Mosiah 18 - 24

Our preparation for this weeks lesson was to read James E Faust's 1991 Conference Talk "The Lord's Day".  This talk was used as a doctrinal basis to discuss a case study on Sabbath Observance (Mormon Channel - "Sabbath Day : Why I Believe").  How do the experiences and testimony of others encourage and strengthen your own sabbath observance?

It is interesting and enlightening to observe the differences between the people of King Limhi and the people of Alma with regard to their response hardship, and how the people were delivered from the Lamanites.

"Limhi’s people came into Lamanite bondage as a result of their wickedness (see Mosiah 20:21); they were humbled and turned to God as a result of their bondage. Alma’s people were brought into bondage as a trial of their faith (see Mosiah 23:21). Both groups prayed mightily to be released from bondage. While both groups of people were eventually delivered and arrived in Zarahemla, the Lord helped each group in different ways."

In your study journals, reflect on the following:

1.  The differences between WHEN each group decided to turn to the Lord for deliverance (Mosiah 21:11–15 and 23:25–29; 24:9–12).

2.  How did the Lord help each group with their burdens? (Mosiah 21:15–17 and

24:13–15).

3. What differences are there in the Lord’s involvement in what happened to the Lamanite guards that allowed each group to get away? (Mosiah 22:3–11 and 24:16–19).

4. How did the Lord influence the armies that were sent to recapture each group differently? (Mosiah 22:13–16 and 24:20–25).

The records of Limhi and Alma prompt questions such as: how do we respond to external hardship?  How does the Lord provide deliverance?  As discussed in class, Sister Pam Grant shared her experience of a time where she was faced with a great difficulty.  Sis Grant reports praying to the Lord and pleading for help and feeling the burden of the difficulty lifting.  Nothing, said Sis Grant, changed in the circumstance - not one single thing - but she was no longer burdened by the difficulty. 

Think of a time when you have prayed for help with your burdens.  How did the Lord provided deliverance?  Did you recognise it at the time?  Record your experience and testimony in your journal. Contemplate sharing a brief version of your deliverance on your favourite social media site!

One insight from studying the trials and deliverance of Limhi’s group, is that the Lord will answer our prayers in His own way and time as we humble ourselves. An insight from studying the trials and deliverance of Alma’s people, is that we can rely on the Lord for strength amid our own struggles and challenges.

Resources:

Arthur R Bassett : Alma the Elder

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1977/02/alma-the-elder?lang=eng