Alma 38-39

Do your parents have a favorite child?

Corianton Corianton 91 verses 91 verses Alma Alma Helaman Helaman 77 verses 77 verses Alma Alma Shiblon Shiblon 15 verses 15 verses Alma 38 Alma 38 Shiblon: Alma 38:2–5 Shiblon: Alma 38:2–5 Alma 38:2–5Alma 38:2–5

Which couple is most filled with love? v.12 Filled with LOVE?

Alma counselled his son Shiblon to bridle all [of his] passions, that [he] may be filled with love. Significantly, disciplining the natural man in each of us makes possible a richer, deeper, and more enduring love of God and of His children. Love increases through righteous restraint and decreases though impulsive indulgence. (Elder Bednar, April 2013)

Bridle your passions Is self-denial wise because something is wrong with our passions, or because something is right with our passions? Alma did not say eliminate or even suppress your passions, but bridle themharness, channel, and focus them. Why? Because discipline makes possible a richer, deeper love (Elder Bruce C. Hafen, The Belonging Heart [1994], 302).

Sin is intensely habit-forming and sometimes moves men to the tragic point of no return. As the transgressor moves deeper and deeper in his sin, and the error is entrenched more deeply and the will to change is weakened, it becomes increasingly nearer hopeless and he skids down and down until either he does not want to climb back up or he has lost the power to do so (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 83).

Rank these sins from minor to major Drinking beer Fornication (sexual transgressions) Kicking puppies Murder Eating way too much food at Thanksgiving Stealing a car Denying the Holy Ghost Pushing an old lady Alma 39:3-6

Deny the Holy Ghost Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men: Matt. 12:31–32; ( Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10; ) It is impossible for those who were made partakers of the Holy Ghost to renew them again unto repentance: Heb. 6:4–6; If ye deny the Holy Ghost and know that ye deny it, this is a sin which is unpardonable: Alma 39:5–6; ( Jacob 7:19; ) They have no forgiveness, having denied the Only Begotten Son, having crucified him unto themselves: D&C 76:30–35;

What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against him. He has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth of it. (Joseph Smith, King Follet Discourse, Ensign, May 1971).

The sin against the Holy Ghost requires such knowledge that it is manifestly impossible for the rank and file to commit such a sin. Comparatively few Church members will commit murder wherein they shed innocent blood, and we hope only few will deny the Holy Ghost. (Spencer W Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, pg 112)

Murder Different types of murder (see Doctrine and covenants 42:18, 79) Immorality Alma 39:8-12

Alma 39:10 In what ways can seeking spiritual nourishmentpossibly from parents, Church leaders, siblings, or trusted friendshelp us to repent? Alma 39:11 What does it mean to suffer not yourself to be led away? (You may need to explain that the word suffer means to allow.) Alma 39:12 What does it mean to refrain from iniquity? Alma 39:13 What do you think it means to turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength?

Handbook A person who has been convicted of murder, or who has confessed to it even in private confessions to a priesthood leader, may not be baptized and confirmed unless the First Presidency gives permission. The request for permission must include all pertinent details by the mission president (if the person is seeking baptism for the first time) or the bishop (if a former member is seeking readmission).

4 STATEMENTS

What is considered dating? How is it defined? Dating is when two people arrange to pair up with each other and participate in an activity. However, many teens use the word dating to describe a couple that has decided to be exclusive, but this is not the kind of dating you should be doing in your teens.

Is dating before you are 16 a sin that must be repented of? Modern prophets have counseled against all dating before 16 and to avoid steady dating until after High School, so willfully disregarding this counsel should not be taken lightly. While dating early may not be something you need to confess to your bishop, you should repent by asking Heavenly Fathers forgiveness for not following the standard set by modern prophets.

When Can We Pair Off and Be Exclusive? For the Strength of Youth says, Avoid going on frequent dates with the same person. The reasons for this counsel have to do with timing and safety. Youre not yet ready for marriage, so steady dating has no real purpose yet. And people in that kind of relationship will probably want to begin to express their feelings physically. The longer the relationship goes on with no immediate prospect of marriage, the more likely a couple is to get into trouble.

Why wait? Why not steady date? In a study of 2500 LDS youth, 80 percent of youth who did date before they were 16 had become sexually involved enough to require a bishops help for repentance. Speaking of Kissing, New Era, Jun 2001, 38

Mormon Message: Chastity – What are the Limits?

Interpretation of physicality Physicality OneAcquaintance TwoFriendship ThreeCasual Dating FourSerious Dating FiveEngagement SixMarriage

Interpretation of physicality Physicality One Acquaintance Two Friendship Three Casual Dating FourSerious Dating FiveEngagement SixMarriage

When you are young, do not get involved in steady dating. When you reach an age where you think of marriage, then is the time to become so involved. But you boys who are in high school dont need this, and neither do the girls. (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 51).

Interpretation of physicality Physicality OneAcquaintance TwoFriendship ThreeCasual Dating FourSerious Dating FiveEngagement SixMarriage

Interpretation of physicality Physicality OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendship ThreeCasual Dating FourSerious Dating FiveEngagement SixMarriage

Interpretation of physicality Physicality OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual Dating FourSerious Dating FiveEngagement SixMarriage

Interpretation of physicality Physicality OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious Dating FiveEngagement SixMarriage

Interpretation of physicality Physicality OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious DatingHolding hands, kissing FiveEngagement SixMarriage

Interpretation of physicality Physicality OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious DatingHolding hands, kissing FiveEngagementLingering kisses SixMarriage

Interpretation of physicality Physicality OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious DatingHolding hands, kissing FiveEngagementLingering kisses SixMarriageIntimacy

Keep it Horizontal OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious DatingHolding hands, kissing FiveEngagementLingering kisses SixMarriageIntimacy

Keep it Horizontal OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious DatingHolding hands, kissing FiveEngagementLingering kisses SixMarriageIntimacy

Keep it Horizontal OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious DatingHolding hands, kissing FiveEngagementLingering kisses SixMarriageIntimacy

Keep it Horizontal OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious DatingHolding hands, kissing FiveEngagementLingering kisses SixMarriageIntimacy

Keep it Horizontal OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious DatingHolding hands, kissing FiveEngagementLingering kisses SixMarriageIntimacy

Keep it Horizontal OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious DatingHolding hands, kissing FiveEngagementLingering kisses SixMarriageIntimacy

Keep it Horizontal OneAcquaintanceHandshake TwoFriendshipHigh Five ThreeCasual DatingBrief hugs and flirtations FourSerious DatingHolding hands, kissing FiveEngagementLingering kisses SixMarriageIntimacy

Alma 39 By assigning such seriousness to a physical appetite so universally bestowed, what is God trying to tell us about its place in His plan for all men and women? Clearly among His greatest concerns regarding mortality are how one gets into this world and how one gets out of it. He has set very strict limits in these matters. … Elder Holland Personal Purity, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 76–77).

Alma 39 In matters of human intimacy, you must wait! You must wait until you can give everything, and you cannot give everything until you are legally and lawfully married. To give illicitly that which is not yours to give is emotional Russian roulette. If you persist without the sanction of heaven, you run the terrible risk of such spiritual, psychic damage that you may undermine both your longing for physical intimacy and your ability to give wholehearted devotion to a later, truer love… Elder Holland Personal Purity, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 76–77).

Alma 39 On your wedding day the very best gift you can give your eternal companion is your very best selfclean and pure and worthy of such purity in return. Elder Holland Personal Purity, Ensign, Nov. 1998, 76–77).

Alma 38-39