Doctrinal Mastery: Alma 7:11–13

“And He Shall Go Forth, Suffering Pains and Afflictions and Temptations of Every Kind”

the Savior suffering in Gethsemane

In your study of Alma 7:1–13, you learned about some of what the Savior suffered as part of His Atonement so “he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people” (Alma 7:12). This lesson can help you memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for Alma 7:11–13, explain the doctrine taught in this passage, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to real-life situations.

Help learners take responsibility for their own learning. Gospel learning that leads to conversion requires learners to exercise faith and great effort. Help students understand that their seminary experience largely depends on them. Encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning, give them opportunities to do so, and express confidence that they will succeed.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to prayerfully ponder what they can do to receive the help and strength Jesus Christ provides through His Atonement.

Possible Learning Activities

This doctrinal mastery passage lesson is designed to be taught after the lesson “Alma 7:1–13,” which is the contextual lesson for the doctrinal mastery passage Alma 7:11–13. If this doctrinal mastery passage lesson needs to be moved to a different week, be sure to teach the corresponding contextual lesson during that week as well.

Memorize and explain

The key scripture phrase for Alma 7:11–13 is “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.” Consider marking this phrase in your scriptures if you have not already done so.

To help students memorize the reference and key scripture phrase, consider inviting them to repeat it back and forth with a partner until both can easily repeat it from memory.

The following material can then be used to give students an opportunity to explain the doctrine in this passage.

In a previous lesson, you learned from Alma 7:11–13 that Jesus Christ suffered to save you from sin and death and to help you through the challenges of mortality.

Suppose that a friend texted you about something difficult they are going through. You think the message in Alma 7:11–13 will be helpful for your friend but worry they won’t read it if you only send them the scripture reference.

• How would you summarize Alma 7:11–13 in a way that might help your friend through their difficulty?

Consider giving students time to write down their responses to the previous question. When they have finished, invite a few volunteers to share what they wrote. Students could also share their answers with a partner or in small groups.

Practice application

Ask students if they can recall the three principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge. If they are unable to, invite them to follow the instructions in the next paragraph.

Locate the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023). Write these principles as headings in your study journal, leaving space between each so you can answer questions about them later in the lesson.

Consider how the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge and the doctrine taught in Alma 7:11–13 could help in the following scenario.

Consider displaying the following scenario so students can refer to it throughout the remainder of the lesson. If needed, consider adapting the scenario to include situations that are most relevant to your students.

Ever since Peter’s parents divorced a few years ago, he has felt like his life has become more and more difficult. He has been struggling in school, and some of his friends don’t seem to include him as much as they used to. Peter has also mostly stopped attending church, reading his scriptures, and praying to God. One day, Peter opened up to one of his friends about his struggles. He said, “I want things to get better, but I don’t know where to turn. I feel so alone and stuck in my situation.”

Imagine that you are the friend Peter was speaking to and that he also asked you for advice about how to overcome his difficult situation. Use the teachings in Alma 7:11–13 and the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to help Peter with his challenge.

There are many ways students could complete this practice application activity. One way is to study Alma 7:11–13 and paragraphs 5–8, 11–12 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023), looking for teachings that could be helpful to Peter. Students could then share insights with the class, in partnerships, or in small groups.

The following questions and resources could be helpful in their discussions. You do not need to use all of these resources and questions; they are examples of things students might consider as they work through this scenario.

Act in faith

Read paragraphs 5–7 of the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Consider marking what you find helpful.

• What could you teach Peter about Jesus Christ and His Atonement that might help Peter act in faith?

• What could Peter do to receive the help Jesus Christ can give?

Examine concepts or questions with an eternal perspective

Read paragraph 8 of the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Consider marking what you find helpful

• How do you think Heavenly Father would want Peter to think about his situation?

• Why do you think it would be helpful for Peter to see his situation with an eternal perspective?

Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources

• What types of divinely appointed sources could you direct Peter to that could provide him with the help he needs?

One important divinely appointed source that could help in this situation is Alma 7:11–13. Reread these verses, looking for teachings that could be helpful for Peter.

• What would you want Peter to understand and feel from these verses?

• Can you think of any other passages of scripture that teach what Heavenly Father might want Peter to know?

When students finish, consider inviting them to think of their own situations they need the Savior’s help with. You could ask them to think about how the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge and the doctrine taught in Alma 7:11–13 can help them access the Savior’s help in their lives. Students could record these thoughts in their study journals.

Doctrinal mastery review

The following review activity should be used in a lesson taught soon after this one.

Consider inviting students to repeat the reference and key scripture phrase “Alma 7:11–13: ‘And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind’” back and forth with a partner until both can easily repeat it from memory.