Alma’s Teachings to the Zoramites
- Alma 32:8-11
- The lowly of heart are blessed; did you think you could only worship God once a week in synagogues?
- Alma 32:12
- Humility leads to wisdom; poverty leads to humility.
- Alma 32:13
- The humble seek repentance, and the repentant find mercy and salvation.
- Alma 32:14
- Those that are humble by necessity are blessed, but more blessed are those who voluntarily humble themselves because of the word.
- Alma 32:15
- The voluntarily humble are more blessed than those who are humble out of necessity.
- Alma 32:16
- Blessed are those who believe without stubbornness, and who believe without first being compelled to knowledge.
- Alma 32:17-18
- Sign-seeking is incompatible with faith; knowledge precludes the presence of belief.
- Alma 32:19-20
- Knowledge, in contrast to belief, comes with greater accountability and expectation of action.
- Alma 32:21
- Faith is not a perfect knowledge; the faithful hope for unseen—yet true—things.
- Alma 32:22
- God desires and is merciful to believers.
- Alma 32:23
- God imparts his word by angels to men, women, and children.
- Alma 32:24
- Alma does not mean judge the poor by any untrue standard.
- Alma 32:25
- Not all the poor are compelled to humility; many among them would have been voluntarily humble even in other circumstances.
- Alma 32:26
- The truth of Alma’s words can not be known for sure at first, because faith is different than knowing.
- Alma 32:27
- A desire to believe, or a particle of faith, can begin an experiment on Alma’s words.
- Alma 32:28
- The word is compared to a seed, planted in your heart, which swells, enlarges, enlightens, and becomes delicious.
- Alma 32:29
- Although not perfect knowledge, this process will increase faith.
- Alma 32:30
- The seed is identified as good, and strengthens faith, and knowledge of goodness of the seed is acquired.
- Alma 32:31–32
- Knowledge of the goodness of the seed is a type of surety.
- Alma 32:33
- Knowledge of goodness is a result of experimenting on the word.
- Alma 32:34
- Perfect knowledge of the effects and results of planting the seed is the product of an enlightened understanding, and an expanded mind.
- Alma 32:35
- The personal illumination that is obtained through this process is a discernible reality.
- Alma 32:36
- This is not the end; faith is still required despite determining that the seed is good.
- Alma 32:37
- As the seed grows into a tree, it requires nourishing to take root and bear fruit.
- Alma 32:38
- Neglecting the tree will prevent it from taking root, and cause the tree to wither and die.
- Alma 32:39
- The death of the tree—and the consequent lack of fruit—is not a reflection on the quality of the seed, but rather a consequence of barren soil and malnourishment.
- Alma 32:40
- Failure to nourish the word prevents the reaping of the fruit of the tree of life.
- Alma 32:41
- Careful, patient attention to the tree as it grows up will enable it to spring up unto everlasting life.
- Alma 32:42
- Diligent care of the tree will cause it to take root and bear precious fruit, the feasting upon which will satisfy all hunger and thirst.
- Alma 32:43
- Diligence, patience, and long suffering are rewarded by the reaping the fruit of the tree.
- Alma 33:1
- Upon hearing Alma’s words, the people want to know how to implement Alma’s teachings about belief, faith, and obtaining fruit.
- Alma 33:2
- Alma replies by telling them that they misunderstand the scriptures if they belief that worship can only take place in a synagogue.
- Alma 33:3–12
- Alma reminds them of the words of Zenos, who taught that God is merciful towards those who engage in private worship.
- Alma 33:12–14
- Zenos taught that God turns away his judgement because of his Son.
- Alma 33:15–17
- Zenock taught that the Lord is angry with this people because they refuse to understand his mercy.
- Alma 33:19
- Moses also taught about the Son of God by raising a type in the wilderness.
- Alma 33:20
- Not many people understood Moses’ type, and its healing power, and disbelieved because of their hard hearts.
- Alma 33:21
- If healing came simply by looking, would you rather look and be healed, or disbelieve and perish?
- Alma 33:22
- If you are inclined to be healed, the believe in the Son of God, his atonement, his resurrection, and his saving power.
- Alma 33:23
- Plant this word in your hearts, nourish it, and it will become a tree springing up to everlasting life, granting you the joy of the Son of God.