User:RobertC/Sandbox Alma 13:1-5

Questions

Verses 1-20

In chapter 12 and the end of chapter 13, Alma preaches on the plan of salvation and repentance. Why does does Alma discuss the priesthood (comprising verse 1-20) in the middle of his sermon on repentance?

Verse 1

• Why does Alma say "cite your minds forward" when he is referring back to the time when the Lord God gave commandments to the children of men?

• To what does the "holy order" refer? Is it the Aaronic priesthood or the Melchizedek priesthood? Or does it instead refer to temple priesthood?

Verses 2-3

In verse 2 Alma tells us that the Lord God ordained priests in a way that the people would know how to look forward to his Son for redemption. Verse 3 begins "this is the manner after which they were ordained" and then proceeds to tell us the manner. How would that manner have helped the people know how to look forward to Jesus Christ for redemption?

Verse 2

• This verse tells us that the Lord God ordained priests after a "manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption." Is the manner of ordination today still a mirror or symbol of the Savior and the redemption we can receive through Him?

Verse 3

• This verse tells us that those called have "chosen good." Is this a reference to good choices in pre-mortality or is this good choices in mortality known to God through his foreknowledge?

• What does it mean that the holy calling was prepared with and according to a preparatory redemption? What is a preparatory redemption?

• Here Alma states that men are called as high priests because of their "exceeding faith and good works." Are the criteria for calling high priests the same today?

Verse 4

• What does it mean to be hard-hearted?