Camelview Book of Mormon Project: Alma 35-43

Project Overview

The purpose of this project is to bring you closer to Christ through the Book of Mormon. Our Stake Presidency has challenged us to read the Book of Mormon in its entirety before the end of the year while paying special attention to Christ and His mission in the Plan of Salvation. We will be reading the Book of Mormon from August 1-December 31, and our ward will be focusing on the references to Christ throughout the Book of Mormon. As you read we invite you to mark in Red each reference to the Savior. You will be amazed how often He is mentioned.
It is our hope that you accept this challenge with an open heart and know that as you complete the Book of Mormon, you will have a stronger testimony of the importance of this book and its account and witness of Jesus Christ. Remember that through prayer and study you will be able to obtain a stronger testimony as well as a desire to learn more. We hope you will join us as we feast upon the words of Christ together and grow spiritually through this experience.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Alma 35-43

Alma 36–39 contains Alma’s final counsel to his three sons: Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton. The counsel given to faithful Helaman and Shiblon differed greatly from the counsel given to wayward Corianton. To a certain extent we determine what kind of counsel we might receive in our lives by how faithful we are to the counsel we have already been given (see Alma 12:9–11).

Alma’s conversion story provides one of the clearest examples of how we can know when we have been forgiven of our sins. Through Alma’s counsel to Shiblon, we learn the power and value of steadfastness in our lives. Finally, the poignant counsel given to Corianton teaches how serious and destructive sexual transgression is.

What happens to people after they die? Alma 40–42 focuses on Alma’s counsel to his wayward son Corianton, who had a similar question. In his response, Alma taught about the spirit world, the Judgment, the Resurrection, the law of restoration, and the punishment of sinners. As Alma concluded his teachings to Corianton, he answered questions about what life would be like without repentance, sin, law, and punishment. Alma’s answers to his son also help us understand the plan of happiness and the justice and mercy of God and how they affect our eternal progression.

2 comments:

Ellen said...: I love these chapters because we get a very intimate view of Alma's love for his children. Although he is firm with Corianton, he is still loving. He is still very much a father who is concerned for the welfare of his children. He gives us a wonderful example of parenting. He also shows us the way that we might bring friends or family back into the fold. He saw what Corianton was having issues with. He was able to give him insight into those things that would help him to overcome those reasons for falling away. It is a wonderful way for us to learn how to be good missionaries and how we can also show those around us how much we love them.; October 30, 2011 at 9:23 AM
Britt said...: As I read these chapters, I am reminded of some good parenting principles.
First, Alma took each of his sons, alone, and gave them counsel. This was especially important when he counseled Corianton. He did not shame him in front of his brothers, or say "Look Cor, look at your brothers. They are righteous and better than you. Try to be more like them please." Rather, he took them one by one and gave them counsel.
Second, his counsel was adapted to the needs of the children. His message was not the same to each because each had specific needs. However, the central theme of inviting them to Christ is found in each counsel given.
Finally, counsel in love. I can't help but feel the tremendous love Alma had for each of his children, even the wayward son.; November 16, 2011 at 3:08 AM