This Is a Sin Which Is Unpardonable

~ Richard Rowley

Alma teaches his son about the most serious sins which can be committed.

“…If ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness.” (Alma 39:6)   

Questions:

-Why is denying the Holy Ghost, after an undeniable witness therefrom, an unpardonable sin?

-Is this unpardonable sin very rare…only committed by a very few people?

Gratitude: I am grateful that Christ is mighty to save! Short of the gravest sins mentioned above, He will always apply his saving power whenever I (or anyone else) chooses to sincerely repent.

Sexual Sin is an Abomination in the Sight of the Lord

~ Richard Rowley

The prophet Alma’s son, Corianton, forsook his missionary responsibilities and took part in sexual sin with a prostitute. Alma reminds his son of how serious his misdeed was in the eyes of God.

“Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost.” (Alma 39:5)

Questions:

-Why are murder and denying the Holy Ghost the only sins more evil in the sight of God than sexual sin?

-What does this say about how spiritually destructive sexual sin is?

Gratitude: I am grateful God cares deeply about my (and all people’s) spiritual welfare and provides guidance (for all who will hear) regarding how to stay spiritually strong.

Be Sober

~ Richard Rowley

Alma teaches his son about how a missionary for Christ should conduct him- or herself.

“…Now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things. See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength. Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. Do not pray as the Zoramites do, for ye have seen they pray to be heard of men, and to be praised for their wisdom. Do no say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren, but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times. And may the Lord bless your soul, and receive you at the last day into his kingdom, to sit down in peace. Now go, my son, and teach the word unto this people. Be sober. My son, farewell.” (Alma 38:10-15)

Questions:

-How does bridling one’s passions open the way for a person to be filled with love?

-What does it mean to be sober (in the more general sense of the word)?

There Is No Other Way or Means Whereby Man Can Be Saved, Only in and through Christ

~ Richard Rowley

Alma teaches his son about the only way salvation can be obtained.

“…There is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness.” (Alma 38:9)

Questions:

-How does one receive salvation through Jesus Christ?

-What role does baptism (by one who has authority) play in receiving Christ’s salvation?  

As Much as Ye Shall Put Your Trust in God, Ye Shall Be Delivered out of Your Trials, Troubles, and Afflictions

~ Richard Rowley

Alma teaches his son about God’s power of deliverance.

“…As much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” (Alma 38:5)

Questions:

-Does the peace of the Spirit deliver a person from letting his or her earthly troubles cause despair or paralyzing anxiety?

-How important is it to be lifted above the vicious cycles of the fallen world (mentally and emotionally) in order to make the greatest difference in line with God’s will?  

The Words of Christ Carry Us Beyond This Vale of Sorrow into a Far Better Land of Promise

~ Richard Rowley

Alma teaches his son about the power of scripture and prophetic teaching.

“…The words of Christ, if we follow their course, [will] carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.” (Alma 37:45)

Questions:

-Is it possible to understand the culture of Heaven before entering into the eternities?

-Can the words of Christ (as found in the scriptures) prepare one to participate in the culture of Heaven?

-Will anyone who doesn’t understand the culture of Heaven be comfortable staying there?

-Have you ever thought of your promised land as becoming Christ-like so you are prepared to cross through the veil and meet Him?

Let the Affections of Thy Heart Be Placed upon the Lord Forever

~ Richard Rowley

Alma teaches his son about the type of relationship one should have with God.

…Keep the commandments of God. Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and withersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. (Alma 37:35-37)

Questions:

-How does a person reach a state where all they do, think, and feel is directed to the Lord?

-Is it possible to reach such a state without God’s help?

-Is it possible to always have God’s Holy Spirit with you?

Such Shall Find Rest to Their Souls

~ Richard Rowley

Alma teaches key principles, which Priesthood leaders should preach, to bring rest to souls.

“Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.” (Alma 37:33-34)

Questions:

-How does ego inevitably torment those who let it have a prominent place in their lives?

-How many understand that having a humble heart and faith in God brings the only true and lasting peace?

Destruction Shall Come upon Workers of Darkness

~ Richard Rowley

Alma teaches his son that the promised land (in the Americas) is cursed for all who work darkness.

“…There is a curse upon all this land, that destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness, according to the power of God, when they are fully ripe…Yea, and cursed be the land forever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe.” (Alma 37:28;31)

Questions:

-Does the promised land referred to in this verse include all of the Americas?

-Does this verse leave any doubt that the curse mentioned is perpetual on the promised land?