Alma 19

“His Arm Is Extended to All Who Repent and Believe”

a youth sharing the gospel with friends

As you think about sharing the gospel with others, do you ever feel like there are some people who would be unlikely to ever accept the Savior’s teachings? How do you think Heavenly Father views these people? From Ammon’s missionary experiences with the Lamanites, we see that the Lord is preparing the hearts of people from all walks of life to receive His gospel. This lesson can help you understand that the Lord loves all people and desires them to come unto Him.

Survey yourself

Rate yourself on a scale of 1–5 on how likely you think you would be to invite the following people to learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. Someone you know who has expressed interest in the Church

2. A friend or family member who already generally follows the standards of the gospel but is not yet a member

3. A friend or family member who does not follow the standards of the gospel

4. Someone you know who has declined previous invitations from others to learn more about the gospel

Ponder the reasons why you responded the way you did.

• How might our personal opinions about others affect our efforts to share the gospel?

When the sons of Mosiah began their mission to the Lamanites, many people laughed at them and doubted that they would ever have success among such wicked people (see Alma 26:23–25). However, Ammon and his brothers did experience success. You might remember that after Ammon taught the gospel to King Lamoni, the king believed Ammon’s words, prayed for mercy, and fell to the earth as he was overcome by the Spirit (see Alma 18:40–43).

Lamoni praying

Today you will learn about the events that occurred in Lamoni’s household after Ammon taught the king. As you study, look for truths that can help you better understand the way Heavenly Father sees His children, including those who may seem unlikely to accept the gospel.

Ammon continued to teach Lamoni’s household

When the queen of the Lamanites learned of her husband’s death, she sent for Ammon so she could speak to him (see Alma 19:1–3).

Read Alma 19:4–17, looking for what the queen and others experienced after speaking with Ammon. You may also want to watch “Ammon Serves and Teaches King Lamoni” from time code 15:18 to 20:06. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• What do you learn about the queen from these verses?

• What had Lamoni learned about Jesus Christ during the previous three days?

• Why do you think this knowledge brought Lamoni such joy?

After gathering others to the king’s house, the queen’s servant Abish was surprised and saddened when the people began to contend among themselves about why the king and the others were lying on the earth as if they were dead (see Alma 19:18–28).

Read Alma 19:29–36, looking for what Abish did in this contentious moment and what happened among the Lamanites afterward. You may also want to watch “Ammon Serves and Teaches King Lamoni” from time code 20:07 to 23:04. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• What impact did the gospel of Jesus Christ have on the many Lamanites who chose to believe?

• What truth about the Lord did Mormon teach in verse 36 after sharing this account?

The Lord’s desire for all to come unto Him

From Mormon’s words in verse 36, we learn that the Lord’s arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on His name. Consider marking this truth in your scriptures.

In this context, the Lord’s arm being extended includes His mercy and willingness to forgive.

• What experiences have helped you to see the truthfulness of this principle in your own life or in the lives of others?

Sometimes we may incorrectly decide that someone would not be interested in the gospel because of how that person looks or what he or she has done in the past. Take a moment to imagine someone in this situation. This could be a specific person you know, or you could just think about people who generally fit this description.

1. Answer the following questions in a paragraph that is three to five sentences:

   • How does God feel about this person?

   • How can understanding the way God feels about this person influence your feelings toward them?

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Can I become converted to the Lord from one powerful experience?

The Lamanites Ammon taught experienced conversion in such a dramatic way that they were overpowered by the Spirit and fell to the earth. This is not typical of how most of Heavenly Father’s children experience conversion.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Elder David A. Bednar

For many of us, conversion is an ongoing process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. Line upon line and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the Lord requires both persistence and patience. (David A. Bednar, “Converted Unto the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 107–8)

How does Jesus Christ feel about those who are not accepted by others?

Sister Sharon Eubank, former First Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency, taught:

Sister Sharon Eubank

The New Testament shows the great efforts Jesus made to reach out to all kinds of people: lepers, tax collectors, children, Galileans, harlots, women, Pharisees, sinners, Samaritans, widows, Roman soldiers, adulterers, the ritually unclean. In almost every story, He is reaching someone who wasn’t traditionally accepted in society. (Sharon Eubank, “Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 74)

How can trying to see others as God does impact me?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Elder Dale G. Renlund

To effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. Only then can we sense the Savior’s caring concern for them. (Dale G. Renlund, “Through God’s Eyes,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 94)