Helaman 13-16

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Book of Mormon Stories “Chapter 40: Samuel the Lamanite Tells about Jesus Christ” Images and Video

Book of Mormon Stories for Young Readers “Samuel Teaches about Jesus”

Samuel and the Star

Friend December 2020 “Samuel and the Star”

Lesson

Lesson 31 “Samuel the Lamanite”

Friend September 2020 “Family Night Fun”

Book of Mormon 2020 for Individuals and Families “Helaman 13-16” After reading the account, maybe family members could take turns standing on a chair and reading some of Samuel’s prophecies while other family members pretend to shoot arrows or throw stones. This could help your family understand how Samuel and the Nephites may have felt. 

Friend September 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Helaman 14:11–12 together. Show your little ones a picture of Samuel standing on the wall and teaching people about Jesus. (You could use page FJ4 or the cover.) Then help them take turns standing on a chair or couch—like Samuel on the wall—and saying simple sentences about Jesus, like, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem,” “Jesus is the Son of God,” and “Jesus loves me.”

Friend July 1988

Friend July 1988

Friend January 2013 “Funstuff: Samuel the Lamanite Prophesies”

New Era October 2020 “Standing Firm with Samuel”

The Spirit can speak to our hearts.

Helaman 13:2–5

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Helaman 13–16: Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

Ask the children how Samuel knew what to say when he was preaching from the city wall. Invite them to search Helaman 13:2–4 for an answer. Tell about a time when the Holy Ghost helped you know in your heart what God wanted you to do or say. Ask the children to share any similar experiences they have had.

When Samuel the Lamanite was commanded to preach to the Nephites, Heavenly Father helped him know in his heart what he should say.

Teach the children that while we speak to each other using words, the Holy Ghost can communicate through feelings in our hearts. Invite them to hold their hands over their hearts each time you read the word “heart” in Helaman 13:2–5. Help them decorate heart-shaped pieces of paper that say, “The Spirit speaks to me in my heart.”

The Holy Ghost helps them know what Heavenly Father wants them to do and say.

Prophets teach about Jesus Christ.

Helaman 14:2–7, 20–25

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Helaman 13–16: Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

Help the children build a small wall with blocks or books. Using a small toy or doll to represent Samuel, let the children take turns helping “Samuel” climb the wall to teach the people about Jesus Christ.

Friend September 2020 “Cover”

Hide pictures around the room that represent the signs that Samuel prophesied of in Helaman 14:2–7 and 20–25. Read a phrase that describes one of the signs, and ask the children to find the picture of that sign.

Read together Helaman 14:11–12, and ask the children to listen for why Samuel prophesied about these signs.

The purpose of Samuel’s message was to testify of Jesus Christ and invite the people to repent and come unto Him. Our prophets today have the same role.

Primary 4 Manual: Book of Mormon “Lesson 31: Samuel the Lamanite”

Explain that not only did Samuel the prophet prophesy of Jesus Christ, so have all other prophets. Refer to Mosiah 13:33: “Did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things?” 

Sing together “Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus

Friend December 2016 “Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus”  video

Friend December 2020 “I Can Play It: Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus” Printed song and Sing-Along Video

Following the prophet

Helaman 16:1–6

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Helaman 13–16: Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

Show a picture of the living prophet speaking in general conference. Tell the children that God tells the prophet what to say to us, just as He told Samuel what to say to the Nephites. Talk together about things the prophet has said that have been inspiring to you or the children.

Read aloud Helaman 16:1 and 5, and ask the children to stand up when they hear something the people did when they believed Samuel’s words. Then read verses 2 and 6, and ask the children to sit down when they hear something the people did when they did not believe. How can we show that we believe the words of the living prophet?

Ensign September 2020 “Family Study Fun: Go Forth”

Read Helaman 16:1–3 together. Those who believed Samuel “went forth” to do what he taught. Talk about how we should follow our Church leaders today.

  1. Invite each family member to find a quote from general conference. (Perhaps browse “Inspirational Picture Quotes” at ChurchofJesusChrist.org/media-library/images.)
  2. Take turns standing on a chair or stool, like Samuel on the wall, and reading these quotes to the group.
  3. After each quote, talk about what your family can do to “go forth” and do what was taught.

Discussion: What could we do to get ready for general conference next month? What would help us listen to and act on the teachings of our Church leaders?

Book of Mormon Coloring Book “Samuel the Lamanite”

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Helaman 13–16: Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

Display a picture of the Savior, and ask a child to represent the prophet and lead the other children around the room while they sing a few verses of “Follow the Prophet” (Children’s Songbook, 110–11) or another song about prophets. Then ask the child representing the prophet to lead the children to the picture of the Savior. Testify that if we follow the prophet, he will lead us to Jesus Christ. Share some things our prophet has taught about Jesus recently. How can we follow his counsel?

Sing together the seventh verse of “Book of Mormon Stories” (Children’s Songbook, 118–19). Share something you admire about Samuel, and let the children share what they like about his story.

Friend August 2016

Friend August 2016

Alma 32-35

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If I am humble, the Lord can teach me.

Alma 32:1–13, 27–28 Alma 31:8–35

Ask the children what they remember learning last week about the Zoramites (see Alma 31:8–24). Remind them that one reason Alma was worried about them was their pride (see Alma 31:24–28).

Definition of Pride: A inflated, high opinion of one’s own importance, merit, or superiority.

The Zoramites were trying to elevate themselves above others and declare that they were better than everyone else.

In what ways might people think they are better than others and become lifted up in pride? Answers might include the following: people may think they are better than others because of how smart,  pretty or handsome, athletic, wealthy, or talented they are. (Have the children build with blocks or draw a part of the Rameumptom tower on the board as each answer is given.)

Ask the children how they would feel if they were being made fun of for not being as smart, good looking, athletic, talented, or rich as someone else.

Read together Alma 32:1–5, and ask the children to summarize what had happened to the Zoramites who were poor. Then invite the children to read verses 12–13 to find out why Alma felt that being cast out of their synagogues (or churches) was a good thing for these Zoramites. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 32-35”)

What is humility? A modest opinion of one’s own importance, rank, etc.  Guide to the Scriptures: The condition of being meek and teachable. Humility includes recognizing our dependence upon God and desiring to submit to His will.

What are some of the blessings that come from being humble? Teachable, turn heart to the Lord, etc.

Display a hard, solid object (like a stone) to represent a hard or prideful heart and something soft (like soil) to represent a soft or humble heart. Let the children feel both objects. Then show the children a seed to represent the word of God. Invite them to try to push the seed into the hard object and the soft object. Read together Alma 32:27–28, and talk about what it might mean to “give place” (verse 27) for the word of God in our hearts. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 32-35”)

How can we humble ourselves so we are not lifted up in pride? (Have the children take off or erase a level of the Rameumpton tower for every answer they give.) Answers may include the following: by remembering that our gifts, talents, and abilities come from the Lord, by praying for humility, by looking for the good in others, by building love for others by praying for them and serving  them.

The following video about pride and humility is from Latterdaykids.com.

My testimony of Jesus Christ grows as I nourish it.

Show the children the soft dirt and ask what we need to do to help the seed grow?

Book of Mormon Stories “Alma Teaches about Faith and the Word of God” Video and Images

Lesson

Lesson 22: Alma Teaches Faith

Visual Aids

Friend January 2019 “Testimony Plants” In Primary, the children were supposed to draw a plant that represented their testimony, but Elisa wasn’t sure what that meant or if she had a testimony. She learns that a testimony is the things she believes in like Heavenly Father and Jesus. She also learns that testimonies grow and need to be nourished.

Friend July 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Alma 32:41 together and help your little ones say, “My faith grows when I do good things.” Help your children learn about seeds and plants by picking seeds out of a piece of fruit or caring for a houseplant. Explain that our testimonies grow little by little, like a seed grows into a plant.

Activity Ideas

As you read Alma 32:26–43 together, stop occasionally and invite the children to draw a picture of the seed or plant being described—for example, a seed and a seedling (verse 28), a growing plant (verse 30), and a mature plant bearing fruit (verse 37). Encourage them to label their pictures with references from Alma 32. How is nourishing a seed like nourishing our testimonies of Jesus Christ? How do we nourish our testimonies? Invite the children to silently think about how their testimonies are growing and what they will do to nourish them. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 32-35”)

If possible, give each of the children seeds to take home and plant to remind them to help their testimonies of Jesus Christ to grow.

Show pictures of a plant in various stages of growth, and ask the children to help you put the pictures in the correct order (see the pictures in this week’s activity page). Explain that as we live the gospel, our testimony grows—it starts small like a seed but can become big like a tree. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 32-35”)

Draw a tree on the board, and let the children add a leaf or a fruit every time they think of something they can do to help their faith in Jesus Christ grow. Invite them to do simple actions to represent the things they thought of. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 32-35”)

Friend July 2020 “My Family Night Fun”

  • Sing “Faith” (Children’s Songbook, 96–97).
  • The prophet Alma taught us that faith grows like a seed (see Alma 32:28–30). Faith starts small, but as we work to help it grow, it can become strong!
  • Color the pages for the booklet on page 24 with your family. How can you help your faith grow?

Friend January 2019 “Seeds of Faith” 

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Friend July 2018 Coloring page: Faith is like a seed. When planted it will grow.

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Scripture Stories Coloring Book—Book of Mormon “Alma Compared the Word to a Seed”

Song Ideas

Friend January 2019 “Faith” The song “Faith,” simplified for beginning pianists. Also, Sing-along video.

Heavenly Father hears me when I pray.

Alma 33:2–1134:17–27

(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 32-35”)

  • Read phrases you have selected from Alma 33:4–11 that describe places we can pray, and help the children think of places they can pray. Then invite them to draw pictures of themselves praying in those places. Testify that they can pray anywhere, even if they are praying silently.
  • Select phrases from Alma 34:17–27 that describe things we can pray about, and read them to the children. Help them think of things they can say to Heavenly Father when they pray, and invite them to draw pictures of these things. Testify that they can talk to Heavenly Father about anything they are thinking or feeling. Share an experience in which Heavenly Father heard your prayers.

Sing a song that teaches the children about prayer, such as “A Child’s Prayer” or “We Bow Our Heads” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13, 25). Help them notice what the song teaches about prayer.

Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 21: The Zoramites and the Rameumptom,” Write the following scripture references on the chalkboard. Ask the children to match the verses that describe the Zoramites’ erroneous beliefs with the verses that contain the correct teachings of Alma and Amulek:

Alma 31:16 (The Zoramites believed there would be no Christ.)
Alma 31:20–23 (All the Zoramites gave the same prayer and then never worshiped again all week.)
Alma 31:24 (The Zoramites’ hearts were set upon riches.)
Alma 34:8 (Amulek testified of Christ.)
Alma 34:19–27 (Amulek taught that we should pray always and about everything.)
Alma 34:28–29 (Amulek taught that we should give of our riches to the poor.)

Additional Prayer Ideas


Alma 23-29

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Lessons

Lesson 19: The Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s Covenant

Teaching the Scripture Readers: Book of Mormon “The People of Ammon”

Story

Book of Mormon Stories “The People of Ammon” Images

Lesson Ideas

Because Heavenly Father is merciful, we can repent and change.

Alma 24:7–1026:23–3427:27–30

Friend August 2015 “You Can Repent and Forgive”

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 23-29” Write Before and After on the board. Ask some of the children to read the following verses to find out what the Lamanites were like before Ammon and his brothers taught them: Alma 17:14–1526:23–24. Ask other children to read the following verses to find out how the Lamanites changed: Alma 26:31–3427:27–30. Invite the children to list under the headings what they found. Then invite them to discover, in Alma 24:7–10, how these Lamanites were able to change so completely. Bear your testimony of God’s power to forgive us and help us repent and change.

I am blessed when I keep my promises.

Alma 24:6–24

Friend May 2017 ” Conference Notes” Sister Jones told the story of five-year-old Lizzie and her big brother, Kevin. Kevin’s dad asked him if he would promise not to tease Lizzie for one day. Kevin agreed. He kept his promise! Then his mom asked him to try not teasing Lizzie for two days. He kept his promise again! Sister Jones said that when we keep our promises, we are learning to make and keep sacred covenants.

Covenants are promises I make with God and He makes with me.

Alma 24

Friend February 2019 “Family Night Fun” A covenant is a promise between two individuals: you and Heavenly Father. Here’s a recipe that needs just two ingredients! Bananut Ice Cream.

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Gospel Media “The Anti-Nephi-Lehies Burying Their Swords”

Show the picture of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies burying their swords. Ask the children if they would want to bury their weapons if they knew they were in danger of attack. The people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi knew their enemies were planning to kill them, but they had made a solemn covenant with Heavenly Father that they would not fight. 

Give all the children small rocks, and invite them to write the word covenant on their rock. Explain that a covenant is a promise between Heavenly Father and His children. How do our covenants make us strong or “firm” like a rock? What covenants have the children made?Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 23-29”

Scripture Stories Coloring Book—Book of Mormon “The Anti-Nephi-Lehies Buried Their Weapons”

Friend July 2020 “Funstuff: Find It!” The Anti-Nephi-Lehies promised God they would never use weapons to hurt people again. They buried their weapons in the ground as part of their promise. Find 23 weapons in the ground and 30 hearts above the ground.

Friend August 2018 “Family Night Fun” Write a bad habit on a piece of paper. “Bury” the bad habit! Tear up the paper, or bury it outside. You could even plant a flower to represent replacing a bad habit with a good one.

Invite the children to draw pictures of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies’ weapons. Then invite them to write, on the back of the weapons, something they feel they should change in order to follow Jesus Christ more fully. Let them pretend to bury their weapons and make a plan to act on what they wrote. Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 23-29”

Friend July 2020 “My Family Night Fun”

Friend July 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Alma 23:7 together and talk about how the Anti-Nephi-Lehies promised never to hurt people ever again. Draw weapons on pieces of paper. As you bury each one under a rug or towel, help your littles ones say, “I will be a peacemaker.”

Friend August 2018 “The No-Fighting Promise” After a few days of staying at cousin Timmy’s house, Madi and Timmy start to fight. Timmy suggests they be like the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and make some toy swords and bury them and promise they won’t fight each other anymore. After that they found ways to compromise so they didn’t fight.

The gospel brings me joy, and I can share this joy with others.

Alma 2629

Friend March 2011 “How can the gospel help me be happy?” Elder David A. Bednar shares how to have happiness in life: “The source and cause of true happiness are gospel truth and obedience to eternal law. Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness is designed to provide direction for His children, to help them become happy, and to bring them safely home to Him. For your happiness and protection, I invite you to study and live more diligently the Savior’s gospel.”

As you read Alma 26:11, 13 or Alma 29:13–14 invite the children to stand every time they hear the words “joy” or “rejoice.” Help the children understand that sharing the gospel made Alma and Ammon happy.

Invite the children to draw pictures of things that bring them joy. Invite each child to give his or her drawing to another classmate and explain it. Point out that when something brings us joy—such as the gospel—our joy grows when we share it. Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 23-29”

Ensign July 2020 “Family Study Fun”

Read Alma 27:17–19 and Alma 29:13–14 together, paying special attention to the word joy. Ammon and Alma found great joy in serving other people and the Lord.

  1. Invite one or two people to act out helping someone else—no speaking allowed! Examples could include opening the door for someone, helping a person in their yard, helping fix dinner, and so on.
  2. While the scene is being acted out, other family members guess what the service is.
  3. Take turns until everyone has had a chance to act.

Discussion: Why is it important to help other people? When have you felt joy after helping someone? What could our family do to help someone this week?

Additional Missionary Ideas

I can help my friends live the gospel.

Alma 27:20–30

  • Tell the children the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies making a promise not to fight anymore (see Alma 27:20–30). Explain that because of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies’ promise, they could not defend themselves from their enemies. Read Alma 27:23, and explain that their friends among the Nephites chose to protect the Anti-Nephi-Lehies so they could keep their promise. How can we help our friends keep their promises? Tell about a time when a friend helped you keep your promises with God.
  • Role-play with the children situations in which they can, in a kind way, help others choose the right. For example, what can we say to a friend who wants to lie or be mean?Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 23-29”

Friend May 2016 Matt’s friend accidently damages his father’s car. Matt encourages his friend to choose the right and be honest.

Friend May 2016

Lesson 11 – Abinadi and King Noah

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Lesson 11
Abinadi and King Noah

Preparation
• Print the visual aids. Number the visual aids on the back in the order printed.
• Items needed: tape, an envelope or small paper bag, a clear jar full of nine opened rolls of pennies (or 450 of some other item), small pieces of paper, pencils, a Book of Mormon for each child.
• Print and cut out the situation cards. Put them in an envelope or small bag.

Attention Activity
Show the children the jar of pennies. Have them each write on a piece of paper how many pennies they think are in the jar. After they have guessed, instruct them to put their papers under their chairs. Explain that in today’s lesson they will learn how one person, who stood up for the right, influenced the lives of as many people as there are pennies in the jar.

Scripture Story Activity
Attach the visual aid pictures to a wall or chalkboard in random order. Tell the following story, stopping whenever you see the initials WHN. Have the children guess “What Happens Next” by picking out a picture on the wall. After you continue, have them decide if the picture they picked goes with that part of the story. If it doesn’t, have them choose the correct picture.

Many years before King Benjamin’s address to his people, a group of people led by a man named Zeniff left Zarahemla and went back to the land of Nephi. Zeniff and his people wanted to return to the land of Nephi because they considered it to be the land of their inheritance.

• What was the problem with their plan to return to the land of Nephi? The Lord had commanded the people to leave the land of Nephi because of the danger from the Lamanites.

• Were Zeniff and his people being obedient to the Lord’s commands when they went back to the land of Nephi? What usually happens when people don’t listen to the Lord? (They have to suffer the resulting consequences and sorrows.) We need to trust in the Lord, that he knows what is best for us.

WHN – When Zeniff and his people arrived at their destination, Zeniff took four men and went to talk to the king of the Lamanites about allowing them to possess the land of Nephi.

• The Lamanite King allowed them to possess the land, but he had a reason for allowing it. What might that reason have been? (See Mosiah 9:10) The Lamanite king was cunning and devious, and he allowed them to possess the land so that the Lamanites could bring Zeniff’s people into bondage. The Lamanites were a lazy people, and they hated the Nephites. They wanted to glut themselves on the Nephite’s labor.

WHN – The king of the Lamanites allowed Zeniff and his people to live in peace for several years to give the Nephites time to establish their crops and flocks.

WHN – The king of the Lamanites then incited his people to attack Zeniff’s people.

WHN – Zeniff and his people fought against the Lamanites, and eventually they were able to drive them off because Zeniff and his people turned to the Lord for help.

They set guards around the land to keep watch so the Lamanites could not come upon them and destroy them. Zeniff eventually became old. Before he died, Zeniff conferred his kingdom upon his son Noah.

WHN – Unlike his father, Noah was not a good king, and he did not keep the commandments of God.

• What were some of the things King Noah did that were against the commandments? (See Mosiah 11:2, 5 and 14 to find the answers.)
o He had many wives and concubines, which was not lawful.
o He placed his heart upon riches. He taxed the people to support himself in luxury. He had a palace and many elegant and spacious buildings built. He used gold and other precious items to ornate them.
o He spent his time in partying, wild living, and excessive wine drinking.
o He got rid of all the consecrated priests. He appointed his own priests–men who would sustain him and his wicked life style.
o He caused and encouraged his people to commit sin.

• Why would King Noah want his people to commit sin?  Through getting others to sin, Noah may have hoped to justify his sins and make sin seem acceptable and normal. (Encourage the children to remember the story of wicked King Noah when someone tries to get them to do something wrong.)

After many years the Lamanites began to attack the people again. King Noah’s armies drove them back, but King Noah’s people had become wicked and prideful. They boasted of their strength because of their victory. They also delighted in the killing and the bloodshed of their enemies.

WHN – A prophet named Abinadi was commanded by the Lord to go among the people to preach and prophesy.

• Ask the children what they think Abinadi told the people. (See Mosiah 11:21) He warned them that unless they repented they would be delivered into the hands of their enemies and be brought into bondage.

• How did the people respond to Abinadi’s words? (See Mosiah 11:26) The people were angry with him and they wanted to kill him, but the Lord delivered him out of their hands.

• Why do you think some people get angry with those who call them to repentance? Answers may include the following: It reveals their evil actions and guilt. They desire to continue doing the evil things. Their pride is offended because they don’t want to acknowledge they have weaknesses.

Because of their anger, those who are sinning may try to make it appear as if the person who is calling them to repentance is in the wrong or at fault. King Noah became angry and tried to make Abinadi seem like a self-righteous person trying to cause contention.

• When we are told to repent and improve some area of our life, how does the Lord want us to respond? He wants us to be humble and teachable.

.Why does the Lord want us to repent? Because he loves us and does not want us to suffer the temporal and eternal consequences that result from sin.

King Noah sent his men to get Abinadi so he could kill him, but they could not find him. After two years Abinadi came back among the people.

• Why did the Lord wait two years before sending Abinadi back? To give the people time to repent.

But the people had not repented. Because they did not repent, Abinadi told them they would be smitten with bondage, afflictions, famine, and pestilence. He also said they would be utterly destroyed if they did not then change their ways.

WHN – The people were angry with Abinadi. They bound him and took him before King Noah.

WHN – The priests questioned Abinadi, trying to cross him so they would have something to accuse him of. Abinadi answered them boldly and withstood all their questions. He confounded them to their astonishment. He accused them of altering and misrepresenting the ways of the Lord for their own purposes, and he accused them of not keeping the laws that they were supposed to be teaching.

• How did King Noah respond to Abinadi’s words? (See Mosiah 13:1) King Noah wanted to kill Abinadi, and he tried to make it seem as if Abinadi was crazy. Why would King Noah try to make it seem as if something was wrong with Abinadi?

WHN – They attempted to take Abinadi, but he withstood them. He told them not to touch him because he had not finished delivering his message. The people didn’t dare lay their hands upon Abinadi because the spirit was with him, and his face shone with exceeding luster. He also spoke as with power and authority from God. Abinadi preached to them many things about the commandments and about the Savior Jesus Christ.

• When Abinadi was done with his message how did King Noah respond this time? Did King Noah repent after witnessing that the power of God was with Abinadi? (See Mosiah 17:1) King Noah commanded that Abinadi should be put to death.

• Why did King Noah want to slay Abinadi? (See Mosiah 13:7) Because it cut him to the heart that Abinadi was speaking the truth about his iniquities.

• Did anyone repent and believe Abinadi’s words? (See beginning of Mosiah 17:2) There was a priest named Alma that believed the words of Abinadi.

WHN –  Alma pleaded with the king for Abinadi’s life.

WHN – The king cast Alma out and sent his servants to kill him. Alma hid and could not be found. While he was hiding he wrote down all the words Abinadi had spoken.

King Noah and the priests told Abinadi they would kill him unless he denied the things he had said.

• How did Abinadi respond? (See Mosiah 17:9-10) Abinadi told King Noah he would not recall the words he had spoken, and if King Noah killed him, then his innocent blood would stand as a witness against the king at the last day.

To take innocent life is murder and merits eternal punishment. This made Noah fearful and he was about to release Abinadi, but the priests stirred Noah back into anger.

WHN – They whipped Abinadi, and then they burned him to death. As Abinadi was burning he cried out that even as they had done to him so would they endure the same.

• Why did the Lord allow Abinadi to be killed? Sometimes the Lord’s servants are called to seal their testimony with their blood. Their death stands as a witness of the truth of their words and also stands as a witness against the wicked.

• Why was Abinadi not afraid to die? Abinadi knew that he would receive eternal life and salvation because of his faithfulness.

WHN – After Abinadi’s death, his prophecies that God would deliver the people into the hands of their enemies began to come true when the Lamanites attacked the city.

WHN – The king commanded the people to flee, but the Lamanites pursued them and overtook them and began to slay them. The king commanded that the men should leave their wives and children.

• Why would King Noah command his men to leave their wives and children? He was concerned about his own safety, and the women and children were slowing them down.

Some of the men stayed with their families and were able to convince the Lamanites to spare them and their loved ones. They were taken captive.

WHN – The men that had left with the king wanted to return for their wives and children, but the king commanded them not to. They became angry and caused him to be burned to death.

Point out that Abinadi had prophesied that King Noah would suffer the same manner of death that he had inflicted upon Abinadi.

Discussion
Abinadi stood as a witness for God. A witness for God is someone who states his or her beliefs in God and in his commandments. Ordinarily they do not have to sacrifice their lives to do this.

• How can we stand as witnesses for God?

Activity
Tell the children they are going to do an activity to help them see how they can stand for the right and be a witness for God. Divide the children into sets of two. Have each set of children choose a situation card from the envelope. Have the children act out the scenario found on the card. Have them demonstrate how they can be a witness for God in each situation by sharing their beliefs and standing for the right.  Give the children a couple of minutes beforehand to talk about and prepare their scenes with their partners.

Conclusion
When we are valiant in standing as a witness for God we can be an influence for good in others’ lives.

• Who did Abinadi influence? Abinadi influenced Alma, the former priest of King Noah, and Alma shared Abinadi’s message with many others.

Get out the jar of pennies, and have the children get their papers from under their chairs. Tell the children that 450 souls listened to and believed Alma’s message, and there are 450 pennies in the jar. Later, Alma influenced even more people because he became the high priest in Zarahemla.

Ask the children if any of them came close to guessing how many pennies were in the jar. Praise everyone for their guesses.

Encourage the children to be witnesses of God and to be good influences upon those who are around them. Explain that even though some people may appear not be interested in listening, we may have more of an influence than we realize.

Weekly Reading Assignment  

Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week – Mosiah 11-13, Mosiah 17 and Mosiah 19:4–20.

Note: It is important to complete the lesson and do the activity to help the children see how to apply what has been learned. If there is not enough time, it may be necessary to discard the WHN activity and just show the pictures and tell the story.


Tithing #2

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  The Widow’s Mite – Scripture Story

Preparation

Print one copy of  the story cards. Cut the picture pages in half on the dotted lines. To make the picture cards into a flip-chart, punch a hole in the top left corners of the picture pages and attach the cards together with hinged metal rings found in office supplies, or string or ribbon.

Items needed: Scriptures – Old Testament

 

Scripture Story

( Show picture #1 to the family. Read #1 of the words below as you hold up the picture. Continue on in numerical order, holding up pictures and reading words.)

 1. The people of Israel had been taught the law of tithing. The people paid tithing by giving one-tenth of their crops or animals.

2.  During the time of the prophet Malachi they had begun to give blind and sick animals, and polluted bread as tithing.

(Have the family look up and read Malachi 3:8)

  •  Why would not paying tithing, or giving our worst, be robbing God? (The Lord created the earth and everything on it. Everything is His, but He has given it to us to use.  When we refuse to pay our tithing, or pay it grudgingly, we are being ungrateful and keeping from him what is rightfully his.)

 

3.  The Lord wants us to gladly pay tithing with gratitude in our hearts.

4.   In Jesus Christ’s time, tithes and offerings were collected at the temple in large containers with openings at the top (point out the container in the picture).

5.   One day Jesus watched the people as they came and put their money into the container. When Jesus saw the widow put in her money he called over his disciples.

6.   He told the disciples that the widow had done a great deed. Because of her love for Heavenly Father, she had given all that she had.

7.   We are not required to give all that we have, but we can show our love and appreciation for Heavenly Father by happily paying our tithing with a grateful heart.