Alma 13-16: Rest

Segment 1

Scriptures:
Alma 13:27 (Hearken unto the words of the prophets)
Alma 13:3-5 (We are known by God)
Alma 15:18 (Ministering one on one)

Segment 2

Scriptures:
Alma 12:9 (Know the mysteries of God)
Mosiah 4:6-7 (The Atonement was prepared)

Words of the General Authorities:
[The Plan of Redemption] is the timeless, ongoing plan of which the priesthood is a conductor of power or energy. (Hugh Nibley, “Teachings of the Book of Mormon Vol. 2; Lecture 36” Deseret Book, 1993)

Segment 3

Scriptures:
Alma 13:1-3 (Foreordination)
D&C 84:20-21 (Power of Godliness is manifest)

Words of the General Authorities:
The power in prayer seems to me much like that of electricity. As the wire is the conductor of the electric current, so, it seems to me, is prayer the channel through which inspiration comes to man. (Ann M. Cannon, “Prayer”, General MIA Conference June 4, 1901, referenced in At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women)

The gift of the Holy Ghost … quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being. (Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, 9th ed. [1965], 101)

The principal purposes of sacred time and holy places are exactly the same: to repeatedly focus our attention upon Heavenly Father and His plan, the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, the edifying power of the Holy Ghost, and the promises associated with the sacred ordinances and covenants of the Savior’s restored gospel…But only as we return to our homes with the spiritual perspective and strength obtained in those holy places and activities can we then sustain our focus upon the primary purposes of mortal life and overcome the temptations so prevalent in our fallen world. (David A. Bednar, “Be Still, and Know That I Am God”, April 2024 General Conference)

Segment 4

Scriptures:
Alma 13:1 (Teach after the order of God)
D&C 25 (Emma Smith is an elect lady)

Words of the General Authorities:
Order, Ordain, Ordinance! Order—To put in ranks or rows, in proper sequence or relationship. Ordain—The process of putting things in rows or proper relationship. Ordinance—The ceremony by which things are put in proper order. (Boyd K. Packer, “Ordinances”, BYU Speeches February 3, 1980)

You are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to these principles how great and glorious!—if you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates…and I now turn the key to you in the name of God and this Society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time. (Joseph Smith, in Relief Society Minute Book, Nauvoo, Illinois, Apr. 28, 1842)

He proposed that the Sisters elect a presiding officer to preside over them, and let that presiding officer choose two Counsellors to assist in the duties of her Office— that he would ordain them to preside over the Society— and let them preside just as the Presidency, preside over the church…let this Presidency serve as a constitution— all their decisions be considered law; and acted upon as such. If any Officers are wanted to carry out the designs of the Institution, let them be appointed and set apart, as Deacons, Teachers &c. are among us. (Joseph Smith, in Relief Society Minute Book, Nauvoo, Illinois, March 17, 1842)

What does it mean to have access to priesthood power? It means that we can receive revelation, be blessed and aided by the ministering of angels, learn to part the veil that separates us from our Heavenly Father. (Sheri Dew, Women and the Priesthood: What One Latter-day Saint Woman Believes)

And to each of you who has made temple covenants, I plead with you to seek—prayerfully and consistently—to understand temple covenants and ordinances. Spiritual doors will open. You will learn how to part the veil between heaven and earth, how to ask for God’s angels to attend you, and how better to receive direction from heaven. Your diligent efforts to do so will reinforce and strengthen your spiritual foundation. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation”, October 2021 General Conference)

Study Helps:
During the setting apart, the person is given (1) authority to act in the calling and (2) words of blessing as guided by the Spirit. (Church Handbook, 18.11 Setting apart members to serve in callings)

Segment 5

Scriptures:
Alma 14:10-13 (Understanding the will of the Lord)
Alma 12:34,35,36,37 Alma 13:6,12,13,16,20,29 (Enter into his rest)
CR: Abraham 1:2

Words of the General Authorities:
Not only would they die for the Lord, but more important they want to live for Him. (Ezra Taft Benson, “Born of God”, October 1985 General Conference)

Let me assure you that that man who is not thoroughly established in the doctrine of Christ, who has not yielded his whole soul unto the Lord, and to the Gospel He has taught to the world, has not yet entered into that rest. He is still at sea, so to speak, wandering, unstable, lacking firmness, lacking the faith that cannot be moved, ready to be overtaken by the cunning and craftiness of him who lies in wait to deceive and mislead into error and darkness. While he that has received the testimony of Jesus Christ in his heart, he that has yielded his all to the kingdom of God and to the will of the Father, is so established. His heart is fixed; his mind is made up; doubts have been dispelled; fears have all been removed; he knows in whom to trust; he is thoroughly established in his purposes and in his determination that, as for him and his house he will serve God, keep His commandments and walk, as far as it is possible for human creatures to walk, in purity of life, in honor, fidelity, and uprightness before the Lord. (Joseph F. Smith, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, Chapter 48: Finding Rest in Christ)

Segment 6

Scriptures:
Alma 16:3-7 (Alma assures Zoram)
Mosiah 8:16 (The prophet is a gift)
Alma 16:14-17 (Preach the gospel to everyone)

Words of the General Authorities:
Because we love God and have covenanted to serve Him, we can partner with the Savior to help provide temporal and spiritual relief for those in need—and in the process find our own relief in Jesus Christ. (Camille N. Johnson, “Jesus Christ Is Relief”, April 2023 General Conference)

As a certain woman, Jenny testified: “Not only are we here to save others but to save ourselves. And that salvation comes from partnering with Jesus Christ, from understanding His grace and His Atonement and His feelings of love for the women of the Church. That happens through things as simple as brushing someone’s hair; sending a note with an inspired, clear, revelatory message of hope and grace; or allowing women to serve us.” (Linda K. Burton, “Certain Women”, April 2017 General Conference in a letter from our Sunday on Monday guest Jenny Reeder)