The Virtue of the Word of God Come Follow Me lesson helps

Alma 30-31 The Virtue of the Word of God

Bearing testimony in a fast and testimony meeting is something that I just don't do. I'm ashamed to admit that, but it's true. It isn't because I don't have one, it's because I know if I get up there I am going to turn into a blithering idiot. I know that isn't a good excuse, but it's the one I'm going with.

The saddest thing about that is that our testimony of the virtue of the word of God, the joy it brings us, the truth we know is exactly the witness needed to help others find it. We should be willing and able to stand as witnesses for the word of God at all times.

It's easy for me to write my testimony and share it that way. But to stand and speak it is hard and something I need to work on. Especially since the world we are currently living in is going to need those willing to do so more than ever.

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Related: Book of Mormon Study Companions for kids, youth, and adults. These journals have pages with questions and activities to go with each week's lesson to help you study.

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All things denote there is a God

I love this line from these chapters.

My husband and I love to travel. It hasn't always been easy for us because our eldest son is disabled, and traveling with him was difficult. Air travel was out--if we couldn't get there in a car, we couldn't go.

But that didn't stop us from doing what we could. Some of the best trips we ever took were to places not so far from home, like Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, and Mount Rushmore.

And then things changed, we both started working for airlines, and got some help with our son, and suddenly the whole world opened up. I haven't seen it all yet, but I've seen some pretty amazing things.

Every time I get in an airplane, I marvel at the miracle of flight.

Isn't it amazing that air travel is even possible?

We had the opportunity to go to Aruba, and I remember looking out the window at the blue ocean as we approached.

We stayed at a resort with sand so soft and glorious to walk on, and water so calm, warm and blue I could have stayed in it all day.

At the resort, there was a bird handler with all kinds of tropical birds. I got to have them sit on my arm and shoulder and they were amazing.

And later on that trip I had my first snorkeling experience. Out past a reef, I saw schools of fishes, crabs hiding in rocks, and even a rock lobster, which I actually just thought was a B-52s song.

And then last summer I went to Niagara Falls.

We rode the Hornblower down into the mist of the falls, and walked along the walkway of the raging river. We went into underground walkways to come out right next to where the water is spilling over the edge.

All of it was so amazing and awe inspiring. Just standing there at the railing, watching the falls and listening to the roar of the water was incredible.

How can anyone deny the existence of God?

The most important thing that has happened to me through these experiences is the undeniable testimony that has grown in me that there IS a God. I knew it before, but each new creation that I have had the privilege of witnessing has strengthened that burning testimony in me. How can anyone see these beautiful, miraculous things and not believe that they were created by a God that loves us?

Nothing that anyone ever tells me will convince me otherwise.

The joy is in believing, and in the virtue of the Word of God

I have been trying to keep myself separated from the cynical and negative influences around me. The lesson I learn from these chapters is that the word of God, following Him, hearing Him, acknowledging His hand is everything that is good is what brings joy to my life.

When it might have been so easy for Alma to try to counter the false information coming from Korihor with arguments and evidence, that would never have worked. Instead Alma chose to allow the Spirit and the word of God to speak for itself.

Korihor still didn't change. Many of those around us that want to argue and disagree will not change either, but I need to remember that contentious arguments don't change anyone, but testimony of true things can soften hearts and change minds when those who hear are ready.

There are plenty of Korihors in the world today

It's easy to read these stories in the scriptures and imagine that it is something that happened in the past, but when we look around we are surrounded with it. There are so many preaching the same things that Korihor did, and sadly, they are influencing many to follow them instead of keeping their faith.

There are so many great things to be learned from this lesson! Especially at a time when we are being surrounded, and sometimes it feels like we are being overtaken, by the enemies of truth. I'm so thankful for the Come Follow Me program and all the resources available to help me study and learn these things.

They truly are the place where I am finding joy. One of the activities on the challenge cards this week just happens to be something I stumbled across that made me feel hopeful in these troubling times. I hope the activities I suggest help with your study and you find hope and faith along the way too.

If you'd like the challenge cards for past lessons, you can find them here. I add them by month when the month is over. If you'd like to get the challenge cards for this week's lesson, be sure to grab those at the link above! If you'd like to get each week's challenge cards every Sunday night, be sure to sign up for the newsletter!