Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me

Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90

You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'.

Today we continue our study of Ammon and his experience among the Lamanites. We consider the clear impact that Lamoni’s conversion has had upon him and we reflect on the decision that Ammon makes that again goes against what the world might recommend. 

Clyde J Williams: It is significant that it was not Ammon’s strength or his ability to speak which had the greatest effect upon Lamoni’s father. Rather, it was the great love Ammon showed for Lamoni, even being willing to defend him from physical harm, which so deeply affected Lamoni’s father. ... Love has the effect of opening the hearts of individuals. In the Lord’s instructions through the prophet Joseph Smith, we are taught that love is among those characteristics which qualify one for the work of teaching the gospel (see D&C 4:5). The more we allow love to permeate our service to the Lord the more successful our efforts will be

Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90

You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'.

Join us as we continue our study of the experience of Ammon and King Lamoni. We consider the testimony that Ammon gives and we reflect on the role of Abish in this account. 

President Henry B Eyring: That mighty change is reported time after time in the Book of Mormon. The way it is wrought and what the person becomes are always the same. The words of God in pure doctrine go down deep into the heart by the power of the Holy Ghost. The person pleads with God in faith. The repentant heart is broken and the spirit contrite. Sacred covenants have been made. Then God keeps His covenant to grant a new heart and a new life, in His time. … Whether the miracle comes in a moment or over years, as is far more common, it is the doctrine of Jesus Christ that drives the change

Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90

You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'.

Today we consider the reaction from Ammon’s miraculous protecting of King Lamoni's flock. We consider what we learn from Ammon’s approach to teaching Lamoni and we also reflect on the important doctrines he taught. 

Clyde J Williams: In a similar way, the Lord will help his modern-day servants perceive the thoughts or feelings of those they are teaching. This perception may not be as dramatic as in the case with king Lamoni, but the Lord ‘knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart’ (Alma 18:32). I remember many times as a young missionary when the Lord would help me perceive the lack of understanding, the questioning, or the rejection of our teachings on the part of those we were instructing. They did not have to say anything—we could discern it by the Spirit. The spirit of discernment can enable one to be a more effective teacher and servant of the Lord. Such was the case with Ammon

Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90

You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'.

Join us today as we begin to study into Ammon’s experience with King Lamoni. We discuss the example Ammon sets with service and compassion for others and we reflect on what we can learn about humility from him. 

S Kent Brown: It would have been a political coup, of course, for Lamoni to marry his daughter to a Nephite prince. But the issue is more complex than we might appreciate at first. Both men seemed to understand that Ammon’s new status in the Lamanite realm could be linked to Ammon’s former status back home, that of a prince. But Ammon refused to allow his royal standing to enter into the discussion

Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90

You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'.

Today we begin our first study of this week's Come Follow Me. We discuss how the sons of Mosiah had stayed true and faithful since their conversion and we reflect on the guidance given to them by the Lord. 

James B Martino: Why did the trials of these sons of Mosiah strengthen their faith and commitment rather than cause them to murmur or doubt? The key is that ‘they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.’ We will all face trials and have questions, but remember that we must be ‘continually holding fast to the rod of iron.’ ‘The words of Christ will tell [us] all things what [we] should do.’ We must make scripture study a daily part of our lives, as this will open doors of revelation.

Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90

You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'.

Join us today as we study some comments made by two of our living day apostles. We consider Elder Bednar's comments on religious freedom and what we can learn about our rights to worship how we may. We also consider a powerful comment shared by Elder Renlund 5 months into his Apostleship about Christian love and tolerance. 

Elder David A Bednar: Despite COVID-19 risks, North American jurisdictions declared as ‘essential’ numerous services related to alcohol, animals, marijuana and other concerns. But often religious organizations and their services were simply deemed ‘nonessential,’ even when their activities could be conducted safely. 

“In the name of protecting physical health and security or advancing other social values, government often acted without regard to the importance of protecting spiritual health and security. It often seemed to forget that securing religious freedom is as vital as physical health.

Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90

You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'.

Today we conclude our study of this week's Come Follow Me materials, concluding with Alma 15. We consider the experience of Zeezrom’s redemption and how Alma was able to relate and we also reflect on what Amulek gave up with his conversion and discipleship. 

Joseph Smith: Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation … It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those … who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtain faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice

Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90

You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'.

Join us as we conclude our study of Alma 14. We consider the trust that Alma has in the Lord through this difficult trial and we reflect on the further parallels we see of Christ through this experience.

Richard G Scott: Submitting ‘cheerfully and with patience’ to all His will lets you learn precious if difficult lessons and eternal truths that will yield blessings. The example of Alma and Amulek is enlightening. While striving to do good among the people of Ammonihah, they were taken captive. Amulek trusted his more seasoned companion, Alma, who led him to greater confidence in the Lord. Forced to observe women and children consumed by fire, Amulek said, ‘Perhaps they will burn us also.’ Alma answered, ‘Be it according to the will of the Lord’—a vital principle. ‘But … our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.

Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90

You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'.

Today we begin our study of Alma 14 and study the reaction to Alma and Amulek's teachings in Ammonihah. We consider the impact that the word had on Zeezrom that led to a profound change and we also reflect on the atrocious act that was recorded. 

George Reynolds and Janne Mattson Sjodahl: Why must the innocent suffer?’ More great and constructive thinking has been devoted to the answering of this single question than to probably any other question with which the mind of man is tormented. It is possible that in this life, this supreme mystery may never be solved to humanity’s entire satisfaction. The problem of good and evil is, in a sense, the mother of all other religio-ethical problems, and out of the effort put forth by great minds to comprehend it, there have sprung the supreme artistic and spiritual masterpieces of the ages

Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90

You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'.

Join us today as we consider the verse in Alma 13 which discusses the principle of foreordination. We consider the importance of knowing about this and how it can inspire us to make changes. 

Book of Mormon Central: When Alma, son of Alma, was speaking to the people in Ammonihah, he taught them about the premortal existence: “And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world” (Alma 13:3). Yet the rest of Alma’s address is about repentance. This poses the question: Why would Alma interrupt a sermon about repentance with a discussion about the pre-mortal life? A careful reading of Alma’s speech shows that he may actually have brought this up as part of his effort to get them to repent.