Give Ear to My Words - Alma 38-39 (Lesson 29 Part 3)

Alma 38
Alma 39

Today's post will complete Lesson 29.

In Chapter 38 Alma is teaching and testifying to his son, Shiblon. Much of what is written here repeats what Alma said to Helaman. He tells Shiblon:

1 My son, give ear to my words, for I say unto you, even as I said unto Helaman, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence.

Alma also recounts his own conversion story and testifies of the truthfulness of Christ's Atonement much like he did when speaking with Helaman.

Alma finds great joy in Shiblon's desire for righteousness and spreading the gospel, even to the point of being put into bonds and beings stoned. Alms points out that the it is the Lord that has delivered him.

Alma tells Shiblon to continue his missionary work and give him some advice:

10 And now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things.
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.
12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.
13 Do not pray as the Zoramites do, for ye have seen that they pray to be heard of men, and to be praised for their wisdom.
14 Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times.
15 And may the Lord bless your soul, and receive you at the last day into his kingdom, to sit down in peace. Now go, my son, and teach the word unto this people. Be sober. My son, farewell.

Some Do's: be diligent, temperate, bold, bridle passions (note that passions are bridled like a horse, thus like a horse can be controlled so can passions), be filled with love, pray for forgiveness, pray on behalf of others.

Some Don'ts: don't have pride, boast, be overbearing, be idle, pray like Zoramites (ie pray or do good things to be noticed by men- don't be a hypocrite).

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In Chapter 39 Alma begins to speak (read counsel) with his son, Coriantumr. This discussion is going to go differently than the first 2 sons. Primarily because Coraintumr has committed fornication with a harlot, Isabel, and so forsook the ministry among the Zoramites. Oh no.

1 And now, my son, I have somewhat more to say unto thee than what I said unto thy brother; for behold, have ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God? Behold, has he not set a good example for thee?
2 For thou didst not give so much heed unto my words as did thy brother, among the people of the Zoramites. Now this is what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom.
3 And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel.
4 Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted.
5 Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?

Alma is plain here telling his son that he has been taught better and shown better, there is no excuse for the behavior. He is also plain in stating that sexual sins are of the worst kind and that murder and denying the Holy Ghost are the only sins that are worse. How can we as parents handle this sort of situation? Even though Alma was diligent and righteous and so were Shiblon's older brothers, Shiblon still fell. This is to be expected, though like Alma it grieves us. What can we as parents learn from Alma's example?

So far we have a few things. Confront your child and speak plainly, don't mince your words or excuse their actions. Come out and say "Look we taught you better, you have had good examples in your life. This hurts us deeply to see you do this thing. It is wrong what you did in the eyes of the Lord..."

I am going to bullet point how Alma approaches the rest of the conversation and then we can see some good teaching points

• It is for your own good that we talk about this even if it hurts


• God knows everything we do and we cannot hide from it


• Our sins testify against us before God


• Repent and forsake your sins


• Counsel with others for help


• The Lord has commanded me (your parent) to to tell you to do good


• Use all your might, mind and strength to do good and to reconcile the harm you have caused others


• Don't seek after vanities of the world (ie popularity, looking cool to your friends, etc)

Alma will continue talking to Coriantumr in the next few chapters and that will be discussed in the next lesson. We can all learn from Alma how to testify. teach, and counsel with our children.