Alma 33

(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.)

You can worship God continually through prayer. You receive Heavenly Father'sq mercy, including forgiveness for your sins, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures testify of Jesus Christ. You exercise faith by choosing to believe in Jesus Christ and His Atonement?

1. How do you exercise faith? 

2. What faults idea about worship did Alma correct in this verse? Why did these Zoramites think they could not worship God? Why is church attendance an important part of your worship? What are some ways you can worship God in addition to attending your weekly church meetings?

4-10. When and where did Zenos pray? What did Alma teach about worship when he quoted Zenos's words? In what ways is prayer and exercise of faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? When have you prayed in a situation like those mentioned by Zenos? How was your prayer answered? What do you learn about mercy from these verses?

"When God has commanded us to pray, he has used words like pray unceasingly and pray always and mighty prayer. Those commands do not require using many words. In fact, the Savior has told us that we need not multiply words when we pray. The diligence in prayer which God requires does not take flowery speech nor long hours of solitude… Our hearts can be drawn out to God only when they are filled with love for him and trust in his goodness." – Henry B Eyring, GC, October 2001

11. What connection do you see between the atonement of Jesus Christ and the mercy of Heavenly Father? What do you think Zenos meant when he said, "Thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son"? Why is Heavenly Father able to have mercy on you and answer your prayers? What did Jesus Christ do that made it possible for God to have mercy on you?

14-15. Why was Alma familiar with the words of Zenos and Zenock? How does studying and believing the Scriptures help you exercise faith?

16. How does Heavenly Father feel when people refuse to understand what His Son has done for them?

19-20. What happened to the people in Moses day who looked at the brass serpent? What happened to those who chose not to look? According to these verses, why did many choose not to look? What did the brass serpent symbolize? [See also Numbers 21:4-9] why do some people today refuse to try the teachings of Christ and see if those teachings will heal them? What experiences have you had that have help to you as you have looked to the Savior? What experiences have you had in a time of trouble where looking to the Savior help to prevent you from doing things that might spiritually destroy?

"He who will open his eyes and look upon the Lord will find it easy to recognize him as the divine source from which relief of sin comes." – Book of Mormon Student Manual, Religion 121-122, [1981], p. 301

21-23. What can the account of the Israelites and the brass serpent teach about what you must do to be healed spiritually? What attitudes or actions do you see in people who believe in the Savior's Atonement? How does your choice to believe in the Savior influence your every day life? How has personal scripture study strengthen your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? How has daily personal prayer and worship strengthen your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? What do you feel Heavenly Father would like you to do to exercise greater faith?

"Each child in each generation chooses faith or disbelief. Faith is not an inheritance; it is a choice." – Henry B Eyring, CES religious educators, February 2, 2001