Greetings! Alright, everyone relax, at this point you might be thinking, "Oh man, another paper! I have enough to do!" Let me give you some guidelines on the paper that should help you stress less.
A little background first. Years ago I was a Teacher's Quorum Adviser. We asked the Sister missionaries to spend an evening with our quorum teaching the boys about missions. One of the boys asked, "So how do you answer questions that you don't know the answer to?" Then one of the sisters simply said something like, "Oh, we always have the answers to questions, we have the Book of Mormon, there is not a question you can't find the answer to in it." Then she put it to the test right then and there, she said to the boys, "What questions do you have you haven't found the answers to?" The boys thought for a moment and then one of them asked a question (
I can't remember what the question was), then the sister opened the Book of Mormon and said, "Wow, great question, and I really don't know the answer, but I know the Book of Mormon does." She turned through it's pages and then read a verse, and offered her testimony. She asked the boy who had asked the question, "Did that help?" He replied that yes, it had.
I testify to you there is no question that you can't find the answer to by searching the Book of Mormon.
The answer may not always be found in the words, but the answers are sometimes found in the feelings that come from the Spirit of the Lord as you read. I know this is true!
For your assignment, select a question on your mind, and search Alma 1-7 for the answer. At the end of the week please post your question and how the Spirit of the Lord answered it through your study of Alma 1-7.
That is all, no big paper to turn in, just a post on this site with your question and answer.
My question was, "Why did Heavenly Father let the typhoon hit the Philippines?"
ReplyDeleteI didn't find my answer in Alma 1-7 although they certainly are plenty of references in that passage to explain H.F.'s plan. In Alma 40:11, Alma Jr. teaches his son Corianton that "the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life." Alma instructs that H.F. has a master plan for everyone and if we are taken from this life it is because H.F. has a greater plan for us up in heaven. This was confirmed when an email I received from a missionary in Tacloban said that he knows that H.F. takes people when he needs them and he knows that they are happier up there. I know from the timing of this email, its message, and the scripture in Alma, that this principle is true. It helps us cope with death, draw closer to the Spirit, and live without fear and doubt. Love, Bill and Austin
Great, thank you!
DeleteI had a question in my mind during the past week. I hadn't thought to use it for this assignment, but I remembered it as I was studying the scriptures. The past couple weeks were pretty busy with school work and other duties. I felt like I was being a lot more self-centered because I thought I didn't have time to go out of my way to look for opportunities to help others. If they came to me, sure I would help them. My questions were: With all I have on my own plate, how can I find time to help other people? Does God expect that from us during the times we are really busy and seem to only have time for ourselves? As I was praying and asking this, I remembered something I had learned from the Book of Mormon on the mission and had recently read again for this week's assignment. In Alma 1:25-31 we learn of the faithful priests who "left their labor to impart the word of God" and the faithful people who "also left their labors to hear the word of God." They still had work to do, but put it aside for what really mattered. They shared what they had, and they became rich. They even "became far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church." The people who did not belong to the church were selfish and sought after their own well-being, so even though they had more time for themselves, they did not prosper. This chapter answered my question without a doubt. To prosper, I need to make time for God and the Church and other people first, then return "again diligently unto [my] labors."
ReplyDeleteVery cool, thank you for sharing!
DeleteSo one question that sometimes comes to me is "What am I to do now to help progress the work now that my mission is over?" I really like the scripture in Alma 1:26, which talks about the priests that had been called to teach the people. They were not called to leave everything and go preach. Rather, they were called to stop working every now and then to go teach, and then return to their labors. The people they were teaching would also do the same. That struck me because it shows that I can live my life, doing my things, and while I am going about my business I can look for opportunities to share the gospel with those around me. When that time comes, I can stop what I am doing to show them the importance of the message and explain my beliefs. After the conversation is over I can return to doing everything I normally do. It would also make the times that I do share the gospel all that more special because it would be with people who I know and love and sincerely want them to understand the gospel and learn more.
ReplyDeleteGreat, thank you!
DeleteA question that has been on my mind recently has been whether we should seek out our destiny, our outcome in life, or let it come to us. With all of the decisions in my life right now like deciding on a major, choosing a career, and finding a wife, I wonder should I not worry about it and let God take me where I need to go, or should I be out trying to shape my own life.
ReplyDeleteSomething that I have been able to find in Alma 1-7 is in Alma 3:6 which says, "the skins of the Lamanites were dark"..."which was a curse upon them because of their rebellion against their brethren." This shows that God will either bless or curse us based on our obedience or in this case rebellion. In Alma 5 Alma asks those famous questions of what we have done to have a change of heart. He teaches there that keeping the commandments God will change our hearts and "engrave his image in our countenance." What we need to worry about doing as God's children is to keep His commandments. This will determine the true and eternal outcome in life. I believe that by doing so God also places us in situations and opportunities that we are meant to be in, without any previous planning on our own part. This doesn't mean that God will make every decision for us as long as we keep his commandments, we need to be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and the correct path to take in life will be placed in our knowledge. I know that this is true as I continue through the important decisions that I face, and that I need to exercise patience in accepting the will of the Lord.
Thank you, this is a wonderful thought!
DeleteI had a couple questions. The first is: "How can I be a better minister and servant of God?" As for the second question, there are certain times in my life when I feel really motivated to serve and minister (after the temple, church, personal study, etc.) So my second question is: "How can I keep that spirit of service with me?"
ReplyDeleteAs I read this section, I received much insight. I read how King Mosiah had "warred a good warfare." I think one of the keys to being a good servant and to always have the spirit of service with me is to just keep fighting and trying, even when it's hard. Some days won't be as good as others, but no matter what happens, I just need to keep on trying and going. Fake it till you make it. Next, as I read about Gideon, I learned that in order to help others, I need to be courageous and brave, even when doing so is inconvenient and unpopular. There is no need to change the gospel message to make it more enticing to the world. There is no need to feel ashamed if others mock. I need to always do what the Lord would have me do. I also felt impressed that I need to ensure that I am living to the highest level of obedience that I can live to. Not just not breaking commandments, but actively doing all the righteous things that the Lord has commanded us to do. I learned my final lesson from this section from the battle between Alma and Amlici. Alma prayed mightily that he would be spared, and he was. Thus, if I pray mightily to the Lord, He will strengthen me and help me to be a more powerful servant in His hands.
I know that the Lord needs servants. I want to be willing and able. I know that as long as I am obedient, pray with all my heart, and give my all, I will be able to help this great work move along.
Terrific, thank you very much. You are doing a great job, Sione!
DeleteThe question that has been on my mind and in my heart for a while is " How can I turn my weakness into a strength?" I started out reading Alma looking for specific instructions that really applied to strengths and weaknesses. I finished chapter 7 and was disappointed. I was expecting an answer my way and not Heavenly Father's way. I went back to see if there had been any verses that stood out to me and I found Alma 7:23-24. It reads, "And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. 24. And see that ya have faith, hope, charity, and then ye will always abound in good works." These are the instructions that I needed in order to overcome my weaknesses. I already knew what I was struggling with and now I have the way to overcome that struggle! Being humble and submissive in order to be able to receive help; asking for help; replacing sin with good works; having faith and giving thanks. These may not have been the instructions that I was searching for but they are the directions that I needed.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Soba Travo, you know you are not getting credit for any assignments, right? Only because I have no idea who you are. But thanks for your great comments.
DeleteThe question what was on my mind was I read was "how can i be a good leader?"
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters we learn a lot about Alma the younger. first he is Chief Judge and is confronted by an Anti-Christ, but exercising the power of the law he judges him. the next problem for Alma is dealing with the rebellion of the Amlicites. Again i learned a lot by reading about how Alma lead his armies, even at the front. how he relies on the Lord to give him strength. the third leadership quality i noticed was how Alma recognized a problem with the church and took action. he knew that just letters wouldn't work so he changed something in his life to be able to really address the problem. he quit his political job and confined himself to the work of the Lord.
As a leader i think it is really important to have people to whom we can look for guidance. Alma has been such a role model for me. his dedication, justice and commitment to serve are great qualities of great leaders.
i love how the book of Mormon can answer even temporal questions! truly is the best