April 23—Alma 8-12
April 30—Alma 13-16
May 7—Alma 17-22 (final class)
APOSTASY
“There are certain scriptures that are doctrinal anchors—in a sense they are our gospel compass, pointing the way we should follow. In one such scriptural reference the Lord revealed the only way his Church could be destroyed from the face of the earth:“This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is transgression of my people.” (Mosiah 27:13) That scripture is a doctrinal keystone—it teaches a central truth upon which we may build—namely, that only transgression or wickedness from within will bring about the downfall of Christ’s Church. God will protect his church against all external influences as long as the Church is pure and righteous. But if his people become wicked, then, even though God’s power remains intact, he seems unwilling to give divine sanction and protection to a church filled with iniquity. Otherwise, the integrity and purity of his Church would be compromised.”
Tad R. Callister,The Inevitable Apostasy, pg. 25-6
ALMA’S 50 QUESTIONS
https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/knowhy/why-did-alma-ask-church-members-fifty-probing-questions
“It is reasonable that Alma’s powerful address to the church in Zarahemla was given in connection with the observation of a sabbatical year, as called for under Israelite tradition.As such,Alma presented his series of introspective questions as part of a covenant renewal ceremony, possibly involving admission into the temple precinct.Alma’s speech came in the ninth year of the reign of the judges, 42 years after King Benjamin’s covenant renewal address, or in the sixth sabbatical year since then.That would have been the final sabbatical year before the Nephite celebration of the jubilee year, the fiftieth year after King Benjamin’s speech.This is conceivably why Alma was keen to quote and echo Benjamin in his speech, and this may also explain why there were exactly fifty questions – as a means of spiritual preparation for the jubilee.”
https://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/knowhy/why-did-alma-ask-church-members-fifty-probing-questions
“Not all questions are of equal import. Some are amusing; some lead to the discovery of trivial insights; others open doors to significant discoveries in fields such as science, history, and music; and yet others are of such a deep and soul-searching nature that, if explored, they not only inform us, but they change us.”
Tad R. Callister,The Inevitable Apostasy, Introduction
MIGHTY CHANGE OF HEART
5:7—Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word.
5:9—...and their souls did expand
5:12—And according to his faith there was a might change wrought in his heart.
5:13—And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God.
5:14—And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye been spiritually born of God?
5:19—I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? 5:26—...if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
5:49—And now...I am called...to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again. 7:14—...for the Spirit saith,‘If ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdneZ4fIIHE
“The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment.The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.”
President Ezra Taft Benson
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