Alma 35-37

Wow, where do I begin? We covered so many wonderful things in class this week. Tuesdays and Thursdays are my FAVORITE days, simply because of Mission Prep and Book of Mormon. I'm learning so much in these classes. My teachers are just beyond incredible. 

We started in Alma 35 on Tuesday, where "the more popular part of the Zoramites" cast out the poor believers of Alma and his brethren. Despite the Zoramites' threatenings, the people of Ammon took the believers in and took care of them. This upset the Zoramites, which demonstrates two principles: the first is that, although the believers were poor in money, they were not poor in spirit. They believed what was true and were happier than the wealthy Zoramites, as were the people of Ammon. They might not have been wealthy either, but they loved others and served them, which is the true source of happiness. The wealthy Zoramites had everything, and yet they did not have the gospel, nor were they happy. "You can't do wrong and feel right," Brother Griffin said. That reminded us of Alma 41:10 "Wickedness never was happiness." That brings me to the second principle: misery loves company. The Zoramites were miserable, and they wanted the believers to be miserable as well. This tactic is the similar to what Satan does to us, and it can also remind us to not give into temptation of peer pressure around us.

Chapter 36 was my other favorite, because it’s about Alma the Younger and his conversion process. This chapter is awesome because Brother Griffin reminded us how often we can use this story in our teachings as missionaries. We will have converts who, like Alma the Younger, will feel miserable, pained, and wracked with horror because of the things they’ve done. But this chapter reminds us that we are NEVER too far gone. There’s no sin that can keep us from receiving forgiveness. Verses 12-18 describe the characteristics of hell: “destruction,” “inexpressible horror,” “racked with the pains of a damned soul,” “harrowed up” “gall of bitterness” and “everlasting chains of death.” Sin is painful, but the Lord is omnipotent and can remove any pain we have. After going through a severe repentance process throughout the chapter, Alma understands the joys of heaven that that are associated with the gospel and doing what’s right. Verses 20-23 say “marvelous,” “light,” “joy,” “sweet,” “singing and praising,” “strength,” etc.

He drew a diagram that showed a path of heaven, and a path of heaven, and showed that Christ is ALWAYS the turning point for either path. The inclusion or the exclusion of Christ determines which path you’re on.

The last chapter I wanted to write about is chapter 38, specifically verses 10-12, talk about controlling ourselves. They read: 

         “And now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things.

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.

Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.” 

The overall theme is to avoid extremes, and to “bridle our passions,” but not just the sexual ones. Brother Griffin asked us to list off a number of things we are passionate about—sports, dance, academics, clothes, reading, food, etc. Whatever it may be, those passions must be bridled. Passions are great and wonderful, but it’s dangerous to get too extreme in any one thing. The natural man must be tamed. 

That's all for today :)