Seminary
Alma 31:1–11: “The Virtue of the Word of God”

“Alma 31:1–11: ‘The Virtue of the Word of God,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)

“Alma 31:1–11,” Book of Mormon Student Manual

Alma 31:1–11

“The Virtue of the Word of God”

missionaries teaching from the scriptures

What kinds of things might cause you to feel distant from the Savior? What helps you feel closer to Him? After hearing that the Zoramites had “fallen into great errors” (Alma 31:9), Alma made plans to use the power of the word of God to invite them to return to Jesus Christ. This lesson can help you rely on the power of the word of God to remain faithful to Jesus Christ.

Drift

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared research findings about how difficult it is to walk in a straight line when we have no visible landmarks. While many individuals in the research test thought they were successful, results showed that “without reliable landmarks, we drift off course” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Daily Restoration,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 77). You might want to watch the video “Daily Restoration” from time code 1:40 to 3:25, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, thinking about how this might spiritually relate to our lives.

13:43

  • How might this relate to us spiritually?

In Alma 31–35 you will learn about the Zoramites who had once believed in Jesus Christ but had drifted from their faith. Before you begin your study in Alma 31, reflect on how your faith in Jesus Christ has grown.

  • If you were to stay on your current course, would you be heading toward Christ or away from Him?

Alma’s goal

In Alma 31:1–11 we learn about the Zoramites and Alma’s efforts to invite them to return to the Lord. The following graphic can help you understand how Alma attempted to reclaim the Zoramites.

icon, recordCopy the following in your study journal.

Read Alma 31:1–4, 8–11, looking for how and why the Zoramites had begun to drift. Record what you find in the “Problem” section.

icon, record

  1. Answer the following questions:

    • In what ways had the Zoramites drifted? What problems did this cause?

    • What similar actions could cause people to drift today?

    Read Alma 31:34, looking for Alma’s goal and hopes for the Zoramites. Consider writing this in the “Goal” section.

    • Thinking about Alma’s goal and his feelings that you read about in Alma 31:1–2, what do you think motivated Alma? Why might this matter?

Read Alma 31:5–7, 11, marking words or phrases that describe Alma’s plan to accomplish his goal. You may want to note by verse 5 that the word virtue comes from the Latin word virtus, which means strength or power (see Gospel Topics, “Virtue”), and the word try in this context means to test or experiment.

icon, record

  1. Answer at least three of the following five bulleted questions:

    • What do you think it means to “try the virtue of the word of God”? Where can you find the word of God? (Consider reading and cross-referencing Doctrine and Covenants 18:2–4, 34–36; 68:4.)

    • What is a truth we can learn from Alma’s goal and plan to accomplish it?

    One truth you may have identified is that God’s word has power to lead people to Jesus Christ.

    • What do you know about God that makes His word powerful or strong to you? Why do you think it is more powerful “than the sword, or anything else”? (Alma 31:5).

    • In what way can the word of God help us share the gospel, correct false ideas, or lead others to Jesus Christ?

    • How has the word of God impacted your life?

    Using what you have learned from Alma and your insights from the previous questions, fill out the “How to accomplish the goal” section.

The word of God in my life

Think about how what you are learning from Alma and the Zoramites relates to your life.

  • What are some things that cause youth to drift from Jesus Christ?

  • How might relying on the word of God prevent our drift from Jesus Christ or help us come back to Him?

Think about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Is there anything causing you to drift from Him? Do you want a stronger relationship with Him? Prayerfully set a personalized goal to help you strengthen your relationship with Him. This goal could relate to or be added to your Children and Youth goals.

icon, recordCreate another copy of the goal diagram in your journal.

Write your own goal in the “Goal” section.

You could also write any obstacles to your goal in the “Problem” section.

In the “How to accomplish the goal section” write down how you can rely on the virtue of the word of God. Include how this will help you accomplish your goal.

The following questions can help.

  • Why is this goal something you feel you need in your life? How will achieving it influence your relationship with Jesus Christ?

  • What specific actions can you take to help you rely on the power in the word of God? How can this help you accomplish your goal?

  • What scriptures or statements from Church leaders could motivate you to work on this goal?

  1. When you have finished, write “I set a personal goal” in your study journal. Consider recording any insights or details about your experience from your study of Alma 31:1–11 that are not too personal.