What is the foundation of a testimony? In Mosiah 29 through Alma 4 there are many reasons for the people to question what they believe–they have temporal trials, popular figures mixing lies with doctrine, and many of their friends and family leave the fold of God. Nevertheless the Nephites were strengthened by the Lord. And we can strengthen our testimonies through their stories of perseverance.
Segment 1
Scriptures:
Alma 2:28 (God strengthens his people)
Alma 1:27, Alma 4:12-14 (Take care of the poor)
Segment 2
Scriptures:
Mosiah 29:3, Mosiah 29:10-13 (Who will be king)
Mosiah 29:21-23 (Cons of the unrighteous king)
Mosiah 29:40 (Pros of King Mosiah)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
Alma 1:3-5 (Truth mixed with lies in doctrine)
Words of the General Authorities:
The companionship of the Holy Ghost makes what is good more attractive and temptation less compelling. That alone should be enough to make us determined to qualify for the Spirit to be with us always. Just as the Holy Ghost strengthens us against evil, He also gives us the power to discern truth from falsehood. The truth that matters most is verified only by revelation from God. Our human reason and the use of our physical senses will not be enough. We live in a time when even the wisest will be hard-pressed to distinguish truth from clever deception. (Henry B. Eyring, “The Holy Ghost as Your Companion”, October 2015 General Conference)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
Alma 1:8-9 (Gideon dies)
Alma 1:12 (Priestcrafts)
CR: 2 Nephi 26:29
Alma 1:15 (Nehor’s ignominious death)
Segment 5
Scriptures:
Alma 1:16-17 (Priestcrafts continue)
Alma 1:24-25 (Some people leave the church)
Alma 2-3 (Nephites contend with Amlicites)
Hebraism:
Alma 3:26 ex. Thousands and tens of thousands (Number parallelism)
Words of the General Authorities;
We all know people who say that they don’t need God to be happy, that they are happy enough without religion. I acknowledge and respect these feelings. Our beloved Father in Heaven wants all His children to have as much happiness as possible, so He has filled this world with beautiful, wholesome pleasures and delights, “both to please the eye and … gladden the heart.”...By inviting everyone and sharing the Savior’s good news of great joy, we do not discount any of these sources of joy. We’re simply saying that God has something more to give. A higher and more profound joy—a joy that transcends anything this world offers. It is a joy that endures heartbreak, penetrates sorrow, and diminishes loneliness. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Higher Joy”, April 2024 General Conference)
Segment 6
Scriptures:
Alma 4:1-3 (Nephite afflictions)
Words of the General Authorities:
Now, you’ll be in an onion patch much of your life. So will I. It will be hard to see the powers of heaven magnifying us or our efforts. It may even be hard to see our work being of any value at all. And sometimes our work won’t go well. But you didn’t come for the weeds. You came for the Savior. And if you pray, and if you choose to be clean, and if you choose to follow God’s servants, you will be able to work and wait long enough to bring down the powers of heaven. (Henry B. Eyring, “Waiting upon the Lord”, BYU Speeches delivered on September 30, 1990)
View transcript here.