PowerPoint Presentation

Mosiah 19-26

One Sunday morning, more than a year ago, we awoke to a beautiful day in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean sun was shining, and the sky was clear. A gentle breeze was blowing, barely ruffling the leaves on the trees; it was warm and peaceful and still. But far out to sea, beyond the reach of our physical senses that day, the deadly destroyer was coming our way, implacable and irresistible. The Hurricane Center, with responsibility to track and predict the path of Hurricane Georges, was constantly updating the information available on the Internet. In the peaceful, placid quiet of that morning, by virtue of those seeing eyes in the sky, I saw the predicted path of the storm, aimed like an arrow at the heart of Santo Domingo.

Elder David R. Stone, Spiritual Hurricanes, Ensign,Nov. 1999, 3132).Within 48 hours the storm struck the island with intense fury, leaving in its path destruction, desolation, and death.Great as the damage and destruction and death from these awesome phenomena of physical force can be, there is even more desolation caused in peoples lives by spiritual hurricanes. These furious forces often cause far more devastating damage than physical cyclones, because they destroy our souls and rob us of our eternal perspective and promise.

Elder David R. Stone, Spiritual Hurricanes, Ensign,Nov. 1999, 3132).But we also have our spiritual hurricane guardians, those whose calling it is to watch and warn, helping us avoid spiritual damage, destruction, and even death. Our watchmen on the tower are known to us as apostles and prophets. They are our spiritual eyes in the sky, and they know, through inspiration and insight and pure intelligence, the course these storms may take. They continue to raise their voices in warning to tell us of the tragic consequences of willful and wanton violations of the Lords commandments. To intentionally ignore their warnings is to court misery, sorrow, and ruin. To follow them is to follow the chosen servants of the Lord into spiritual pastures of peace and plenty

How does this story relate to Abinadis and Almas roles among the people of King Noah?

Elder David R. Stone, Spiritual Hurricanes, Ensign,Nov. 1999, 3132).200BC-Zeniff (from Zerahemla) desires to return to Land of Nephi-Lehi.-Zeniff makes a treaty with the Lamanites and they live in Nephi-Lehi-Zeniffs people end up in bondage to Lamanites160BC-Zeniffs son, Noah, becomes king150BC-Abinidi & Alma story-Noah is eventually killed and his son righteous son Limhi becomes the new king-Limhi sends 43 people to find Zarahemla; they find Jaredite ruinsand 24 gold plates124BC-16 men go in search of Zeniffs people that left 73 years earlier40 Days later-They end up in jail and meet King Limhi-Limhis people escape back to ZarahemlaMosiah Timeline

Mosiah 19-262 Groups 2 Trials 1 OutcomeLimhis PeopleAlmas People21:2-3 21:3,13 21:14-15 22:6-11

PatiencePatience is being willing to submit to the Lord. When we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best --- better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than his. Either way we are questioning the reality of Gods omniscience. We read in Mosiah about how the Lord simultaneously tries the patience of his people even as he tries their faith (Mosiah 23:21). One is not only to endure, but to endure well and gracefully, and submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord (Mosiah 24:15). Neal A. MaxwellOct. 1980Ensign, p.28Mosiah 19-262 Groups 2 Trials 1 OutcomeLimhis PeopleAlmas People21:2-3 21:3,13 21:14-15 22:6-11

23:25,29 24:8-12 24:13-15 24:18-21

Mosiah 19-262 Groups 2 Trials 1 OutcomeLimhis PeopleAlmas People21:2-3 (didnt get slain)21:3,13 (smitten, slapped, driven)21:14-15 (humbled, prayed to God)22:6-11 (Lamanites made drunk)23:25,29 (surrendered)24:8-12 (persecution by Amulon, not able to pray)24:13-15 (eased burdens)24:18-21 (deep sleep)

Doctrinally, what happens when we become slow to hear the word of the Lord?When people are slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble (D&C 101:7).

Mosiah 23:21-22Despise not the chastening hand of the Almighty: Job 5:17; Prov. 3:11;Blessed is the man whom thou chastens, O Lord: Ps. 94:12;The Lord chastens those whom he loves: Heb. 12:511;The Lord sees fit to chasten his people: Mosiah 23:2122;Except the Lord chasten his people, they will not remember him: Hel. 12:3;They were chastened that they might repent: D&C 1:27;Whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven: D&C 95:1;All those who will not endure chastening cannot be sanctified: D&C 101:25;He that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom: D&C 136:31.Doctrinally, is being chastened by the Lord a good thing or a bad thing?D. Todd ChristoffersonApril 2011 Gen. Conf.

Divine chastening has at least three purposes:(1) to persuade us to repent,(2) to refine and sanctify us, and(3) at times to redirect our course in life to what God knows is a better path.The Perfect Persons TimelineBornNurseryPrimaryPriestTeacherDeaconBaptismDriving - DatingElderGraduationMarriageMission

Does anyones timeline look like this?Describe a person with this timelineThe Origins of TrialsWe live in a Telestial World

The Origins of Trials "Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old-time journey...delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas, and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride (Jenkin Lloyd Jones, as quoted by President Gordon B. Hinckley, BYU Devotional, 23 September, 1973)

The Origins of TrialsWe live in a Telestial WorldSome trials are self-inflictedTrials come through other people

The Origins of Trials God actively intervenes in some destructive lineages, assigning a valiant spirit to break the chain of destructiveness in such families. Although these children may suffer innocently as victims of violence, neglect, and exploitation, through the grace of God some find the strength to metabolize the poison within themselves, refusing to pass it on to future generations. Before them were generations of destructive pain; after them the line flows clear and pure. Their children and childrens children will call them blessed.Carlfred Broderick, Ensign, Aug. 1986, 3839 The Origins of TrialsWe live in a Telestial WorldSome trials are self-inflictedTrials come through other peopleGod will send trials our way

Let us remember that we were measured before we were born and we were found equal to our tasks.Neal A. MaxwellBYU Speeches, 1986

No pain that we suffer, no trial that we endure, is ever wasted. All that we suffer and all that we endurewill make us more like our Father and Mother in Heaven.

Orson F. Whitneyquoted in Faith Precedes the Miracle, p. 98

How do you get through bad days?When have you felt strengthened by the Lord or felt Him ease your burdens?

Our spiritual safety lies in turning to the clear voice of our living prophet. If we listen to his voice and obey his counsel, we will be able to live as Christ would have us live and endure to the end so that one day we, along with our families, will return back into the presence of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ

Elder Robert D. Hales, Hear the Prophets Voice and Obey, Ensign,May 1995, 17).Part II

Why couldnt they just get baptized?Mosiah 21:33-35Mosiah 23:16-17

Eric Richards High Priest Ordination: 21 Sep 2000

Ordained ByMichael Floyd CooleyFrank Gregory WoidkaPhilip Alma PetersenSterling Welling SillHenry Hooper BloodHyrum Mack SmithJoseph Fielding SmithBrigham YoungOliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin HarrisJoseph Smith, JrPeter, James, & JohnWho were ordained Apostles by Jesus ChristEmail:lineofauthority@ldschurch.org

Phone: 800-453-3860Priesthood line of AuthorityChurch Discipline and excommunicationMosiah 26:35-36

What questions do you have?

Church Discipline and excommunicationThe first purpose of Church discipline is to save the souls of transgressors by helping them repent. When people do not repent, they are exposed to the demands of eternal justice. When they exercise faith unto repentance, God forgives them, granting mercy through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through this process, they may again become clean and worthy to inherit the kingdom of God.Church discipline can facilitate repentance by helping transgressors recognize and forsake sin, seek forgiveness, make restitution, and demonstrate a renewed commitment to keep the commandments. Informal Church discipline is often adequate for this purpose. However, in some instances the only way to encourage true repentance is to convene a disciplinary council and consider formal discipline. Without formal discipline, some transgressors may never experience the change of behavior and change of heart necessary to qualify them for redemption through the Atonement, for none but the truly penitent are saved(Alma 42:24)Handbook 1, 6.1.1Read Mosiah 26:35-36

I remember as a child occasionally coming unkempt to the dinner table. My mother wisely sent me to clean up and then return. My parents would have been pained if I had taken offense and had run off and I would have been foolish to do so. In the same way, the servants of the Lord occasionally find that they must, in loving concern, send some of Heavenly Father's children out the door so they can return clean once again. The Lord does not want us to "miss supper." In fact, he has a great feast prepared for those who return clean and pure through the door. He is greatly saddened when anyone decides they prefer to be unclean and miss the meal, or when they find an excuse to take offense, or when they run away. He is pleased to extend the chance to start over.M. Russell BallardSept. 1999 Ensign, p.12Whats better never sin or sin and repent and really feel the Atonement?

Mosiah 24:9. The AMULON SYNDROME. Although Alma has repented, his associate Amulon reminds him of his past and the mistakes he made. The best road is to not sin. Mosiah 25:14:How long had it been since the people of Zarahemla had been united with the people of Limhi and Alma? About eighty years; see the footnotes for Mosiah 9:1; 24:25.Have you had an experience where you went a long time without seeing a loved one? How was the reunion? Mosiah 26. How to solve problems1.Identify the problem (see Mosiah 26:110). 2.Study it out (see vv.1112). 3.Pray (see vv.1314). 4.Listen to the Lord (see vv.1532). 5.Obey the voice of the Lord (see vv.3339).Cross reference D&C 9:8-9Mosiah 19-26