Mosiah 24

 (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.)

When you submit patiently to the will of the Lord, He will strengthen you and deliver you from your trials in His time.

1-25. What do you think would have been the hardest trial to endure if you were among Alma's people during the events recorded in this chapter and the previous one? What can you learn from the way that Alma and his people responded to their trials? (vs. 1-12, 15-16) As you reflect on your trials, how you exercise faith and trust in God to help you endure?

"What was the difference between the people of Alma and the people of King Limhi? Obviously, there were several differences: the people of Alma were peaceful and more righteous; they had already been baptized and entered into a covenant with the Lord; they humbled themselves before the Lord even before their tribulations started. All these differences made it appropriate and fair that the Lord would deliver them quickly in a miraculous way from the hand which kept them in bondage. These scriptures teach us of the Lord’s power of deliverance." - L Tom Perry, GC, April 2012

1-4. Why do you think that Amulon and the other wicked priests were given positions of authority among the Lamanites? What did the Lamanites learn from Amulon and his brethren? 

5-7. Did the Lamanites use their knowledge for spiritual or temporal gain? What blessings of knowledge have you received? What purpose does it serve in your life? What can you do to ensure that the knowledge and education that you receive blesses you spiritually as well as temporally?

8. What did Amulon  begin to do once he was given a position of power and authority over Alma and his people? What was the temptation he faced and gave into? Have you ever been faced with the temptation to begin to think you are better than another one of God's children? What can you do to help you remember that in God's sight all men are equal in importance?

8-12. Compare these verses with Mosiah 23:6-20. Compare what kind of person Alma had become with the kind of person that Amulon was. What do these differences teach you about the effect a testimony of the gospel has on people? Why do you think the wicked get so angry with those who try to be good?

9-10. How did the people of Alma respond to the anger and persecution of Amulon? How could the principle of forgiveness blessed Amulon? Did the principle of forgiveness influence the people of Alma? How can the principle of forgiveness fill and enrich your life? What are the fruits of forgiveness? How did these fruits help Alma and his people turn to the Lord?

11-12. Where do the deepest yearnings of your soul originate? How can you pour out your heart to your Father in Heaven communicating to Him the deepest desires of your soul? What can you do to make your prayers more heartfelt and meaningful? If you were forbidden to pray, would you still make time for silent prayer each and every day? How can prayer help you when you have difficult burdens? When you experience trials, why might it be comforting to know that God knows the “thoughts of [your] hearts”?

13-14. What promise did the Lord give the people of Alma at this time of great trial and tribulation? Have you ever suffered similar trials? How did the Lord visit you in your afflictions? What comfort do you receive knowing that the Lord does visit his people in their afflictions? Why is it helpful to know that the Lord doesn’t always immediately remove your burdens or take away your challenges? When have you felt that the Lord has given you strength to endure a trial or carry a burden?

Much that happens to us in this life we cannot control; we only respond. Knowing what God has promised can provide the courage and faith we need. We are assured in the scriptures that we may know of a surety that the Lord does visit his people in their afflictions. And that “whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.” (Alma 36:3.) - Marion D Hanks, GC, October 1992

 "Life may not always be exactly what we had in mind, but we are not alone." - Elaine A Cannon, GC, April 1982

"When we face our challenges, we must seek greater help from God. Even the Savior of us all found a need to pray “more earnestly” as He was in the Garden of Gethsemane. We can learn to gain great faith if we do this. We must remember that often the answers from our Heavenly Father do not remove the trial from us, but instead He helps strengthen us as we pass through the experience. As He did for the followers of Alma, the Lord can “ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs.” In our trials, let us not become bitter or uncommitted, but let us follow the Savior’s example of becoming more earnest, more sincere, and more faithful." - James B Martino, GC, April 2010

"At times we may despair that our burdens are too great. When it seems that a tempest is raging in our lives, we may feel abandoned and cry out like the disciples in the storm, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38). At such times we should remember His reply: “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (v. 40). The healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ—whether it removes our burdens or strengthens us to endure and live with them like the Apostle Paul—is available for every affliction in mortality." -Dallin H Oaks, GC, October 2006

15. What do you think it means to submit patiently to the will of the Lord during a time of trial? How can doing so prepare you to receive the strength and blessings the Lord will provide to help you through that difficult time? When have you felt strengthened by the Lord or felt Him ease your burdens?

"The Lord strengthened them and lightened their burdens to the point they could hardly feel them upon their backs and then in due course delivered them (see Mosiah 24:8–22). Their faith was immeasurably strengthened by their experience, and ever after they enjoyed a special bond with the Lord." - D Todd Christofferson, GC, April 2011

"Submitting “cheerfully and with patience” to all His will lets you learn precious if difficult lessons and eternal truths that will yield blessings." - Richard G Scott, GC, April 1994

15-16. How can your attitude affect your personal growth through trials?

“The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. That progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether initially it be to your individual liking or not. When you trust in the Lord, when you are willing to let your heart and your mind be centered in His will, when you ask to be led by the Spirit to do His will, you are assured of the greatest happiness along the way and the most fulfilling attainment from this mortal experience. If you question everything you are asked to do, or dig in your heels at every unpleasant challenge, you make it harder for the Lord to bless you” Richard G Scott, GC, May 1996

"Peace in this world always comes after the receiver has done the works of righteousness." - Marion G Romney, GC, April 1967

 "Mercifully, the Son of God offers us deliverance from the bondage of our sins, which are among the heaviest of all the burdens we bear. During His Atonement He suffered “according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance.” Christ “suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent.” When we repent and keep the commandments, forgiveness and relief from our burdened conscience come with the help that only the Savior offers, for “surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy.”" - L Whitney Clayton, GC, October 2009

"Experience has taught me that if we, ... exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life. We will not feel incapable of doing what we are called to do or need to do. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy. We will come to realize that most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance—and if it is, the Lord will help us. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction." - Carl B Cook, GC, October 2011

21-22. Why is it important to show gratitude? What can you do to show more gratitude to your family members and your Father in Heaven for your blessings?