Alma 32

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

Humility prepares you to receive the word of God. You are more blessed when you choose to be humble them when you are compelled to be humble. If you diligently nourish Gods word in your heart, your faith and your testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel will grow.

CHAPTER 32: How do you receive and strengthen a testimony?

1-3.  Which group of people showed interest in the missionaries message? In what ways were these people poor? What do you think it means to be poor in heart?

5-6. How does the question in verse 5 show that these Zoramites were poor and heart? How did poverty lead to blessings for this group of Zoramites?

8-12. What do these verses teach about receiving and strengthening a testimony? Why do you think the poor were more willing to listen? Why is humility essential in the process of receiving and strengthening a testimony?

13-16. What two different ways are there that people may become humble? Why do you think it is better to choose to be humble? What do you think it means to humble yourself because of the word? How might this apply to your attitudes in church, community, and family assignments?

"God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble... We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming  them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His and putting Him first in our lives. Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can." – Ezra Taft Benson, GC, April 1989

17-18. What false idea did many of the people have about obtaining a testimony? What is wrong with manning a sign before believing? [Jacob 7:13-16; Alma 30:43-52; Doctrine and Covenants 63:9]

21. What is Alma's definition of faith? What things can you do to increase your faith? What principles of the Gospel can you be more obedient to?

"Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God's laws the greater will be  the endowment of faith." - Bruce R McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 264

22. What council do you find in this verse on how to receive and strengthen my testimony? Why are these actions important in the development of your faith?

23. Who does God grant inspiration to? What inspiration have you received in your life?

Symbols used in this chapter

Seed: Word of God (verse 28)

Soil: Your heart (verse 28)

Sprout: and marching of your soul, and lightened understanding, and deliciousness. (Verse 28)

Tree: increased knowledge that the seed was good. (Verse 30-39)

Fruit: everlasting life (verse 41-43)

27-43. What is one principal or doctrine of the gospel that you could experiment on in your life?

27. Why do people conduct scientific experiments? How does conducting an experiment compare to the process of receiving and strengthening a testimony? What do you think that Alma meant when he said to experiment upon his words? What do you think he meant when he said to a week and arouse your faculties? What do you think it means to exercise a particle of faith?

28. What did Alma compare the word of God to? What are some sources of gods word? What did Alma say you must do with this seed? How is the word of God like a seed that can be planted in your heart? What do you think it means to give place for the word to be planted in your heart? What do you think it means to feel that the word of God is swelling within you? If the word of God is swelling within you, then what is happening to your testimony and faith? When has the word of God enlarged your soul and enlightened your understanding? Why would these types of experiences increase your faith?

29-34. Why would your faith not yet be perfect after performing this experiment? What more do you think you need to receive a lasting testimony of the Gospel? How is the process of helping a tree grow similar to the process of strengthening a testimony?

31-33. How can you know that this [The word of God] is a good seed?

37-40. What must you do so your faith in the word of God will continue to grow? What can you do to nourish the word? What happens if you neglect a tree or fail to nourish it? What happens if you neglect the word of God that has been planted in your heart?

41-43. Where else does the book of Mormon include a description of a tree with fruit that is sweet of all that is sweet? In the vision of the tree of life, what do the tree and the fruit represent? How is this like Alma's comparison of the word of God to a seed?