Lesson
Lesson 24: Alma Counsels His Son Corianton
Story
Book of Mormon Stories “Alma Counsels His Sons” Video and Images
Start in the middle the video at the part where Alma is counseling Corianton.
I can be a good example.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 39-42”
Explain that Shiblon and Corianton were brothers and that Shiblon was a good example for Corianton. Read together Alma 39:1. How was Corianton’s brother Shiblon a good example?
Bring a flashlight or a picture of the sun, and compare light to the power of a righteous example. Just as the light from a flashlight or the sun can help us see a path we need to follow, a righteous example shows us what to do in order to follow Heavenly Father. Share an experience when someone’s good example helped you. Ask the children to talk about someone who is a good example for them. What can the children do to be a good example to others? Testify that Jesus Christ is our perfect example.
Play a game or sing a song in which the children follow or imitate you, such as “Do as I’m Doing” (Children’s Songbook, 276). Let each child have a turn being the leader or example. Ask the children how they can be a good example to someone.
To avoid temptation we must follow righteous counsel and examples.
Who were Corianton’s righteous examples? His father and older brothers. Alma told Corianton to counsel with his brothers. (Alma 39:10)
How can counseling with righteous family members help strengthen our resistance to temptation? They love us and want what is best for us, and being experienced in righteous living, they can help give advice on how to avoid temptation and difficulty.
Not only can we receive direction from righteous family members, but there may be other people around us who are also righteous examples.
- From what other sources can you receive righteous counsel and examples?
Object Lesson
Demonstrate how it helps to have advice and counsel from someone who knows what is right by doing the following object lesson.
Show the children the two bags or boxes, and explain that one has something undesirable in it and the other has something desirable in it. Show one of the children what is in the boxes. Tell the other children that they can ask the child yes or no questions about the items (with the exception of directly asking which is the good or bad container) until they can decide which is the good choice. Ask the children if it helped to talk to someone who was informed about which was the bad choice and which was the good choice. Point out that it also helps to counsel with those who are experienced in righteous living in order to get help and direction in making good choices in life.
More Example teaching ideas.
I can repent when I make mistakes.
Friend July 2020 “My Family Night Fun”
Ensign August 2020 “Family Study Fun” Flip a Choice: Read Alma 42:4 together and talk about how this life is a time for us “to repent and serve God.”
- Sit in a circle and give each family member three index cards.
- On two of the cards, write good choices. On the third card, write a bad choice.
- Turn the cards face down and mix them up in the middle of the circle.
- Take turns flipping over one card at a time. When someone reads a good choice, give the person a high-five (or another gesture that means “Good job!” in your culture).
- When someone reads a bad choice, the person shares something they could do to repent and serve God instead.
Discussion: Testify that Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to change and become better people. How can we use our time this week to follow Him and serve God?
More Repentance teaching ideas.
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can help me correct my mistakes.
Ask the children to share an experience when they got hurt. What did they do to help their injury heal? Explain that sin injures our spirits, but the Savior can heal us when we repent.
I will be resurrected.
Latter Day Kids: Lesson Ideas
After death, our spirits go to the spirit world until the Resurrection and Judgment.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 39-42”
- Write death, spirit world, resurrection, and judgment on separate pieces of paper, and place them on the board in random order. Help the children understand what these terms mean. Read Alma 40:6–7, 11–14, and 21–23 with the children, and ask them to put the words on the board in the order in which they occur.
- Write on the board a list of questions that can be answered by Alma 40:6–7, 11–14, and 21–23, and invite the children to match each question with the verses that answer it. For example, “What will my body be like when I am resurrected?” can be answered by Alma 40:23. If necessary, explain difficult words to the children while they read. Encourage the children to share why they are grateful for Heavenly Father’s plan.
Friend July 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Alma 40:23 together and help your little ones say, “Because of Jesus, we will live again.” Look at pictures of family members who have died. Help your children learn their names and faces. Testify that they can meet their family members someday.
More Resurrection teaching ideas.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 39-42”
You could play a game in which pieces of paper with Christlike attributes or gospel principles written on them are scattered around the room. You could see how many pieces of paper family members can gather in a certain amount of time, then discuss how the things written on the papers can help us become more like God. How is the “time granted” to us on earth like the time allotted in this game? How can we use our “probationary time” on earth to become more like the Savior?
Perhaps you could illustrate the relationship between justice and mercy by using a drawing of a simple scale to discuss questions like these: What happens to the scale when we sin? What does justice require for the scale to be balanced? How does the Savior meet the demands of justice and make mercy possible?
Ensign August 2020 “How is God Both Just and Merciful”
