Alma Chapter 38

** IMPORTANT NOTE ** Chapters 36-42 are a separate record of advice given by Alma's to his three sons. Mormon includes these chapters 36-42, before returning to include the wars hinted to in chapter 35.

Summary:

Alma now teaches his son Shiblon. He acknowledges that Shiblon has suffered for his faith and tells him that as long as he keeps his trust in God, that he will be delivered from his trials and afflictions. He reiterates that salvation is only through Christ. His final lesson is for him to "bridle all you passions".

Lessons Taught/To be Learned:

The lesson to bridle you passions is not so much that you should completely eliminate of suppress your passions - but to "harness them" control them, and focus them onto good things. This is about discipline. As Elder Bednar said this: "Significantly, disciplining the natural man in each of us makes possible a richer, a deeper, and a more enduring love of God and of His children. Love increases through righteous restraint and decreases through impulsive indulgence.” (Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign, May 2013, 43–44.)

Key Scriptures (italicized and in quotes):

"12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness."