Alma Chapter 32

People Must be Humble before they will repent and accept the Gospel.

In the previous chapter we learned of the Spiritual condition of the Zoramites, we learned what type of people they were ( Alma 32:20-25).  IN chapter 32 we learned that not all Zoramites were consumed with pride and were wicked and hard hearted.  Some of the Zoramites were willing to listen to Alma's preachings ( Alma 32:1-3)  We see that these people were "prepared" to be taught.   Sometimes we see that poor people are  more willing than the prosperous to listen to the Gospel Message...( Alma 32:5-6).  Thinking back, we can analyze those times when we were the most enthusiastic or willing to learn gospel principles.....Why were we more enthusiastic at these times?  What made us look for the Gospel more diligently?

 Alma teaches us in this chapter that there are different ways to be Humble.  And the importance of it.( Alma 32:14).  We learn that we can recieve the Lord's word by studying the scriptures, listening to the prophets and inspired leaders, by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and also by studying our patriarchal blesings.  The Word of the Lord WILL make us Humble.

There are two ways that we can be Humble, and Alma discusses them with the Zoramites.( Alma 32:13;15-16) He speaks of the differences between being "compelled" to be humble and  humbling ourselves.

 Elder NealA. Maxwell:

“The gospel requires us to yield our minds as well as bend our knees. Minds are often more arthritic than knees” ( That Ye May Believe [1992], 101).

Humility can come from simple, daily experiences such as prayer, scripture study, recognizing our dependence on the Lord, and sharing our testimony with others. 


Another important point that Alma teaches about in this chapter is FAITH.  He compares the gaining of FAITH to a seed and how it gradually grows into a tree.





Alma when preaching to the Zoramites invites them to exercise FAITH in his words.  He teaches them about the Gospel, centering on Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  Alma's lecture in this chapter is more than just describing FAITH, it is a counsel on how to rekindle or develop FAITH in Jesus Christ.

• WHat Kind of heart must we have for the seed to grow?(Alma 32:6)
• What must we do to cultivate our soil?(Alma 32:27)
• How do we plat the "word" in our hearts?( the "Word" refers to the Gospel centering on Jesus Christ) 
• WHat must we NOT do to the Seed?
• How will we know when our testimony of the word begins to grow?( Alma 32:28)
• what will we begin to know about the word of God (the seed) when we start to feel it growing? ( Alma 32:30-32)
• Why must we NOT stop searching and praying? 
• What would Happen if we stop watering it( Alma 32:34-36)
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Some of the spiritual activities that we can link to watering and fertilizing are :
Searching and pondering the scriptures, praying, hearkening to Church leaders, obeying the commandments, fasting, giving service, strengthening family and others, accepting church callings, and so forth. ( Alma 32:37-40)
faith, diligence, and patience are such important elements to a growing testimony of the Savior that  Alma says the tree will eventually bear fruit that is sweet, white, and pure, and that we may feast on this fruit until we are filled. Ask: What does this fruit represent? (Help students see that the fruit represents a life of obedience to gospel principles, the blessings that come from living the gospel, and the joys of eternal life; (Alma 32:41-43; 1Nephi 8:10–12 ; 15:36 ; D&C 14:7 .)

 the process of gaining a testimony of the Savior and His gospel must include humility, a desire to believe, faith in the Lord, correct doctrine, study, prayer, patience, obedience, and diligence. Our testimony must be centered in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. 

 President GordonB. Hinckley said:

“The strength of the Church lies in the conviction carried in the hearts of its members, by the individual members of the Church. It is the privilege, it is the opportunity, it is the obligation of every Latter-day Saint to gain for himself or herself a certain knowledge that this is the work of the Almighty, that God our Eternal Father lives and watches over His children when they look to Him in faith; that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Redeemer of all mankind, who rose from the dead to become the firstfruits of them that slept. That testimony ... is the most precious possession that any of us can hold” ( Teachings of GordonB. Hinckley, 647).

“I am satisfied, I know it’s so, that whenever a man has a true witness in his heart of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ all else will come together as it should. ... That is the root from which all virtue springs among those who call themselves Latter-day Saints”