Weekly Study Questions
What does this chapter teach me about God's relationship with His children?
What does this chapter teach me about my Savior?
How can I use the principles and examples from this chapter to improve my own relationship with the Savior and my Heavenly Father?
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS TO PONDER
In verse one, we learn that the Zoramites were worshipping idols. What "idols" today might especially tempt us to take our focus off God and invest our energy elsewhere? What are some things you do to stay focused on Heavenly Father and the Savior?
In what ways might we contrast the prayers of those at Rameumpton to the prayer that Alma offered later in the chapter?
In answer to the first additional question, I think our own perfectionism and idealism can sometimes sneakily take our focus off the Savior and cause us to "miss the mark." It's often so sneaky because a large part of our dedication to the Savior IS our commitment to obedience and righteousness, to trying our best to be our best, and sometimes we can get so wrapped up in that that we forget the bigger picture - the WHY behind that effort and the Savior's wonderful role in making up the difference where we fall short. I think that focus on perfection easily then leads to expecting perfection from others and being less Christlike in our love for them and less apt to see life as the beautiful journey of growth that it's meant to be. Instead, life becomes one big judgment day and we are the judges - whether of ourselves or others or both. I think that if we see life as the classroom it is, taught by a loving instructor whose only goal is for us to progress and grow and pass the test, then the test aspect itself won't be such a condemning concept, but a neat opportunity to apply what we're learning and to help others learn, as well. I find that when my efforts toward excellence are motivated by true love and gratitude for my Heavenly Father, the Savior, and their wonderful plan, I am so much more empowered by the Spirit to excel and to experience joy in that progress. I also love others infinitely more deeply. I'm freed from the burden of judging them and can see them more clearly as beloved children of our Heavenly Father and their role in the great plan, as well. Life becomes less about fair and more about love. Less about avoiding pain and more about growth.
ReplyDeleteYour comments are so beautiful. I had both Penelope and Karstin read them. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteI think it is easy to read the Old Testament or the Book of Mormon and think, "those wicked people, why were they worshipping idols?" My favorite definition of an idol is anything that we put above God. That really means that anything could be an idol if we consider that to be more important than God.
ReplyDeleteIf we have time to watch TV or read the newspaper but we don't have time to read the scriptures aren't we saying to God he is second? When we choose to skip church when we have something more important to do isn't that saying the same thing?
Even good things like school can become our idol. I remember a dear friend of mine that decided he just didn't have time for a calling when he was going to law school. I'll admit on paper that sounds logical but I was a little worried when he told his Bishop. Sad to say shortly thereafter he stopped coming to church because he needed to study. Today he is married to a beautiful non-member but doesn't have any connection with the church. His children will not have the blessings of the gospel because of such a little decision he made 15 years ago.
I know when I attempt to put God first in my life, I am happier. It is not always easy, but I am always blessed when I put God first in my life.