1. Form Analyzed
I wanted to look at context for communication: counsel to children.
2. Passage Analyzed
Within my assigned section (Alma 31-37), I just looked at Alma's counsel to his son, Helaman, after recounting his conversion story.
3. Annotated Text
(i don't have a picture, because I checked out my book from the Library, so I couldn't mark it up)
4. Breakdown / Listing of things found:
Alma needs his son to understand how he really feels. He begins to counsel his son through testimony--his form of oratory speech-- to teach his son lessons that he had not learned in his youth. I think it is appropriate that Alma shared his conversion story right before counseling his son, as it provides ethos to what he has to say. Alma, is not just speaking to Helaman in this sense, he is really speaking to all. As we read his words, it can be seen as a cause and an effect. If we do this...this is the effect. I choose to use italics with every mention of "Lord" and "God," to emphasize the stress that Alma focuses on in doing all things in the Lord.
5. Interpretation:
I think Alma was trying to communicate to two audiences. First his son, because much of how he trains and influences his son, will have an effect on others, but secondly, he is talking directly to us. I love that Alma's first word is "my son, remember." General Authorities have taught us that the word, remember, is the most important word in the dictionary. He was basically saying, "listen up, pay attention, focus, because what I am going to say, is very important."
6. Connections / Questions:
I wonder if Alma knew how many people would read his counsel to his son, Helaman? I wonder what it would be like if we could talk to him today, would he say the same thing? It is beautiful that his counsel is so personalized to his son, so that we can adapt it to ourselves. What if we had Helaman's account of how his fathers counsel and testimony effected him?
I wanted to look at context for communication: counsel to children.
2. Passage Analyzed
Within my assigned section (Alma 31-37), I just looked at Alma's counsel to his son, Helaman, after recounting his conversion story.
3. Annotated Text
(i don't have a picture, because I checked out my book from the Library, so I couldn't mark it up)
32 And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity.
33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.
35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
Alma needs his son to understand how he really feels. He begins to counsel his son through testimony--his form of oratory speech-- to teach his son lessons that he had not learned in his youth. I think it is appropriate that Alma shared his conversion story right before counseling his son, as it provides ethos to what he has to say. Alma, is not just speaking to Helaman in this sense, he is really speaking to all. As we read his words, it can be seen as a cause and an effect. If we do this...this is the effect. I choose to use italics with every mention of "Lord" and "God," to emphasize the stress that Alma focuses on in doing all things in the Lord.
5. Interpretation:
I think Alma was trying to communicate to two audiences. First his son, because much of how he trains and influences his son, will have an effect on others, but secondly, he is talking directly to us. I love that Alma's first word is "my son, remember." General Authorities have taught us that the word, remember, is the most important word in the dictionary. He was basically saying, "listen up, pay attention, focus, because what I am going to say, is very important."
6. Connections / Questions:
I wonder if Alma knew how many people would read his counsel to his son, Helaman? I wonder what it would be like if we could talk to him today, would he say the same thing? It is beautiful that his counsel is so personalized to his son, so that we can adapt it to ourselves. What if we had Helaman's account of how his fathers counsel and testimony effected him?
Clearly this kind of patriarchal advice is a theme in the Book of Mormon. From the very start of the record, Lehi counsels Laman and Lemuel (O that thou mightest be like unto this river...)
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear/read an account of Helaman's thought of his father's counsel. It's really cool to read advice and see how it applies to us today even though it was written a very long time ago. Also, to see how Alma tells a story and then applies to Helaman and his different parenting techniques.
ReplyDeleteI like to read about Alma's counsel to his son Helaman, and learn about them as characters by the way they talk. Also, the father-son relationship can be one of the most nurturing, joyful relationships in life, one that can have a profound impact on who boys become and also on who dads become. Therefore, it is important that we can identify their characteristics and try to follow their example.
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