You are here
Come Follow Me 2020: Alma 39-42
Scripture Block
Alma 39–42
July 27–August 2. “The Great Plan of Happiness”
KnoWhys
Recommended Resources
Learn about the Book of Mormon with verse by verse commentaries from renowned Book of Mormon scholars like John W. Welch and Brant A. Gardner in the ScripturePlus app. Read this week's KnoWhy connected with the Come Follow Me curriculum, and watch a video elucidating an insight in this week's scripture reading.
Reading Plan
Structure your personal scripture study by following a multimedia, day by day plan. Each day's assignment includes the required scripture passages from the Come Follow Me curriculum, as well as suggestions for additional resources to bring context and understanding to your study. If you are looking to dive deep into your study, skip down to "Additional Resources" for a selected bibliography of articles, books, and chapters on Alma 39–42.
Monday
- Scripture: Alma 39:1–10
- KnoWhy 147: Why Was Corianton’s Sin So Serious?
- Chart: What Does Alma Say about Avoiding Sexual Sin?
Explore Further
- KnoWhy 326: What Does Alma Say about Avoiding Sexual Sin?
Tuesday
- Scripture: Alma 39:11–19
- KnoWhy 390: What Impact Do My Actions Have on Others?
-
Quote: "As regards property, Jesus taught that 'a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth'. Consequently, we should not lay up for ourselves 'treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.' In other words, the treasures of our hearts—our priorities—should not be what the scriptures call 'riches [and] the vain things of this world.' The 'vain things of [the] world' include every combination of that worldly quartet of property, pride, prominence, and power. As to all of these, the scriptures remind us that 'you cannot carry them with you.' We should be seeking the kind of treasures the scriptures promise the faithful: 'great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.'”
Oaks, Dallin H. “Focus and Priorities.” General Conference April 2001.
Wednesday
- Scripture: Alma 40:1–10
- KnoWhy 148: Why Was Corianton So Concerned About The Resurrection?
-
Quote: “The great challenge of our lives is usually not meditating on what we once were or wishing on what we may yet become, but rather living in the present moment as God would have us live. Fortunately, Christ can be in that moment for each of us since ‘all things are present’ before him (D&C 38:2) and ‘time only is measured unto men’ (Alma 40:8)”
Holland, Jeffrey R. "Whom Say Ye That I Am?" Ensign, September 1974, 66.
Thursday
- Scripture: Alma 40:11–26
-
Quote: The First Resurrection, which is also referred to as the Resurrection of the Just, began with the resurrection of Jesus Christ and continues through the Second Coming. “Those coming forth in the morning of this resurrection do so with celestial bodies and shall inherit a celestial glory; these are they who are Christ’s the firstfruits. Those coming forth in the afternoon of this resurrection do so with terrestrial bodies and consequently shall inherit that kingdom; they are described as being Christ’s at this coming. All who have been resurrected so far have received celestial bodies; the coming forth of terrestrial beings does not commence until after the Second Coming. (D&C 76:50–80; 88:95–99)”
McConkie, Bruce R. Doctrinal New Testament Commentary. Vol. 1. Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1976, 1:196. -
Quote: “Deformity will be removed; defects will be eliminated, and men and women shall attain to the perfection of their spirits, to the perfection that God designed in the beginning. It is his purpose that men and women, his children, born to become heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, shall be made perfect, physically as well as spiritually, through obedience to the law by which he has provided the means that perfection shall come to all his children”
Smith, Joseph F. Gospel Doctrine. 5th ed. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Co., 1939, 23.
Explore Further
Friday
- Scripture: Alma 41:1–15
- KnoWhy 149: Why and How Did Alma Explain the Meaning of the Word "Restoration"?
- Chart: Why Can Wickedness Never Bring Happiness?
Explore Further
- KnoWhy 329: Why Can Wickedness Never Bring Happiness?
Saturday
- Scripture: Alma 42:1–10
- KnoWhy 312: Why Are There So Many Different Names for the Plan of Salvation?
-
Quote: “The main purpose of earth life is to allow our spirits, which existed before the world was, to be united with our bodies for a time of great opportunity in mortality. The association of the two together has given us the privilege of growing, developing, and maturing as only we can with spirit and body united. With our bodies, we pass through a certain amount of trial in what is termed a probationary state of our existence. This is a time of learning and testing to prove ourselves worthy of eternal opportunities. It is all part of a divine plan our Father has for His children”
Perry, L. Tom. “Proclaim My Gospel from Land to Land.” General Conference April 1989.
Sunday
- Scripture: Alma 42:11–31
- KnoWhy 150: Why Does Alma Mention “the Plan” Ten Times in His Words to Corianton?
-
Quote: “Having satisfied the demands of justice, Christ now steps into the place of justice; or we might say He is justice, just as He is love. Likewise, besides being a ‘perfect, just God,’ He is a perfect, merciful God. Thus, the Savior makes all things right. No injustice in mortality is permanent, even death, for He restores life again. No injury, disability, betrayal, or abuse goes uncompensated in the end because of His ultimate justice and mercy.”
Christofferson, D. Todd. “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ.” General Conference April 2014
Additional Resources (Bibliography)
Alma 39
Ball, Terry B. “Alma 39: A Model for Teaching Morality.” Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel 2, no. 2 (2001): 25–36.
Bowen, Matthew L. “’See That Ye Are Not Lifted Up’: The Name Zoram and Its Paronomastic Pejoration.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 19 (2016): 109–143.
Cowan, Richard O. “Restoration, Redemption, and Resurrection: Three R’s of the Book of Mormon.” In Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts, edited by Gaye Strathearn and Charles Swift, 176–185. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University/Deseret Book, 2007.
Gardner, Brant A. “Labor Diligently to Write: The Ancient Making of a Modern Scripture, Chapters 14 & 15.” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 35 (2020): 271–328.
Hilton, III, John. “Textual Similarities in the Words of Abinadi and Alma's Counsel to Corianton.” BYU Studies 51, no. 2 (2012): 39–60.
Judd, Jr., Frank F. “How to Be Reclaimed from the Fall of Adam.” In Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts, edited by Gaye Strathearn and Charles Swift, 223–236. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2007.
Tvedtnes, John A. “The Two Great Sins.” In The Most Correct Book: Insights from a Book of Mormon Scholar, 210–214. Salt Lake City: Cornerstone Publishing, 1999.
Alma 39:3
Tvedtnes, John A., John Gee, and Matthew Roper. “Book of Mormon Names Attested in Ancient Hebrew Inscriptions.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9, no. 1 (2000): 40–51, 78–79.
Alma 39:5
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Was Corianton’s Sin So Serious? (Alma 39:5).” KnoWhy 147 (July 20, 2016).
Garrett, H. Dean. “The Three Most Abominable Sins.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 157–171. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Alma 39:9
Book of Mormon Central. “What Does Alma Say about Avoiding Sexual Sin? (Alma 39:9).” KnoWhy 326 (June 14, 2017).
Gee, John. “Scripture Insight: Book of Mormon Word Usage: To Cross Oneself.” Insights: A Window on the Ancient World 21, no. 6 (2001): 4.
Alma 39:11
Book of Mormon Central. “What Impact Do My Actions Have on Others? (Alma 39:11).” KnoWhy 390 (December 14, 2017).
Alma 40
Callister, Tad R. “Teaching the Atonement.” Religious Educator 3, no. 1 (2002): 51–64.
Cowan, Richard O. “Restoration, Redemption, and Resurrection: Three R’s of the Book of Mormon.” In Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts, edited by Gaye Strathearn and Charles Swift, 176–185. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University/Deseret Book, 2007.
Cowan, Richard O. “A New Meaning of ‘Restoration’: The Book of Mormon on Life After Death.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 195–210. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Gardner, Brant A. “Labor Diligently to Write: The Ancient Making of a Modern Scripture, Chapters 14 & 15.” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 35 (2020): 271–328.
Hilton, III, John. “Textual Similarities in the Words of Abinadi and Alma's Counsel to Corianton.” BYU Studies 51, no. 2 (2012): 39–60.
Judd, Jr., Frank F. “How to Be Reclaimed from the Fall of Adam.” In Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts, edited by Gaye Strathearn and Charles Swift, 223–236. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2007.
Peterson, H. Donl. “What is the meaning of the Book of Mormon scriptures on eternal hell for the wicked.” Ensign (April 1986).
Roberts, B.H. “A Nephite's Commandments to His Sons - III. Corianton II-Concluded.” Improvement Era 3, no. 11 (1900): 835–843.
Alma 40:9
Book of Mormon. “Why Was Corianton So Concerned About The Resurrection? (Alma 40:9).” KnoWhy 148 (July 21, 2016).
Alma 40:11
Book of Mormon Central. “What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about the Afterlife? (Alma 40:11).” KnoWhy 315 (May 19, 2017).
Nyman, Monte S. “The State of the Soul Between Death and the Resurrection.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 173–194. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Alma 40:12
Allred, Philip A. “Alma’s Use of State in the Book of Mormon.” In Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormon: The FARMS Updates of the 1990s, edited by John W. Welch and Melvin J. Thorne, 157–163. Provo, UT: FARMS, 1999.
Alma 40:23
Smith, Joseph F. “Editor's Table: On the Resurrection.” Improvement Era 7, no. 8 (1904): 619–625.
Alma 41
Allred, Philip A. “Notes and Communications: Alma's Use of State in the Book of Mormon: Evidence of Multiple Authorship.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 5, no. 1 (1996): 140–146.
Allred, Philip A. “Alma’s Use of State in the Book of Mormon.” In Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormon: The FARMS Updates of the 1990s, edited by John W. Welch and Melvin J. Thorne, 157–163. Provo, UT: FARMS, 1999.
Callister, Tad R. “Teaching the Atonement.” Religious Educator 3, no. 1 (2002): 51–64.
Cowan, Richard O. “Restoration, Redemption, and Resurrection: Three R’s of the Book of Mormon.” In Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts, edited by Gaye Strathearn and Charles Swift, 176–185. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University/Deseret Book, 2007.
Cowan, Richard O. “A New Meaning of ‘Restoration’: The Book of Mormon on Life After Death.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 195–210. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Gardner, Brant A. “Labor Diligently to Write: The Ancient Making of a Modern Scripture, Chapters 14 & 15.” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 35 (2020): 271–328.
Hilton, III, John. “Textual Similarities in the Words of Abinadi and Alma's Counsel to Corianton.” BYU Studies 51, no. 2 (2012): 39–60.
Roberts, B.H. “A Nephite's Commandments to His Sons - III. Corianton II-Concluded.” Improvement Era 3, no. 11 (1900): 835–843.
Alma 41:1
Book of Mormon Central. “Why and How Did Alma Explain the Meaning of the Word "Restoration"? (Alma 41:1).” KnoWhy 149 (June 22, 2016).
Alma 41:10
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Can Wickedness Never Bring Happiness? (Alma 41:10).” KnoWhy 329 (June 21, 2017).
Black, Sharon, Brad Wilcox, and Kyle C. Lyons. “Book of Mormon Citations in General Conference.” Religious Educator 17, no. 3 (2017): 144–169.
Hasler, John W., and Marjorie E. Hasler. “Train Up a Child.” Ensign 29, no. 4 (1999).
Alma 41:12–15
Larsen, Val. “Restoration: A Theological Poem in the Book of Mormon.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 10 (2014): 239–256.
Alma 42
Callister, Tad R. “Teaching the Atonement.” Religious Educator 3, no. 1 (2002): 51–64.
Cowan, Richard O. “Restoration, Redemption, and Resurrection: Three R’s of the Book of Mormon.” In Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts, edited by Gaye Strathearn and Charles Swift, 176–185. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University/Deseret Book, 2007.
Cowan, Richard O. “A New Meaning of ‘Restoration’: The Book of Mormon on Life After Death.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 195–210. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Gardner, Brant A. “Labor Diligently to Write: The Ancient Making of a Modern Scripture, Chapters 14 & 15.” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 35 (2020): 271–328.
Hilton, III, John. “Textual Similarities in the Words of Abinadi and Alma's Counsel to Corianton.” BYU Studies 51, no. 2 (2012): 39–60.
Judd, Jr., Frank F. “How to Be Reclaimed from the Fall of Adam.” In Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts, edited by Gaye Strathearn and Charles Swift, 223–236. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2007.
Larsen, Val. “Restoration: A Theological Poem in the Book of Mormon.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 10 (2014): 239–256.
Matthews, Robert J. “The Atonement of Jesus Christ: 2 Nephi 9.” In The Book of Mormon: Second Nephi, The Doctrinal Structure, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 177–199. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1989.
Peterson, H. Donl. “The Law of Justice and the Law of Mercy.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 211–222. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Roberts, B.H. “A Nephite's Commandments to His Sons - III. Corianton II-Concluded.” Improvement Era 3, no. 11 (1900): 835–843.
Alma 42:5
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Are There So Many Different Names for the Plan of Salvation? (Alma 42:5, 8, 13, 15).” KnoWhy 312 (May 12, 2017).
Alma 42:8
Black, Sharon, Brad Wilcox, and Kyle C. Lyons. “Book of Mormon Citations in General Conference.” Religious Educator 17, no. 3 (2017): 144–169.
Alma 42:13
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Does Alma Mention “the Plan” Ten Times in His Words to Corianton? (Alma 42:13).” KnoWhy 150 (July 25, 2016).