Alma 7:1–13

That He May Succor His People

God’s work and glory is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). To accomplish this, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer for our sins and overcome death through His Resurrection. The Savior willingly suffered all things for us “that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:12). This lesson can help you rely on and feel greater love for your Savior.

The most important things

Create a list of what you consider to be some of the most important events in world history, and then rank them in order from the most to the least important.

• What makes an event significant or important?

• Why might ranking them in order of importance be somewhat difficult to do?

As Alma spoke to the people in the land of Gideon, he prophesied that although “there be many things to come; … there is one thing which is of more importance” than anything else (Alma 7:7).

Read Alma 7:7, looking for this most important event. Consider marking what you find.

• Why do you think the coming of the Savior is the most important event of all time?

After Alma spoke to the people of Zarahemla and set the Church in order in that part of the land (see Alma 6), he traveled to the land of Gideon. Alma 7 contains important teachings from Alma to the people of Gideon about Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Before you begin studying, take a moment to think about how the Atonement of Jesus Christ relates to your life. What circumstances are you currently facing in which you need the help Heavenly Father and the Savior provide?

As you study today, look for teachings about Jesus Christ and His Atonement that can help you better understand what He has done for you and how He can help you.

Alma teaches about the Savior’s Atonement

Copy the following chart in your study journal.

What the Savior suffered for me	Why the Savior suffered for me

Alma 7:11–13 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will have an opportunity in the next lesson to practice applying the doctrine taught in this passage to a question or situation.

Read Alma 7:11–13, looking for Alma’s teachings about what Jesus Christ suffered or took upon Himself for you as part of His Atonement. Record these in the first column of your chart. It may be helpful to know that the word infirmities refers to the weaknesses and frailties we experience in mortality.

Read 2 Nephi 9:21; Mosiah 3:5–8; and Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19. These passages include other details about the Savior’s suffering. Add any words or phrases that you find important to the first column in your chart. Consider adding a cross-reference or link from these passages to Alma 7:11–13.

1. Answer the following questions:

   • What thoughts or feelings did you have as you learned about the Savior’s suffering?

   • Why do you think it is important to understand what the Savior suffered and took upon Himself as part of His atoning sacrifice?

Why Jesus Christ suffered these things

Read Alma 7:11–13 again, this time looking for why the Savior suffered for you. Focus on the phrases that begin with “that he” or “that his” as you read. In the second column of your chart, write what you find. It may be helpful to know that the word succor means to provide relief or aid.

• What did you learn about why Jesus Christ suffered these things for you?

• How would you summarize what you have studied in Alma 7:11–13 into a statement of truth?

From Alma 7:11–13, you may have identified a truth like this: Jesus Christ suffered to save me from sin and death and to help me through the challenges of mortality.

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency shared some of the challenges of mortality the Savior can help us with. Read the following statement or watch the video “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 3:13 to 4:01.

Our Savior experienced and suffered the fulness of all mortal challenges “according to the flesh” so He could know “according to the flesh” how to “succor [which means to give relief or aid to] his people according to their infirmities.” He therefore knows our struggles, our heartaches, our temptations, and our suffering, for He willingly experienced them all as an essential part of His Atonement. And because of this, His Atonement empowers Him to succor us—to give us the strength to bear it all. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 61–62)

• What does this statement help you understand or feel about the Savior?

Relating it to your life

Ponder for a moment what the Savior suffered for you personally. For example, what specific afflictions, temptations, infirmities, or suffering are you experiencing or have you experienced? Consider writing your thoughts below your chart.

Next, prayerfully ponder how the Savior has strengthened or could strengthen you in each of these difficulties. Ask Heavenly Father to inspire you as you write your thoughts and feelings.

2. Answer at least one of the following questions:

   • When have you felt the strength Jesus Christ provides through His Atonement?

   • What have you learned or felt about Jesus Christ in your study today that you want to remember?

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How does the Lord feel about sins or weaknesses that I struggle to overcome?

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The joyful news for anyone who desires to be rid of the consequences of past poor choices is that the Lord sees weaknesses differently than He does rebellion. Whereas the Lord warns that unrepented rebellion will bring punishment, when the Lord speaks of weaknesses, it is always with mercy. (Richard G. Scott, “Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 83)

Does Jesus Christ really know my situation?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Christ walked the path every mortal is called to walk so that he would know how to succor and strengthen us in our most difficult times. He knows the deepest and most personal burdens we carry. He knows the most public and poignant pains we bear. He descended below all such grief in order that he might lift us above it. There is no anguish or sorrow or sadness in life that he has not suffered in our behalf and borne away upon his own valiant and compassionate shoulders. (Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [1997], 223–24)

Elder Matthew S. Holland of the Seventy taught:

For anyone today with pains so intense or so unique that you feel no one else could fully appreciate them, you may have a point. There may be no family member, friend, or priesthood leader—however sensitive and well-meaning each may be—who knows exactly what you are feeling or has the precise words to help you heal. But know this: there is One who understands perfectly what you are experiencing, who is “mightier than all the earth” [1 Nephi 4:1], and who is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that [you] ask or think” [Ephesians 3:20]. The process will unfold in His way and on His schedule, but Christ stands ready always to heal every ounce and aspect of your agony. (Matthew S. Holland, “The Exquisite Gift of the Son,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 46)