Have Ye Received His Image in Your Countenance

Have Ye Received His Image in Your Countenance? Alma 5 -7

Alma Chief Judge High Priest Wickedness In and out of the Church

The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov 1985, 6

Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature. Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 77.

Alma: High Priest and Chief Judge for 8 years In the 9 th year Alma gives up his seat as chief judge to Nephihah and begins a reform movement to four cities

Alma 5 -7: Zarahemla and Gideon

Alma 5 What do you think of Alma’s teaching method in Zarahemla? Alma 5: A Spiritual Midterm

Alma 5 A Spiritual Checkup A thorough physical checkup every now and again, Is considered a plan of wisdom by most clear thinking men. So why not the same sort of checkup In our quest for the ultimate goal? A checkup, not just of the body But one as well, for the soul Carlos E Asay, BYU Dev, 21 August 1990

Occasions for spiritual assessment: n n n 1. When we partake of the sacrament in our worship services. 2. When we are interviewed by priesthood leaders-those who represent the Lord. 3. When we attend the temple--the house of God. 4. When we read "mirror" scriptures such as Alma 5. When we attend educational conferences such as BYU Education Week Carlos E Asay, BYU Dev, 21 August 1990

Alma 5: 6 -9 Why did Alma ask these three questions: n "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to the Church, – Have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? – Have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? – Have you sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell? " (Alma 5: 6)

Alma 5: 6 -9 Why did Alma ask these three questions: Captivity Mercy Deliverance And now behold, I say unto…you that belong to this church, have you: 1) sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? 2) … sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? 3) And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell? Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God.

Alma 5: 6 -9 Why did Alma ask these three questions: n "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to the Church, – Have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? – Have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? – Have you sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell? " (Alma 5: 6)

Alma 5: 10 Three more questions concerning their fathers n n On what conditions are they saved? What grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell? Answers: Alma 5: 11 -13

Saved? “As Latter-day Saints use the words saved and salvation, there at least six different meanings. According to some of these, our salvation is assured—we are already saved. In others, salvation must be spoken of as a future event. . . or as conditioned upon a future event. . But in all of these meanings, or kinds of salvation, salvation is in and through Jesus Christ” n Dallin H Oaks, Ensign, May 1998, 55). n

Have baptized members been saved? Salvation from physical death Yes, everyone is Salvation from sin Yes, but with conditions Born again Salvation from ignorance Yes, with baptism and process continues with renewal yes Salvation from the Second Death Yes, for all but a few Eternal Life or Exaltation Only known after the final judgment True to the Faith, 151 -153

Alma 5: 14, 45 -46 “Mighty change” “Born of God” Is this a single event? n n Except in…unusual circumstances, as with Alma (Mosiah 27), spiritual rebirth is a process. It does not occur instantaneously, . It comes to pass by degrees. Repentant persons become alive to one spiritual reality after another, until they are wholly alive in Christ and are qualified to dwell in his presence forever. Bruce R. Mc. Conkie DNTC 3: 401

Alma 5: 7 -14 Characteristics of the mighty change of heart They are “awakened. . . out of a deep sleep” and “illuminated by the light of the everlasting word” (Alma 5: 7). n “They humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God” (Alma 5: 13). n “faithful to the end” (Alma 5: 13) n

Alma 5 Spiritual Midterm What questions are especially meaningful to you? n What do you think of these questions as indicators of spirituality? n What did you learn as you read these through this time? n

Alma 5: 27 -29 What do we learn? n Ofttimes we must hollow our lives before the Lord can hallow them. Alma did not simply ask the people if they were humble and free from covetous inclinations; he asked if they had stripped themselves of pride and envy. In accepting the gospel during the dispensation of the fulness of times, we must truly lose ourselves, (Matt 10: 39) deny ourselves of all ungodliness, (Moroni 10: 32) cleanse the inner vessel, and (Alma 60: 23) give away all our sins, (Alma 22: 18) for the emptiness precedes the fullness n Spence J Condie, The Song of Redeeming Love, 1 -2 n n n

Alma 5: 19 What does it mean? n n "An 'image' is not just an outward visual impression but also a vivid representation, a graphic display, or a total likeness of something. It is a person or thing very much like another, a copy or counterpart. Likewise, countenance does not simply mean a facial expression or visual appearance. The word comes from an old French term originally denoting 'behavior, ' 'demeanor, ' or 'conduct. ' In earlier times the word countenance was used with these meanings in mind. "Therefore to receive Christ's image in one's countenance means to acquire the Savior's likeness in behavior, to be a copy or reflection of the Master's life. This is not possible without a mighty change in one's pattern of living. It requires, too, a change in feelings, attitudes, desires, and spiritual commitment. This involves the heart. " Andrew Skinner, (Studies In Scripture, 7: 301)

Alma 5: 26 Can ye feel so now? Spirituality, that condition of closeness with Once a person has “felt to sing the Lord through his Spirit, is like manna to song of redeeming love, ” what us. might cause that feeling to n We cannot live well without it, and it must diminish? be gathered every day. It isn’t enough to n have known, to have read, to have given, to What can we do to continue in the have prayed, to have obeyed. process of conversion? n Marion D Hanks, “An Attitude – The Weightier Matters, 71

Alma 5: 15 -18 How did you do on the spiritual midterm? Imagine you are standing before the Lord on Judgment Day n Which verse best represents how you felt? n

Alma 5: 53 -56 The most important question asked 4 times Will ye persist?

We can contemplate how far we have already come in the climb along the pathway to perfection; it is usually much further than we acknowledge, and such reflections restore resolve…We can allow for the reality that God is still more concerned with growth than with geography… This is a gospel of grand expectations, but God’s grace is sufficient for each of us if we remember that there are no instant Christians. Neal A Maxwell, Notwithstanding My Weakness, 9, 11

Alma 5: 37 -52 Alma shares his testimony

Alma 6: 1 -3 Zarahemla experienced… The mighty change of heart Lifted up in the pride of their hearts

How can we overcome pride? “The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness (see Alma 7: 23). … Let us choose to be humble. We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. … We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. … We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. … We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. …

We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. … We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently. … We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. … We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives” Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989, 6– 7).

Alma 7: 3 -6, 17 Preaches to the people of Gideon How is this audience different? n n What does he teach to this believing people? Vs 7 What is the most important thing to come?

Alma 7: 11 -13 What do we learn about the Savior?

He came to earth to experience: Pains n Afflictions n Temptations Why? n Sickness n Death n Infirmities n n n n So that: Loose the bands of death His bowels may be filled with mercy according to the flesh He may know how to succor his people Take upon him the sins of the world Blot out transgressions

Alma 7: 11 -13 Some Church members feel weighed down with discouragement about the circumstances of their personal lives, even when they are making sustained and admirable efforts. Frequently, these feelings of self-disappointment come not from wrongdoing, but from stresses and troubles for which we may not be fully to blame. The Atonement of Jesus Christ applies to these experiences because it applies to all of life. The Savior can wipe away all of our tears, after all we can do… The Savior’s atonement is… the healing power not only for sin, but also for carelessness, inadequacy, and all mortal bitterness. The Atonement is not just for sinners. Bruce C Hafen, Beauty for Ashes: The Atonement of Jesus Christ, Ensign, Apr 1990, 7

Will ye persist? When I am hot and rebellious, bitter and cynical and sarcastic; when it seems as though evil can win in the world and the battle is to the strong; when it seems as though pride possesses all the high places, and greatness belongs to those who can grab the most; when it seems as if faith is mocked, love fails miserably and humility is trodden in the dust; when pity seems weakness and sympathy folly; when a foul egotism rises up within me and would bid me assert myself, plan for myself, serve my own interests, play for my own hand "take care of number one"; then, O my Lord, may I hear in imagination the gentle splashing of water falling into a basin, and see the Son of God washing His disciples' feet! (Leslie D. Weatherhead, The Eternal Voice, New York: Abingdon Press, 1940, pp. 81 -82. )

Alma n The order of the church n Nehor n The order of Nehor n

Nehor

Zarahemla

Alma 5: 44 -62 Alma’s testimony

Situation 1 (Alma 1: 14 -16 n An anti-Christ named Nehor has been teaching priestcraft. He declares that religious leaders should be popular and supported by the people and that all mankind will be saved. In an argument with Gideon, a member of the Church, Nehor draws his sword and kills him. You are the new chief judge, and Nehor has been brought before you for judgment. What should you do?

Alma 1: 24 n Dissenters begin to persecute the members of the Church. Some of the members endure patiently, but some also begin to contend, both verbally and physically. You are the high priest of the Church. What should you do?

Alma 1: 33 n The members of the Church share their goods with the poor and work that all might have peace. The Lord blesses them and they prosper. Those who are not members of the Church are idle, wear costly apparel, practice idolatry, commit whoredoms, and are lifted up in pride. What should you do?

Alma 1: 12 Priestcraft 2 Nephi 26: 29 Priestcraft defined n He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion. n

Alma 1: 2 -6 Look for elements of priestcraft

Priestcraft vs Priesthood Nehor’s doctrine Alma 1: 3 -4 • Priests/Teachers should be popular • Supported by Priestcraft 2 Nephi 26: 29 • Set themselves up as a light to the world • Seek gain and praise the people • Do not seek the • Everyone will be redeemed welfare of Zion Priesthood Alma 1: 26 -28 • Raise the light of Christ, Preacher = Learner • Seek to serve the people • Seek the welfare of Zion

President Kimball "This impression weighs upon me—that the Church is at a point in its growth and maturity when we are at last ready to move forward in a major way. . (1979) The basic decisions needed for us to move forward, as a people, must be made by the individual members of the Church. The major strides which must be made by the Church will follow upon the major strides to be made by us as individuals. We have paused on some plateaus long enough. Let us resume our journey forward and upward. " (Conference Report, April 1979, p. 114. ) Why would we, as Saints, “pause” in our spiritual growth?

Elder Oaks I have spoken about miracles. I have given illustrations of miracles in the Church as a whole and in many different circumstances involving a few individuals or a crisis of weather or war. But the greatest miracle is not in such things as restoring sight to the blind, healing an illness, or even raising the dead, since all of these restorations will happen, in any event, in the Resurrection. Changing bodies or protecting temples are miracles, but an even greater miracle is a mighty change of heart by a son or daughter of God. . . If of the right kind, this change opens the door to the process of repentance that cleanses us to dwell in the presence of God. It introduces the perspective and priorities that lead us to make the choices that qualify us for eternal life, ‘the greatest of all the gifts of God’ (D&C 14: 7). ” Ensign, June 2001, p. 17

Alma goes on… And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? … Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not prepared to meet God.

President Benson Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing. The central feature of pride is ? ? ? Enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition. ” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.

C. S. Lewis We are not merely imperfect creatures who must be improved: we are…rebels who must lay down our arms. The first answer, then, to the question why our cure should be painful, is that to render back the will which we have so long claimed for our own, is in itself, wherever and however it is done, a grievous pain…But to surrender a self will inflamed and swollen with years of usurpation is a kind of death. We all remember this self-will as it was in childhood, the bitter, prolonged rage at every thwarting, the burst of passionate tears, the black, Satanic wish to kill or die rather than to give in. The problem of Pain, p. 91

Even more C. S. Lewis The natural life (natural man) in each of us is something self-centered, something that wants to be petted and admired, to take advantage of other lives, to exploit the whole universe. And especially it wants to be left to itself; to keep well away from anything better or stronger or higher than it, anything that might make it feel small. It is afraid of the light and air of the spiritual world, just as people who have been brought up to be dirty are afraid of a bath. And in a sense, it is quite right. It knows that if the spiritual life gets hold of it, all its self-centeredness and self-will are going to be killed and it is ready to fight tooth and nail to avoid that. Mere Christianity, p. 53

President Benson The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature. Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 77.

The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in… The world would mold men by changing their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature. Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov 1985, 6

Nehor’s doctrine n n n n “he preached to them that which he termed to be the word of God” (His idea, not God's) “bearing down against the church” (Did not want to be hampered by church standards) “every priest and teacher ought to become popular” (eloquence and charisma rather than qualifications) “ought not to labor” “ought to be supported by the people” “all mankind should be saved at the last day” “they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had create all men” “and had redeemed all men” “in the end, all men should have eternal life. ” “He began to be lifted up in pride. ” “wear costly apparel” “established a church after the manner of his preaching. ” “Because Gideon withstood him- he was therefore slain by the sword. ”

Are you saved? n n n n We are saved from the permanent effects of death. Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, all mankind will be resurrected. We are saved from sin through Christ’s Atonement and by following the gospel plan. Repentance is an important part of being saved from the consequences of our sins. We are saved when we are “born again. ” This happens when we enter into a covenant relationship with Christ by accepting baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and taking Christ’s name upon us. We must also faithfully keep and renew that covenant relationship. We are saved from the darkness of ignorance as we learn about the gospel plan. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings light into our lives. We are saved from the second death, which is final spiritual death, because of Christ’s Atonement. Everyone, except for those few who become sons of perdition, will enter into a kingdom of glory. Our hope is that we will be finally saved in the celestial kingdom. In addition to the other requirements, this salvation, or exaltation, also requires that we make sacred covenants in God’s temples and remain faithful to them Dallin H Oaks, Ensign, May 1998, pp. 55– 57).