Lessons on the Book of Mormon 2020
Lesson No. Twenty-Eight
Simple and Easy Ways Lead to Happiness Now and to Eternal Life - Alma 37
We should teach our children the simple and easy ways that Alma taught Helaman: “But behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass...And the Lord doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6).
Scripture study, especially the Book of Mormon, is a simple and easy way that leads to happiness now and to eternal life – The most important thing the Lord has brought to pass in our dispensation is the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is the greatest tangible evidence the Lord has given that testifies of the latter-day restoration of the gospel.
Yet the Book of Mormon is a small and simple thing in the eyes of the world. The Book of Mormon is just one of millions of books that are published each year. It is readily available in many languages and is often given away at no charge. Yet in this ordinary and “small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 34:7).
The Book of Mormon will enlarge our memory and it will bring us to a knowledge of our God to the salvation of our souls. (See Alma 37:8) For the Book of Mormon to enlarge our memories we must personalize its teachings and apply them to our life. In this way, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can have powerful personal experiences. It can be with us as it was with the Nephites when Jesus taught them at the temple. (See 3 Nephi 11-18)
The scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon “will retain their brightness” (Alma 37:5). This means the scriptures will retain their importance in every generation.
Prayer is a simple and easy way that leads to happiness now and to eternal life – Alma counseled Helaman: “Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord…yea, let the affection of they heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let they heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 37:36-37).
Following the prophet is a simple and easy way that leads to happiness now and to eternal life – The Nephites had the Liahona to keep them “in the most fertile parts of the wilderness.” “And there was written upon [the pointers] a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it” (1 Nephi 16:14, 29).
Latter-day prophets, like the Liahona, are continually giving us “new writing, which is plain to read, and gives us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord.” The words of the living prophet, tailored to our changing times, are readily available in Church publications, in the Church Newsroom, and in general conference messages.
Keeping Commandments is the simple and easy way that leads to happiness now and to eternal life – Alma charged Helaman: “O remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God” (Alma 37:35).
Alma explained how the Liahona can be compared to the word of God which if followed leads us in the easy way: “And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.
“For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.
O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers…that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever” (Alma 37:43-46, emphasis added).
Jesus taught the same principle when He said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, emphasis added).
My testimony – These small and simple ways are especially important today when many people are in a state of uncertainty and confusion. In the world we can see that “despair cometh because of iniquity” (Moroni 10:22). Fortunately, we have also learned that we will be blessed and prospered, both temporally and spiritually, if we do these simple and easy things that lead to happiness now and to eternal life.