BoM 23—Alma 8-12

To Acquire Spiritual Guidance …behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him… (Alma 8:14) Look for clues in Alma 8:8-18, 26 to help us understand why Alma would receive this amazing spiritual guidance. What had he done to qualify himself for it?

To Acquire Spiritual Guidance What can you do to enhance your capacity to be led to correct decisions in your life? What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends? What are the potential barriers to such communication that you need to avoid? …I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on Them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit. What may appear initially to be a daunting task will be much easier to manage over time as you consistently strive to recognize and follow feelings prompted by the Spirit. Your confidence in the direction you receive from the Holy Ghost will also become stronger. I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear. (Richard G. Scott, “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 6–9)

3:45-9:15 of 10/09 Conference Talk Elder Scott's story What common thread was there between Elder Scott’s experience and Alma’s experience?

Alma 9-16, 34 What was one of the greatest rewards for the spiritual guidance that Alma received during his difficulties in Ammonihah? Amulek—a Great Convert

Alma 9—having had, having been… Alma gives a little discourse in Alma 9:20-23. With a friend, mark all of the “having” phrases and discuss them. How many of those are true for us today? Would you add any “having been” or “having had” phrases? What does God expect of us as a result?

Alma 10:13, 17—Traps and Snares Why did Amulek use the words “traps and snares” to describe what Zeezrom was trying to do? What is the purpose of a trap? What is needed for a trap to be effective? What are the traps and snares that we see occasionally catching “the holy ones of God”? What is the bait? How do those traps destroy?

Zeezrom’s Trap Alma 11:3, 6, 11-13, 21-25