Alma 36-39

In our lesson this week we covered Alma 36-38, which comprises Alma's counsel to his sons Heleman and Shiblon.  Alma 39 will be included in the next lesson as we will cover the counsel given to Corianton as a whole.

Chapter 37 contains many scriptural gems, which are often quoted and are regarded by many as favourite scriptures.  Think of the following phrases: "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" ... "O, remember my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God" ... "let all thy doings be unto the Lord" ... "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings and he will direct thee for good" ... 

Speaking about "small and simple things, Elder M Russell Ballard tells this story: 

"Oftentimes we are like the young merchant from Boston, who in 1849, as the story goes, was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them.  Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks.

Discouraged and broke, he was ready to quit until one day an old, experienced prospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of rocks you are getting there, my boy.” The young man replied, “There’s no gold here. I’m going back home.”  Walking over to the pile of rocks, the old prospector said, “Oh, there is gold all right. You just have to know where to find it.” He picked two rocks up in his hands and crashed them together. One of the rocks split open, revealing several flecks of gold sparkling in the sunlight. Noticing a bulging leather pouch fastened to the prospector’s waist, the young man said, “I’m looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, not just tiny flecks.”  The old prospector extended his pouch toward the young man, who looked inside, expecting to see several large nuggets. He was stunned to see that the pouch was filled with thousands of flecks of gold.
The old prospector said, “Son, it seems to me you are so busy looking for large nuggets that you’re missing filling your pouch with these precious flecks of gold. The patient accumulation of these little flecks has brought me great wealth.”

Ponder and journal your thoughts on following questions from Elder Ballard's talk:

• What are the precious, simple things of the gospel that bring clarify and purpose to my life?
• What are the flecks of gospel gold whose patient accumulation over the course of my lifetime will reward me with the ultimate treasure—the precious gift of eternal life?
• How can I keep my life simple and unencumbered by extraneous influences?
• How can I focus my life on those things that matter most?
• How can I love God and Christ with all of my heart, soul and mind?
• Can I share this love with my neighbours through acts of kindness and service?
• Do I practise the Golden Rule in my home, and am I thoughtful in my words and actions?
• Do I practise the Golden Rule at church, treating others kindly, speaking words of support and encouragement, and being sensitive to other’s needs?
• Can I share my love of the Lord with my friends with honesty and love?

To conclude with Elder Ballard's words:

"Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a sense of peace and joy each time we reach out to one another."

Resources

CS Lewis : The Problem of Pain
Robert L Millett : God and Human Tragedy 
M Russell Ballard : Finding Joy through Loving Service

Institute Calendar