Pathway Lesson 1: Alma 30-35

Hello new semester!!!  I’m excited to finish the second half of the Book of Mormon this semester.  Our reading this week was Alma 30-35. 

We start off with Korihor, an Anti-Christ.  We all see anti-Christs all over the place in this world.  Alma talks with Korihor and uses a timeless method, his personal testimony.  Korihor asks for a sign.  He denies God and Alma warns him that he will be struck dumb.  He denies again and is struck dumb for the rest of his days.  We learn in Alma 30:60 And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.  Satan will not stand with you, where as Christ will never leave you. 

The biggest thing I got out of this week’s reading was on prayer.  In Alma 31 we hear the Zoramites prayer, which is the same prayer, it has no feeling, no requests.  It states what they believe and what they don’t believe.  Its like they are praying the articles of faith.  Plus they have specific place for them to pray.  Up high and only one person could fit up there.  How can Heavenly Father help them?  There is no request for help. 

Next we hear Alma’s prayer.  Alma’s prayer has lots of feeling.  He says “Lord” 14 times.  He prays with feeling, he asks questions.  He is specific.  He prays for others and is specific and he prays for them by name.  Alma talks candidly to Heavenly Father.  He tells exactly how he is feeling.  There is no sugar coating it. 

There is such a difference in their prayers.  We learn so much from Alma’s prayers.  Our prayers need to be heartfelt, specific, and for others.  Prayer is communication to our Heavenly Father.  Alma prayed to Heavenly Father as someone who he has a relationship with.  We need to pray to our Heavenly Father just like we would talk to our earthly father.  If we can do this, we can gain a better relationship with our Heavenly Father and will for sure be blessed for it. 

Eder Carlos E. Asay said “The souls of our brothers and sisters who may seem to be more feeble and less honorable are precious. The Church has need of them. We should make every attempt to know them and to help them claim the full blessings and joys of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our prayers should be as Alma’s: ‘Give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.’ (See Alma 31:35.)

“We must remember that our salvation is intertwined with the salvation of others. We must care more for those who seem to care less for their faith”

This struck me.  How do I react when someone I know is having a struggle with their faith or doesn’t follow what we believe?  I would probably think “that’s their choice.”  But I should act more like Alma and “care more for those who seem to care less for their faith.”