Unit 14: Day 2

Mosiah 27

Introduction

Mosiah 27 recounts the conversion of Alma (the son of Alma) and the sons of King Mosiah. It tells of their rebellious attempts to destroy the Church of God, the visitation of an angel, Alma’s miraculous change, and the efforts of these young men to repair the harm they had done. The account of Alma’s conversion emphasizes the need for all individuals to be born again and to live in righteousness. This chapter also shows the blessings of praying for those who choose not to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mosiah 27:1–23

An angel calls Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah to repentance

Think about those you know who do not have testimonies of the gospel or have fallen away from the Church. What would you do if one of them refused all of your efforts to help him or her? Look for insights into this question as you study today.

Read Mosiah 27:8–10, and identify how these verses describe Alma and the sons of Mosiah. What were Alma and the sons of Mosiah trying to do to the Church and its members?

What part of the description of Alma and the sons of Mosiah stands out most to you? Why?

At times, we may feel tempted to believe that certain people will never change and come to the Lord. Think about this attitude as you continue your study in Mosiah 27.

Read Mosiah 27:11–14, and underline why the angel came to Alma and the sons of Mosiah.

Mosiah 27:14 teaches this principle: The Lord responds to our faithful prayers for others. You may want to write this principle in your scriptures next to Mosiah 27:14. Not everyone who needs to repent and not everyone for whom we pray will receive the visitation of an angel. The Lord responds to our faithful prayers for others according to His own wisdom.

1. In your scripture study journal, answer one or both of the following questions:

   1. When have you felt that your prayers made a difference in someone’s life?

   2. How can believing that the Lord responds to our faithful prayers in behalf of others affect how you pray?

Ponder how you might liken the account of Alma and the sons of Mosiah to your life. You can continue to pray for those you know and love who choose to act contrary to the teachings of the Lord. You can remember that the Lord hears your prayers and responds in His own way and time and yet allows each person his or her agency. Also, carefully think about the following questions: Who may be praying for your welfare? How might the Lord want you to change? What do you need to do for that change to occur?

Read the rest of the angel’s words to Alma, as recorded in Mosiah 27:15–16. Remember that the angel spoke “with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake” (Mosiah 27:11). Imagine how this experience would affect you if you were with Alma and the sons of Mosiah.

How would you summarize the angel’s message?

After the angel’s message, Alma could not speak. He became weak, and he was “carried helpless” (Mosiah 27:19) to his father. When Alma’s father heard what had happened, he “rejoiced, for he knew that it was the power of God” (Mosiah 27:20). He assembled the people “that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son” (Mosiah 27:21). Alma’s father asked the priests to fast and pray so that his son might receive his strength and the ability to speak (see Mosiah 27:22). The Lord answered their prayers.

Mosiah 27:24–31

Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah repent and are born again

Read Mosiah 27:23–24, 28–30 to discover how Alma the Younger changed as a result of his experience with the angel. In the following chart, write words or phrases from these verses that describe Alma’s spiritual condition before and after his change of heart.

Before	After

2. In your scripture study journal, write down one phrase that you wrote in the After column that you hope will describe you throughout your life. Explain why.

Review Mosiah 27:24, 28, and mark what Alma did and what the Lord did that brought about Alma’s change of heart.

Using Different Marking Techniques

It can be helpful to use different marking techniques to differentiate between themes or truths in the scriptures. For example, in Mosiah 27:24, 28, you could underline what Alma did to bring about his change and circle what the Lord did. Then you would be able to differentiate between the two at a glance. You may want to identify what your markings signify in a key or explanation written somewhere in your scriptures so that you will be reminded of what they mean.

3. In your scripture study journal, write down why it is important to understand what we must do as we seek to change our lives and also what the Lord will do for us.

4. Answer one or both of the following questions in your scripture study journal:

   1. How might Mosiah 27 help people who are discouraged and think they cannot repent and come to the Lord?

   2. How might Mosiah 27 help people who believe that someone else will never repent and come to the Lord?

Read Mosiah 27:25–26, and identify who must be changed through the Atonement—or in other words, who must be born of God.

These verses teach the principle: Each of us must be born again through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Being born of God means that the Spirit of the Lord causes a mighty change in a person’s heart so that he or she has no more desire to do evil, but rather desires to seek the things of God (see Mosiah 5:2). Alma and the sons of Mosiah experienced a mighty change of heart quickly, but most of us are changed through the Atonement more gradually. Being born of God is more of a process than an event.

5. Answer the following questions in your scripture study journal:

   1. How have you been changed through the Atonement as you have repented and tried each day to follow the Savior?

   2. What is one thing you can do to better come to the Lord and allow the Atonement to make a difference in your life?

Mosiah 27:32–37

Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah travel throughout the land, confessing their sins and strengthening the Church

The next verses you will study in Mosiah 27 illustrate the principle: To truly repent, a person must do everything possible to repair the damage he or she has done. Restitution means to do what we can to correct the effects of our bad choices and restore what was damaged by our actions. For example, if someone stole an item from a neighbor, making restitution would include returning the stolen item. Read Mosiah 27:32–37, and identify what Alma and the sons of Mosiah did to make restitution for their sins.

Write down how someone might make restitution for the following sins:

• Lying to a parent:

• Spreading gossip about another person:

• Cheating on a school assignment:

As you think about how you can be changed through the Atonement, consider how you can repent and make restitution for your sins.

6. Write the following at the bottom of today’s assignments in your scripture study journal:

   I have studied Mosiah 27 and completed this lesson on (date).

   Additional questions, thoughts, and insights I would like to share with my teacher: