“They Taught with Power and Authority of God”   The sons of Mosiah are not the only powerful characters in these chapters–or even the main characters. We learn much from Lamanite kings, queens, and servants. This new core episode returns to Alma 17-22 and focuses on vulnerability and authenticity, meeting and serving people where they… Continue Reading

Challenge and Be Challenged by the Scriptures   In this bonus episode, I describe my process of preparing for the podcast and reading the scriptures, as well as make recommendations for scripture reading in general. I discuss literary, personal, intertextual, and historical approaches, and send scripture reading down the rabbit hole. The takeaway is that we… Continue Reading

“More Than One Witness”   Alma and Amulek’s tag-team preaching raises profound questions about how we with our limitations can know anything. Truly we have need of “more than one witness.”   Class Member Reading: Alma 8-12 Recurring Donation: $10   $25   $50 One Time Donation: $25   $50   $100 Bookmark this Amazon link to support the podcast… Continue Reading

“Have Ye Received His Image in Your Countenances?” Alma has some impressive rhetorical skills on display in his interrogative sermon in chapter 5. He encourages his audience to access their past selves, future selves, ideal selves, and imagine dying and standing accountable before God. Diana and Jacob join the class. Class Member Reading: Alma 5-7… Continue Reading

“Alma … Did Judge Righteous Judgments”   In these chapters, we need to challenge the narrator. Mormon assures us that Alma is right and Nehor is wrong, that the Nephites are just and the Amlicites are wicked. But a closer reading challenges, or at least nuances these claims, giving us an opportunity o explore bias… Continue Reading

“My Soul Is Pained No More” We all know the story of the conversion of Alma the Younger, but too rarely pause and ask the deeper questions that add richness and applicability to this narrative. Why did Alma want to destroy the Church? If God can send an angel ex machina to convince someone of… Continue Reading

“None Could Deliver Them but the Lord”   This reading is a study in contrasts–covenantal cooperation vs. exploitation, desperate vengeance vs. trusting submission. Alma’s baptismal covenants teach us to bear each other’s burdens, mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those in need of comfort. The contrasting stories of the enslavement of Limhi and Alma’s… Continue Reading

“God Himself … Shall Redeem His People”   Abinadi is like a Spy-Prophet-Debater-Theologian as he sneaks back into the land of Shilom, speaks out against wickedness of king and people, and finally digs into some hard-hitting theology as he debates Noah and his priests. These chapters address themes such as submission, the nature of God,… Continue Reading

“A Seer … Becometh a Great Benefit to His Fellow Beings”   Zeniff is a largely unknown but fascinating figure who went from spy to king… and had terrible judgment when it came to choosing a successor. The contrast between Zeniff and his son Noah teach important lessons about accountability and the way we see and… Continue Reading