Come Follow Me - Alma 32-35 (part 1): "Experiment Upon My Words"

[@henboker3]

I've worked this experiment over the years: callings, serious illness in our family, a child on the wrong path, financial worries, graduate school. It ALWAYS works and now in my 80s I rejoice in your acronym: SEED. Thank you for coming into my life, Jared, Each day I am "better" prepared to move into the Other World.

[@annsilva1506]

Thankyou for all your giving, sharing and building of faith.

[@Unshaken]

You are so welcome. The Spirit and the word deserve all the credit!

[@terrylanier5677]

Thank you I find your lessons inspired and more applicable to my daily live. May the Lord continue to bless and inspire you!

[@Unshaken]

Thank you! I'm grateful for the chance to learn together!

[@CoyoteWindRanch]

Thank you! You are, by far, the brightest light that has come out of this crazy situation we have found ourselves in.

[@Unshaken]

You're so kind--thank you for finding joy in these lessons. I'm grateful we get to study together!

[@pamkazmaier3753]

Thankyou again, Brother Halverson for another deep scripture lesson. You are the most encouraging teacher I've ever had. Building a particle of belief at a time is ok! Prayers for you this week as you work on your Dissertation.

[@conniegibbons239]

Thank you so much.What a master teacher you are!

[@Unshaken]

You're very kind. I'm grateful to have such an incredible book to study and such wonderful people to teach!

[@sophieclinnick95]

Home church has been the best thing to happen to my husband and I spiritually. We both stepped up in the gospel and with study. I'm so thankful for this time but I miss church! I miss my church family.

[@Unshaken]

I know what you mean! I'm grateful we've had opportunities to grow.

[@sharonchild4647]

I LOVE the insights that YOU teach with. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I am SO HAPPY that I found your channel

[@Unshaken]

I'm glad you found it too! Thanks for letting me be a part of your scripture study!

[@dorothypitts4768]

HOLY SMACK!!! This is so good! Soooooo good!

[@Unshaken]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me be a part of your scripture study!

[@sherriejones4183]

Thank you for doing these scripture videos they have been a true blessing to my husband and myself he has always struggled and understanding

[@sherriejones4183]

That sent you my message before I was finished my comment was because of you and your knowledge in the gospel it has been a blessing toMy husband and me my husband has struggled with understanding the Scriptures and your teachings have helped him to gain a better understanding of God’s holy Word keep up the good work

[@Unshaken]

You are so welcome. The scriptures can be tricky, and I've always been grateful for teachers who've helped me understand. We're in this thing together!

[@grammajo1889]

So much of your lesson was meant for me. Thank you!

[@Unshaken]

I'm so glad to hear that! The Spirit has such a way of personalizing any message. Thanks for being open to it!

[@maryfranjeppesen8932]

I love chapter 32. It changed my life..thank you again for doing this for us! Please continue!!

[@messymusings1812]

Thank you so much for this. It happened years ago, but the memory & bad taste in my mouth have remained all this time. It was when I made a statement that I believed in something. This member of the church then said they didn't believe - they knew. Honestly that remark left me feeling that my own faith was "less than". In a way felt marginalized - and if I were a different person - that alone might have made me doubt everything I thought was true. After all, I only believed - which was dismissed as not as good as knowing. So thank you for helping me learn that believing is not a lower form of faith.

[@Unshaken]

Such a beautiful comment. Thank you for sharing that. I think we often say things without thinking about their effect. I'm impressed you pushed through it and didn't let those words turn you away from God or the Church. Belief--at any level or in any stage--is a beautiful thing.

[@drkristidiaz]

I love learning from Brother Halverson. But I thought it might not be as interesting to my 3 teenagers and so for family study we were watching another Come Follow Me channel on KZbin. But I the first time I played a clip from Brother Halverson's Unshaken channel, they told they prefer him! I'm grateful for this slowing down of time to let me catch up on some spiritual learning I need and for Brother Halverson sharing his time and talents with us. And I'm glad my kids like learning the gospel deeper than I gave them credit for.

[@Unshaken]

Thanks for taking a chance on me! I've always been amazed at the maturity, wisdom, and spiritual depth of teenagers. They made my seminary-teaching years a joy. It sounds like you've got incredible kids, and I'm grateful for that. We'll need their strength to guide the Church through the future!

[@davidspjut9365]

Brother Jared...what a great missionary you are...I feel so blessed to be able to be taught now...in your refined mission to teach the truth😇

[@elainemcilmoyle8847]

This is what I really needed. There is so much in this lesson that I am going to have to go over it again and again, thank heavens for COVID 19 and the time I will need. Some lessons are made just for me . I feel so excited. Thank you thank you for sharing this with us. I really look forward to Sunday’s and learning more about my Saviour

[@Unshaken]

I'm glad it was a blessing to you! I know this was a long one, but I just didn't want to break up Alma's flow. Thanks for letting me be a part of your scripture study!

[@KaZoccoli]

I love this Channel!! Thank you

[@Unshaken]

I'm so grateful you're enjoying these lessons! Thanks for letting me be a part of your scripture study!

[@RobertMillerremaxpros]

What a feast it has been today! My wife and I are being deeply touched by these spiritual insights you are sharing each week. I’ve always had a profound appreciation for Alma 32. And after the video today, it has grown immensely. And now right after, Alma 34 is next and is close to its equal in such pure doctrine of Jesus Christ. We can’t wait to watch it and be inspired by it. I can hardly imagine what great insights you’ll be sharing. So Jared we just have to say but can’t thank you enough for being prepared and acting as the Lord’s instrument to teach with such power and authority. The truths and precepts found in the Book of Mormon have no equal in building our faith in the Almighty and His Beloved Son. As a convert to the gospel, my learning always causes me to put a missionary application to all that I learn. So it is with today’s teachings on acquiring the fruits of faith. If any sincere person will read and study this so needed 2nd witness of Jesus Christ, even the Book of Mormon, and do so with real intent what awaits them can only come from God. The treasures, even hidden treasures of understanding and knowledge are things that only the Holy Ghost can reveal. Just as Moroni promises, we can have absolute faith that the Homy Ghost will reveal the truth of these things to all sincere inquirers. In each video we are being taught by the Holy Ghost; and it is special to us beyond words. Thank you for every ounce of faith and devotion you put into each lesson. They are ALL inspiring and are making such a difference in all our lives.

[@Unshaken]

I'm so grateful to hear that. I'm just the "waiter," but what a blessing to have such incredible food to put on the table!

[@jenniferthompson1204]

Yes, because of COVID 19 and self isolation we have lost the ability to worship and pray in our chapel (synagogue), BUT, because of that I have spent time on Utube and have found this wonderful experience of learning and understanding the scriptures.......Unshaken! Thank you so much for your lessons, and the silver lining to this cloud.

[@nanebbert8057]

Thank you! I saw this tree by the river and spacious building. How wonderful to understand the true meaning. You are a. Wonderful teacher I am so thankful I discovered your program!

[@Unshaken]

Glad to hear these lessons are helping! Thanks for letting me be a part of your scripture study!

[@MaelynWolfertz]

I love the perspective that we, too, have been cast out of our places of worship due to the Rona. How has this helped prepare my soil? I realize that my worship was too often shallow, not driving my roots deep into the Gospel. Yes I was attending church but I often would be there in body only. Scripture study was simply scripture reading/listening and not pondering. I’ve been a lot more engaged in preparing my soil and nourishing the seeds since the pandemic began.

[@divaden47]

Me too Matt!. :)

[@nettajar1938]

I have to agree with you. I've been studying the scriptures more. Instead of 30 - 40 minutes a day, I'm going more towards an hour or two!!!! Having others teach me through videos have help me a lot. When there's a comment made, I'm able to stop, rewind, in order to take note. I've been keeping a scripture journal, which has helped me. Have gotten to the age where my forgetter is better than my rememberer (Tee-Hee). So, with the Lord's help, and Bro Halverson, I've been nourishing my study of the gospel.

[@Unshaken]

Awesome comment! I've loved seeing how personally people are taking their spirituality since the pandemic closed down more passive options. Becoming proactive is part of "growing up in God" and it's been beautiful to see and experience this growth. (That being said, I'd love to have the best of both worlds!)

[@richardchu109]

I love your insights. Thank you.

[@Unshaken]

You are so welcome! Glad they're helping!

[@sherriejones4183]

My husband joined the church about 20 years ago but he’s always struggled with understanding The Scriptures with your lessons he gains a greater understanding they are a bit long for me so we do them in half hour sessions keep up the good work we have told others about you and hopefully they will join and listen to you teach Gods Holy Words❤️

[@Unshaken]

Glad to hear it's helping! And good idea to break them up into smaller chunks :) Thanks for letting me be a part of your scripture study!

[@katherinewistisen3453]

Inspiring!

[@Unshaken]

Thank you!

[@frankclark2754]

Thank you.

[@Unshaken]

You're welcome! Thanks for letting me be a part of your scripture study!

[@keithstone2548]

Thank you Brother. Alma 32 is powerful to me. Hope & desire is a major building block to “belief”. To my beliefs - Keith Stone [e-mail]

[@Unshaken]

@@keithstone2548 Amen! Hope and desire can be as powerful and as meaningful as faith and knowledge!

[@MicheleBurstein]

Thank you for another wonderful lesson - you always share something I’ve never thought of - your insights make my Sabbath evening (and my Monday night - we’ in New Zealand, area day ahead of Utah. We are Monday busy when you put up the next part of the week’s lesson).

[@Unshaken]

Thank you for tuning in from across the world! I read a book about Matthew Cowley when I was a teenager and dreamed of serving my mission in New Zealand. The Lord had other plans for me, but I still have a place in my heart for that beautiful part of the world and its amazing people!

[@angelawehrlibrimhall8808]

Such a beautiful and enlightening way to look at belief, faith, and knowing. Can they just give you a spot in the next General Conference to teach this? The way you present things is so simple, yet so deep and convicting. The Spirit speaks through you so powerfully, it's like I'm learning the gospel all over again, even though I've been a member all my life. Thank you for being so in tune and for your diligent study and preparation. You are a powerful instrument in the Lord's hands in the last days. ♥

[@Unshaken]

Thank you for such kind and generous words. Though I'm definitely content to let General Conference go on without any input from me :) I'm grateful these lessons have allowed the Spirit to speak to you. The Lord deserves all the credit!

[@anephraimite]

I cannot express how much I thoroughly enjoy these videos you are painstakingly putting together. I very much appreciate the real effort you put in and the perspectives gained from years of study and sharing. I was an early morning seminary teacher for a number of years which taught me just how much work goes into being able to speak so succinctly about the gospel. Thank you so very much. I don't know if things will change next year (I saw the 2021 Come Follow Me book has been published.....eager to see it) but, selfishly, I do hope you are able to continue. ❤️

[@Unshaken]

Thank you for your encouragement and kind words. And thanks for your service as an early-morning seminary teacher! I'm a product of early morning seminary and the sacrifice you teachers make is so inspiring. Bless you for your service!

[@jasondraper2829]

At 58:01: " the Lord wants growth, not just greenery." This struck me powerfully and i wanted to comment, mostly as a way of writing things down so I got it cemented in my noggin. Been reading the Gospel of Mark and have just read about Christ cursing the fig tree. Anyway, here are the thought threads that all kind of came together: Fig tree= all greenery, no fruit Greenery only=no faith but instead Bro.Halverson's example of ready bought tree. Shall faith be found on the earth?=Christ came to the tree when the tree "wasn't ready" and found no fruit. So a parable not in words, but in example. Christ came and wanted to find fruit. No fruit, the tree wasn't ready and so it withered and was destroyed. At the Second Coming, Christ will come wanting to find a fruitful people. Since we know He will come when many "aren't ready" He may find a lot of store bought trees. Much greenery, no fruit. And this is what Alma is teaching the people, that faith leads to fruitfulness if we follow the steps of his "experiment upon the word." Anyway, thank you for bearing with me. As revelations go, definitely not on par with, well, anything in Church history; but the cursing of the fig tree bothers a lot of people cause it seems so mean and arbitrary, but to me it makes a lot more sense now as an object lesson. The Son of Man will come at a time when many don't expect and He will want to find the fruit of the Gospel flourishing. If He doesn't...

[@Unshaken]

Love this comment! Beautiful insight, so thank you for sharing. I agree that the cursed fig tree teaches some powerful lessons. Thanks again for putting this into words.

[@alietatanuvasa6360]

To my friend all over the world come you welcomes the sabbday it's just looking up to him and keeping this holly day and thankful for the things we received each day,

[@Unshaken]

Thank you for watching!

[@alietatanuvasa6360]

Love the music in ALL my LIFE, also cooking comes sports, CHURCH lister lister and look up to him forever, given to me helps and comfort though seeing l Alive ,

[@Unshaken]

I'm glad you're enjoying the lessons! Thanks for letting me be a part of your scripture study!

[@billiepardoe908]

I was watching The Music Man last week and the song Trouble in River City made me think of Korihor. Haha. This week we learn about faith and planting the seed. We can pray anywhere and any time and the seed of faith will grow. Love these chapters.

[@Unshaken]

I love that musical! And Korihor's false doctrines were definitely more dangerous than a pool table :)

[@danilotiongco5650]

Thank you for sharing

[@Unshaken]

My pleasure! Thanks for letting me be a part of your scripture study!

[@nadinek8959]

My husband served his mission in Spain and he had many gated communities. What he and his companion would do is push all the buttons and see if there would be someone who let them in. Most of the time it worked.

[@Unshaken]

Where there's a will, there's a way! Gotta love resourceful missionaries :)

[@leahrindlesbach6006]

1:00:11 I got a gastric sleeve a couple years ago. At the time, I prayed to know if it was what I should do. The next lesson in come follow me was Lott in Gomorrah. I felt it was my turn to have an angel pick me up by the scruff of my neck and haul me out of Gomorrah. Although, sometimes I look back and am turned to a pillar of fat.

[@isabellee7212]

I feel that doubt is uncertainty not necessarily unbelief. I also feel that unbelief (...help thou my unbelief...) can be lack of sufficient knowledge or information or understanding to believe, not necessarily a confrontation or objection to belief. My husband wrote his opinion.

[@Unshaken]

Great point! So often, all we need is some extra information or insight. I'm grateful the Lord is willing and eager to "help our unbelief"!

[@ongoingrestoration1140]

In Alma 32:34, he says that our knowledge is perfect and our faith is dormant. I looked up the definition of the word dormant to see what else it might say besides a state of sleep. I saw two other examples: 1) of a volcano (temporarily inactive), and 2) of a plant or bud (alive but not actively growing). I like how this definition refers to a plant. Consistent with Alma's analogy of a seed growing into a tree. I always mistakenly thought dormant meant our faith was dead as in the James 2:26 reference. Like you said we can still have knowledge and have a faith that is alive.

[@Unshaken]

Love that thought! Beautiful insights into faith's "dormancy." Thanks for sharing!

[@alietatanuvasa6360]

AND REMEBER ONLY HIM LOVED WITH OUR HEARTS AND MIND

[@Unshaken]

Amen!

[@ruthannh.3188]

The stage is being set for the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. The earth is covered with the Korihor

[@Unshaken]

He definitely seems to be proliferating these days! All the more reason to fortify our faith!

[@yayasredwagon1670]

Brother Halvorson, thank you for your many explanations that help me to understand. I'm learning SO MUCH! Seriously... thank you! This time, I'd Really like to know what kind of tree that is at the *35:56* minute marker in your video. Alternatively, if you could tell me how I might begin to look it up, I will research it myself. I truly would like t know more about it, though. Or, maybe I'm way off in my guesstimation; is that some sort of Pot that wraps around the tree? I would love to know more about what's involved there please. I'm always learning new things from you about the gospel. But I also love it that I am learning about so many MORE things, as well. My world is Truly Expanding, the more I listen to your lessons. I can't begin to express how grateful I am. Thank you, again! :)

[@janetolsen8064]

What is the reference for Boyd K Packer saying that sometimes the worst trials may be the absence of trials?

[@Unshaken]

It comes from a talk called "The Choice" (October 1980). Here's the actual quote I was paraphrasing: "Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems; others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury. All are part of the test, and there is more equality in this testing than sometimes we suspect."

[@aliciamilne2314]

What would you say to someone who says you only need that anchor like the Book of Mormon being a cornerstone and without it nothing else at all stands ?

[@Unshaken]

I'm not sure what you mean. I'm sorry! Can you rephrase the question?

[@impossible-possibly]

I aim to print this out and give it to prisoners in jail because i know if you read it or think it over and over some supernatural things will happen: 27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words. 28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves-It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. 29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge. 30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow. 31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness. 32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away. 33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good. 34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand. 35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect? 36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good. 37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit. 38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out. 39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof. 40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life. 41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. 42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. 43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.