Seminary
Alma 37: “By Small and Simple Things”

“Alma 37: ‘By Small and Simple Things,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)

“Alma 37,” Book of Mormon Student Manual

Alma 37

“By Small and Simple Things”

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young man studying scriptures

Sometimes our problems seem so big and complicated that we assume the solutions also need to be big and complicated. However, Alma taught his son Helaman that the Lord often uses small and simple things to do great things, such as allowing scriptures to point “the way [we] should go” in our lives (Alma 37:40). This lesson is intended to help you exercise faith in Jesus Christ as you study His word in the scriptures.

The greatness of small and simple things

  • What are some small and simple things that make a big difference in your life?

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young woman exercising
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smartphone
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toothbrush
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youth doing service cleaning the exterior of a building

As recorded in Alma 37, Alma entrusted Helaman with an important responsibility that the Lord used to greatly impact God’s children. Read Alma 37:1–2, 5–7 to see what it was and why it was so important.

If you would like to see a video portraying these verses, watch “Alma Counsels His Sons” from time code 3:15 to 5:05, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Follow along with the account in your scriptures.

One truth we can learn in Alma 37 is that the Lord uses the scriptures to bring salvation to many people.

  • Why do you think the Lord uses the scriptures to help people build faith in Jesus Christ and to come unto Him for salvation?

As you continue your study, ponder these questions: How do the scriptures help bring people to Jesus Christ and His salvation? How should I study in order to receive these great blessings?

If you do not feel you are receiving great blessings through scripture study, seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to know what you may need to recognize or change.

Great power of the scriptures

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Alma teaching his son

Alma reminded Helaman about ways the scriptures greatly impacted the Nephites and Lamanites. Read Alma 37:8–10, 14, looking for miraculous blessings the Lord brought about through the scriptures. Consider marking these blessings or listing them in your study journal.

  • Which of these blessings stood out to you? Why?

Alma taught that the scriptures “enlarged the memory of this people” (Alma 37:8). Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained this blessing:

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson

The scriptures enlarge our memory by helping us always to remember the Lord and our relationship to Him and the Father. They remind us of what we knew in our premortal life. And they expand our memory in another sense by teaching us about epochs, people, and events that we did not experience personally. (D. Todd Christofferson, “The Blessing of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 33)

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  1. Answer the following questions:

    • When have you or others you know experienced one of these blessings of scripture study?

    • How do you think the scriptures bring us “to the knowledge of the Lord … and to rejoice in Jesus Christ”? (Alma 37:9)

The Liahona and the words of Christ

After giving Helaman additional counsel, Alma likened the words of Christ to a specific small and simple thing that Lehi and his family used: the Liahona. Reflect on what you know about the Liahona.

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Lehi and his family looking at the Liahona

Read Alma 37:38–46 looking for small and simple things Lehi’s family had to do so the Liahona could guide them.

  1. Complete the following:

    To help you think about how Alma’s teachings about the Liahona apply to scripture study, take a moment to describe the following:

    1. Studying scriptures with faith in God (see Alma 37:40). What makes this different from other kinds of study?

    2. To become “slothful” and forget to “exercise … faith and diligence” through scripture study (Alma 37:41).

    If possible, record any experiences you have had that have helped you see how the scriptures act as a “director” to “point the way [we] should go” in our lives (Alma 37:38, 40).

Personal scripture study

Reflect on your current personal scripture study goals, habits, and experiences. Record in your journal what small adjustments you might make to allow the Lord to bless you in great ways. The following are a few suggestions:

Study the scriptures searching for more “knowledge of the Lord” or to “rejoice in Jesus Christ” (Alma 37:9).

  • This could include looking for references to Jesus Christ, His roles, and His mission. As you identify these references you could think about how Jesus Christ performs similar roles in your life. You could record expressions of gratitude in a journal or in the Gospel Library app as you find them.

Show faith in God as you study (see Alma 37:40).

  • This could include looking for ways to act on what you are studying and come unto Christ. You could regularly seek to answer the question “How can what I am studying help me come unto Christ to receive His blessings and follow His example?” You could record your responses in a journal.

Determine how you might avoid being “slothful” and forgetting to “exercise [your] faith and diligence” in your study (Alma 37:41).

  • This could include selecting a regular time each day to study your scriptures. You could also invite a family member or friend to follow up with you regularly about your scripture study efforts. If available, you might set a calendar reminder on a phone or other digital device each day.