Why does Alma describe the atonement as "joy"? Alma 33:23

Why does Alma describe the atonement as "joy"? Alma 33:23

Answer:

The atonement brings relief from your guilt, hope for salvation and reunification with God, and it is evidence that God loves us personally, individually, and eternally. Alma describes the atonement of Jesus Christ as "joy" because that is what it means, brings, fulfills, and symbolizes. Alma experienced multiple levels of joy when he went through his conversion process, and he is confident that all of us have the capacity to experience the same joy because the atonement is universal.

Is Alma explaining to Shiblon why he was allowed to be disfigured? Alma 38:7

Is Alma explaining to Shiblon why he was allowed to be disfigured? Alma 38

Alma shares some details of his conversion experience with Shiblon, including how he was in the "gall of bitterness" for three days, until he cried out to Jesus Christ for mercy. He describes how the only way he was able to obtain peace was through reaching out to the Savior, and then testifies that he knows Jesus Christ is the only way that mankind can be saved.

If Shiblon was disfigured or harmed in some other way by the stoning he experienced earlier, perhaps the words that his father is sharing here have multiple layers of meaning. Perhaps they are more than just sharing the message of Jesus Christ's redemptive power in a general way; maybe the message has a more personal intention and meaning. Maybe we, as readers many centuries later, can apply both the general and the personal meanings to our own lives, causing these passages to be more valuable.

Is Shiblon's health permanently affected by the stoning? Alma 38:5

Is Shiblon's health permanently affected by the stoning? Alma 38:5

Answer:

We don't really know, but I do wonder. 

So, Shiblon was stoned? Alma 38:4

So, Shiblon was stoned? Alma 38:4

Alma is talking to his son Shiblon and says the following:

3 I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the ^aZoramites.

4 For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word’s sake; and thou didst bear all these things with ^apatience because the Lord was ^bwith thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.

Answer:
Yes, apparently he was stoned. I wonder if Shiblon's experience being stoned also may have had some kind of permanent effect on him, perhaps causing him to be disabled or disfigured. 

5 And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your ^atrust in God even so much ye shall be ^bdelivered out of your trials, and your ^ctroubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

What causes me to wonder that is the reference to Shiblon's trials, troubles, and afflictions. We all have them, but the fact that they are specifically referenced nearby each other makes me suspicious.

Is what follows Alma's own words? Alma 35:16

Is what follows Alma's own words? Alma 35:16

Alma gathers his sons to give them each their own father's blessing.

Answer:

Yup. 

Why is it easier for righteous people to not fear to help refugees? Alma 35:9

Why is it easier for righteous people to not fear to help refugees? Alma 35:9

Once again, the people of Ammon prove to be some of my favorite people in the whole Book of Mormon. Not only do they become fully converted and lay down their swords, committing to become lifelong pacifists, but they also aren't afraid of welcoming and serving refugees.

The Zoramites were those people who did not allow the poor people to worship God, instead treating them as outcasts. The Ammonites welcomed ALL the poor Zoramites, feeding them, clothing them, giving up their land, and administering to their wants, not just to their needs. 

Basically, the Ammonites are an example of the attitude that we should have towards the poor and needy among us today, including real life refugees. See this article for more about the church's initiatives towards refugees. 

Answer:

One of the big side effects of faith seems to be the removal of the scarcity mindset that so often plagues us as humans. We begin to see other human beings as our brothers and sisters, and our eternal perspective allows us the space to relax our control and share with others. I am sure that there is a connection between faith and generosity, though it's true that it's not necessarily tied to religious activity. Some of the more generous people I know seem to have a strong aspect of a certain quality of faith, though they may not even believe in God or keep some of the more basic commandments. Yet, there is some kind of belief in there that humankind is valuable. To me, that belief shows faith.

Is stirring people up to repentance the typical purpose of famines? Helaman 11:4

Is stirring people up to repentance the typical purpose of famines? Helaman 11:4

Basically, yes, though it is probably also a result of natural human consequences.

I've read that famine is more often a human-caused disaster than a natural disaster. It's the reason why during the Potato Famine in Ireland in the 1840's, they were actually exporting food (!!!). It's a social problem caused by a lack of compassion and humanity.