Difference between revisions of "Alma 5:14-32"
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What is the correct answer to the question in verse 27: "Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently bhumble?" This sounds like a trick question. Won't both a "yes" and a "no" keep you out of heaven because either answer indicates that one lacks sufficient humility? The correct answer is probably the following: "yes, I am humble because I fully understand that in and of myself, I am nohting, am totally lost. My virtue flows from Christ. What have I to boast of but his merciful grace?" | What is the correct answer to the question in verse 27: "Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently bhumble?" This sounds like a trick question. Won't both a "yes" and a "no" keep you out of heaven because either answer indicates that one lacks sufficient humility? The correct answer is probably the following: "yes, I am humble because I fully understand that in and of myself, I am nohting, am totally lost. My virtue flows from Christ. What have I to boast of but his merciful grace?" | ||
Revision as of 01:36, 20 March 2012
The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 5
| Previous (Alma 5:21-25) | Next (Alma 5:31-35) |
Contents
Questions
Verse 26
- Why does Alma call these people his "brethren"? Are these people of his Nephite lineage, or members of the Church, or both?
- Why is experiencing the change of heart described as singing “the song of redeeming love"? What does the question of this verse suggest is Alma’s concern for the people of Zarahemla? How is it an appropriate question for us?
- How is it possible to experience a change of heart, but to lose that feeling?
Verse 27
- Does it make sense to understand these questions as tests we can use to answer the question, “Am I clean?”
- Is Alma using humility and having one’s garments washed clean as parallel concepts in this verse? If not, why does he particularly mention humility?
Verse 28
- What does it mean to be stripped of pride? Why are we unprepared to meet God if we are not stripped of pride?
Verse 29
- What might Alma mean here by “envy"? How does envy prevent us from being in the presence of God?
Verse 30
- What mockery or persecution within the Church might Alma have in mind? (Compare Alma 1:22-24—how did the contention with those outside the Church lead to excommunications?)
Lexical notes
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes
Exegesis
Verse 27: A Paradoxical Quesiton
What is the correct answer to the question in verse 27: "Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently bhumble?" This sounds like a trick question. Won't both a "yes" and a "no" keep you out of heaven because either answer indicates that one lacks sufficient humility? The correct answer is probably the following: "yes, I am humble because I fully understand that in and of myself, I am nohting, am totally lost. My virtue flows from Christ. What have I to boast of but his merciful grace?"
Related links
- In a 1989 Fireside address at BYU titled Come unto Christ, Elder Eyring talks about how these verses (specifically 26-31) can be use to help understand whether we have had a change of heart, i.e. whether we have repented.
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