President M. Russell Ballard said: “I need to regularly take time to ask myself, ‘How am I doing?’ … As a guide for me during this private, personal review, I like to read and ponder the introspective words found in the fifth chapter of Alma” (“Return and Receive,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 64).

Consider reading Alma 5:14–33 as if you were interviewing yourself and examining your heart. You may want to record your responses to the questions. What do you learn about yourself? What do you feel inspired to do as a result of your interview?

See also Dale G. Renlund, “Preserving the Heart’s Mighty Change,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 97–99.

In Alma 5, when Alma explained how he gained his testimony of the Savior, he did not mention his experience seeing an angel (see Mosiah 27:10–17). How did Alma come to know the truth for himself? Perhaps you could use what you find in Alma 5:44–51 to write a “recipe” for obtaining a testimony of Jesus Christ and His teachings. What “ingredients” (truths of the gospel) and “instructions” (things we can do to seek for truth) did Alma include? What “ingredients” and “instructions” could you add to your recipe from your own experiences or other experiences in the scriptures?

IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN

Sometimes we’re like the people in Zarahemla, who needed to be called to repentance (see Alma 5:32). Other times we’re more like the people of Gideon, who were trying to walk “in the paths of righteousness” (Alma 7:19). What do you find in Alma’s message in Gideon (in Alma 7) that’s similar to what he said in Zarahemla (in Alma 5)? What differences do you notice? Look for things Alma taught that can help you stay “in the path which leads to the kingdom of God” (Alma 7:19).

• Let your children look in a mirror as you read Alma 5:14 (see also this week’s activity page). What does it mean to have the Savior’s image in our countenance?

• How can you use Alma’s description of the path back to Heavenly Father to help your children learn to make good choices? You could read Alma 7:19–20 to them and let them act out walking in “crooked paths” and walking in a straight path. Help them think of choices that help us stay on the path and other choices that take us off the path. You could also look at pictures of Jesus together and talk about things He did to show us the path back to Heavenly Father. A song like “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79) could provide some ideas.
  DOWNLOAD I’m Trying to Be like Jesus song visuals (HERE or below)

Have you ever felt that no one understands your struggles or challenges? If so, the truths Alma taught can help. As you read, reflect on what these verses teach about the purposes of the Savior’s sacrifice. You might make a chart with the headings What the Savior suffered and Why He suffered and list what you find in Alma 7:7–16 (see also Isaiah 53:3–5). Can you think of specific times He suffered some of these things? Here are some examples from the scriptures: Matthew 4:1–13; 26:55–56; 27:39–44; Mark 14:43–46; Luke 9:58. Can you add anything to your list from these verses?