Alma 8

When we respond promptly to the word of the Lord, He helps us obey His commandments.

1. How many cities has Alma now worked in as a missionary? 

1-2. Why did Alma return to Zarahemla at this time? What benefits would resting bring to Alma? How does resting from your labors bless and strengthen you? How does it help you be more effective in the tasks that you do?

1-5. What were the results of Alma's preaching in the cities of  Zarahemla, Gideon and Melek? (See also chapter 6-8 headings) What challenges did he face in his missionary service? How do missionaries feel when their message is accepted?

8-10. What do these verses tell you about Alma's character?

9. Why did the people of Ammonihah reject the message of Alma?

10. How did Alma prepare himself to preach to the people of Ammonihah? Alma immersed himself in mighty prayer for the people. What does it mean to 'wrestle' with God? What was Alma struggling with? Was this prayer answered? What can you learn from Alma when it appears that your prayers might not have been answered? How can remembering that God always answers the prayer of the righteous comfort and motivate you? How can this knowledge help you have faith even when your righteous prayers are not answered immediately or in the way you had hoped or expected? How might you evaluate and seek to improve the strength of your prayers?

"I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, 'Why?' I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father's perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential." - Russell M Nelson, GC, October 2005

"May I ask you today to consider the effectiveness of your prayers? How close do you feel to your Heavenly Father? Do you feel that your prayers are answered? Do you feel that the time you spend in prayer enriches and uplifts your soul? Is there room for improvement? There are many reasons our prayers lack power. Sometimes they  become routine. Our prayers become hollow when we say similar words in similar ways over and over so often that the words become more of a recitation than an communication. This is what the Savior described as 'vain repetitions'. Such prayers, He said, will not be heard... Do your prayers at times sound and feel the same? Have you ever said a prayer mechanically, the words pouring forth as though cut from a machine? Do you sometimes bore yourself as you pray? Prayers that do not demand much of your thought will hardly merit much attention for our Heavenly Father. When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for a while on the things for which you really are grateful." - Joseph B Wirthlin, BYU devotional address, January 21, 2003

11-13. How might you have responded to the treatment that Alma received?
12-13. How was Alma's message received?
14. How did the rejection of Alma's message to the people make him feel? How was Alma's reaction similar to or different from what yours might be in a similar situation?
15. What happened to Alma on the way to the city of Aaron? How might the words of the angel been comforting to Alma? How might the angels words be comforting to you? Why might it have been difficult for Alma to be obedient in this situation?
15-17. What was the message that the angel gave Alma?
18. How did Alma respond once he had received the message from the angel? What does the word speedily mean to you? What can you learn from Alma from the fact that he returned speedily to Ammonihah? What happens to your faith when you choose to obey quickly? When have you felt your faith in the Lord strengthened because of your quick and steady obedience?

"However much faith to obey God we now have, we will need to strengthen it continually and keep it refreshed constantly. We can do that by deciding now to be more quick to obey and more determined to endure. Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation... A loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son have given us all the help They can to pass the test of life set before us. But we must decide to obey and then do it. We build the faith to pass the tests of obedience over time and through our daily choices. We can decide now to do quickly whatever God asks of us. And we can decide to be steady in the small tests of obedience which build the faith to carry us through the great tests, which will surely come." - Henry B Eyring, GC, October 2005

19-26. How did the Lord bless Alma for being obedient? How is Alma's experience with Amulek an indication that the Lord heard and answered his prayers? What principles can you learn from Alma's experience?
20. Upon returning to Ammonihah, who did Alma meet?
22. What did Amulek do for Alma? What did Alma do for Amulek and his family?
26. Why was Alma so hungry? How was Alma's fasting and prayer answered?

"His fasting was almost immediately rewarded. He found that righteous forces had been at work, preparing the way before him. When he entered the city again, he met a man, apparently a stranger... This was Amulek, who had been specially prepared to receive a prophet of God and who would share in his work. As a result of his fast, Alma was assured by the Lord through the witness of Amulek that heavenly forces were prospering his efforts, and he was filled with the spirit of the Lord's work. Alma ended his fast, and then he an Amulek did a marvelous work which resulted in the righteous being called out of Ammonihah. The remainder of the city, being left without excuse, was found in the full ripeness of iniquity and destroyed." - Victor L Brown, GC, October 1977

27-32. What evidence do you find in these verses that indicates that if you are faithful and diligent, the Lord will help you obey His commandments?
28-29. What challenges did Alma and Amulek face as they went out to teach the people?
29-32. What did Alma and Amulek do that showed that the power of God was with them? Why do you think that the Lord showed such powerful signs to the people through Alma and Amulek? What signs of Gods power has the Lord shown us in our day? What can you do to be worthy of the Lord's blessings and be protected from the destruction's that are prophesied upon the wicked?
30-31. How did the Lord help Alma and Amulek? When have you felt that the Lord has helped you when you have been faithful and diligent?

"Surely the Lord loves, more than anything else, an unwavering determination to obey his counsel." - Howard W Hunter, GC, October 1982

1-32. What is something you will do today to show Heavenly Father that you will obey His counsel promptly and serve Him faithfully and diligently?