Alma 8-12Alma 8-12Missionary Work is hardMissionary Work is hard! !

According to the M.T.C. President in Provo, (2006) the According to the M.T.C. President in Provo, (2006) the biggest reason missionaries come home from the MTC biggest reason missionaries come home from the MTC is because is because it was too hardit was too hard for them. for them.

Elder Kimball and his companion “set off down the road Elder Kimball and his companion “set off down the road out of Jefferson City, knocking on every door, hauling out of Jefferson City, knocking on every door, hauling their suitcases crammed with tracts and books, having their suitcases crammed with tracts and books, having no breakfast, no dinner, and just store crackers for no breakfast, no dinner, and just store crackers for lunch. lunch.

At dark, exhausted and feeling starved, they began to At dark, exhausted and feeling starved, they began to ask for a place to stay. ‘Sorry,’ was the usual answer, ask for a place to stay. ‘Sorry,’ was the usual answer, ‘we can’t fit you in.’ They marched on till about ‘we can’t fit you in.’ They marched on till about midnight, when they caught sight of a light back midnight, when they caught sight of a light back through the trees. through the trees.

Not even an ‘ominous pack’ of ‘huge vicious dogs’ Not even an ‘ominous pack’ of ‘huge vicious dogs’ guarding the house, Spencer later remembered, could guarding the house, Spencer later remembered, could frighten the tired missionaries from knocking at the frighten the tired missionaries from knocking at the door. A gruff, unfriendly man answered the door, and door. A gruff, unfriendly man answered the door, and finally let them in, showed them to an attic bed, and left finally let them in, showed them to an attic bed, and left them. Despite the bedbugs, Spencer and his lanky them. Despite the bedbugs, Spencer and his lanky companion sank into sleep on the lumpy bed, the heavy companion sank into sleep on the lumpy bed, the heavy quilt stiff as a board. They woke in the morning covered quilt stiff as a board. They woke in the morning covered with bug bites, the bed spotted with blood. with bug bites, the bed spotted with blood. Their host, Their host, as if to restore their loss, served breakfast of blood as if to restore their loss, served breakfast of blood puddingpudding”….”….

““Spencer’s early letters home sounded a note of Spencer’s early letters home sounded a note of discouragement. He was enthusiastic about proselyting, discouragement. He was enthusiastic about proselyting, but as a junior companion he was subject to his partner, but as a junior companion he was subject to his partner, who ‘tried my soul,’ he remembered later, ‘because I who ‘tried my soul,’ he remembered later, ‘because I wanted to work, and found it difficult to work without wanted to work, and found it difficult to work without him, and was unable to stimulate him, he being the him, and was unable to stimulate him, he being the senior companion” (Edward L. and Andrew E. Kimball, senior companion” (Edward L. and Andrew E. Kimball, Spencer W. Kimball, 1977, 75).Spencer W. Kimball, 1977, 75).

Alma 8:10,13-14Alma 8:10,13-14

What was the most difficult thing for you to adjust to What was the most difficult thing for you to adjust to on your mission?on your mission?

What was the most difficult doctrine to teach?What was the most difficult doctrine to teach?

Alma 8:19-21Alma 8:19-21

The Lord often answers our prayers through another The Lord often answers our prayers through another person.person.

““God does notice us, and he watches over usGod does notice us, and he watches over us. . But it But it is usually through another person that he meets our is usually through another person that he meets our needsneeds. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other . Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom…Often, our acts of service consist of in the kingdom…Often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane acts simple encouragement or of giving mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds” (Spencer W. and from small but deliberate deeds” (Spencer W. Kimball, Kimball, EnsignEnsign, December 1974, 5)., December 1974, 5).

Alma 8:27Alma 8:27 D&C 11:21D&C 11:21

Alma 9:4Alma 9:4 Alma 16:2, 3, 9Alma 16:2, 3, 9

Alma 9:21Alma 9:21 ““Gifts of the SpiritGifts of the Spirit””

((I Cor. 12, Moroni 10, and D&C 46I Cor. 12, Moroni 10, and D&C 46))

1. The gift of speaking with 1. The gift of speaking with tonguestongues

2. 2. The gift of preachingThe gift of preaching (unique to (unique to the Book of Alma) the Book of Alma)3. The gift of the Holy Ghost3. The gift of the Holy Ghost4. The gift of translation4. The gift of translation

Elder McConkie taught, “These gifts are infinite in Elder McConkie taught, “These gifts are infinite in number and endless in their manifestations number and endless in their manifestations because God himself is infinite and endless because God himself is infinite and endless (McConkie, (McConkie, New WitnessNew Witness, 270)., 270).

Certainly divine qualities such as patience, Certainly divine qualities such as patience, humility, integrity, kindness, and unselfishness, humility, integrity, kindness, and unselfishness, are also spiritual gifts worthy of pursuit.are also spiritual gifts worthy of pursuit.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton described some of these Elder Marvin J. Ashton described some of these “gifts not so evident but nevertheless real and “gifts not so evident but nevertheless real and valuable” as the “gift of listening,” the gift of valuable” as the “gift of listening,” the gift of caring for others,” and the gift of being able to caring for others,” and the gift of being able to ponder” (Ashton, ponder” (Ashton, Measure of Our HeartsMeasure of Our Hearts, 17)., 17).

Alma 10:2Alma 10:2 ““AminadiAminadi””

““This is the only time Aminadi This is the only time Aminadi is mentioned, and our present is mentioned, and our present Book of Mormon gives no Book of Mormon gives no further details concerning the further details concerning the writing written by the finger of writing written by the finger of God upon the wall of the God upon the wall of the temple” (Daniel H. Ludlow, temple” (Daniel H. Ludlow, CompanionCompanion, 198)., 198).

Alma 10:3Alma 10:3

This is the first time the Book of Mormon indicates that This is the first time the Book of Mormon indicates that Lehi was a descendant of Joseph’s eldest son, Lehi was a descendant of Joseph’s eldest son, Manasseh.Manasseh.

““Some students of the Book of Mormon have wondered Some students of the Book of Mormon have wondered how descendants of Joseph were still living in Jerusalem how descendants of Joseph were still living in Jerusalem in 600 B.C. when most members of the tribes of in 600 B.C. when most members of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were taken into captivity by the Ephraim and Manasseh were taken into captivity by the Assyrians about 721 B.C. 2 Chronicles 15:9 mentions Assyrians about 721 B.C. 2 Chronicles 15:9 mentions that in about 941 B.C. Asa, the king of the land, that in about 941 B.C. Asa, the king of the land, gathered together at Jerusalem all of Judah and gathered together at Jerusalem all of Judah and Benjamin ‘and the strangers with them of Ephraim and Benjamin ‘and the strangers with them of Ephraim and Manasseh.’ Manasseh.’ These ‘strangers…out of Ephraim and These ‘strangers…out of Ephraim and Manasseh’ who were gathered to Jerusalem in Manasseh’ who were gathered to Jerusalem in approximately 941 B.C. may have included the approximately 941 B.C. may have included the forefathers of Lehi and Ishmaelforefathers of Lehi and Ishmael” (Daniel H. Ludlow, ” (Daniel H. Ludlow, A A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon [1976], 199).[1976], 199).

Alma 10:5-6Alma 10:5-6

Why would Amulek not hear the Why would Amulek not hear the promptings of the Lordpromptings of the Lord??

““He is a classic case of an He is a classic case of an essentially a good man being put essentially a good man being put out of touch with the great out of touch with the great spiritual realities; … because, spiritual realities; … because, though he was basically good, though he was basically good, he he was pre-occupied with the cares was pre-occupied with the cares of the worldof the world” (Neal A. Maxwell, ” (Neal A. Maxwell, Meek and LowlyMeek and Lowly, 12)., 12).

Alma 10:7-10, 20Alma 10:7-10, 20

In what ways do angels administer to men In what ways do angels administer to men todaytoday??

““The ministering of angels can also be unseenThe ministering of angels can also be unseen. . Angelic messages can be delivered by Angelic messages can be delivered by a voicea voice or merely or merely by thoughtsby thoughts or or feelingsfeelings communicated to the communicated to the mind…Most angelic mind…Most angelic communications are felt or heard rather than communications are felt or heard rather than seenseen” (Dallin H. Oaks, ” (Dallin H. Oaks, EnsignEnsign, November 1998, , November 1998, 39).39).

Alma 10:22-23Alma 10:22-23

The prayers of the righteous availeth much!The prayers of the righteous availeth much!

Alma 11Alma 11 ““A chapter of A chapter of doctrinedoctrine””

v. 40-46v. 40-46 Alma 40:23-25Alma 40:23-25

There is no reason for any person to be There is no reason for any person to be concerned as to the appearance of concerned as to the appearance of individuals in the resurrection. There is individuals in the resurrection. There is no death in the grave, children will no death in the grave, children will continue to grow until they reach the full continue to grow until they reach the full stature of their spirits. We have reason stature of their spirits. We have reason to believe that old age will disappear and to believe that old age will disappear and full vigor of manhood and womanhood full vigor of manhood and womanhood will return (will return (A.T.G.Q.A.T.G.Q. 4:185-87, 189, 4:185-87, 189, Joseph Fielding Smith).Joseph Fielding Smith).

Elder Sterling W. Sill while serving Elder Sterling W. Sill while serving as a member of the Seventy as a member of the Seventy described some of the blessings described some of the blessings of the Resurrection when he of the Resurrection when he taught that a resurrected body “is taught that a resurrected body “is beautiful beyond all beautiful beyond all comprehension, with quickened comprehension, with quickened senses, amplified powers of senses, amplified powers of perception, and vastly increased perception, and vastly increased capacity for love, understanding, capacity for love, understanding, and happiness” (C.R., Oct. 1976, and happiness” (C.R., Oct. 1976, 67).67).

In reality a man cannot forget anything. In reality a man cannot forget anything. He may have a lapse of memory. God He may have a lapse of memory. God will touch the mainspring of memory and will touch the mainspring of memory and recollection, and you will not forget a recollection, and you will not forget a single idle word. Beware of saying single idle word. Beware of saying wicked things, of speaking evils and wicked things, of speaking evils and taking in vain the name of sacred things taking in vain the name of sacred things and sacred beings. Guard your words, and sacred beings. Guard your words, that you may not offend even man, much that you may not offend even man, much less offend God (less offend God (Improvement EraImprovement Era, May, , May, 1903, 503-04, Joseph Fielding Smith, “A 1903, 503-04, Joseph Fielding Smith, “A Sermon on Purity”).Sermon on Purity”).

Resurrected persons will appear just as they did in Resurrected persons will appear just as they did in mortal lifemortal life, only with bodies that are Celestial, bodies , only with bodies that are Celestial, bodies that are Terrestrial, bodies Telestial, and other bodies that are Terrestrial, bodies Telestial, and other bodies that receive no glory whatever. that receive no glory whatever. But each will remain But each will remain it’s individual identity and will be so recognized after it’s individual identity and will be so recognized after their resurrectiontheir resurrection ( (A.T.G.QA.T.G.Q., J. Fielding Smith, Vol. 2, ., J. Fielding Smith, Vol. 2, 102). 102).

((Alma 40-42Alma 40-42))

Alma 11:45Alma 11:45 ““Resurrection is an ordinanceResurrection is an ordinance””

““We are in possession of all the ordinances that can be We are in possession of all the ordinances that can be administered in the flesh; but there are other administered in the flesh; but there are other ordinances and administrations that must be ordinances and administrations that must be administered beyond this world… administered beyond this world… We have not, We have not, neither can we receive here, the ordinance and neither can we receive here, the ordinance and the keys of the resurrectionthe keys of the resurrection. They will be given to . They will be given to those who have passed off this stage of action…They those who have passed off this stage of action…They will be ordained, by those who hold the keys of the will be ordained, by those who hold the keys of the resurrection, to go forth and resurrect the Saints” resurrection, to go forth and resurrect the Saints” (Brigham Young, (Brigham Young, DiscoursesDiscourses, 397)., 397).

Alma 12:9Alma 12:9

When is it appropriate to share sacred mysteries of When is it appropriate to share sacred mysteries of GodGod??

““I have learned that strong, impressive spiritual I have learned that strong, impressive spiritual experiences do not come to us very frequently. And experiences do not come to us very frequently. And when they do, they are generally for our own when they do, they are generally for our own edification, instruction, or correction. Unless we are edification, instruction, or correction. Unless we are called by proper authority to do so, they do not position called by proper authority to do so, they do not position us to counsel or to correct others” (Boyd K. Packer, us to counsel or to correct others” (Boyd K. Packer, EnsignEnsign, January 1983, 53)., January 1983, 53).

““Should you receive a vision or revelation from the Should you receive a vision or revelation from the Almighty, one that the Lord gave you concerning Almighty, one that the Lord gave you concerning yourselves,… you should shut it up and seal it as yourselves,… you should shut it up and seal it as closed, and lock it as tight as heaven is to you, and closed, and lock it as tight as heaven is to you, and make it as secret as the grave. make it as secret as the grave. The Lord has no The Lord has no confidence in those who reveal secrets, for he cannot confidence in those who reveal secrets, for he cannot safely reveal himself to such personssafely reveal himself to such persons” (Brigham Young, ” (Brigham Young, DiscoursesDiscourses, 40-41). (D&C 63:63)., 40-41). (D&C 63:63).

President Joseph Fielding Smith President Joseph Fielding Smith explained that the mysteries of God explained that the mysteries of God are simply those divine principles of are simply those divine principles of the gospel necessary for our salvation the gospel necessary for our salvation that are not understood by the world that are not understood by the world ((Church History and Modern Church History and Modern RevelationRevelation, 2 vols. [1953], 1:43)., 2 vols. [1953], 1:43).

The mysteries of God should not be The mysteries of God should not be confused with the unworthy pursuit of confused with the unworthy pursuit of “mysteries,” or things that God has “mysteries,” or things that God has not revealed.not revealed.

Alma 12:10-11Alma 12:10-11

Only by aligning our wills Only by aligning our wills with God’s is full happiness with God’s is full happiness to be found. Anything less to be found. Anything less results in a lesser portion results in a lesser portion (Neal A. Maxwell, (Neal A. Maxwell, EnsignEnsign, , November 1995, 23).November 1995, 23).

Alma 12:12-14Alma 12:12-14

Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that the Judgment is not Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that the Judgment is not merely a review of actions taken in mortality, but is merely a review of actions taken in mortality, but is instead instead an assessment of who and what we have an assessment of who and what we have become as a result of our actionsbecome as a result of our actions..

““From such teachings we conclude that the Final From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts --- what we have done. good and evil acts --- what we have done. It is an It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts --- what we have becomethoughts --- what we have become..

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become” (C.R., Oct. 2000, 41).become” (C.R., Oct. 2000, 41).