Missionaries that Match the Message! Alma 17-18 Fourteen Characteristics of Successful Missionaries: 1. Instruments in the Hands of God (Alma 17:9, D&C 35:13- 14). 2. Scriptural Knowledge (Alma 18:36, 39-42, Alma 22:13, D&C 11:21-22).

3. Fasting and Prayer (Alma 17:9-10, James 5:16, “the 3. Fasting and Prayer (Alma 17:9-10, James 5:16, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”). 4. Patience and Overcoming Discouragement! (Alma 26:27-29). President Ezra Taft Benson said, “There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you… To press on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine” (Do Not Despair, 67).

Is it because I did all these things? 5. Good example or “God example” (Alma 17:11). 6. Serve the People (Alma 17:23, 25) It’s not about you anymore. “Perhaps until the day I die.” 7. Put the Lord and His work first (Alma17:13-15, 29). Thanks for the offer, but I must serve my mission before I marry. 8. Be Faithful (Alma 17:39) “Obedience” 9. The Power of Discernment (Alma 18:11- 15,16; 18:32) Is it because I did all these things?

10. Divine Protection (Alma 19:18-22, Mosiah 28:7, D&C 42:48). 11. The Lord will direct your path (Alma 20:1-2, I Nephi 4:6). 12. Love the People (Alma 20:8-27). 13. How great shall be your joy (Alma 23:5, 26:13; 25:17). 14. A Positive re-union (Alma 27:16-19).

Your Mission Is Preparation! It is your school for eternity! You won’t forget that, will you? This mission is not just a two-year stretch. This is the time when you cultivate the seeds of Godhood so that you can help other people on their way toward exaltation. How small are we who think of the mission as just being a stretch of time, some physical thing that some of you will ever do. It’s up to you to let this be the prelude to your life, to let it be the beginning of a great and glorious life (Spencer W. Kimball).

Alma 17 Their spiritual preparation allowed them to work by the spirit! Alma 17:2-3 Three reasons the Sons of Mosiah were such great missionaries: 1. They were men of sound understanding 2. They had searched the scriptures 3. Much prayer and fasting

Alma 17:4 “Fourteen year mission” Results: 1. They had the spirit of revelation 2. They had the spirit of prophecy 3. They taught with power and authority of God Alma 17:4 “Fourteen year mission” We only have two stories from those fourteen years: 1. Ammon and King Lamoni 2. Aaron and King Lamoni’s Father

“Missionary Work is Hard!” Alma 17:4, 14-15 “Missionary Work is Hard!” Alma 17:9-12 “Instruments” in the hands of God Alma 17:29 I will show forth my power that I may win the hearts of these my fellow servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.

Alma 17:31 duh #1 Alma 17:32 duh #2 Alma 17:35 “They knew not that the Lord had promised… he would deliver” his servants. “I saw Elder Brigham Young standing in a strange land, in the far south and west, in a desert place, upon a rock in the midst of about a dozen men of color, who appeared hostile. He was preaching to them in their own tongue, and an angel of God was standing above his head with a drawn sword in his hand, protecting him, but Brigham did not see it” (Joseph Smith, Teachings, 108).

Arms: Alma 18 “A friend to the King” Ammon was disarming Where did they put the arms? The Armory They put all the arms in front of the King (Perhaps the first arms race or arms talk) (You’re right, this is not funny!) Alma 18 “A friend to the King”

Alma 18:2-4, 11, 18 An unknown author has said, “Live in such a way that people who know you but don’t know Christ will want to know Christ because they know you” (David Burton, Ensign, May 1994, 68). Alma 18:3 We know that he is a friend Alma 18:5 duh #3 Alma 18:10 None so faithful as this man Alma 18:14 No answer for an hour Alma 18:16 Nice door approach Alma 18:22-23 The “commitment pattern?” Alma 18:24-43 Alma finds common ground and teaches with boldness and power!

“Critics have maintained” Alma 18:9 Is there evidence of “horses and…chariots” in pre-Columbus America? “Critics have maintained” (1) no horses existed on the American continents before the time of Columbus, and (2) the people who lived on the American continents did not know the principle of the wheel before the coming of Columbus. However, since the publication of the Book of Mormon, considerable archaeological evidence has come forth to reinforce its claims that there were horses on the American continents before the time of Columbus and that these early peoples did know the principle of the wheel” (Daniel H. Ludlow, Companion, 206).