Missionary work requires great effort and can be discouraging at times. When President Gordon B. Hinckley was a young missionary in England, he felt very discouraged. “[He] wrote his father that he wasn’t getting anywhere with missionary work, and that he couldn’t see the point in wasting his time and his father’s money. Responding as both father and stake president, Bryant Hinckley sent a reply that was brief and to the point: ‘Dear Gordon, I have your recent letter. I have only one suggestion: forget yourself and go to work’” (Sheri L. Dew, Go Forward with Faith: The Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley [1996], 64).Alma became discouraged while preaching in Ammonihah. As you read of his experience, look for how the Lord encouraged and strengthened him so that he would continue his labors.
Understanding the Scriptures
Alma 8
| Holy order of God (v. 4) | Melchizedek Priesthood |
| Reviled (v. 13) | Insulted, abused |
| Anguish (v. 14) | Sorrow, grief, agony |
| Contrary to the statutes (v. 17) | Against the laws |
| Did wax more gross (v. 28) | Became worse |
Studying the Scriptures
Do two of the following activities (A–C) as you study Alma 8.
Write an Article
Compare Alma’s experiences in the land of Melek (see Alma 8:3–6) and in Ammonihah (see vv. 7–13). If you were a newspaper reporter assigned to write an article about Alma’s visit to each place, what would you write? Be sure to include how he was treated and why you think he was treated that way.
Summarize What Was Said
An angel spoke to both Alma and Amulek.
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1.
Summarize what the angel said to Alma (see Alma 8:14–17) and to Amulek (see Alma 8:20; 10:7).
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2.
How might what the angel said encourage missionaries today?
Write a Letter Home
Imagine you are Alma or Amulek writing a letter to your family. Study Alma 8:21–32 and write a note home about what is happening in the mission to Ammonihah.
