Alma 13:6-10

Questions

In verse 7 Alma says "according to his foreknowledge of all things." What do these verse tell us about the foreknowledge of God?

What are we to make of the end of verse 6 "that they also might enter into his rest"? It seems "they" refers to those that the high priests teach. If that is the case, then they (those who have been taught) also "enter" into his rest. Does this mean that the high priests have already entered his rest? Is entering into his rest the same as 'joining the church'? If not, how is it different? If it is similar but not the same, how does this nuance enhance our understanding of teaching and learning the gospel?

In vs. 9 re read the familiar phrase about being "full of grace, equity, and truth". In this case it is referring to "the Only Begotten of the Father". Since we read elsewhere that Christ grew from grace to grace, what are we to make of the claim in vs. 9 that the Only Begotten of the Father is without beginning of days or end of years? Does this tell us anything useful about the nature of grace or how it might be obtained?

What does vs. 10 tell us about the importance of the priesthood service as part of the gospel? In this section we read about faith and repentence leading to ordination and priesthood service--so that we can follow Christ. Can we follow Christ without the priesthood? For truely sanctifying service, do we need the priesthood in order to follow "after the order of the Son" (vs.9)?

While it might be impossible to know what the original word was that is translated in vs. 9 as "grace", the original Hebrew "chen" signifies favour or grace, and is translated in the Greek NT as "charis"--that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweentess, and charm or goodwill, loving kindness, favour. It is a noun that comes from the Greek verb "chairo"--to rejoice, be glad. So grace is tied to rejoicing, granting favors, and affording pleasure and delight. We grow from grace to grace when we cause God to rejoice by our bestowing favor and loving kindness on others, with ever growing abilities to create greater and greater joy.

One who is full of this grace or charis is charismatic, and we respond to them by giving grace for grace.

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