people in the land northward?



6. List the elements of the oath Pahoran took as new chief judge and governor over the Nephites.



Day 3: Read Alma 51:1-16; Alma 1:1
7. According to Alma 1:1, who established the laws governing the Nephites from the first year of the reign of the judges? How was the dispute between freemen and king-men resolved?



8. According to Alma 51:8, what class of people wanted a king and why?



9. What oath had Amalickiah sworn? Why were the king-men happy to hear about Amalickiah and his Lamanite army? What was Moroni’s reaction to the dissenters?



Day 4: Read Alma 51:17-37
10. How did the issues with King-men weaken the Nephites and leave them vulnerable? Can you think of ways internal dissention today might weaken a family? A ward? The Church? The country?



11. List the cities taken by the Lamanites. Where were they? Where did Teancum’s army pitch their tents?

12. Review highlights (lowlights?) of Amalickiah’s life in Alma 46:3-7, 16-19, 21-26, 31-35, Alma 48:1-2, Alma 49:10-11, Alma 51:9. Do you think he met a fitting end?



Day 5: Read Alma 52:1-18; D&C 38:11-12; D&C 109:24-28
13. Why do you think the blood-thirsty, ferocious Lamanite army was “affrighted” (terrified) on finding Amalickiah dead in his tent on New Year’s Day?



14. How did Teancum prepare for war? What additional help and counsel did Moroni send?



15. Where was Moroni’s army? Where was Teancum’s army? Do we ever face enemies on more than one “front” in our own lives? What wisdom can we take from these military leaders in dealing with problems that seem to come from all sides? (See also D&C 38:11-12 and D&C 109:24-28.)



Day 6: Read Alma 52:19-40
16. List ways in which we might follow the example to hold councils of war in our own lives.



BONUS: Draw a diagram of the Battle of Mulek, showing positions and/or movements of the city of Mulek, the army of Teancum, Moroni’s army, Jacob’s army, Lehi’s army, the east seashore, the wilderness on the west, and Bountiful.

17. How did Moroni regain Mulek and defeat the larger Lamanite army? What can we learn from his victory?



18. What happened to the Lamanite army when they were surrounded and lost their leader? What happens to a family when one of the parents loses faith, becomes inactive, or ceases to function in righteousness?



Day 7: Read Alma 53: Review Alma 24:11-16
19. Why did Moroni compel the Lamanite prisoners to bury the dead and build fortifications?



20. What happened because of “intrigue” and “dissentions” among the Nephites?



21. What kind of covenant had Ammon’s people taken at conversion? Why? What covenant did their sons make? Why? What do the Ammonites teach us about the importance of keeping our covenants?

Alma 46-49

Alma 46-49 Study Guide – to be discussed May 8
John Bytheway quote:
The scriptures contain many types and shadows of Christ, and my conviction is
that the story of Amalickiah provides us with the opposite – a type and shadow of Satan. Think of the
parallels! Amalickiah wanted to be king, he was cast out, and he took his followers with him.
Similarly, Satan wanted to “exalt [his] throne above the stars of God (2 Nephi 24:13), was cast out, and
took his followers with him. Amalickiah is described as cunning, flattering, and a murderer. Satan is
also described as cunning, flattering, and a murderer. Amalickiah poisoned Lehonti “by degrees.”
Satan leads us “carefully” or “by degrees” down to hell (2 Nephi 28:21). Amalickiah did “not care for
the blood of his people” (Alma 49:10). Satan will “not support his children at the last day (Alma 30:60).
Amalickiah succeeded in persuading the king of the Lamanites to attack the Nephites, but a large part of
the Lamanite army refused to fight the Nephites. They found refuge on top of the mount Antipas and
appointed Lehonti to be their leader. Three different times, Amalickiah invited Lehonti to come down
from the mountain. Lehonti refused each time. Eventually, Amalickiah went up, nearly to the camp of
Lehonti, and persuaded Lehonti to come down “just a little.” Amalickiah convinced Lehonti that he was
not really an enemy, but a friend who only wanted to be second in command. Eventually, Lehonti
agreed to Amalickiah’s scheme, and was unknowingly poisoned “by degrees” until he died. As Latter-
day Saints, we have gone up to the “mountain of the Lord” and made covenants. Satan continually
invites us to come down. We refuse. So he invites us to come down just a little. If we do, we subject
ourselves to his power where we will eventually be poisoned by degrees. If we are wounded by a
gunshot, or a sword, we know about it! But if we are slowly poisoned, we might not even realize it’s
happening. Poison is a perfect metaphor for Satan’s tactics, because a victim of poison may not even
realize what’s happening, and may still believe he’s in control up until the moment he dies. The spiritual
message is powerful and chilling – Don’t come down from your mountain! Keep your covenants!
Satan wants us to come down so he can poison us by degrees. (It’s interesting to note that Jesus was
invited to come down three times from the pinnacle of the temple, but he never did. See Matthew 4:1-
11).

Day 1: Alma 46:1-18; review Alma 43:45-57
1. What was Amalickiah’s goal? Why did the lower judges support him? How were others in the church swayed?



2. Identify six reasons the Nephites felt that going to war was justified (see also Alma 43:45-47).



3. What did Moroni do prior to presenting his Title of Liberty to the people?



BONUS: Write your own “Title of Liberty,” listing what you are willing to fight for.



Day 2: Read Alma 46:19-41; Genesis 37:3-4, 23-24,29-34; Genesis 45:3-7
4. What were the terms of the covenant made by those who were stirred to action by Moroni’s ensign? List the tokens of their covenant.



5. In what way(s) were the Nephites a “remnant” of the seed of Joseph? Why was Moroni’s torn coat such a powerful symbol? [Hugh Nibley in An Approach to the Book of Mormon wrote, “The rent garment of Joseph is the symbol both of his suffering and his divine deliverance, misfortune and preservation.”]



6. Where did Amalickiah go when he saw he was outnumbered? Why did Moroni try to intercept him?



Day 3: Read Alma 47:1-16; Matthew 4:1-11
7. Why do you think the king of the Lamanites did not imprison Amalickiah and his followers?


8. What made Amalickiah a good military leader? What made him a bad military leader?



9. Why did Lehonti, leader of the conscientious objectors, refuse to go down to meet with Amalickiah? What changed his mind?



BONUS: From Matthew 4:1-11, how many times did Satan invite Jesus to “come down”? How does Satan invite us to “come down” today?


Day 4: Read Alma 47:17-36
10. Compare Captain Moroni and Amalickiah by listing characteristics and goals of each leader (see also Alma 48:11-13, 16-18).


11. How did Amalickiah gain the hearts of the people and the hand of the queen?


12. Why do you think the Nephite dissenters became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites?


BONUS: How was Amalickiah’s poisoning “by degrees” similar to how Satan poisons people today?


Day 5: Read Alma 48
13. How did Amalickiah stir up hatred toward the Nephites? What was his ultimate goal, now that he had obtained kingship over the Lamanites?


14. Who did Amalickiah appoint as chief captains? Why? How did Moroni prepare his people?



15. If Amalickiah and his armies are types of Satan and his hosts, what can we learn from Captain Moroni about strengthening ourselves and our families against the powers of the adversary?



Day 6: Read Alma 49:1-15; Ether 12:25-28
16. In what month and year did the Lamanites march on the rebuilt city of Ammonihah? In what month and year would Satan most like to conquer young priesthood holders?


17. Why do you think Amalickiah did not lead his troops?


18. How can we make weak things become strong? (see also Ether 12:25-28)



Day 7: Read Alma 49:16-30
19. Why did the Lamanites attack Noah, in spite of their fears?



20. How many Lamanites were killed in their attempt to take the city of Noah? How many Nephites were killed? Why?


21. Who did Amalickiah blame for his losses? Who did the Nephites thank? Why did they enjoy peace and prosperity?

Special Gramma Edition

Alexander Patrick Tvedtnes was born this morning just after 10:30 - a beautiful baby boy! 7lbs. 5oz. Thanks for all your support and prayers. Mom and baby are doing great. I look forward to seeing you all on May 8 and promise not to inflict TOO many baby pictures on you.

Alma 43-45

Alma 43-45 Study Guide – to be discussed May 1

Day 1: Read Alma 43:1-15; Alma 31:3

1. Why did Zarahemna appoint Amalekites and Zoramites as chief captains? What was his ultimate goal? How is Zarahemna a “type” of Satan?









2. Review Alma 31:3, 27:21-25, 35:8-13. In what city were the people of Ammon located in the 18th year of the reign of the judges? Where had the Lamanites gathered to prepare for war? Where were the Nephite armies gathered?







3. What do you think the phrase in verse 14, "obliged to contend" means?







Day 2: Read Alma 43:16-36; Ephesians 6:13-17

4. How old was Moroni when he was given command of all the Nephite armies? From Alma 43:19, what was the first strategy Moroni employed? Can you give an example of a modern application in our battles with Satan? (See also Ephesians 6:13-17.)







5. List further strategies employed by Moroni from Alma 43:23-26. Give modern applications.







6. On the back of this paper, or on a separate sheet, draw a simple diagram of the battle described in Alma 43:27-36. Include the river Sidon, the hill Riplah, and the locations and movements of all armies.





Day 3: Read Alma 43:37-54

7. What motivated the Lamanites to “fight like dragons”?







8. How did Moroni inspire his armies? What was the result of their united prayer?







9. Why did Moroni command his men to stop shedding blood?







Day 4: Read Alma 44:1-11

10. What evidence did Moroni cite regarding “the true faith of God”? What evidence do we have today?







11. What were the terms of Moroni’s proposed peace treaty?





12. Why did Zarahemna refuse to swear an oath of peace?





Day 5: Read Alma 44:12-24

13. What emotion moved Zarahemna to attack Moroni? Did his subsequent de-scalping and loss of forces change or intensify that emotion?







14. What eventually motivated Zarahemna and his followers to enter into a covenant of peace?







15. How did Moroni sow both justice and mercy in dealing with the Lamanites and dissenters?







Day 6: Read Alma 45:1-14

16. List the questions Alma asked Helaman in his personal priesthood interview.







17. What prophecies regarding the future of the Nephite kingdom did Alma command Helaman to record, but not make public? Why do you think these prophecies were not to be made known at that time?







18. From Alma 45:12, what was to be the cause of the Nephites’ eventual downfall?







Day 7: Read Alma 45:15-24

19. What did Alma do before he left Zarahemla? Do you think he knew he wasn’t coming back?







20. Why was it necessary for Helaman and his brethren to travel throughout the land, reestablishing the church and preaching the gospel?







21. In spite of their efforts, what symptoms of the “Nephite Disease” were evident as described at the end of Alma 45?









BONUS: Choose one verse from Alma’s writings (Alma 1-44) that especially touched you in this reading.

Alma 39-42

Alma 39-42 Study Guide – to be discussed April 17 (No class April 10 due to Poway Unified spring break.)
Day 1: Read Alma 39:1-9 with headnote; 3 Nephi 12:28-30
OVERVIEW QUESTION: Find Corianton’s four questions (as his father said he perceived them) in Alma 39:16-17, 40:1, 41:1 and 42:1. Rewrite these four questions in your own words.




1. In Alma’s counsel to his son Corianton, he reviewed the steps leading up to Corianton’s act of immorality. List at least four of those steps and relate them to how we might put ourselves in danger today.



2. From Alma 39:5, what did Alma tell Corianton he must know in order to begin the repentance process?


3. Read 3 Nephi 12:28-30 and JST Matthew 16:26 with Alma 39:9. What do you think it means to “cross yourself”? (Hint: see the footnote for Alma 39:9b.)



Day 2: Read Alma 39:10-19; Jacob 4:4-6
4. How did Corianton’s choices affect more than just himself?



5. List further steps in the repentance process as outlined by Alma in these verses.



6. According to the note at the bottom of page 307 in your Book of Mormon, about what year was it when Alma gave this counsel? Why was it important to teach the coming of Christ so many years before it happened?



Day 3: Read Alma 40:1-14; D&C 138:11-23
7. Why do you think Corianton was worried about the resurrection?



8. What did Alma know concerning the resurrection? What did he NOT know?



9. After reading D&C 138:11-23, why do you think the righteous will be happy in the spirit world? Why will the wicked be miserable?



Day 4: Read Alma 40:15-26; D&C 76:50-70; Psalm 75:7-8
10. What is the meaning of the term “the first resurrection”? (see also D&C 76:50-70)
11. To what state will all things be restored in the resurrection?



12. Having explained the universal resurrection of mankind, Alma ended chapter 40 with a description of the “awful death” of the wicked. In what ways will the wicked be dead? What are the “dregs of a bitter cup”?



Day 5: Read Alma 41:1-15
13. By what two things will we be judged? What do you think Alma meant when he said we are our own judges? (v.7)



14. What is the nature of the happiness described by Alma in verses 5, 10 and 11? If “wickedness never was happiness” (v.10), why are some very wicked people quite happy with their lives?



15. How did Alma define the word “restoration”? List what Alma expected Corianton to DO now that he understood the law of restoration.



Extra credit readings on the resurrection: D&C 133:54-55, D&C 88:97-102, D&C 101:31.
Day 6: Read Alma 42:1-15
16. In Alma 42:4, Alma again referred to this life as a probationary time. What two things did he say we are to do here?



17. In reference to this passage of scripture, President Harold B. Lee asked, “Can you think of a more tragic experience than to have an earth with no mortal death…?” (See The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ch. 2.) What do you think he meant by this? What two kinds of death were brought about by the Fall?



18. What evidence do we have that God is perfectly just and merciful?



Day 7: Read Alma 42:16-31
19. What gift could not be extended to us if there were no law and no punishment? Why?


20. How is remorse of conscience a blessing?



21. Review Alma 42, looking at the phrase “God would cease to be God” in verses 13, 22 and 25. Although Alma is using hyperbole, what is the condition, in each case, under which, if possible, God’s very power and authority would be in question? How does this speak to Corianton’s question, as perceived by Alma at the beginning of this chapter?

Alma 36-38 Study Guide

Alma 36-38 Study Guide – to be discussed April 3
Day 1: Read Alma 36:1-16, with headnote; Proverbs 1:7; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
1. List Alma’s instructions to his son Helaman from Alma 36:1-3. What reason(s) did Alma give for his counsel?



2. According to Proverbs 1:7, what is the fear of the Lord? How did fear open the door to spiritual knowledge for Alma? Is faith necessary for this kind of fear?



3. What was the source of Alma’s exquisite pain and inexpressible horror? How long was he racked with these pains? Were they physical? Spiritual? Emotional?


BONUS: Read 2 Corinthians 7:8-11. What indications do we have that Alma’s sorrow was “Godly” sorrow?


Day 2: Read Alma 36:17-30
4. Whose words became Alma’s seed of faith when he was in that awful state? What did he DO to exercise or nourish that seed?


5. List the results of Alma’s experiment upon the word.




6. By what power was Alma delivered from spiritual captivity, or from the bondage of sin?


BONUS: Alma recorded in verse 19 that he could no longer remember his pains, and yet he recalled them in his counsel to his son Helaman. What do you think he meant when he said he could remember them no more?


EXTRA CREDIT: Compare the last three verses of Alma 36 with the first two verses. Underline or note words, phrases or thoughts that are repeated. Now work your way to the middle of the chapter, from both ends, finding words or thoughts that mirror each other. What is Alma’s central or pivotal point, framed toward the middle of this chapter?


Day 3: Read Alma 37:1-12; D&C 64:33; D&C 123:16-17
7. As Alma continued his counsel to Helaman, he entrusted five sacred relics into Helaman’s care. Name the first two of these relics as listed in the first few verses of this chapter. Why was the proper care and keeping of these relics so important to Alma? To us?


8. Read Alma 37:6-7 with D&C 64:33 and D&C 123:16-17. What do you think Alma meant when he talked about “small and simple things”?


9. List the proofs given by Alma as evidence of the power of keeping sacred records.
Day 4: Read Alma 37:13-20; D&C 82:3; D&C 1:38
10. What did Alma want Helaman to remember?


11. What was the strict warning if Helaman failed in his stewardship? Read also D&C 82:3. Are we under the same obligation?


12. Read D&C 1:38. What promises are associated with faithful keeping of sacred records?


Day 5: Read Alma 37:21-32
13. From Alma 37:21, what were the third and fourth sacred relics consigned to Helaman? What did Alma say regarding his reasons for including them?



14. What happened, ultimately, to the Jaredites (see chapter heading for Ether 15)? Why do you think Alma entreated Helaman to keep the fate of the Jaredite nation in the memories of his people?



15. Unto whom is this land cursed?


Day 6: Read Alma 37:33-47; Hebrews 11:16
16. From Alma 37:32-37, list first what Helaman was instructed to TEACH, then list what Alma told him to DO.



17. Name the fifth sacred relic entrusted to Helaman. What do the five sacred items have in common?


18. Read Hebrews 11:16 with Alma 37:45. What is the “far better land of promise” for which this and all promised lands are a type? How do we get there?


Day 7: Read Alma 38 with headnote
19. From Alma 38:1-3, list qualities Alma saw in his son Shiblon.



20. What did Alma want Shiblon to remember?



21. In what was Alma’s testimony rooted? List elements of the powerful testimony he bore.



BONUS: What counsel did Alma give to both Helaman and Shiblon?

Alma 33-35

Alma 33-35 Study Guide – to be discussed March 27 (Note: No class March 20 due to SD Schools spring break)
Day 1: Read Alma 33:1-11; Psalm 29:1-2; 2 Nephi 25:29
1. What questions did the more humble Zoramites pose after hearkening to Alma’s discourse on experimenting upon the word?


2. From Alma 33:2, what is the first thing Alma suggested we do in order to exercise faith, or plant the seed?


EXTRA CREDIT: According to verse 3, what is a major part of worship? After reading Ps. 29:1-2 and 2 Nephi 25:29, what else does worship include?


3. List the mercies of God as expressed in Zenos’ heartfelt prayer. From verse 11, why is God so merciful?



BONUS: Update or rewrite the mercies you just listed so that they reflect modern situations.



Day 2: Read Alma 33:12-23; 1 Nephi 17:40-42; Numbers 21:5-9
4. Which of the ancient prophets did Alma quote as witnesses of Christ? What do we know about the first two?



5. Read 1 Nephi 17:40-42 and Numbers 21:5-9 with Alma 33:19-20. What was the “type” of Christ spoken of in Alma 33:19? Why were some Israelites not healed? How did this story motivate the Zoramites to begin the experiment on the word?



6. In what did Alma suggest the Zoramites should “begin to believe” in answer to one of their questions? How did this also answer their question about the nature of God? (Note: where you see the term, “begin to…” insert the phrase “plant the seed of….”)



BONUS: According to Alma 33:23, what is the ultimate reward of nourishing the tree?


Day 3: Read Alma 34:1-8
7. Whose words are recorded in Alma 34? What are the “great” questions he addressed in this chapter?


8. Why should the Zoramites have understood the doctrine of Christ prior to Alma’s discourse? Why didn’t they?



9. As a second witness to Alma’s teachings, how did Amulek verify? How did he testify?


Day 4: Read Alma 34:9-16; 2 Nephi 9:6-8
10. What does “expedient” mean? Why was it expedient that a great and last sacrifice be made?



11. Are the sins of this world infinite? Why did Christ’s atonement need to be infinite and eternal?



12. List the “intents” of the atoning sacrifice.



Day 5: Read Alma 34:17-27; Hebrews 7:22-28
13. What is one way to “begin to exercise your faith unto repentance”?


14. Why do you think these prayerful injunctions were translated as “cry” instead of “pray”? What are we told to cry to the Father AGAINST in verse 22 (see also v.23)?


15. What does Alma 34:26 imply regarding the intensity of our personal prayers?



BONUS: Read Hebrews 7:22-28 and D&C 45:3-5 with Alma 34:17-18. What qualifies Jesus to be our intercessor with the Father?


Day 6: Read Alma 34:28-41; D&C 130:23
16. What is the relationship between charitable service and prayer?



17. What is one of the purposes of this life? List warnings and promises associated with this counsel.



18. List further examples of planting the word in verses 38-41. What is the promise if we do these things?



Day 7: Read Alma 35
19. Why were the “popular” Zoramites angry about the preaching they had heard? What did they do to the “believers”?


20. How did the people of Ammon receive the poor Zoramites?



21. What caused Alma to be sorrowful?

Alma 31-32

Alma 31-32 Study Guide – to be discussed March 13
Day 1: Read Alma 31:1-11 (Note: In the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon, our chapters 30 and 31 were one chapter.)
1. Who were the Zoramites and where did they live? Why did Alma want to preach to them?



2. Who did Alma take with him on his missionary journey to the Zoramites?



3. What “errors” had the Zoramites fallen into?



Day 2: Read Alma 31:12-23; Luke 18:9-14; 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
4. List the false doctrines included in the Zoramites’ weekly prayer.




5. Underline each “we,” “our” and “us” in the Zoramite prayer. Who was really being “worshipped” in the Zoramite’s synagogues?


6. Read the parable in Luke 18:9-14. How were the Zoramites like the Pharisees in Christ’s day? How can we avoid the “Zoramite Disease” today?



Day 3: Read Alma 31:24-38
7. List the things Alma tells us the Zoramites’ hearts were set upon, or swallowed up in.




8. For what, specifically, did Alma ask in his emotional prayer?



9. How was Alma’s prayer answered?



BONUS: Read Alma 31:35 with D&C 18:10-13. Why is the worth of souls great in God’s sight?



Day 4: Read Alma 32:1-12; Matthew 5:3; Matthew 13:3-8; D&C 101:8
10. Where did Alma and his brethren teach the Zoramites? Among whom did they have the most success?


11. Read Matthew 5:3 with footnote b. In what ways were the “poor” Zoramites poor? In what ways were they rich?



12. What question did the humble Zoramites bring to Alma? Why did this fill him with great joy?



BONUS: Read the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-8, with D&C 101:8. What kind of preparation had yielded good soil among the Zoramites?


Day 5: Read Alma 32:13-26; Hebrews 11:1; Ether 12:6
13. According to Alma 32:13, to what does humility lead? What is better than compulsive humility?



14. Alma, having found good ground, began to plant seeds of faith among the humble Zoramites. What did he say about the relationship between knowledge and faith? Between faith and hope?



15. Read Hebrews 11:1 (with footnote b), and Ether 12:6 with Alma 32:21. If faith is the first principle of the gospel, what is the first principle of faith?



Day 6: Read Alma 32:27-33; Joshua 1:8; 2 Nephi 32:3; John 5:39
16.What seed did Alma suggest we plant in our hearts in order to strengthen our faith? What does it mean to “give place” for this seed?



17. List the signs of a good seed.



18. How can we put Alma’s “experiment” to the test in our own lives?



Day 7: read Alma 32:34-43
19. In horticulture, what is the role of light in seed development? What does Alma say about light?



20. Count the number of times Alma said we must “nourish” the tree in order for it to take root. How can we nourish the word?


21. Review 1 Nephi 11:20-25. What does the tree represent? The fruit?