How do we escape our Ammonihahs?

1. How do we escape our Ammonihahs? Alma 8-12

2. Alma Chief Judge High Priest Wickedness In and out of the Church

3. Alma: High Priest and Chief Judge for 8 years • In the 9th year Alma gives up his seat as chief judge to Nephihah and begins a reform movement to four cities

4. Alma 8:1 Alma 5-7: Zarahemla and Gideon Alma 8-12: Melek and Ammonihah

5. How do we escape our Ammonihahs? Alma 16:9-11

6. Doctrine of Nehor • Nehor zealously preached the following doctrines: • 1) Priests and teachers should be paid for their preaching and hold a privileged status (Alma 1:3). • 2) There will be a universal salvation for all mankind. (Alma 1:4, Alma 11:37, Alma 14:5). • 3) There is no need for repentance. (Alma 15:15)

7. Does our world resemble Ammonihah? • Driven by power or money • Go to any lengths to obtain their desires • Blinded by the subtle craftiness of men

8. What happened and why? Alma 8:8-9 Ammonihah Alma 8:4-5 Melek

9. Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people • The heart is a tender place. It is sensitive to many influences, both positive and negative. It can be hurt by others. It can be deadened by sin. It can be softened by love. Early in our lives, we learn to guard our hearts. It is like we erect a fence around our hearts with a gate in it. No one can enter that gate unless we allow him or her to.

10. In some cases the fence we erect around our hearts could be likened to a small picket fence with a Welcome sign on the gate. Other hearts have been so hurt or so deadened by sin that they have an eight-foot chain-link fence topped with razor wire around them. The gate is padlocked and has a large No Trespassing sign on it. • Gerald N. Lund, “Opening Our Hearts,” Ensign, May 2008, 32–34

11. Alma 8:10Wrestling? • “Wrestling with God? Does God resist you? Do you have to resist him? No, you have to put yourself into position, in the right state of mind. Remember, in our daily walks of life as we go around doing things, we're far removed…You have to get yourself in form, like a wrestler having to look around for a hold or get a grip, as Jacob did when he wrestled with the Lord. You have to size yourself up, take your stance, circle the ring, and try to find out how you're going to deal with this particular problem.

12. Wrestling • You're not wrestling with the Lord; you're wrestling with yourself. Remember, Enos is the one who really wrestled. And he told us what he meant when he was wrestling; he was wrestling with himself, his own inadequacies. How can I possibly face the Lord in my condition, is what he says.

13. Alma 8:10Wrestling: Work harder • “…It takes great mental effort to confront the Lord in all seriousness. We do it at various shallow levels, by routine. We have a prayer here because we feel we should. If we're going to make it really serious, we have to work on it harder…and very few people are willing to do it, but it really pays off because you know exactly what you want and where you stand.” • Hugh Nibley,(Teachings of the Book of Mormon, lecture 47, pp. 301-2)

14. Alma 8:14-18 • Vs 14 How did Alma respond? What do we learn from this? • What do we learn about sorrow and feeling weighed down? • Vs 18 How did Alma respond to the angel’s instructions?

15. How to cope with the weight of discouragement in the Lord’s workAlma 8:14-18 • Find joy in your standing before God • Return speedily • By another way

16. Alma 8:19-32 What do we learn from the meeting of Amulek and Alma? • Why didn’t the Lord send Amulek to Alma in the first place?

17. Alma 8:8:27When we invite the prophet in we are blessed • MTC in Ammonihah

18. Alma 8:30-31 • “By obeying Christ’s authority through His servants, Amulek was blessed with the power to lead others to eternal life in ways he could not have seen in advance. He was given immediately the gift to teach people to feel a compelling need to have all their sins washed away. • As you listen to his voice in his first sermon, take hope that God could bless you and me with such a mighty change.” • Henry B Eyring, (Heroes From the Book of Mormon, p. 107-8)

19. Alma 8:30-31Sympathetic affinity • Sometimes meetings with other people and the intertwinings of our lives in mortality are more than chance – they are heaven – sent blessings. Elder Parley P Pratt described the “sympathetic affinity” we feel around such people: W Jeffrey Marsh, Meridian Magazine

20. In the presence of such persons, one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit. No matter if the parties are strangers, entirely unknown to each other in person or character, no matter if they have never spoken to each other, each will be apt to remark in his own mind, and perhaps exclaim, when referring to the interview – “O what an atmosphere encircles that stranger! How my heart thrilled with pure and holy feelings in his presence! What confidence and sympathy he inspired! His countenance and spirit gave me more assurance, than a thousand written recommendations, or introductory letters • Parly P Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, 100-102

21. Alma 9:2,5-6How did Ammonihah respond to Alma? • What do we learn about the people of Ammonihah?

22. Alma 9:5-6Who is the Lord? • Pharaoh- “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?” (Exodus 5:2) • Nebuchadnezzar - “[If you don't worship the idol,] who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? (Daniel 3:5) • King Noah - “Who is the Lord, that shall bring upon my people such great affliction?” (Mosiah 11:27) • Cain- “But behold, Cain hearkened not, saying: Who is the Lord that I should know him?” (Moses 5:16) • Feast on the Word blog, BrianJ Attitude: Why do I need the Lord?

23. Alma 9:2,5-6; 10:12What made the difference in their reactions? • Why did it matter to these people? Does it matter to you?

24. If you could have a one-hour, face-to-face interview with anyone in the scriptures – excluding the Savior and the prophet Joseph Smith – whom would you choose? • Anne Osborn Poelman, Amulek Alternative, 127

25. Alma 10:4-6; 25Who was Amulek and how was he called? • I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart • What does it mean?

26. Alma 10:4-6Why didn’t Amulek hear the call? • Amulek…is a classic case of an essentially good man being out of touch with the great spiritual realities, he resisted the things of the Spirit because, though he was basically good, he was preoccupied with the cares of the world. • Neal A Maxwell, Meek and Lowly, 12

27. Where can you go to ponder? • The world grows increasingly noisy …This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless. • The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer. • Boyd K Packer

28. The Amulek Alternative • Amulek eventually chose to follow Alma, forsaking his own riches and comforts to endure persecution and untold hardship. That intrigues me. It’s not as though Amulek had been beaten to his knees by lifes’ circumstances. He actually had a pretty good life. And yet he abandoned it, leaving everything behind to follow a prophet. That encounter with the messenger of the Lord was a real crossroads in his life. He could have ignored the Lords’ call and continued to pursue the same path he’d been following all along. But he didn’t. He turned his life in an entirely different direction. He chose a new path. It was by far the harder less-traveled road. But it was – at least for him – the right road. • The ‘Amulek Alternative. It’d be an intriguing title for a book, wouldn’t it? • Anne Osborn Poelman, 127

29. Hearing Problems? • I hear caterpillars crawling through the grass so late at night • I hear the earth worms wiggling in the early morning light • I can hear grasshopppers walking on their feet so light and small • But no matter what I’m doing, I can’t hear my parents call

30. Alma 10:13-18Lawyers: What is the message for today? • Lawyers: It is not their occupation, but their preoccupation • Beware of those who lay Satan’s traps and snares

31. Alma 10:22-23Doctrine? • The prayers of the righteous can spare the wicked

32. Alma 11:21-22,26-31Q & A: Amulek and Zeezrom • Dean L. Larsen • “The account of the dialogue between Zeezrom and Alma and Amulek in the eleventh chapter of the book of Alma provides additional insight into Zeezrom’s worldly self-assurance. He has an audience to play to, and he intends, with his practiced sophistry and cunning, to make a game of his denigration of the two missionaries. After all, the audience is completely prejudiced in his favor, and he relishes the opportunity to add to his reputation among his peers. His questions to Alma and Amulek reflect his courtroom skills. They are designed for entrapment.” (Heroes From the Book of Mormon, p. 113-4)

33. Alma 11: 21-44Q & A: Amulek and Zeezrom • Look at the rest of Amulek’s teachings: X Alma 11:44 Amulek knew that there are three separate personages in the godhead and that they are one in purpose • Alma 12:1, 33-34: Alma “established” the words of Amulek and made the concept of Godhead even clearer

34. Alma 11: 21-44Q & A: Amulek and Zeezrom • Look at full context: There is only one “true and living God” – who shares none of his Godhood with the hosts of false gods invented by man • 1 Cor 8:4-6 Similar to Paul with the Corinthians: • “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him”

35. Jesus Christ as our Father • Father of the earth, since he created it under the Father’s direction • Father to those who accept the gospel, he becomes their Father by adoption and covenant in their new relationship with him • Father because the Eternal Father gave him authority to represent Him: divine investiture of authority

36. Alma 12:8How has Zeezrom changed?

37. Careful questions • Even when we are trying to think clearly and ask careful questions, it is easy to become distracted. It may be tempting sometimes to look for the question to ask that seems controversial or sensational or perhaps that no one has previously thought to pose. Likewise it is sometimes alluring to ask a question or questions that will consciously deflect one from asking the right or important or central question when it is known or suspected that the critical answer might to be too hard or too compelling. It is also possible to frame a question that is so oblique or complicated--not to mention nonsensical--to make an answer virtually impossible. I remember the query of the old-time comedian who liked to ask: "What is the difference between a duck?" To puzzled listeners he would then give the answer: "Its leg is both the same." If we are not careful, our questions and answers may not be much better. • Cecil Samuelson, BYU dev, 13 Nov 2001

38. Careful questions • If we can accept that questions are not only acceptable but are also essential, then we can move to determining what are ultimately the best or most vitally important questions. These would be those that deal with central or core truths or issues. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to know the answer to a question just because it exists, but it is almost always more productive to have a clear purpose in mind or problem to solve when asking a question. • Cecil Samuelson, BYU dev, 13 Nov 2001

39. Alma 12Treasure trove of doctrine

40. Alma 12:9-11How can we receive a greater portion of the Word? • The best educated man in the world may not be able to comprehend the simple truths of the gospel because his soul is not in tune; he has not been enlightened by the Spirit of the Lord. He, therefore, fails to see and feel the significance of these principles. They cannot be seen except through the touch of the Holy Ghost. For this reason Alma explained to Zeezrom how gospel light may be known. • Joseph Fielding Smith, DofS, 1:296-297

41. Alma 12:12-14What do we learn about the judgment? • In the armory of thought man forges the weapons by which he destroys himself; he also fashions the tools with which he builds himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace… Between these two extremes are all grades of character, and man is the maker and master… and shaper of condition, environment and destiny… All that man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts. • James Allen, As a Man Thinketh

42. Alma 12:12-14How can we purify our thoughts? • First, we must stop the flow into our minds of… vulgar stories, jokes, pictures, conversation, and a myriad of other satanic products… • Now, assuming we have cut off the flow – not cut it down, but cut it off – the second thing we must do is to develop a filtering system that will cleanse the great reservoir of our mind so that the life-giving thoughts coming from it may again be pure and fit for our sue…

43. Alma 12:12-14 • The secret to cleansing our spirit of whatever the impurity is not very complicated. It begins with prayer every morning and ends with prayer every night. This is the most important step I know in the cleansing process… • Secondly, an added refinement will come in the filtering process: An added measure of spiritual purity, if you please, can be found in a daily study of the scriptures - not long, perhaps, but every day…

44. Alma 12:12-14 • Third, feed refreshment to your spirit that comes when you do something good for another that he or she doesn’t expect. Keep it simple, but do it – daily. It may only be a cheery hello, a short visit to (someone who is) homebound, a phone call, or a note… • And finally, pick up a commandment you are still struggling with and give it an honest chance to bless your life. • H Burke Peterson, Purifying our Minds and Spirits, Ensign, Nov 1980, 38-39

46. Next Week:

47. Alma 8:1O Be Wise • We need to thoughtfully allocate our resources of time, income, and energy. I would like to let you in on a little secret. Some of you have already learned it. If you haven’t, it’s time you knew. No matter what your family needs are or your responsibilities in the Church, there is no such thing as “done.” There will always be more we can do. There is always another family matter that needs attention, another lesson to prepare, another interview to conduct, another meeting to attend. We just need to be wise in protecting our health and in following the counsel that President Hinckley has given often to just do the best that we can. • The key, it seems to me, is to know and understand your own capabilities and limitations and then to pace yourself, allocating and prioritizing your time, your attention, and your resources to wisely help others, including your family, in their quest for eternal life. • M. Russell Ballard, “O Be Wise,” Ensign, Nov. 2006, 17

48. Alma 9:15,19What principle is taught? • Where much is given, much is expected • X D&C 82:3 ‘For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.’

49. Alma 9:26Consider the qualities of Christ • Full of grace • Equity • Truth • Full of patience • Mercy • Long suffering • Quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers

50. Alma 9:26-27 • President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “All of us have made wrong turns along the way. I believe the kind and merciful God, whose children we are, will judge us as lightly as He can for the wrongs that we have done and give us the maximum blessing for the good that we do. Alma’s sublime utterance [in Alma 9:26] seems to me an affirmation of this” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 75; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 53).