Alma 17-22

This one's about teaching the gospel, meeting people where they're at, acknowledging possibilities and taking a leap of faith.  

CH 17

V2 "waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth.. men of sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently that they might know the word of God". 

Verse 2 shows that we need to KNOW the gospel

Verse 3 shows that we need to FEEL the gospel. 

V3 These brothers prayed and fasted, but i like how it says that they "had given themselves to much prayer and fasting". Makes me think it's not a simple check the box kind of action, but you really give yourself unto it until the purpose is a part of you. 

They had the "spirit of prophecy", which is the testimony of Jesus Christ, and the "spirit of revelation", which is having the Holy Ghost with us as we learn from the Doctrine and Covenants. 

So, we are able to teach with power and authority if we teach our testimonies of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Teach your testimony

V4 They had been teaching for 14 years, and had much success. 

V5 But there's always a verse 5 struggle in the shadows of our verse 4 success, the things we don't often see when we see successful people. "many afflictions, both in body and mind.. hunger, thirst, fatigue, labor in the spirit."

V10 low-key i love this verse. First the Lord visits them with His spirit, like He always does when you pray for others like they did in verse 9. Then the Lord simply said "Be comforted." And they were comforted. 

I think there is an unspoken action in between the lines "Be comforted" and "they were comforted." God never forces us to do anything, so these sons of Mosiah must have chosen to be comforted. I know it sounds simple and is easily overlooked, but sometimes you just have to look around you and have an eye to see what God has given you, and choose the comfort He has to offer. 

V11 The Gospel is not an escape from afflictions, but gives you hope and courage to endure them well. "be patient in long-suffering and afflictions" V12 "took courage" V13 "trusting in the Lord"

V14 Can you imagine being called to the mission of "a wild and hardened and a ferocious people"?

V18 A good leader ministers, blesses, and teaches. 

V28-29 Okay so Ammon arrives, chooses to be a servant, and first day on the job his sheep get scattered. The other servants are so quick to weep and think all is lost... 

When the storm comes, do we weep for ourselves and have a pity party? Or will you react like Ammon with joy because that means there are plenty who need saving?

V33, they've gathered all the sheep back together, and now the threat comes again.

V35 I don't think Ammon was this ripped up warrior, because this band of thugs thought they could slay him "according to their pleasure". If they had seen what we see in Arnold Friberg's painting, I don't think anybody would mess with him. 

Unfortunately for these thugs, the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would deliver his sons. 

You know how that ends. 💪🏻

Ch 18

V2-3. It's the "faithfulness of Ammon" that surprised the King even more than his strength with the sword. When you show you're a friend, people tend to drop their defenses and listen to what you have to say. 

V5. This story is about teaching people where they're at. 

Sometimes I am too eager to preach about Jesus Christ or testify that the church is true, but if my listener is like King Lamoni, I've missed the mark. He believed that there is a God, or at least a great spirit.. but he also believed that whatever thing they did was right and there was no consequence. 

Well if God is real, there is no reason or need for a Jesus Christ... unless, there is sin. Once we can establish that there is sin and God is a just god who cannot tolerate it in his presence, then we need a savior. 

V14 Talk about not giving up and being patient! Sometimes we make an invitation, ask a question or make a comment to a friend, they don't respond like we'd hope right away, so we never revisit that topic. Sometimes, they just need a little time to ponder on it. So don't be shy to stand your ground or revisit that topic a while later. 

I think the miracle that happens in these verses is that a spiritual need was created in a man because of the temporal things done by Ammon. 

V24-28 Ammon finds common ground with Lamoni, and builds on the goodness that is already there. 

V34-39 Ammon connects the dots from where Lamoni is at: 

God is real, sin is real, Christ is necessary. 

Ch 19

V4-5 The queen, Lamoni's wife, is my favorite female character in the book of Mormon. As she speaks to Ammon she says "i heard you are a prophet of a god". I don't think she means that there are many gods like the romans, since her husband believed that there is one "great spirit". To me she is just acknowledging the possibility that he could be a prophet, that there could be a god. I LOVE THIS. It's all I can ask of anyone as they learn about the gospel or read the book of Mormon. Acknowledge that Christ could have come, died, and been resurrected. That he could have restored his church, that he could have called prophets and apostles in today's world. Because if he did all those things... wouldn't it be important to find out?

Lamoni's wife shows great faith in the unknown; "therefore, if this is the case..."

If you approach these questions with this plausible mentality, I personally witness that you will find an answer. If you approach these questions with curiosity but deep down you think it's impossible for Christ to do such things, you will receive no witness. 

V6 In a way, Lamoni is dying. But it's the natural man in him that is dying, darkness being cast out with light, "light that had infused such joy into his soul". 

V9-10 I think we need to recognize that those with different beliefs than us may have greater faith than us. Lamoni's wife, not a life-long member of the Church of Christ, has shown greater faith than anyone back home in the land of Nephi. When we believe in the testimony of someone else, it almost always leads to obtaining one of our own. 

V12 Lamoni finally wakes up and his first words are "Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art thou."

A better understanding of God, should lead to a better appreciation of women. I think Lamoni just gained both. 

V22-23 Another example of how the Lord keeps his promises. 

V33 How do you know if you've had a change of heart? When you have no more desire to do evil. 

Ch 20

V23 This is the 3rd time Ammon has been offered a kingdom, yet just wants to build the kingdom of God.

1st by his father King Mosiah - "na i'll go teach the Lamanites". 2nd by King Lamoni - "na i'll be your servant." 3rd by the King of all the Lamanites - "na just let Lamoni govern his own people and free my brothers". 

V26 The BEST message we can teach, love. 

Ch 22

V12-13 The plan of salvation in a nutshell. 

V14 Christ's sufferings and death atone for our sins. 

Gethsemane + Calvary + Christ = Atonement. 

V15:

Be willing to give up everything, and you will receive everything 

V16 When you want an answer from God, you have to believe that he can answer you, and that he wants to answer you. And he will. 

V18 One of the more humble and vulnerable prayers in the scriptures. 

I also love that he is willing to give up all his sins... can't hold on to your favorite. 

BOOM. you are spiritually swole. Now go do some socially distant service and see what happens :)