Alma 5-7

“Have Ye Experienced this Mighty Change in your Hearts?”

June 1-7

Scripture: Alma 5: 14

And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

Activity Idea: Melt ice to reveal toy/figure

We all have at one time or another felt a change of heart. Our hearts have been softened as we humble ourselves before God and men. I thought of ice melting, revealing what really matters. God wants us to change to become the best version of ourselves and more like Him. This is only possible through Jesus Christ. We can’t change by ourselves. We can’t become perfect overnight (or in this life!). We need Christ to cleans us but also to help change us. It takes time to melt our frozen exteriors, but it is possible!

Another Activity Idea for: Alma 7:11-13- Miming

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit ^aknoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the ^bflesh that he might ^ctake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

I’ve been pondering this scripture for awhile. It has always been one of my favorite scriptures on the atonement of Jesus Christ. I have done pretty good with this whole quarantine thing until two weeks ago. And I have struggled. Seriously struggled. Hard to be motivated. Hard to be patient. Nothing to look forward to. Depression sinking in. I prayed. Prayed for help. For relief. I understood the peace when I read this scripture and prayed for succor, but I didn’t FEEL it. I know that He suffered THIS particular thing. He knows why I spiraled. He knows why I’m struggling. He knows how hard I’m trying to swim to the surface and not drown. He has been there. Relief has slowly come. I’m still swimming, but I see land in the distance. I’m starting to feel the peace that the Savior brings.

Activity Ideas from the church: Hide and Sheep

• Sing “Come, Follow Me” (Hymns, no. 116).
• The prophet Alma taught that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd (see Alma 5:38). He watches over us and calls us to come to Him.
• Play this game with your family. One person is the shepherd. The others are sheep. All the sheep hide while the shepherd closes his or her eyes and counts to 20. Then the shepherd searches for the sheep. Whenever sheep are found, they help the shepherd find the others.