Alma’s intimate words to his sons model a way to use honest sharing about the past to better the present and future. This core episode covers Alma’s path to peace, the principle that we cannot feel greater joy than we have experienced pain, the underappreciated figure of Shiblon, and finally, challenge to the unhealthy idea… Continue Reading
Latest in: Atonement
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This lesson and the next provide a precious and intimate window in the family life of Alma, one of the great Book of Mormon prophets. These chapters fit into the genre of “Testament”, which records the wisdom and blessings imparted by the patriarch of a family (unfortunately, we don’t have any records of a matriarch… Continue Reading
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Plant this Word in your Hearts How many superstars of theology can we fit into a few chapters? Truth. Prayer. Atonement. These chapters contain some of the most memorable lessons and gems in the Book of Mormon. The “experiment upon the word” in Alma 32, Amulek’s powerful sermon on the Atonement and role of this… Continue Reading
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“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. Class Member Reading: Alma 5-7 Diana and Jacob join the class.… Continue Reading
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The idea that we humans are “enemies to God” is disturbing, but the deeper and equally troubling truth is that we are mostly just disappointing. Paradoxically, it is by fully acknowledging our humanness that we redeem it through humble orientation toward grace, God, and goodness. You can access the text of my talk here (or… Continue Reading
Engaging Gospel Doctrine 