Sister Coleman's Quotes & Extras

Hey Friends! Today we have Alma 25-26 as part of our block. There is a verse from Alma 26 that stood out to me today probably because it spoke extremely close to something I have been struggling with.  I don't know about you but my social interaction is limited to my 3 boys, my 2 parents, and whomever I get the pleasure of Zoom calling with on Fridays.  This isn't to say I don't talk on the phone with friends or text other people on the phone but I tell you I feel like there is nothing left to say to some of these people.  I feel conversations go like this: "How is your day going?" "It's going, feels just like yesterday." "You trying to go any where?" "Nope, you?" "Nope"......cool right?? I am pretty much over being stuck at home, I am lonely, and I have that heavy depressed feeling every morning when my alarm clock goes off.  At the end of Alma 25 and all of Alma 26 Ammon reminds his brethren of some of their missi...

Another day, another amazing block of scriptures.  Aren't you just loving The Book of Mormon! Such good stuff.  Okay, for the sake of the blog post today I just wanted to share the quick thing that stands out to me about the conversion of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. They exemplify continually commitment and conversion despite the fact that many of them stared death in the face and lost.  This group of faithful converted Lamanites not only joined the church through faith in Christ, repentance, and baptism but they also covenanted with God not to shed the blood of man, give rather than steal from people, and labor with their own hands to provide for themselves (see Alma 24:15-18).  They literally buried their weapons of war to represent to God this willingness be changed and remove the temptation of turning back to their old ways.  The remaining Lamanites in neighboring lands were not thrilled with the new beliefs of their once companions in hate against the Nephit...

As we follow the mission of Aaron today (one of the son's of King Mosiah) there were two things that stood out to me.  The first being that despite all of the set backs Aaron had while trying to teach the Lamanites he kept persevering.  If we take it back one chapter in Alma 20 verse 29 and 30 we read that when Ammon showed up to get his brother out of jail he "was exceedingly sorrowful, for behold they were naked, and their skins were worn exceedingly because of being bound with strong cords.  And they also had suffered hunger, thirst, and all kinds of afflictions; nevertheless they were patient in all their sufferings. And as it happened, it was their lot to have fallen into the hands of a more hardened and a more stiffnecked people".  I don't know about you but I feel like if I had been in jail to the point that I has basically starving to death and my skin was probably all lose from the lack of nutrition and then it is also worn with sores from being tied up ...

It's not often that women are the main focus of many events in The Book of Mormon or scripture in general but today in Alma 19 we have the privilege of not just meeting one but to very special women. The first is the queen and wife to King Lamoni and the second is a woman named Abish. After King Lamoni heard Ammon preach about the creation, fall, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ he falls to the earth and remains in this state for 2 days and 2 nights (think Alma the Younger after his experience with an angel). Arguments began between  if he was dead and need to be put in a sepluchre or if he was going to recover from whatever befell him.  The queen had heard the talk and rumors about Ammon and his stregth defending the folks, she heard that the King's servants suspected he was a great spirit.  So she calls for Ammon to get his thoughts on what she should do. Ammon goes in and sees the king and knows, like the queen suspected, that he is not dead but under the influence ...

For the sake of transparency do your scriptures ever look like this.  These are mine just from the last few days.  Sometimes this tough lady can't hold back the tears I feel as I read and find answers, comfort, peace, and sometimes even more questions. The tears fall in the pages and then is dries all waves and crumbly. It has been a rough week folks but let me real....it has been a tough two months, for everyone. Just remember there is only one more week left of remote learning for school and only three weeks left of seminary! You got this! Keep hanging in there! Final chapter for the week, Alma 18. King Lamoni is discussing all that has transpired with his servants as they stand before him testifying of Ammon's heroics at saving the king's flock.  And then after all the shock has worn off Ammon comes in, perceives Lamoni's thoughts and proceeds to teach him the gospel. There are two things that stand out to me from this chapter. The first is the character that...

The next 10 chapters that we will be studying, from Alma 17 through 27 is the account of the sons of Mosiah and their efforts at preaching the gospel.  Now, I know this isn't English class but you have to really appreciate the writing efforts and styling of Mormon right here.  After recounting Alma the younger and his very real successes and failers at preaching the gospel Alma runs into the sons of Mosiah as he was journeying from the land of Gideon. They hadn't seen each other in close to 14 years (Alma 17:4). We hear about their experience sharing the gospel the next ten chapters.  It is a really clear way to see the transition, in time and experience. At least clearer and easier for me to see than perhaps the mess that is Mosiah 8 (please see previous post if you are confused at what I mean).   When I read in Alma 17 about Alma running into his friends after such a long time my heart just feels this warmth and excitement too.  Alma and the sons of M...

So yesterday I failed to mention a pretty cool part of Alma and Amulek's experience.  After watching the people killed they were put into prison where they were harassed.  Alma cried out asking what I think everyone of asks when we feel like we can't take it any more: "How long shall we suffer these great afflictions, O Lord?" (Alma 14:26) and the cords which were binding them burst and the people were hit with fear.  And then the prison walls just fell down around Alma and Amulek and they walked away not only from the prison but the city of Ammonihah.  After the adventures and heartache of Ammonihah, Alma and Amulek arrive in the city of Sidom, Alma chapter 15.  This is the land where those who were kicked out for their belief from Ammonihah went for refuge, including Zeezrom.  Alma and Amulek had to tell the people what happened to the women and children which I can't imagine was easy.  Zeezrom was literally driven to sickness because of all his...

Wow, I do not believe our study of Alma 14 could have been any more timely for me personally, but also for the world.  Alma and Amulek have been teaching in Amulek's home town of Ammonihah.  The conversed with Zeezrom, a lawyer in town, who tried to get them to deny God but after listening to them testify and preach he has seen the error's of his ways and being to declare his mistake. However, most of Ammonihah is still upset with the things being taught.  They don't feel like they are wicked and they don't think God will send his son, Jesus Christ, to atone for their sins.  So they decide to have a bonfire and not what you are think.....not a nice evening with s'mores and hot dogs.  We are talking a bonfire to burn people.  The people of Ammonihah drive many people out of the city with stones who believe Alma and Amulek's teaching, the majority of these were probably men based on Alma 15:2.  They then take the women and children who believe, along...

So we return to the Amulek teaching Zeezrom, the tricky lawyer who was left shaking in his boots.  Zeezrom continues to ask questions but now Alma steps in to share his thoughts.  There are so many neat doctrines and truths taught from Alma in these two chapters but as always I want to just share one of the things that stood out to me. Hope as you read my thoughts you realize that the scriptures can speak to you just like they speak to me. Zeezrom, rightfully so, that Alma and Amulek are perceiving his thoughts.  Alma explains in Alma 12:3 that the reason he knows Zeezrom's thoughts is because God knows his thoughts and is giving Alma that information through the Holy Ghost.  Alma goes on to explain later that as we are judged after this life "our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us;" (Alma 12:14).  This is meant to be a powerful reminder that we condemn ourselves to ...

Today in chapter 11 of Alma we return to Alma and Amulek preaching in the streets of the city of Ammonihah. Amulek is approached by a lawyer Zeezrom (Alma 10:31-32).  He offers up 6 onties of silver which is the highest form of payment in the Nephite culture (see the first half of Alma 11).  This is also how much the Chief Judge in the land makes in a week, so Zeezrom is offering Amulek a ton of money.  What must Amulek do to get this money? He must deny there is a God.  Sorry to disappoint Zeezrom but a man of God is not going to fall for the tempting offer.  However, I want to take it to us.  What are we being tempted with daily to try and get us to deny what we know about God, Christ, the gospel, or importance of obedience? If you participated in the online Module today there were a few more relevant decisions you might be facing as a teenager.  Here are a few of them: You and your group of friends are laughing at a meme that really seems fun...