As I Search the Holy Scriptures

1. As I search the holy scriptures,Loving Father of mankind,

May my heart be blessed with wisdom,

And may knowledge fill my mind.

2. As I search the holy scriptures,Touch my spirit, Lord, I pray.

May life’s myst’ries be unfoldedAs I study day by day.

• 3. As I search the holy scriptures,• May thy mercy be revealed.• Soothe my troubled heart and

spirit;• May my unseen wounds be

healed.

• 4. As I search the holy scriptures,• Help me ponder and obey.• In thy word is life eternal;

• May thy light show me the way.

Eternal Life• As members of the Church we want to find joy in this life, return to our Heavenly Father, and obtain eternal life, which is to live forever as families in God’s presence.

• Eternal life is God’s greatest gift to his children.

• Heavenly Father wants all of us to be worthy to live with him forever.

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• Hidden some place in the room is a wordstrip of someone who wants to help them gain eternal life.

• You have about thirty seconds to search for the wordstrip.

• Heavenly Father has given us a guide to lead us to eternal life. Give hints if necessary.

•We have been given the scriptures as a guide to help us learn about Jesus Christ and become like him so we may return to our Father in Heaven.

• Alma was unhappy because of the wickedness of the Nephites. He talked to each of his sons about living righteously. Alma 35:15–16

• Telling his oldest son, Helaman, to trust in God, Alma told about when he had tried to destroy the church and God had sent an angel to stop him. Alma 36:3, 6

• For three days, Alma had suffered because of his guilt. Then, remembering his father’s teachings about Jesus Christ, he knew that he could be forgiven.

•Alma 36:16–17

• Alma prayed for forgiveness, and joy replaced the pain in his soul. He had been forgiven because of his faith in Jesus Christ, and his repentance. Alma 36:18–20

• Since that time, Alma had taught others the gospel so that they might feel the joy he felt. Because of his trust in God, God had blessed him. Alma 36:24, 27

• Then Helaman’s father gave him the sacred records on metal plates and told him to continue writing the history of their people. Alma 37:1–2

• Alma told Helaman that if he kept the commandments, God would bless him and help him protect the records. Alma 37:13, 16, 35

• Helaman was also told to pray morning and night, to “counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.” Alma 37:36–37

• Alma was happy with his son Shiblon, who had been a brave missionary to the Zoramites. Shiblon had remained faithful even when they stoned him. Alma 38:3–5

• Reminding Shiblon that the only way to be saved is through Jesus Christ, Alma encouraged him to continue teaching the gospel. Alma 38:6–10

• Alma’s son Corianton had not kept the commandments, and he had not been a faithful missionary while teaching the Zoramites. Alma 39:1–3

• The Zoramites would not believe Alma’s teachings because of the things Corianton did.Alma 39:11

• Alma told Corianton that no one can hide his sins from God, that Corianton needed to repent. Alma 39:8–9

• Alma taught his son that everyone will be resurrected. The righteous will live with God, but the wicked will be cast out. Alma 40:1, 9–10, 25–26

• Now is the time for people to repent and to serve God, Alma said. Alma 42:4

• Reminding Corianton that he had been called to be a missionary, Alma told him to return to the Zoramites and preach repentance. Alma 42:31

• Alma and his sons continued to teach the gospel to the people. They preached by the power of the priesthood. Alma 43:1–2

Discussion Time

Discussion time

•Why was it important for the Book of Mormon prophets to keep and preserve the brass plates? (Alma 37:4, 8; )

• 4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.

• 8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.

•Why was the Liahona given to Lehi?

•How did it work? (1 Nephi 16:10, 28.)

10 And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them. Retur

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•How are the scriptures like the Liahona? (Alma 37:44–45.)

•How can the scriptures help us return to live with Heavenly Father?

• 44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the aword of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.

• 45 And now I say, is there not a atype in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

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•What did the scriptures teach the Lamanites that caused them to repent? (Alma 37:9.)

• 9 Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.

• What did Alma ask his son Helaman to teach the people? (Alma 37:32–34.)

•How can we overcome temptation

• 32 And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity.

• 33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

• 34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.

• What did Alma mean when he counseled Helaman to “learn wisdom in thy youth”? (Alma 37:35.)

Why is living the gospel in our youth so important?

• 35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy cyouth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

•What did Alma teach Helaman about prayer? (Alma 37:36–37.)

•How and when should you pray?

• 36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

• 37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

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• What does it mean to “be lifted up at the last day”?

• The “Last Day” refers to the final judgment when all who have obeyed the commandments will enter into Heavenly Father’s presence and live with him forever.

• How had Alma’s son Shiblon brought him great joy? (Alma 38:2–4.) • How has your obedience to the

commandments brought joy to your parents?

• 2 And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.

• 3 And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—

• 4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.

• What is pride? (Alma 38:11) •Not being humble or teachable. • Proud people think they are more important than others. • Proud people follow their own will rather than Heavenly Father’s will. •How does learning to admit and correct our mistakes bring us closer to Heavenly Father?

• What does it mean to boast?

• 11 See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength.

• How did Alma know the things he taught his son? (Alma 38:6–8.)

• 6 Now, my son, I would not that ye should think that I know these things of myself, but it is the Spirit of God which is in me which maketh these things known unto me; for if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things.

• 7 But behold, the Lord in his great mercy sent his angel to declare unto me that I must stop the work of destruction among his people; yea, and I have seen an angel face to face, and he spake with me, and his voice was as thunder, and it shook the whole earth.

• 8 And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul.

•What must we do so the Holy Ghost can teach and help us as he did Alma?

• How has the Holy Ghost taught or helped you do what is right?

• • What did Alma testify to Shiblon about Jesus Christ? (Alma 38:9.)

• 9 And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness.

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• How can we use the scriptures to help us gain a similar testimony?

•Read and ponder them daily•Seek the help of the Spirit to understand them•Liken them to our own experiences and situations.

• One of the reasons we have been given the scriptures is to help us overcome and solve our problems.

• Divide into groups of two.• Work with your partner to decide how the

following scriptures will help in each situation.

• Group 1• When Jim was baptized, his

family was angry with him.• When the bishop asked Jim

to accept a call to serve a full-time mission, Jim did not have enough money.

• Alma 26:12; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 37:37; 1 Nephi 17:3

Group 4•Heather’s friends often try to get her to shoplift with them. When she refuses, they make fun of her.

Group 3Doug has been given a school assignment that is difficult to

complete in the assigned time.

Alma 26:1212 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

1 Nephi 3:7 7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Alma 37:37 37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

1 Nephi 17:3 3 And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

• Group 1

• Alma 26:12; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 37:37; 1 Nephi 17:3

Group 4

Group 3

Now lets here from our groups

• Group 1• When Jim was baptized, his family

was angry with him.• When the bishop asked Jim to accept

a call to serve a full-time mission, Jim did not have enough money.

• Alma 26:12; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 37:37; 1 Nephi 17:3

• Alma 26:12; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 37:37; 1 Nephi 17:3

• Alma 26:12; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 37:37; 1 Nephi 17:3

Group 3Doug has been given a school assignment that is difficult to

complete in the assigned time.

• Alma 26:12; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 37:37; 1 Nephi 17:3

Group 4•Heather’s friends often try to get her to shoplift with them. When she refuses, they make fun of her.

• I want to testify that studying the scriptures daily can help us solve our problems, overcome temptation, and stay on the strait and narrow path to return to our Father in Heaven and gain eternal life.

• I want to encourage you to read and pray daily and you will be blessed for you efforts

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