I love the three chapters we'll be studying this week. They underscore the importance of sharing our testimonies with our children and also the need to share those by the Spirit. I love that Alma knew each of his sons so well and tailored his message to each individually. He bears witness of the same doctrine, the same gospel, but does it in a way that it is personalized for each son.
Today, we read his testimony to Helaman.
Alma shares his coversion with Helaman in verses 5-24. How does sharing our own stories of conversion affect our children? When and how can we do this?
What are other verses are catching your eye today?
Also, for further study, go to the Class Member Study Guide for a chain of scriptures referencing parents' counsel to their children.
8 comments:
I also love how he shared personal messages with each of his sons. It really shows that we need to have one on one conversations with our children and not just talk to them all together always because I think it's much easier to talk to them all at once then separate.
In regard to your question, sharing our conversions to the Gospel is so important to share with our children. No matter how we converted, they are special moments in our personal lives and we need to have our children be able to know us on that personal level. It is just like sharing our testimonies of the Gospel. If we never share them, our children won't know that we have them. The same goes with conversion stories, if we don't share them then our children might not understand or know that we are deeply devoted to the Gospel and that it is not just something to do, but that it is something that we felt the Spirit and it is something that is deeply rooted within us.
I really like that the first thing and the last thing he tells Helaman is that he must keep the commandments. It shows his deep devotion and it relates the great importance of keeping the commandments to his son.
Monica, love your thoughts. I noticed the first and last words connection, too. I feel like Alma is trying desperately to teach Helaman the path to happiness. There were a lot of neat scriptures in this chapter. I love Alma's description of his conversion. His language is so visual -- you can almost feel what he felt -- I suppose we should feel what he felt if we've ever truly repented. I love how he puts into words the things I've experienced as I've transgressed or sinned and sincerely sought forgiveness.
A couple of things really struck me about this chapter. The first is verse 3. I am grateful for the reminder that if we trust God, He will stand by us and support us in our trials.
The things that I am going through probably don't seem like much to most people, but reading this verse made me think that, because they are my trials, God knows & cares. I'm not sure that I am saying what I mean. Hopefully I am making sense!
I also thought that it was interesting that in verse 18 he tells of how he prayed for "mercy". In chapter 34, we are told to pray for mercy. Another reminder of the correct things to pray for.
Doh! My comment isn't here. Must be fate.
-Janelle
Vs 1,3, and 30 are surely very straight forward doctrine! We certainly hope that we have made clear to our children that these promises are true. We have choices to make and these are the consequences depending upon our choices. Greg and I have loved these particular Alma chapters over the years. They have been a great parenting guide. It certainly IS important to share and counsel with each of our children individually. How wonderful you are learning these great truths as young mothers!
Don't you think vs 24 is a missionary charge to each of us? I just want to share the joy with everyone!
I agree Wendy, vs 24 is a missionary charge. I love that about the gospel, the minute my testimony is increased in any area I immediately want to share how I have felt a change take place in my life. I feel so much joy, it spills over and the desire to share that with my brothers and sisters is overwhelming.
I have some thoughts about this in relation to gardening that I really want to post about on my blog. But I think you're right, Mom & Tay.
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