Alma 2 &3

Alma chapters 2 & 3 are the story of a man named Amlici and his efforts to overturn the government.

Simply put the story is this: the Nephite society at this time was governed by a political system of judges who were elected by"the voice of the people".

Amlici gathers a large following who want to establish him as king. And election is held. Amlici loses the election.

There is, as it were, a civil war that follows involving large numbers. Just in the first battle 12532 Amlicites die and an additional 6562 Nephites.

The story continues with ongoing battles. Then the Amlicites joined forces with the Lamanites and these two groups the Nephites and the Lamanites continue their centuries-old feud.

There are so many ongoing conflicts in our world between groups like these. They can never get past their grievances and the hatred is passed from generation to generation.

Is it not so in the United States today where our political parties are so polarized that they cannot even work together during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis?

The lessons of these chapters are many and ought to lead to good discussions.

1. How should you respond when your group loses an election?

2. How do you fight against unjust laws in a Democratic society?

3. How do biases get passed from one generation to another? Read Article of Faith 2. Do children sometimes get punished for the sins of their fathers? What are the implications here?

4. What is the responsibility of political parties in a Democratic society?

5. How does this story relate to the contention we see in our country today?

*What other questions would you add?*

A word about Alma 3:6-8 and 19.

These verses lead to some essential discussions. People tend to use physical appearances for identity. Therefore groups are often persecuted and individuals in those groups identified by their physical appearance.

Think of all the ways you have seen this or read about it in American history. Some examples might be:

1. Slavery and the resulting discrimination against black Americans

2. The treatment of Japanese-Americans during World war II and the many ways that Americans white Americans later made fun of them.

3. Name-calling against certain groups

4. Gangs and how they dress and create their identity

Verse 19 as an important point of doctrine. God is blamed for a lot of things and many believe he actually puts curses on people or groups.  But take note of what this verse says:

Now I would that you should see that they brought upon themselves the curse; and even so. Every man that is cursed bring upon himself his own condemnation.

Here are some good discussion questions for this verse:

1. What is the curse that is referred to over and over again in the Book of Mormon?

2. What does it mean we reap what we sow or what goes around comes around?

3. What specific teachings of Jesus in the New testament would solve the problems these people were having in these two chapters?

And the last questions which we should all ask ourselves are these:

1. Are we getting caught up in such thinking? 

2.  Do we identify with one group and have antagonistic feelings towards another group?
    3.  How are you dealing with diversity in your own community?