Alma 36:26-30
From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 36
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Contents |
Questions
Verse 26
- How has the word "imparted unto" Alma brought many to "have been born of God"? How does the word do that?
- What does it mean that many have "seen eye to eye as [Alma has] seen"? Does that mean they all saw the throne of God too, or just that they have been filled with joy?
- How does Alma know that "the knowledge which [he has] is of God"?
Verse 27
- How does the Lord deliver us in our daily trials?
- What is the difference between being "supported under trails and troubles" and being delivered from them?
- What does Alma mean by being "delivered"?
- In what sense is the outcome of a trial more important than avoiding trials?
Verse 28
- Is this verse parallel to v. 2? Why would Alma begin and end the account of his conversion by reminding Helaman of this scriptural type?
- How does Alma know that he will be raised up at the last day?
- What does it mean to "dwell...in glory"?
- What is the importance of the testimony that Alma has of divine intervention in history?
Verse 29
- How important is this concept of being delivered out of bondage?
- Why does Alma always retain in remembrance the captivity of his ancestors? Why does he tell his son to always retain that remembrance as well?
- Alma sees to identify somehow with those who have been captive and delivered in past ages. Are we to do the same? Is this different from seeing ourselves as co-workers in the kingdom with people from past dispensations?
Verse 30
- How are verses 28-29 (and, therefore, also v. 3) a type for what Alma says in this verse?
- Here Alma repeats the promise made in verse 1 but adds the warning "and ye ought to know also, that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence." Why is this warning not included at the beginning of their discussion (in verse 1)?
- How does this promise reflect the message of Deuteronomy? How does this teaching relate to modern "prosperity gospels"?
Lexical notes
- v. 27: Notice the parallelism found in this passage. "God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me."
Exegesis
vs.28-30: In verses 28-29 Alma cites examples of how the Lord has delivered His people in the past and exhorts them to retain [these things] in rememberance. In verse 30 he turns to the importance of keeping the commandments and how, if we do, we will not be cut off from the presence of the Lord. Alma's preaching to the people of Zarahemla in Alma 5 also called on the people to remember how the Lord had delivered their fathers from captivity. He then asks "And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?" Alma 5:6 Alma seems to be emphasizing the importance of retaining in rememberance that the Lord's deliverance is not only physical but also spiritual.
Related links
User:Amberdawnwp comments on this chapter and specifically verses 27 & 28 here.
- See User:Brettferre/Alma 36:26-30 for a related quote by M Russel Ballard.
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