Engaging Gospel Doctrine (Episode 2)

LESSON 25: ALMA 17-22

Goal Students will appreciate how the gospel can transform our nature Hook A tale of two kings. Today will be telling a story of kings and queens, of violence and intrigue, and fainting. Lots of fainting. But ultimately transformation. Main These chapters at their core are about changing our natures. Will dig into the key Points stories first, and then address other points and details. Other important insights are the connection between expectations and interactions, and how to engage with those of different backgrounds and beliefs [Give overview here + discussion of parallels] Discuss in depth sections  Ammon and Lamoni  Aaron and Lamoni’s father  Abish and aftermath Overview These chapters have a more complex chronology than most, as Mormon weaves several stories together. Here is how it breaks down: 17:1-4 (Alma meets the sons of Mosiah after their respective missions; 77/78 BC) Based on dating in our scriptures, missions from about 91 to 77 BC—refer to Hardy’s point about dating. 17:5-17 (introduction to and beginning of sons of Mosiah’s missions; 90 BC) 17:18-19:36 (Ammon teaches Lamoni and his people) 20 (Ammon and Lamoni meet Lamoni’s father on their way to rescue Ammon’s brothers and friends) 21:1-17 (Aaron, Muloki, and their companions begin their missions with no success; we don’t know how long “many days” was that they were in prison, but does seem toward beginning of the fourteen years) 21:18-23 (Mormon’s summary conclusion of Ammon and Lamoni narrative) 22:1-26 (Ammon teaches Lamoni’s father) 22:27-35 (Digression about geography) Concluding Speak about transformation, willingness to give up those parts of our character Points that our holding us back from actualization, godlike traits, realize that often strengths and weaknesses two sides of same trait, weaknesses turning into strengths, speaking to people in a way that they can understand, working with others to get to the point where we can be “edified together”. Also the importance of prioritizing love and friendship in our relatinoships—no matter what we have to share, what we want to teach, if we have disagreements—the people we are speaking to must feel loved and listened to or we will accomplish nothing. Some of these parallels are common sense—of course both kings would have a wife and servants, etc, but the two narratives seem crafted to act as foils to each other. (Refer to other interesting parallels by Joseph Spencer here: http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/2011/04/something-like-a-feminist-interpretation-of-a- book-of-mormon-text-2-queen-and-servant/)

Ammon (17-19) Aaron (22:1-26) King Lamoni; dialog Lamoni’s father; extraordinary preemptive faith Queen Exemplary faithfulness Anger, fear, hardheartedness Service Wins over king Opportunity refused Servants Engaged—testify to king, part of Passive—on the sidelines conversion process People Key previous convert, but still Fear there will be contention; murmuring contention Emotions Astonished; Fainting 18:42 “fell Troubled, Fainting 22:18 “he was struck as if he unto the earth, as if he were were dead” dead” teaching God, Ammon rewords as Great God, king asks if it is Great Spirit, heavens and Spirit, heavens and earth, spirit, earth, “reading the scriptures unto the king” creation of world, Adam “told (22:12); creation of Adam, man after image, him” (18:36), scriptures, commandments, transgression and fall, carnal prophets down to Lehi, story of state, plan of redemption, prepared from Lehites, “expounded unto them foundation of world; atonement, resurrection all the records and scriptures from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem down to the present time” (38). “expounded” plan of redemption prepared from foundation of world, coming of Christ, “all the works of the Lord” result King cries for mercy for himself King prays to know God “make thyself known and his people, is overcome. “Oh unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know Lord, have mercy; according to thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, thy abundant mercy which thou and saved at the last day”. Queen tries has had upon the people of repeatedly to get Aaron killed; people are Nephi, have upon me, and my pacified. people” (18:41) Queen sends for Ammon, she responds in faith. She and servants are overcome. Story of Abish. People are converted. Other (See Reading Notes) Comments and Discussion starters

Personal Reading Hardy’s Reader’s Edition Other Sources