Alma 34
Lessons Learned:
The Zoramites were taught about Christ before they left the church. Whatever deceived them must have been powerful to tear them away from that.
Try the experiment!
Amulek's testimony is really cool.
Christ's sacrifice (The Atonement) had to be INFINITE and ETERNAL for it to work. And Christ did it. For us.
Continue in prayer. Even when you aren't praying vocally, be praying internally.
Matthew 16:
Lesssons Learned:
Signs of the Times are as easy to find as the weather. You just have to LOOK.
Peter was sad when Christ spoke about what was coming.
(verse 25) If I lose my life in Christ, I will find myself.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Alma 33 + Matthew 15
Alma 33:
Alma is speaking to the Zoramites that were kicked out of the synagogues because they were poor. This chapter focuses specifically on prayer, because the Zoramites believed in saying a single, defined prayer, and that only those allowed in the synagogues could say. The poor were not allowed to pray.
I really liked that Alma used scriptural references to reinforce what he wanted them to learn-I also thought it was really cool that Alma talked about Moses and the snakes (where the people wouldn't look at the sign and be healed.). I LOVE that story! Alma also directed them to search the scriptures to truly understand the gospel, because the Zoramite leaders had been leading the people astray. What scriptures did they have at that time? I wonder if Lehi brought the bible over with him?
Another thing I loved was that Zenos was always saying "thou didst hear me" when speaking about his prayers. Heavenly Father does really hear our prayers and care about us, and it's really cool that Alma made sure to include that, so that the Zoramites would know it. I think that is one of the most important parts about prayer-that Heavenly Father HEARS it, ANSWERS it, and LOVES it.
Alma also made sure to include the part where Zenos talks about Heavenly Father hearing his prayers, even though he was cast out and despised. This must have been really important for the Zoramites to hear at the time, because they had been cast out of their home and were despised by their own people.
I also loved when Zenos said "I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy;" Going through trials is really hard, but when we focus on the fact that Heavenly Father loves us and that the trial is for our good, it makes it easier to bear.
Alma then asks if the Zoramites have TRULY read the scriptures. Because the Zoramites had been lead astray, it was important for them to truly read the scriptures without focusing on how they differed from the Zoramite beliefs (I think that's why Alma said that-and reading the scriptures is just good in general.)
Alma finishes out by asking the Zoramites to plant the word in their hearts (discussed more heavily in chapter 32), and he asks for blessings for the Zoramite people. This works a lot like a missionary discussion-Alma finished by asking for a commitment, and then "praying out".
Matthew 15
The chapter starts out with the Scribes and the Pharisees complaining about how the disciples were not following the tradition of washing their hands before eating bread. But Christ says that their traditions are "traditions of men"-things that have been warped out of the commandments.
Something I really liked about this chapter was how Christ spoke about thoughts and actions. The Scribes and the Pharisees proclaimed to be men of God, but their actions told a different story. It is important that my actions line up with what I proclaim. Christ also noted that it was a CHOICE to do this-that the environment did not force you to behave a certain way.
Christ then heals the daughter of a Gentile woman. These miracles are my FAVORITE to read about because they focus so much on faith, and Christ's love for us. Even though the disciples tried to send her away, the mother pressed on until she could reach Christ and ask for help (FAITH). Christ recognized this, and healed her daughter because of her great faith. (LOVE)
Next the multitude (4000 men, women, and children) came with all their sick and afflicted people, and Christ sat and healed them. He was not only concerned with healing them, but also keeping them healthy. He made sure that they had enough food by multiplying the bread and the fishes (this is the second time this has happened). It must have taken SO LONG for Christ to heal all those people, but he did it because he loved them. And he loves US!
Alma is speaking to the Zoramites that were kicked out of the synagogues because they were poor. This chapter focuses specifically on prayer, because the Zoramites believed in saying a single, defined prayer, and that only those allowed in the synagogues could say. The poor were not allowed to pray.
I really liked that Alma used scriptural references to reinforce what he wanted them to learn-I also thought it was really cool that Alma talked about Moses and the snakes (where the people wouldn't look at the sign and be healed.). I LOVE that story! Alma also directed them to search the scriptures to truly understand the gospel, because the Zoramite leaders had been leading the people astray. What scriptures did they have at that time? I wonder if Lehi brought the bible over with him?
Another thing I loved was that Zenos was always saying "thou didst hear me" when speaking about his prayers. Heavenly Father does really hear our prayers and care about us, and it's really cool that Alma made sure to include that, so that the Zoramites would know it. I think that is one of the most important parts about prayer-that Heavenly Father HEARS it, ANSWERS it, and LOVES it.
Alma also made sure to include the part where Zenos talks about Heavenly Father hearing his prayers, even though he was cast out and despised. This must have been really important for the Zoramites to hear at the time, because they had been cast out of their home and were despised by their own people.
I also loved when Zenos said "I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy;" Going through trials is really hard, but when we focus on the fact that Heavenly Father loves us and that the trial is for our good, it makes it easier to bear.
Alma then asks if the Zoramites have TRULY read the scriptures. Because the Zoramites had been lead astray, it was important for them to truly read the scriptures without focusing on how they differed from the Zoramite beliefs (I think that's why Alma said that-and reading the scriptures is just good in general.)
Alma finishes out by asking the Zoramites to plant the word in their hearts (discussed more heavily in chapter 32), and he asks for blessings for the Zoramite people. This works a lot like a missionary discussion-Alma finished by asking for a commitment, and then "praying out".
Matthew 15
The chapter starts out with the Scribes and the Pharisees complaining about how the disciples were not following the tradition of washing their hands before eating bread. But Christ says that their traditions are "traditions of men"-things that have been warped out of the commandments.
Something I really liked about this chapter was how Christ spoke about thoughts and actions. The Scribes and the Pharisees proclaimed to be men of God, but their actions told a different story. It is important that my actions line up with what I proclaim. Christ also noted that it was a CHOICE to do this-that the environment did not force you to behave a certain way.
Christ then heals the daughter of a Gentile woman. These miracles are my FAVORITE to read about because they focus so much on faith, and Christ's love for us. Even though the disciples tried to send her away, the mother pressed on until she could reach Christ and ask for help (FAITH). Christ recognized this, and healed her daughter because of her great faith. (LOVE)
Next the multitude (4000 men, women, and children) came with all their sick and afflicted people, and Christ sat and healed them. He was not only concerned with healing them, but also keeping them healthy. He made sure that they had enough food by multiplying the bread and the fishes (this is the second time this has happened). It must have taken SO LONG for Christ to heal all those people, but he did it because he loved them. And he loves US!
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