If you didn’t read the opening to the lesson, here it is:
After nearly three generations of living in separate lands, the Nephites were one people again. Limhi’s people, Alma’s people, and Mosiah’s people—even the people of Zarahemla, who were not descended from Nephi—were now all “numbered with the Nephites” (Mosiah 25:13). Many of them also wanted to become members of the Church that Alma had established. So all those who “were desirous to take upon them the name of Christ” were baptized, “and they were called the people of God” (Mosiah 25:23–24). After years of conflict and captivity, it seemed that the Nephites would finally enjoy a period of peace.
But before long, unbelievers began persecuting the Saints. What made this especially heartbreaking was that many of these unbelievers were the believers’ own children—the “rising generation” (Mosiah 26:1), including the sons of Mosiah and one son of Alma. Then a miracle happened, and the account of that miracle has given hope to anguished parents for generations. But the story of Alma’s conversion is not just for parents of wayward children. True conversion is a miracle that, in one way or another, needs to happen in all of us.
I love that last statement! True conversion is a miracle that, in one way or another, needs to happen in all of us. What would you say is true conversion? And why and how is it a miracle? And why do we need it to happen to us?
Our Heavenly Father is amazing!!! We have no idea how great His love really is. I get glimpses of it, but those glimpses only let me know that there is so much more that I don’t know. True conversion, in my opinion, is desperately wanting and seeking to know all that we don’t know in regards our Heavenly Father. It is knowing and experiencing enough of His love and mercy and grace and forgiveness and hope that we desire and strive through our actions and our intentions (our hearts) to cling to Him. This means we let Him love us even when we can’t love ourselves. It means getting outside our comfort zones to serve Him and help others. It means loving fearlessly…
Why is it a miracle? Because we can’t do it by ourselves. Because it is the turning point in our lives where God can finally begin to mold us into that beautiful potential He has seen in us all along. You are so much more than you know! It’s not what you are going to become, all of that is actually already within you, but it is when will you choose to be it. That is His miracle. He’s ready to mold you whenever you are.
Why do we need it to happen? … We can’t be all that we are meant to be without it, plain and simple.
I am responsible for my own faith and testimony.
When studying this section with my kids the other day, we talked about people in our lives whom we would love to see learn of the gospel. I asked them why they would like for those people to learn about Jesus. I loved that they all responded that they wanted their family and friends to be happy and that Jesus brings happiness into our lives. I hope my kiddos hang on to that knowledge forever! This gospel is where you will find the greatest happiness possible. I know that. I have been on both sides of it. There isn’t greater happiness anywhere.
God’s faithful servants seek to do His will.
The example of this is Alma. He doesn’t quite know how to judge some people in a certain situation and instead of just choosing something, he seeks guidance from the Lord, “fearing that he should do wrong in the sight of God.” His example of leading in great humility and pureness of heart is only one of many. Lehi asked for guidance in several situations. Nephi did too. Captain Moroni seeks the Lord’s help in battle. Joseph Smith asked several key questions to help us decipher the way, and all of the prophets after that have continued in that tradition.
When we are put in positions of power, we have opportunities to lead in love, after the Lord, or to lead according to our own designs. There are no promises made for our success or that of those we are leading when we choose to lead after our own designs. When we choose to lead after the will of the Lord, however, the continued promise is that we will “prosper in the land.” I love the examples of righteous men throughout the scriptures and history that lead after the will of the Lord.
All men and women must be born again.
I feel like we already hit on this in the first section a little, but it asks as we read and think about Alma the younger’s experience we consider putting ourselves in his shoes. “You can surely think of things about yourself that need to change.” Here are some key questions asked in this section:
- Who is supporting you and praying for you? Alma’s father had been earnestly praying for him. Have you ever thought about who might be praying for you and your situation? Personally, that’s not something I usually think about, but is super sweet to consider. I love people who stop in their own crazy busy lives long enough to consider and especially pray for the needs of someone else. That’s sweet and a great way to demonstrate love.
- What experiences in your life have helped to convince you of the power and authority of God? I have had several of these where I felt He rescued me. I have seen His power in healing. I have seen it through guidance in my life. I could go on and on about this one.
- What great things has the Lord done for you or your family that you should remember? Remembering is a continuing theme in the Book of Mormon. It is a method of humility and gratitude that is used over and over again. It is definitely something we should implement into our own lives and remember all that we have to be grateful for.
The Lord’s hand is everywhere in our lives, even when we can’t see it, it is there. He loves us dearly and will never abandon us. I know this.
Forever grateful for His love.
