Watch the video presentation on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/sTSuhSwSgEQ
NOTE
First off, a little note. There are sections within these chapters that I have already covered rather extensively in previous videos. Alma’s conversion story in Alma 36 was covered in Mosiah 25-28 (https://youtu.be/-I8vEfAtEn0) TimeStamps 31:20-51:00
Alma’s teachings on the Liahona in Alma 37 were covered in 1 Nephi 16-22 (https://youtu.be/kWqcgpJpRto) TimeStamps 1:43-15:23
ICEBREAKER
So as an Icebreaker this week, I’d like to encourage you to watch this brief Mormon Message (If it’s ok to call them that still) from former apostle Elder Robert D. Hales. (Parenting: Touching the Hearts of Our Youth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cxHd773Ya0 ) And as you watch, one simple discussion question to keep in mind.
What counsel do you personally find most impactful from this?
TRANSITION
Well up to this point in our study of the Book of Alma, we’ve seen him as chief judge, prophet, warrior and protector, and a missionary. Now, we get to observe Alma in arguably his most important role. As a father. Alma chapters 36-42 contain Alma’s teachings and advice to his three sons, Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton. And first, I think it’s important to take a look at a description of the kind of world that Alma is trying to raise his sons in. You’ll find it in 35:15. It was a time of iniquity, wars, bloodsheds, contentions, hard-heartedness, and a time where people are offended because of the strictness of the word. Sound familiar? It’s not easy to raise faithful children under such circumstances, but Alma is going to show us how. I think it’s thought-provoking that of all the titles the scriptures give us for God, which of them does he seem to prefer most? Heavenly Father. The title of Father. That role must be of utmost importance to him. So parenting, or influencing the younger generation is one of the most critical things that we can do.
SEARCH
What I’d like to do with you today is point out some phrases and verses that I feel can teach us some powerful parenting principles. Quick side note here. Throughout the lesson, for the sake of brevity and simplicity, I will mainly refer to the influence that parents can have on their children. But please realize that these principles apply to anyone who has the opportunity to influence youth. So these apply equally to grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, youth leaders, teachers, coaches, and many others. They are not exclusive to parents.
So first:
GIVE EACH THEIR CHARGE SEPARATELY
What does Alma do in Alma 35:16?
The answer? He gathered his sons together and gave each one his charge separately. For those of you that are parents, have you ever tried raising one child exactly the same way as you did another? And, how did that work out for you? Certainly, there are general principles of righteous parenting, but how they are applied needs to be different for each child. They each have their own unique personalities, gifts, problems, and challenges. We are going to need to give each their charge separately and teach them according to their individual needs. These needs are often best addressed one on one. You’ll notice that Alma’s messages are individually tailored to that son’s needs. So, counsel with them one by one as individuals.
STIR UP THEIR FAITH THROUGH TESTIMONY
Another principle. Take a look at the following phrases and ask yourself what Alma is doing here?
36:1 “I swear unto you”
36:3 “I do know”
36:4 “I know of myself”
36:5 “God, by the mouth of his holy angel, made these things known unto me”
36: 26 “I do know”
36:26 “The knowledge which I have is of God”
36:28 “I know that he will raise me at the last day”
36:30 “You ought to know as I do know”
So what do all those phrases suggest he is doing. All these "I know’s”. What do we call that when we tell other people what we know of a spiritual nature? He’s bearing his testimony. Perhaps the greatest gift a mother or father can give to their child is their own testimony. Some of the best council I’ve ever heard on the power of human testimony comes from Joseph Smith and the Lectures on Faith. He says.
"The reason why we have been thus particular on this part of our subject, is, that this class may see by what means it was that God became an object of faith among men after the fall; and what it was that stirred up the faith of multitudes to feel after him; to search after a knowledge of his character, perfections and attributes, until they became extensively acquainted with him; and not only commune with him, and behold his glory, but be partakers of his power, and stand in his presence.”
Joseph Smith Jr. (Lectures on Faith 2:34)
Did you catch the key phrase in there? As a parent, what is my most important charge? To stir up the faith of my children to feel after God, so that they can become extensively acquainted with him, and commune with him and behold his glory, and be partakers of his power, so that eventually they can stand in his presence. But how do I stir up their faith? What action can I take as a parent is going to help stir up my children’s faith? Joseph continues later:
"We have now clearly set forth how it is, and how it was, that God became an object of faith for rational beings; and also, upon what foundation the testimony was based, which excited the enquiry and diligent search of the ancient saints, to seek after and obtain a knowledge of the glory of God: and we have seen that it was human testimony, and human testimony only, that excited this enquiry, in the first instance in their minds—it was the credence they gave to the testimony of their fathers—this testimony having aroused their minds to enquire after the knowledge of God, the enquiry frequently terminated, indeed, always terminated, when rightly pursued, in the most glorious discoveries, and eternal certainty.”
Joseph Smith Jr. (Lectures on Faith 2:56)
So how was it that God became an object of faith for rational beings? What excited that inquiry and diligent search, to seek after and obtain knowledge of the glory of God? Human testimony, and human testimony only. That testimony aroused their minds, which eventually will lead them to eternal certainty. And that’s what we want for our children, isn’t it? Eternal certainty. Testimony inspires that.
The Book of Mormon is full of examples of this as well.
NEPHI
“I had desired to know the things that my father had seen” (1 Nephi 11:1)
ENOS
“and the words which I had often heard my father speak . . . sunk deep into my heart” (Enos 1:3)
THE STRIPLING WARRIORS
“We do not doubt our mothers knew it” (Alma 56:10)
ALMA THE YOUNGER
“I remember to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ” (Alma 36:17)What inspired Nephi to pray and gain a greater understanding of the scriptures? The testimony of his father Lehi. He said that he wanted to see the things that his father saw.
TEACH BY EXAMPLE
Next principle:
36:3 I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me.
36:23 After relating the story of his conversion, he says “I had been born of God”.
36:24 "I have labored without ceasing” to bring souls to repentance
36:26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.
36:27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.
36:29 Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem; and he has also, by his everlasting power, delivered them out of bondage and captivity, from time to time even down to the present day; and I have always retained in remembrance their captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I have done, their captivity.
:30 30 But behold, my son, this is not all; for ye ought to know as I do know, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know also, that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence. Now this is according to his word.
And then in 37:2
2 And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.
Do you see what Alma is doing here? He is teaching by example. He doesn’t just expect his sons to trust in God and retain in remembrance and come to know the truth, but to do those things, as he has done. He’s clearly marked the path before them. It’s very difficult to expect our children to do things that we ourselves aren’t doing or haven’t done. In spiritual matters, it’s not opposites that attract, but likes that do. If we want patient children, then we ourselves must be patient. If we want our children to be kind to others, we need to be kind to others and them. If we want our children to love the scriptures, then we must love the scriptures. If we want our children to develop strong testimonies, then we need to develop strong testimonies. Now, we may have made some mistakes in the past or not always lived our lives as we should have. At times, we may need to encourage our children not to live as we once did. Alma the younger is a perfect example of this. He lived a rebellious youth, didn’t he. But he didn’t let that cripple him as a parent. He changed and started to live as he should and taught by his righteous example from that point on. That can work. But expecting our children to live a certain way WHILE we are not, is probably futile. I’m afraid that "Do as I say and not do as I do" is not going to prove an effective means of inspiring righteous living.
TEACH THEM THE SCRIPTURES
Alma 37 is all about one topic and one topic only. The scriptures. Alma spends an entire, rather lengthy chapter explaining to his son how important the scriptures are. The next great thing a parent can do for their child is to teach them how to love and value the scriptures.
You’re probably all familiar with the well-known message of verses 6-7 where Alma reminds us that:
"6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.
Now you can apply that verse to many different small and simple things, but the small and simple thing that Alma is specifically referring to here is the scriptures. And in one manner of speaking, the scriptures are small and simple things. Just so much paper, and leather, and ink. The writings of a people that lived hundreds of years ago. Could what they experienced and learned so long ago really have anything to do with us and our day? Yes! That’s what makes them so amazing. They are incredibly relevant. I hope that our time together this year has helped you to recognize that relevance even more.
Or perhaps we view scripture study as a small and simple commandment. Really, how much good is reading them going to do for me. Is it that important? Well, Yes! What great things have come into your life through the power and influence of the scriptures. I suppose I can only speak for myself, but they truly have shaped my life. They’ve provided me with heroes and role models to look up to and pattern my life after. They’ve given me comfort at times of difficulty and trial. They’ve offered me counsel on difficult questions and doubts that I’ve faced. They’ve given me guidance on making important decisions. They’ve invited the Spirit into my life. Not only have they done great things for the world at large, but great things for me as an individual.
What are some of those “great things” that parents teach their children about the scriptures? Read chapter 37 with that question in mind.
And to help a class of young people or your children find those things, you could try doing the following crossword puzzle. The phrases that they find will highlight all the great things the scriptures can do for us.
The crossword puzzle is available for download at https://www.etsy.com/shop/TeachingWithPower
ACROSS
2. They allow God to "show forth his _______ unto future generations" (37:14, 18, 19) POWER
As I study them, I watch how God works with his children, and how his power can bless and be made manifest in their lives.
7. They will bring us to our own "________ land" (37:45) PROMISED
The scriptures are leading us somewhere. Our own promised land of eternal life. They will help get us there.
8. The scriptures are like our own personal ___________ (37:38) LIAHONA
Such a great metaphor. The scriptures are a compass. Don’t try to navigate the wilderness of life without your compass. Your own personal Liahona. You’re liable to get lost.
9. They bring people "to the __________ of their God unto the salvation of their souls" (37:8) KNOWLEDGE
The scriptures teach us doctrine, principles, truth, and knowledge. The glory of is intelligence, or in other words, light and true.
10. They will "________ to you a straight course to eternal bliss" (37:44) POINT
The scriptures are straightforward and easy to grasp. Eternal bliss is our reward for following them.
11. They have been preserved "for a _____ purpose" (37:12,14,18). WISE
What is that wise purpose? Everything that we’re talking about right now.
DOWN
1. If we _______ to them, we may live forever (37:46) LOOK
Sounds simple right. Small and simple. Just look. Don’t get slothful, don’t get skeptical. Study your scriptures, and live.
3. They "_________ the memory"(37:8) ENLARGE
The scriptures help us to remember and by remembering, we stay committed.
4. They bring many "to the knowledge of the ________" (37:19) TRUTH
5. They bring many "unto ____________" (37:9) REPENTANCE
6. They "_________ many of the error of their ways" (37:8) CONVINCE
Hopefully, our study of the scriptures will lead us to be better people. That we will apply those truths and change when needed.
Well, as you look at that list of blessings, question, which have you recognized in your own life?
I love something that BYU professor Arthur Henry King said about the power of the scriptures:
"When we have the scriptures in our heart and our mind and our soul, then we have a means of measuring all things; we have a means of judging everything else. . . . If we are soaked in the scriptures, we shan't want to look at bad things on our walls or listen to bad music, because they won't fit. We shall intuitively reject them, just as we shall embrace what is good, because we shall have in our minds a firm and sound sense of what is in good taste." (Abundance of the Heart, pp. 129-30.)
That quote acts as a perfect segue for our next principle.
SHIELD THEM FROM EVIL INFLUENCES
There is a large section of chapter 37 that is focused on instructions regarding the 24 Jaredite plates found by Limhi’s people. In those instructions, Alma gives his son a warning regarding some of the information found in those plates. Verse 27.
27 And now, my son, I command you that ye retain all their oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their secret abominations; yea, and all their signs and their wonders ye shall keep from this people, that they know them not, lest peradventure they should fall into darkness also and be destroyed.
That tells me that there were certain things in the Jaredite records that were not appropriate for Helaman to pass on. That Alma worried that if those were to be revealed, it could cause them to also fall into darkness. What’s the application here? There are certain things that we should not expose our children to, certain evil influences that we should exert all our powers to protect them from. Now that’s not a very modern idea. We live in an age were people feel like we need to be exposed to every ugly, dirty, corrupt, and disturbing thing than anybody has ever done because, hey, that’s the real world. We live in a time where movies, music, books, magazines, video games, and websites are full of sleazy, violent, dark, and shocking content. And those who decide to try and insulate themselves from that, to shield their children from being influenced by it are often called sheltered, naive, or looking at life through rose-colored glasses. Well if that’s the case, three cheers for living a “sheltered” life. I don’t need to see that garbage. My children don’t need to hear that language, or see that content, or understand that perversion in order to live successful, happy, and productive lives. They just don’t. We should be careful what we allow ourselves and our children to come into contact with, because, as Alma says, “peradventure, they should fall into darkness also, and be destroyed”.
I’m grateful for amazing parents who did this for me, and even though at times I complained about their strict standards concerning media, I appreciate their efforts to protect me from the evil influences of the world. Hollywood does not love your children, don’t let it raise them. You raise them. Teach them what good movies are like, and what good music sounds like, and what good entertainment and diversion look like.
TEACH THEM YOUNG
Another idea in verse 35
35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
The message is simple. Teach them when they are young. It’s never too early to start teaching your children righteous principles. If we can successfully stir up our children’s faith when they are young, chances are they will remain true to it, even if they stray for a time. This advice is reminiscent of the famous proverb.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
TEACH THEM TO PRAY
Another principle in verses 36-37
36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever 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.
37 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.
Teach your children to pray. Let them see you praying. Share examples of times when your prayers have been answered. I think one of the reasons we are encouraged to have family prayers is so that our children can hear what communication with God sounds like. Hopefully, they can hear sincerity and devotion in our voices and not just vain repetitions.
PRAISE AND VALIDATE THEM
Chapter 38 contains Alma’s words to his son Shiblon and there are some similar thoughts here but I would like to point out two principles I see here.
Check out the following verses:
2 And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end.
3 I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the Zoramites.
4 For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word's sake; and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.
What’s Alma doing here? He’s praising his son. He’s expressing confidence in him. He’s validating his faith and efforts. We too can look for opportunities to praise our children. When they do something right, when they make good decisions, when they demonstrate positive qualities, recognize them. Build them up. It’s so easy to point out their faults, their shortcomings, and to feel the need to correct them discipline. And granted, discipline has its place. But we can balance that with praise, with encouragement, and with support.
TEACH THEM BALANCE AND CONTROL
Final principle. Verse 10-12. We maybe get a little bit of a peek into Shiblon’s character. We know he is a very good boy or man. But there seems to be a caution here.
10 And 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.
11 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.
12 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.
That seems to suggest that maybe Shiblon is good and he knows it and possibly could come off as being a little overzealous or prideful. Alma encourages him to be temperate in all things. To not boast of his much wisdom and strength. And then that excellent scripture. Use boldness, but not overbalance, bridle your passions, that ye may be filled with love.
Balance and Control. We should seek to teach our children these principles. Remember the Karate Kid and what all Daniel wanted to do at first was to learn how to punch and kick. But before all that Mr. Miagi kept having him do all that manual to engrain certain controlled moves into his reflexes and then to learn balance in the ocean wave. We too have got to learn those fundamentals. We need to be balanced, or temperate. Yes, we need to be bold, but not overbearing. We can push any principle too far. We all have passions but those passions need to be bridled or controlled, not necessarily destroyed. We need to bridle our self-confidence, a good thing, before it becomes uncontrolled pride and boasting. We need to bridle our love and attraction, a good thing, before it becomes uncontrolled lust. We need to bridle our courage and willingness to confront the blameworthy, a good thing, before it becomes uncontrolled anger. We need to bridle ambition, a good thing, before it becomes uncontrolled selfishness.
Well, there are other great parenting principles in these chapters, but I hope that the scriptures have given all of us some inspiration and counsel on what we perhaps could do more or better. Next week we’ll continue with this idea as we watch Alma work with a wayward child. Maybe some of you wonder what you can do when your child becomes rebellious or makes serious errors. We’re going to gain some great insights as we watch Alma teach his son Corianton. But that’s next week.
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES
My liken the scriptures section is going to be a bit more simple this week. I feel like I need to ask just two simple questions
What powerful parenting principle has impacted you the most during this study?
What is your plan for putting it into practice?
CONCLUSION
Like I said at the beginning, influencing the younger generation is perhaps one of the most important things we can do. I hope that we can all follow Alma’s example of stirring up the faith of his children. As a father, I know how difficult it is to raise children these days, and parents are often so self-critical and quick to condemn themselves for their shortcomings. Trust me, there are no perfect parents. The purpose of this lesson was not to give us more ammunition to rebuke ourselves, but rather, inspiration to try something more or to find an area where we can improve and put it into practice. Ultimately, our children and youth will have to make their own decisions and be responsible for them, but I pray that we can give them the best possible chance to live a happy, righteous, faith-filled life. And where we fall short, I believe that God, who is also their father, will make up the rest.
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