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 continue our study of the new reign of the judges and the actions of Amlici. We consider how the new government actually engages the Nephites more in their political interests and we reflect on the parallels found to our pre-mortal existence. 

Daniel H Ludlow: Soon after the establishment of a system of elected judges among the Nephites, several revolts take place against this type of government. The first of these revolts is headed by Amlici, who, in addition to being an avowed kingman, is also a follower of the order of Nehor and thus advocates priestcraft. Although Amlici is not successful in his desire to obtain the kingship, he precipitates a civil war that results in the deaths of over 19,000 people.

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 the first five years of the reign of the judges. We consider why Mosiah II decided to institute this structure of rule amongst the Nephites at this time and we reflect on the importance of our political and community influence. 

Lee L Donaldson: The book of Mosiah's penetrating look into the characters of king Benjamin and king Noah illustrates a lesson on righteous and unrighteous uses of power and authority.

“A close look at the book of Mosiah makes it obvious why Mosiah II would have selected these two kings to make his point: Benjamin is the type of a righteous king, Noah the model of a wicked one. King Benjamin's purpose was to bring his people to Christ, while Noah led his people away from Christ. The ‘great joy’ of Benjamin's people came from the teachings of their righteous king (Mosiah 5:4), whereas the ‘sore afflictions’ of Noah's reign were the fruits of his evil leadership (Mosiah 12:4).

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'.

John us today as we pause to reflect on news around the Church and COVID-19, an article in the Church News focused on comments from Elder Dale D Renlund about Covid-19 and an idea I'm considering in commemoration of 1 year of the Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me!

Report on the easing of lockdown restrictions: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/safe-return-church-meetings-activities

Church News article: https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2020-05-20/covid-19-elder-renlund-personal-revelation-uncertainty-184629

Elder Dale G Renlund: I am hoping we have all learned about being self-reliant and taking responsibility for our own faith and our own spiritual progress.

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 the transformative experience of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah. We consider the role the prayers of the righteous did have in this marvellous event and reflect on how this applies to us. 

Paul H Dunn: I suppose the tendency then, as it often seems to be today, was to ‘write him off.’ But you know the miraculous story of how an angel of the Lord appeared to that young man and how he became one of the greatest missionaries in the church of Christ. What was it that caused that great change to occur? The angel testified to Alma the following: ‘Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father.’

"Think of it! The power of parental prayer! As we consider the challenge of rearing children in a world fraught with temptations, false ideologies, and materialistic enticements, do you not feel the need for guidance and inspiration beyond your human capacity? There is no greater help or strength that a father or mother can obtain than through securing that help from the Lord.

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 conclude the study of the experience of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah. We consider the hope that is offered through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and we also reflect on the role of restitution in repentance.

Ezra Taft Benson: We must be careful, as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road to Damascus, Enos praying far into the night, King Lamoni. Such astonishing examples of the power to change even those steeped in sin give confidence that the Atonement can reach even those deepest in despair.

“We must not lose hope. Hope is an anchor to the souls of men. Satan would have us cast away that anchor. In this way he can bring discouragement and surrender. But we must not lose hope. The Lord is pleased with every effort, even the tiny, daily ones in which we strive to be more like Him. Though we may see that we have far to go on the road to perfection, we must not give up hope.

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're continuing our study of the repentance of Alma and the sons of Mosiah. We consider what is the timeline of repentance and reflect on the spiritual birth that we must all undergo during our life. 

Bruce R McConkie: The spiritual birth comes after the natural birth. It is to die as pertaining to worldliness and carnality and to become a new creature by the power of the Spirit. It is to begin a new life, a life in which we bridle our passions and control our appetites, a life of righteousness, a spiritual life. Whereas we were in a deep abyss of darkness, now we are alive in Christ and bask in the shining rays of his everlasting light. Such is the new birth, the second birth, the birth into the household of Christ.

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 begin to consider the experience of Alma the Younger in Mosiah 27. We consider the importance of understanding how we are sometimes like Alma and we reflect on the role the angel played in spiritually awaking him. 

Dennis L Largey: Mortal parents who make their own best efforts to reach their children can invoke divine assistance through prayer, for all scriptures unite in testifying that God answers prayers. Perhaps the Lord does send angels, but angels of a different sort. Inspired teachers, friends, bishops, home teachers, scout leaders, and others can serve the same function as angels from above. These embodied angels, inspired by the Holy Ghost, are sent by the Lord to assist and to love.

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 our Mosiah 26 and look at Alma and his concern about making the right decisions in the service of the Lord. We consider the role of forgiveness in our spiritual progression and we reflect on what we learn about revelation. 

Marion D Hanks: Does it not seem a supreme impudence to ask and expect God to forgive when we do not forgive?—openly? and “in our hearts”? 

 

The Lord affirms in the Book of Mormon that we bring ourselves under condemnation if we do not forgive. 

But not only our eternal salvation depends upon our willingness and capacity to forgive wrongs committed against us. Our joy and satisfaction in this life, and our true freedom, depend upon our doing so. When Christ bade us turn the other cheek, walk the second mile, give our cloak to him who takes our coat, was it to be chiefly out of consideration for the bully, the brute, the thief? Or was it to relieve the one aggrieved of the destructive burden that resentment and anger lay upon us?

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 begin a new week of Come Follow Me study, focusing on the experience of the sons of Alma and Mosiah. We consider today how the role of parents is an important one in developing the faith of the rising generation but also reflect on the agency that the rising generation have. 

President Henry B Eyring: No charge in the kingdom is more important than to build faith in youth. Each child in each generation chooses faith or disbelief. Faith is not an inheritance; it is a choice. Those who believed King Benjamin learned that. Many of their children chose later not to believe. The scriptures give as a reason, ‘for they would not call upon the Lord their God’ (Mosiah 26:4)…teach doctrine and recount stories of faith and courage. I hope your students will remember the doctrine and the stirring stories. But most of all…how I pray it could be all-of your students will be more inclined to ‘inquire of the Lord,’ because of their experiences with you.

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 have a bonus session looking at the Come Follow Me materials from last week. We consider how this experience of the people of Alma can be related directly to the suffering caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. We also consider how the Lord's hand can help us be agents unto ourselves through our suffering. 

Elder David A Bednar: The unique burdens in each of our lives help us to rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah. I testify and promise the Savior will help us to bear up our burdens with ease. As we are yoked with Him through sacred covenants and receive the enabling power of His Atonement in our lives, we increasingly will seek to understand and live according to His will. We also will pray for the strength to learn from, change, or accept our circumstances rather than praying relentlessly for God to change our circumstances according to our will. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon. We will be blessed with spiritual traction.