Book of Mormon Primary Lessons
Lessons from the Book of Mormon as taught by S.J. Hollist, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Lesson 23 - Alma's Counsel
“Lesson 23: Alma Counsels His Sons Helaman and Shiblon,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 78
We want to find joy in this life, return to our Heavenly Father, and obtain eternal life, which is to live forever as families in God’s presence. Eternal life is God’s greatest gift to his children. Heavenly Father wants all of us to be worthy to live with him forever. The scriptures were given to us as a source of joy in this life and as a guide for us to return to Heavenly Father and gain eternal life. The scriptures as a guide to help us learn about Jesus Christ and become like him so we may return to our Father in Heaven.
Read Alma 37, and 38.
It was important for the Book of Mormon prophets to keep and preserve the brass plates that "they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon." (Alma 37:4, 8; also see Lesson 3).
The Liahona was given to Lehi to "[point] the way whither [they] should go into the wilderness." It "did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them" (1 Nephi 16:10, 28).
The scriptures "will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land." (Alma 37:44–45.) The scriptures help us return to live with Heavenly Father, as they contain the word of God.
"Ammon and his brethren . . . convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance" (Alma 37:9).
Alma ask his son Helaman to teach the people to "teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity. [to] Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls." (Alma 37:32–34).
Alma counseled Helaman to “learn wisdom in thy youth” so that he could withstand temptations as he grew older. (Alma 37:35). Living the gospel in our youth is important, as it makes it easier to do as we get older.
Alma taught Helaman to "[pray] unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord . . . Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God . . ." (Alma 37:36–37).
"See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength." (Alma 38:11). Having pride prevents us from being humble or teachable. Proud people think they are more important than others. Proud people follow their own will rather than Heavenly Father’s will.
Alma knew the things he taught his son because "the Spirit of God . . . [made] these things known unto [him]" (Alma 38:6–8).
Alma testified to Shiblon "that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world" (Alma 38:9).
We can use the scriptures to help us gain a similar testimony if we read and ponder them daily, seek the help of the Spirit to understand them, and liken them to our own experiences and situations.
We want to find joy in this life, return to our Heavenly Father, and obtain eternal life, which is to live forever as families in God’s presence. Eternal life is God’s greatest gift to his children. Heavenly Father wants all of us to be worthy to live with him forever. The scriptures were given to us as a source of joy in this life and as a guide for us to return to Heavenly Father and gain eternal life. The scriptures as a guide to help us learn about Jesus Christ and become like him so we may return to our Father in Heaven.
Read Alma 37, and 38.
It was important for the Book of Mormon prophets to keep and preserve the brass plates that "they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon." (Alma 37:4, 8; also see Lesson 3).
The Liahona was given to Lehi to "[point] the way whither [they] should go into the wilderness." It "did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them" (1 Nephi 16:10, 28).
The scriptures "will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land." (Alma 37:44–45.) The scriptures help us return to live with Heavenly Father, as they contain the word of God.
"Ammon and his brethren . . . convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance" (Alma 37:9).
Alma ask his son Helaman to teach the people to "teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity. [to] Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls." (Alma 37:32–34).
Alma counseled Helaman to “learn wisdom in thy youth” so that he could withstand temptations as he grew older. (Alma 37:35). Living the gospel in our youth is important, as it makes it easier to do as we get older.
Alma taught Helaman to "[pray] unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord . . . Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God . . ." (Alma 37:36–37).
"See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength." (Alma 38:11). Having pride prevents us from being humble or teachable. Proud people think they are more important than others. Proud people follow their own will rather than Heavenly Father’s will.
Alma knew the things he taught his son because "the Spirit of God . . . [made] these things known unto [him]" (Alma 38:6–8).
Alma testified to Shiblon "that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world" (Alma 38:9).
We can use the scriptures to help us gain a similar testimony if we read and ponder them daily, seek the help of the Spirit to understand them, and liken them to our own experiences and situations.
Labels: Alma, Book of Mormon, Brass Plates, Eternal Life, Gift, Helaman, Lesson 23, Liahona, Shiblon
Other Lessons:
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