lesson 22: mighty changes of heart

Book of Mormon Lesson 22

Alma 5-7

Next week: Alma 8-12

Alma‟s Life Journey

Alma‟s Life Journey

Where was he headed?

Alma‟s Life Journey

Where was he headed? Where did he end up?

It‟s ain‟t over „til it‟s over.

It‟s ain‟t over „til it‟s over.

In a book or history

It‟s ain‟t over „til it‟s over.

In a book or history

We know how the story turns out.

It‟s ain‟t over „til it‟s over.

In a book or history

We know how the story turns out.

No suspense!

(once it‟s read)

It‟s ain‟t over „til it‟s over.

In a book or history

We know how the story turns out.

No suspense!

(once it‟s read)

In real life

It‟s ain‟t over „til it‟s over.

In a book or history

We know how the story turns out.

No suspense!

(once it‟s read)

In real life

We don‟t know how the story turns out.

It‟s ain‟t over „til it‟s over.

In a book or history

We know how the story turns out.

No suspense!

(once it‟s read)

In real life

We don‟t know how the story turns out—until the very end.

It‟s ain‟t over „til it‟s over.

In a book or history

We know how the story turns out.

No suspense!

(once it‟s read)

In real life

We don‟t know how the story turns out—until the very end.

In the meantime…

It‟s ain‟t over „til it‟s over.

In a book or history

We know how the story turns out.

No suspense!

(once it‟s read)

In real life

We don‟t know how the story turns out—until the very end.

In the meantime ….suspense!

Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

—Mormon 9:27

Suspense = ?

Fear & trembling: Abinadiexplains what‟s at stake

But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection.

Fear & trembling: Abinadiexplains what‟s at stake

Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot deny justice when it has its claim.

—Mosiah 15:26-27

Fear & trembling: Justice

Elder Jeffrey Holland:

I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness ... but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled...

Alma, Repentance & Us

... I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ‟s Atonement shines.

—Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, The Laborers in the Vineyard,

Alma, Repentance & Us

Alma‟s CV

Rebellious son of prophet

Alma‟s CV

Rebellious son of prophet

Tried to destroy Church

Alma‟s CV

Rebellious son of prophet

Tried to destroy Church

Angel‟s visit, redeemed

Alma‟s CV

Rebellious son of prophet

Tried to destroy Church

Angel‟s visit, redeemed

Missionary

Alma‟s CV

Rebellious son of prophet

Tried to destroy Church

Angel‟s visit, redeemed

Missionary

Judge & High Priest

Alma‟s CV

Rebellious son of prophet

Tried to destroy Church

Angel‟s visit, redeemed

Missionary

Judge & High Priest

Judges Nehor for murder of Gideon, priestcraft

Enforces capital punishment

Alma‟s CV

Rebellious son of prophet

Tried to destroy Church

Angel‟s visit, redeemed

Missionary

Judge & High Priest

Judges Nehor for murder of Gideon, priestcraft

Enforces capital punishment

Military Leader

Leads Nephites against Amlicites, Lamanites

Alma‟s CV

Bloody Civil Wars

Union vs. ConfederacyBattle of Antietam: 22,720 men killed, missing

or wounded. Bloodiest single day of the

Civil War.Total who fought: 3 million+—2.1 million Union, 900 thousand ConfederateTotal dead in 4 years: 620,000 2% of total population (31

million)

Bloody Civil Wars

Amlicite Rebellion

Battle by Sidon River:

12,401 Amlicites slain

6,562 Nephites slain

Victory interrupted by Lamanite invasion—Nephites to defend Zarahemla

Alma slays Amlici

Dead too many to bury or number

Rebellious son of prophet

Tried to destroy Church

Angel‟s visit, redeemed

Missionary

Judge & High Priest Judges Nehor for murder of Gideon, priestcraft

Enforces capital punishment

Military Leader Leads Nephites against Amlicites, Lamanites

Retired Judge, still High Priest

Alma‟s CV

Rebellious son of prophet Tried to destroy Church Angel‟s visit, redeemed Missionary Judge & High Priest Judges Nehor for murder of Gideon, priestcraft Enforces capital punishment

Military Leader Leads Nephites against Amlicites, Lamanites

Retired Judge, still High Priest Religious reformer

Alma‟s CV

Tale of Two Cities

Zarahemla (Alma 5) City of Gideon (Alma 7)

Tale of Two Cities

Zarahemla (Alma 5)

62 verses

City of Gideon (Alma 7)

32 verses

Tale of Two Cities

Zarahemla (Alma 5)

62 verses

Conscience-probing questions (vs.14-24, 27-30)

City of Gideon (Alma 7)

32 verses

Prophecies of Christ (vs. 10-12)

Tale of Two Cities

Zarahemla (Alma 5)

62 verses

Conscience-probing questions (vs.14-24, 27-30)

Riot act—Repent!

Consequences

Judgment (vs. 31-42)

City of Gideon (Alma 7)

32 verses

Prophecies of Christ (vs. 10-12)

Blessings of obedience

Reminders to remember your duty, be humble, big 3: faith, hope, charity (vs. 22-24)

Tale of Two Cities

Zarahemla (Alma 5)

62 verses

Conscience-probing questions (vs.14-24, 27-30)

Riot act—Repent!

Consequences

Judgment (vs. 31-42)

Commands

City of Gideon (Alma 7)

32 verses

Prophecies of Christ (vs. 10-12)

Blessings of obedience

Reminders to remember your duty, be humble, big 3: faith, hope, charity (vs. 22-24)

Rejoicing

Choose ye this day: Am I…

Humble?

Is the Atonement is an active force in my life?

Have I “fasted and prayed many days that [I] might know of these things of [myself]”?

Compelled to be humble?

Do the consequences of unrepented sin weigh me down?

Do the demands of justice condemn my choices or acts?

Worth of souls is great in the sight of God—D&C 18:10