July 8-14: Alma 23-29
They “Never Did Fall Away”
Ernest Marceau, Jr. (Blackfeet French, born 1961)
Red Runner of the Buffalo Spirit Over the Jump (2014)
acrylic
Collection of the artist
Used with permission of the artist
On the Blackfeet Reservation of Browning, Montana, artist Ernest Marceau, Jr. creates paintings that spring from his culture. After he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2008, he had a dream about his mother, who had passed away. He dreamed that he went to the back door and saw a rosebud. He picked it, and it blossomed. He took it back to the kitchen, and it began to glow yellow. It bloomed again and again, and Ernest interpreted the dream as a calling to a spiritual place. In his works, near his signature he frequently places a bison skull with a rose painted on it.
The artist is interested in the depictions of Lamanites in the Book of Mormon. In his own work, he tries to reconcile contemporary life with the historical messages of the Book of Mormon.
Discussion Questions:
When they were converted, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis "laid down the weapons of their rebellion, yea, all their weapons of war" (Alma 23:7, 13; see also Alma 24:15-17; 25:14). These weapons were symbols of something that the Anti-Nephi-Lehis were willing to abandon as evidence of the change in their hearts. What is a meaningful symbol of something you are willing to give up to follow Jesus?
"Count your many blessings; name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. ...Count your many blessings; ev'ry doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by. ... Count your many blessings; angels will attend, help and comfort give you to your journey's end." (Johnson Oatman Jr., "Count Your Blessings," Hymn no. 41). What are some of the benefits that come from focusing on your blessings? (Alma 26:2)
Art project: Draw up a Proclamation for how the people in your family or study group should treat each other (Alma 23: 1-3).
Questions for Youth & Children:
The group of people who were converted wanted a new name for themselves to show that they were now followers of God. They chose to be called the Anti-Nephi-Lehies (Alma 23:17). This name showed that they were not ("anti") part of either of the two groups of people in the area at that time - they didn't want to be just one group or the other group. You are a child of God. What group does this make you a part of? As a child of God, how do you want to treat other children of God as fellow family members, all part of the same group?
As followers of Jesus, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis decided to bury their weapons - they decided to put their temptation in a place where they wouldn't see it anymore. What is something that tempts you to act in a way that you have to repent for later? How can you "bury" that temptation and keep it out of sight?
Ammon explained that when they were converted, the people had great love for all other people, even their enemies (Alma 26:31-34). What can you do to show love to others, even those who may not treat you kindly? Try to do something to show love to someone else each day in this coming week. Write down the things that you do to keep a record.
