Lamoni’s Father
Understanding the Scriptures
Alma 22
| Generosity (v. 3) | Unselfishness |
| Carnal state (v. 13) | Mortal or temporal condition |
| Merit (v. 14) | Be worthy of or entitled to |
| Rooted out of my breast (v. 15) | Removed from my heart or soul |
| Prostrate himself (v. 17) | Fall down in reverence |
| Pacified (v. 25) | Made peaceful |
| Hemmed in (v. 33) | Surrounded |
Alma 22:12–14—To Understand the Atonement We Must First Understand the Doctrines of the Creation and the Fall of Adam
Elder Bruce R. McConkie, who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, wrote, “The Father’s eternal plan called for the creation, for the fall, and for the atonement, all woven together into one united whole” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 82).
President Ezra Taft Benson helped us understand this further:
“The Book of Mormon Saints knew that the plan of redemption must start with the account of the fall of Adam. …
“Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ.
“No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind. And no other book in the world explains this vital doctrine nearly as well as the Book of Mormon. …
“Are we accepting and teaching what the revelations tell us about the Creation, Adam and the fall of man, and redemption from that fall through the atonement of Christ? …
“Do we understand and are we effective in teaching and preaching the Atonement? What personal meaning does the Lord’s suffering in Gethsemane and on Calvary have for each of us?
“What does redemption from the Fall mean to us?” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 106–7; or Ensign, May 1987, 85).
Studying the Scriptures
Do activities A and B as you study Alma 22.
Identify Key Words
-
1.
Review Alma 22:5–11 and list five key words that represent the major ideas in this passage.
-
2.
Circle the word you think is most important and explain why you picked it.
-
3.
Why do you think missionaries begin by teaching basic gospel principles?
Answer the Question
-
1.
According to Alma 22:12–14, what three essential doctrines did Aaron teach the king? (see the “Understanding the Scriptures” section for Alma 22:12–14 for help, if needed).
-
2.
After learning those doctrines, the king asked two important questions (see v. 15). Write those two questions in your own words.
-
3.
Using Alma 22:15–18 as a pattern, write your response if a friend asked you those questions.
Official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
© 2013 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All Rights Reserved
