Come Follow Me: Scriptural Insights - Alma 32-35

This week's Come Follow Me topic is Alma 32–35. These chapters are packed with inspiring lessons and teachings. Here’s a quick breakdown and some key scriptural verses:

Alma 32

Verse 21: "And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."

Verse 27: "But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."

Alma 33

Verse 11: "And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son."

Alma 34

Verse 32: "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."

Verse 41: "But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions."

Alma 35

This chapter highlights the contention and challenges faced by the followers of Christ.

Dive deeper into these chapters to truly appreciate the messages they contain. Here’s the Link.

Questions for Personal and Teaching Lessons.

Supported verses were provided to help you assist on your study and might be for teachings.

These questions and verses will hopefully inspire deeper reflection and strengthen your study of these chapters.

1. What is the definition of faith according to Alma 32:21?
• "And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."
2. How can a desire to believe help us develop faith as mentioned in Alma 32:27?
• "But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."
3. In Alma 32:41-42, what are the stages of nurturing faith compared to?
• "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life."
4. How does Alma 33:11 teach us about the impact of sincere prayer?
• "And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son."
5. What assurance do we have about the mercy of God from Alma 33:16?
• "Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me."
6. Why is this life described as the time to prepare to meet God in Alma 34:32?
• "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."
7. What does Alma 34:41 teach about enduring afflictions?
• "But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions."
8. How does Alma 32:37-38 describe the process of faith growing in our hearts?
• "And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. ... If ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out."
9. According to Alma 34:17, how often should we call upon God?
• "Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you."
10. What does Alma 34:27 say about praying for others?
• "Yea, and when ye do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you."
11. How does Alma 32:42 describe the fruits of nourished faith?
• "And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."
12. What does Alma 32:28 compare the word of God to, and how should we treat it?
• "Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me."
13. According to Alma 33:4, how can remembering past mercies of God bolster our faith?
• "O God, when I did cry unto thee in my field, thou didst hear me; and in the wilderness thou didst hear me; and in the silent city thou didst hear me; and in the silent city thou didst hear my prayer."
14. What does Alma 34:11 introduce about the need for an infinite atonement?
• "Therefore, there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world."
15. How are we encouraged to look forward with an eye of faith according to Alma 32:40?
• "And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life."
16. What does Alma 34:39 counsel us regarding temptation?
• "Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing."
17. How does Alma 34:35 warn against procrastinating repentance?
• "For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked."
18. What does Alma 34:28 say about the importance of charity in prayer?
• "And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith."
19. What encouragement does Alma 32:30 give about the word of God growing within us?
• "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life."
20. What role does Jesus Christ play in our salvation according to Alma 34:15?
• "And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance."

Conference Messages
Here are 10 General Conference messages that align with insights from Alma 32–35, focusing on faith, prayer, mercy, and salvation.

I highly encourage you to take time reading these messages to gain deeper understanding and inspiration. These are just suggestions, so there's no need to take them all in one sitting. Always remember to allow the Holy Ghost to lead and teach you. The Spirit is the best guide for understanding what you need to learn and apply in your life.

• "Peacemakers Needed" - President Russell M. Nelson, April 2023
• Discusses the importance of emotional control, civility, and respect, echoing themes of humility and charity found in Alma 32.
• "The Love of God" - Elder D. Todd Christofferson, October 202
• Emphasizes God's love and mercy, aligning with the teachings about God's mercy and the invitation to come unto Him (Alma 34:15-17).
• "Becoming More in Christ: The Parable of the Slope" - Elder Clark G. Gilbert, October 2021
• Uses a parable to illustrate growth in Christ, relating to the progression of faith described in Alma 32:28-43.
• "Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains" - President Russell M. Nelson, April 2021
• Encourages faith in Jesus Christ to overcome challenges, paralleling Alma's teachings on faith as a seed (Alma 32:21).
• "Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with God" - Elder Dale G. Renlund, April 2020
• Focuses on justice, mercy, and humility, mirroring Amulek's teachings on prayer and mercy in Alma 34:17-27.
• "Come Follow Me" - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2019
• Urges members to follow Christ's example, resonating with Alma's call to plant the word of God in our hearts (Alma 33:22-23).
• "Your Great Adventure" - Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2019
• Describes faith as a principle of action and power, aligning with Alma's analogy of faith as a seed (Alma 32:37-42).
• "Hear Him" - President Russell M. Nelson, April 2020
• Encourages listening to the Savior's voice, akin to the exhortation to call upon God in prayer (Alma 34:17-27).
• "Divine Discontent" - Sister Michelle D. Craig, October 2018
• Talks about righteous efforts to improve and grow, reflecting the journey of nurturing faith (Alma 32:27-28).
• "Lift Up Your Head and Rejoice" - Elder M. Joseph Brough, October 2018
• Counsels on finding joy in trials, touching on overcoming afflictions through faith as discussed in Alma 34:39-41.

Other Academic Perspective
Some academic Perspective that you want to learn about. Just go on with the text and search to see the rest of the Topic.

When looking at Alma 32–35 from an academic perspective, scholars often examine the text within the larger context of ancient scripture and its literary, historical, and cultural elements. Here are a few academic insights:

Alma 32

• Faith as a Seed
• Symbolism: Scholars note that the imagery of planting a seed reflects agrarian societies' experiences. This metaphor is common in ancient texts to represent growth and transformation.
• Comparative Analysis: Faith development through a nurturing process is similar to teachings in other religious traditions, emphasizing patience and continual effort.
• Themes of Faith and Knowledge
• Philosophical Implications: The chapter delves into epistemology, exploring how faith transforms into knowledge. This can be compared to philosophical discussions on belief and evidence.

Alma 33

• Zenos and Zenock
• Textual Sources: Scholars are intrigued by these prophets, who aren't mentioned in the Old Testament. The Book of Mormon references them to highlight God's merciful nature and prayer.
• Intertextuality: This use of "lost" scripture suggests the Book of Mormon’s effort to show continuity with ancient Israelite traditions.
• Prayer and Worship
• Anthropological View: The universality of prayer and worship practices offers insights into communal religious experiences and their significance in different cultures.

Alma 34

• Atonement:
• Theological Debate: Amulek's teachings on the Atonement invite comparison with various atonement theories in Christian theology, such as ransom, satisfaction, and moral influence.
• Linguistic Analysis: The term "infinite and eternal sacrifice" can be broken down linguistically to understand its doctrinal implications better.

Alma 35

• Persecution and Social Dynamics
• Historical Context: This chapter’s depiction of social conflict and religious persecution can be analyzed in light of historical precedents of religious strife.
• Sociological Perspective: The reaction of the people and the ensuing migration highlight issues of identity, community, and resilience.

Suggested Approach

• Comparing Biblical Texts: Reviewing corresponding Biblical passages and their scholarly annotations can enrich understanding.
• Ancient Near Eastern Culture: Studying the broader cultural context of the Ancient Near East where these ideas may have originated.
• Evolving Religious Practices: Analyzing how religious practices and beliefs evolve over time within Israelite and Christian traditions.

These academic perspectives provide additional layers of understanding, enrich personal study, and help situate the Book of Mormon within a broader scholarly discourse. This is only an additional insight for personal study, if you want to use it in teachings, be sure to collect the right informations and approach to teach effectively.