To become a member of the church, and to retain one's membership

Attention Activity:

How important is it for us to be members of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"?

What is your membership in the church worth to you? What would you do to maintain it?

Kingdom of Heaven - Parables - Mathew 13:44-51

What are the blessings of being members of the kingdom of heaven and how can we become members?

Taught by Alma at the waters of Mormon: Take upon ourselves the name of Christ - determined to serve him to the end!

Is Membership in the Church Required for Salvation?

Yes
Article of Faith #5 Authority is required to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. Without the authorized ordinance of baptism an individual does not meet the requirements of salvation and a remission of sins. Thus church membership is required for salvation.Furthermore in the ordinance of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost an individual is confirmed a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints - this is a saving ordinance.

Mosiah 18:7-11 Take upon ourselves a covenant to serve God to the end of our Days -

Take upon us his name "Christ"

Witness this covenant through the receipt of Baptism - serve one another - help one another - be witness of God

Article of Faith #4 - 1st principles and ordinances of the Gospel

From last week Limhi's people - Alma's people:

These groups of people were brought into bondage through inequity and then were freed by becoming a member of the Kingdom of Heaven and being saved from bondage through the power of God. They were in bondage that none could deliver from save it be God.

How does their state relate to the state of a sinner - or an individual who is not a member of the kingdom of God?

Are we not all sinners, are we not all in bondage begging for a remission of our sins - remember King Benjamin's speech?

Today I would like to discuss the importance of church membership and how our behavior can influence our own, our spouse's and our children's membership in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Let us continue the narrative of these people:
Limh's people, Alma's people, Mulekites, and people of Zarahemla all together in the land of Zarahemla:

To be called after a name - to be grouped as a people - corresponding population

Mosiah 25:1-4 Nephites< Mulekites or Zarahemlaites <Lamanites
Lamanites out numbered all the Nephites and people of Zarahemla by more than twice.

Who were Nephites, Mulekites, Zarahemlaites, Lamanites.

Remember that anyone, no matter what descent can be a numbered as a Lamanite. (It isn't a race...)
Remember also that anyone, no matter what descent can be numbered as a Nephite if they hearken to the Lord and his prophets.
So what this is really saying is that the unbelievers vastly outnumbered the believers!

Furthermore, these "Lamanites" in many cases used to be fellow countrymen with the same individuals that are called Lamanites by Mormon.

Do we feel outnumbered like they did? Why do you think Mormon emphasizes this point so much in this book?
Do numbers count?

Mosiah Reviews their history with his people:

Mosiah 25:5-7 Mosiah caused to be read to the people the records of Zenif/Limhi, and Alma
Mosiah 25:8-11 The people were struck with amazement - and didn't know what to think

What was the reaction to this history?

They knew not what to think... Joy, Sorry, etc.

Have you ever experienced conflicts of emotions because of situations in life?

Remember Mormon's main message in including these stories in his record: The Lord Chastens his people - they are saved in the end!
How can this message give us hope?

Mosiah 25:12 Children of Amulon - reject name of their fathers - take upon themselves the name of Nephi

Why did these children reject the name of their fathers? What does it mean to no longer be called after that name?
Can we reject the name of Christ and no longer be called after his name? If so... how?

The establishment of the Kingdom of God among them:

Mosiah 25:17-20   Alma granted by king Mosiah to establish churches throughout the land - baptizes those who join
   Ordain teachers/priests - to many people to gather together in one place
Mosiah 25:21-24   Seven churches - yet they were all one church
   Those desirous to take upon themselves the name of Christ - did join the church
   they were blessed and prospered in the land.

Two groups of individuals in apostasy: Alma has a problem...

#1 A group of individuals who do not accept the traditions of their fathers and don't join the church:

Mosiah 26:1-4 There were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin

they did not believe the tradition of their fathers
They did not believe in the resurrection of the dead - or the coming of Christ
Because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God
Their Hearts were hardened - they would not be

Baptized

neither would they join the church
They were a separate people as to their faith - they would not call upon

God

What reasons were given as to why they did not join their parents in their faith?
Does it say anything about not being taught the truth by their parents? What role did their parents play in this?
Are we to blame for the disobedience of our children? If no... why?

#2 A group of individuals who were members of the church but willfully disobey and do not repent

Mosiah 26:6-7,11 Members were deceived by flattering words - cause them to commit many sins

They needed to be admonished by the church
Brought before priests and teachers - taken to Alma
They do not repent of their iniquities - accused of sin by brotheren

What were the reasons given that caused these people to no longer repent?
What do you think it means "Flattering" words?
How could we be flattered into committing sin, and not repenting?
What does it mean to be flattered?

To hear things we want to hear - that make us feel good about ourselves etc.

These individuals are either not joining the church or are not repenting of their sins - what should he do?

Mosiah 26:10 This had never happened before - so he takes them before the King
Mosiah 26:12-13 Mosiah does not judge them - deliver them to High Priest for Judgement

Alma was troubled - he feared that he should do wrong

Mosiah 26:14-33 The Lord Answers the Prayers of Alma
14 After he pours out his whole soul to God
15-19 Blessed art thou Alma
20

I covenant with thee that thou shalt have etenal life - Calling and Election made sure

21-22 Those that hear my voice are my sheep - whoever is baptized I will forgive
23-28 Those that accept me - I will forgive - those that don't will depart into fire
29-31 Whosoever transgress - judge him - if he confess and repent - forgive him - as often as they repent
32-33 Whosoever does not repent shall not be numbered among church -

Alma writes down the words

34-37 Alma uses this writing and judges the members of the church according to word of the Lord

Alma's calling and Election was made sure - he was promised etenal life!
Why did he receive such a marvelous blessing?
What was the message that God delivered to him concening membership in the kingdom of God?

What is a church disciplinary council? For what transgressions/sins are they held?

Church Disciplinary Councils Ensign 1990 - A Chance to start over

Purpose is to save the souls of transgressors, protect the innocent, and safeguard the purity, integrity and good name of the church.

"When a bishop leans of a transgression, usually through the confession of the member involved, he first counsels with the member. When the sin is not grievous, the bishop may decide, through inspiration, that no disciplinary action is needed. He may continue to give counsel and caution, helping the member resist temptation and avoid further transgression.

Another option the bishop has is to place the member on informal probation, temporarily restricting his privileges as a Church member—such as the right to partake of the sacrament, hold a Church position, or enter the temple. The bishop may ask the member to surrender his temple recommend temporarily. In addition, he may require the member to make specific positive changes in attitude or behavior. No official record is made or kept of informal probation. The bishop maintains close contact with the member and may terminate the probation period when he is prompted to do so.

In these cases, informal Church discipline may negate the need for formal disciplinary action. Since repentance and reformation are the primary objectives of any Church disciplinary action, the bishop may feel that the person has done or is doing everything necessary to repent and that a disciplinary council would serve no useful purpose." Ensign 1990 - A Chance to start over

Informal Church Discipline

- Bishops council

Purpose is repentance and reformation in accordance to standards of the Gospel
Possible outcomes:

No disciplinary action required

Informal probation - temporary restriction of privileges - sacrament, church calling, temple attendance

No official record is made of these proceedings
Recommendation for Formal church discipline

"The First Presidency has instructed that disciplinary councils must be held in cases of murder, incest, or apostasy. A disciplinary council must also be held when a prominent Church leader commits a serious transgression, when the transgressor is a predator who may be a threat to other persons, when the person shows a patten of repeated serious transgressions, when a serious transgression is widely known, and when the transgressor is guilty of serious deceptive practices and false representations or other terms of fraud or dishonesty in business transactions.

Disciplinary councils may also be convened to consider a member’s standing in the Church following serious transgression such as abortion, transsexual operation, attempted murder, rape, forcible sexual abuse, intentionally inflicting serious physical injuries on others, adultery, fonication, homosexual relations, child abuse (sexual or physical), spouse abuse, deliberate abandonment of family responsibilities, robbery, burglary, embezzlement, theft, sale of illegal drugs, fraud, perjury, or false swearing.

Disciplinary councils are not called to try civil or criminal cases. The decision of a civil court may help determine whether a Church disciplinary council should be convened. However, a civil court’s decision does not dictate the decision of a disciplinary council.

Disciplinary councils are not held for such things as failure to pay tithing, to obey the Word of Wisdom, to attend church, or to receive home teachers. They are not held because of business failure or nonpayment of debts. They are not designed to settle disputes among members. Nor are they held for members who demand that their names be removed from Church records or who have joined another church; that is now an administrative action." Ensign 1990 - A Chance to start over

Formal Church Discipline

Murder, incest, apostasy, serious transgressions, predatory actions, repeated serious transgressions, fraud, dishonesty etc.
Abortion, transsexual operation, attempted murder, rape, sexual abuse, intentional physical injury, adultery, fonication, home sexuality, child abuse, abandonment, robbery, burglary, embezzlement, theft, sale of illegal drugs, fraud, perjury, false swearing, etc.
Civil cords to not dictate the decision of a disciplinary council.
These councils are not held for: Tithing, Word of Wisdom, church attendance, home teacher reception, debt repayment, or request for removal from the church.

How a Disciplinary Council is held:

A disciplinary council begins with an opening prayer, followed by a statement of the reason for the council being convened. The member is asked to tell in simple and general terms about the transgression and to explain his or her feelings and what steps of repentance he or she has taken. The member may respond to clarifying questions from the leaders. Then he or she is excused, and the leaders counsel together, pray, and reach a decision.
...
Those who sit on the council are to keep everything strictly confidential and to handle the matter in a spirit of love. Their objective is not retribution; rather, it is to help the member make the changes necessary to stand clean before God once more.
...
Decisions of the council are to be made with inspiration. A council can reach one of four decisions: (1) no action, (2) formal probation, (3) disfellowshipment, or (4) excommunication.
Ensign 1990 - A Chance to start over

Alma's own son is numbered among the unbelievers!

Mosiah 27:8-10 The sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers - and one son of Alma - he being called Alma

Alma was an idolatrous man - a man of many words and flattery - led many to do after his iniquities
Stealing away the hearts of the people
They went about trying to destroy the church of God

This was a man who has had his calling and election made sure - who has received a covenant of etenal life and yet one of his son's is numbered among the unbelievers? What do we lean from this? Do you think that he was a bad parent?
Are we responsible for the actions/choices of our children?
Do you think he was slack in the teaching of his children, and yet has his calling and election made sure?

I don't think so!

What can we do to keep our children from getting into this state? Anything?

What do we do if they do?

Let us consider the actions of Alma concening his son - and Mosiah as well

Persecutions among people of different faiths abound in the Land

Mosiah 27:1-5 Persecutions inflicted upon the church by unbelievers so great - proclamation sent throughout land

No unbeliever persecute any of the church of god - equality among all man
No haughtiness disturb our peace - esteem his neighbor as himself
All priests should labor for their own support

What can we infer from this proclamation? What were the persecutions?

Individuals were being looked down upon - not treated equally - pride;/haughtiness
They did not labor for their own support - idolatrous

Angel comes and visits them:

Mosiah 27:10-19 The visitation of the Angel
10 They go about secretly seeking to destroy the church and lead people astray
11 An angel of the Lord appeared unto them - spoke with voice of thunder
12 They were so astonished - fell to the earth
13-15 He speaks directly to Alma - can you dispute the power of God! - God has heard your father's prayers!
16-17 Go and remember the captivity of thy fathers - and how they were in bondage - and were delivered
18-20 Alma fell to earth - dumb, and weak, - taken to Father

Why was the angel sent?

Beacause of the faith and prayers of his father!

What can we lean from this? How should we react when/if our children fail in their faith?
Did the prayers of a righteous man availeth much?

James 5:16

This was actually a risky indeavor...

Seeing an angel and vision is no guarantee of a change in lifestyle and this information could actually have made the state of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah worse than it had been before. With the greater knowledge can come the greater condemnation! If they had rejected this vision and the greater knowledge that they had received being eyewitness of God's power they were nigh unto the knowledged needed to be son's of perdition. They would have known the Power of God and rejected it.

Mosiah 27:20-23 Alma gathers priests to fast and pray for his son!

Why did Alma gather the priests to fast for his son? Why didn't he just heal him?
How can the fasting of a group of individuals bless/help another?

Alma the younger teaches of his vision.

Mosiah 27:24-31 Alma is spiritually bon of God
24-27 All mankind must be bon again - changed from canal to son of God - new creatures
28-30 I rejected my redeemer - and am saved from the gall of bitteness
31 Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ

Alma and the sons of Mosiah Repent - and preach the Gospel

Mosiah 27:32-37 Alma and the Sons of Mosiah began from that time forward to teach the people
32-33 Wading through much persecution by the unbelievers being smitten by many
34-36 Traveling throughout all the land of Zarahemla - among all the people Striving to repair all the injuries they had done.
36-37 How blessed are they for they did publish peace - and good tidings unto the people

Conclusion:

We should value our membership and the blessings of it (repentance, ressurection, and final salvation in the kingdom of God) as a pearl of great price. We should be willing to give everything for the building up of the kingdom of God on earth. Remember Alma and the sons of Mosiah desired that no man should feel the pains they felt and that all mankind should come unto Jesus Christ and be saved! They valued their membership greater than their lives - and indeed gave their time/talents and everything they possessed for the building up of the kingdom of God. How great is their joy and how beautiful upon the mountains are their feet, for they published peace and brought many to a knowledge of their redeemer!