Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 6-10” It had been at least 40 years since Lehi’s family left Jerusalem. They were in a strange new land, half a world away from Jerusalem. Lehi had died, and his family had already started what would become a centuries-long contention between the Nephites—“who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God”—and the Lamanites, who did not (2 Nephi 5:6). Jacob, who was Nephi’s younger brother and was now ordained as a teacher for the Nephites, wanted the covenant people to know that God would never forget them, so they must never forget Him.

Jacob Reads Isaiah’s Prophesies

The Lord will always fulfill His promises.

2 Nephi 6; 7:1–2

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 6-10”

• Ask the children to talk about some promises they have made, such as a promise they made to a friend or the covenants they made at baptism. Why is it sometimes difficult to keep our promises? Why is it important to keep our promises? Read the following phrase: “The Lord God will fulfil his covenants which he has made unto his children” (2 Nephi 6:12). Share an example of how God kept His promises, even if the blessings did not come right away.
• Display a picture of Jesus next to a picture of a child. Read 2 Nephi 7:1, and explain that when God’s people stop obeying His gospel, it’s like they have “divorced” Him. Move the picture of the child away from the picture of Jesus to show that when we don’t keep our covenants, such as the covenant of baptism, we separate ourselves from Heavenly Father and the Savior. (To review the covenants of baptism, see Doctrine and Covenants 20:37.) How does the Savior’s Atonement allow us to move back closer to Him? As you discuss this, invite the children to move the pictures close together again.

The Lord turn the deserts of our lives into gardens

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 6-10”

2 Nephi 8:3–7

When you read 2 Nephi 8:3, you could show pictures of a desert and a garden. How does the Lord turn the deserts of our lives into gardens? In verses 4–7, what does the Lord counsel us to do in order to receive the joy described in verse 3?

Come Follow Me Kid Garden Cupcake Treat (the Lord can turn the deserts of our lives into gardens) –
 Show pictures of desert and garden (below) while talking about some of the beautiful things that can be in our lives because of Jesus.
 Make brown cupcakes (or a cake to share) with no frosting to represent the desert. Place green frosting and icing flowers on top to model how Christ can help make our lives beautiful like a garden with lots of flowers. If you’re crafty and know how to make your own frosting flowers, feel free to do that. I’m not a crafty person, so we’ll probably just buy some pre-made ones.

Jacob Teaches the People About the Savior

Jesus Christ is my Savior.

2 Nephi 9:6–10, 19–24

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 6-10” How will you help your children understand and feel that they need the Savior Jesus Christ? This week’s activity page could help. It uses a simple analogy of a pit and a ladder. Consider using 2 Nephi 9:21–22 to talk with your children about why you are grateful for Jesus Christ.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 6-10” Tell the children a story of a person who fell into a pit so deep that he or she could not climb out. A man came along and lifted this person out of the pit. You may want to draw a picture of this story on the board or act it out with the children. Explain that this pit is like death and the man who helped the person is like Jesus Christ, who saved all people from death by giving us the gift of resurrection. Tell the children that this same person fell into another pit. This time the rescuer gave the person a ladder to use in climbing out of the pit. Explain that this pit is like sin and the ladder is the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which allows us to repent and be forgiven of our sins. Read 2 Nephi 9:22–23, and bear your testimony of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. (Ask the children to draw pictures of this story or act it out.)

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 6-10” One way to help your children understand why we need the Savior is to teach them about the Fall. You could show a picture of Adam and Eve, such as Leaving the Garden of Eden (Gospel Library), and a picture of Jesus Christ on the cross. Consider asking them to describe what is happening in each picture. How are we like Adam and Eve? Perhaps 2 Nephi 9:6–10 can help them see what Jesus Christ does for us. Consider inviting your children to share their feelings about Jesus Christ. A song like “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75) could help.

Lesson 4: The Fall of Adam and Eve,” Primary 6: Old Testament  Place the picture of Adam and Eve next to the one of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Explain that when Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, they could walk and talk with Heavenly Father and Jesus. To help the children understand why the result of Adam and Eve’s choice is known as the Fall, take the picture of Adam and Eve and move it down below the picture of God the Father and Jesus Christ as you tell of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. Adam and Eve “fell” or were removed from the presence of God. Explain that because Adam and Eve could no longer freely associate with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, this is referred to as the Fall. Adam and Eve’s separation from Heavenly Father and Jesus began mortal life on earth.

What would happen if we did not have a Savior?

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained: If our separation from God and our physical death were permanent, moral agency would mean nothing. Yes, we would be free to make choices, but what would be the point? The end result would always be the same no matter what our actions: death with no hope of resurrection and no hope of heaven. As good or as bad as we might choose to be, we would all end up “angels to a devil” [2 Nephi 9:9]. (D. Todd Christofferson, “Moral Agency,” Ensign, June 2009, 50)

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 6-10”As you read 2 Nephi 9:1–26, consider listing or marking in one color what would happen to us without the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Then, in another list or color, you could identify what we can receive through the Savior’s Atonement. Based on what you read, how would you explain why we need the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

The Red Crystal This is Mitzi’s idea from comefollowmekid.com but Crystal colored it.

Show them the monster face and explain that Jacob (Nephi’s younger brother) used the words “awful”
and “monster” to explain what sin and death would be like if it weren’t for Christ’s Atonement.

• Here are her instructions: Cut out the face parts and let the kids choose them one at a time to glue onto the monster face. As each is being glued, ask if it sounds like an awful, scary thing. Discuss what it means and how it describes how our lives would be different without Christ’s Atonement. · Christ: After helping kids realize how scary life without the Atonement sounds, hold up the picture of Christ and discuss how he can save us from these scary things (death and sin). · Talk about what the word “deliver” means. If you had been captured by this awful monster, what would it look like to be “delivered” from him? · Read 2 Nephi 9:10-13. Have them hold up both the monster and the Christ pictures. Tell them to listen carefully for the words “escape” and “deliver.” Whenever they hear those words while you read these verses, they can use the pictures to act out Christ chasing the monster away.
• See more lesson ideas such as “Stuck in a Bucket with a Monster” at Come Follow Me Kid.

Jesus Christ Saves Me from Sin and Death

2 Nephi 9:10–23

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 6-10” Ask the children to help you draw a path on the board, and invite them to add some obstacles or roadblocks along the path. Read together 2 Nephi 9:10, and invite the children to label the obstacles on the path with words from this verse that describe obstacles that could keep us from returning to God. Then talk about how Jesus Christ overcame these obstacles for us (see 2 Nephi 9:21–23), and as you do, invite the children to erase the obstacles.

Friend April 2017 “Family Night Fun” Object lesson to explain the Atonement.

• Pour some salt onto a plate. This represents us before we sin.
• Now sprinkle pepper on the salt. The pepper is like sin. It keeps us away from Heavenly Father.
• Rub the spoon on a towel. Then move it slowly above the salt and pepper. The pepper will stick to the spoon. Jesus’s Atonement lets us repent and get rid of our sins

• Help each child find a song about the Savior’s Atonement in either the hymnbook or the Children’s Songbook (the indexes in these books can help). Invite the children to find and share phrases from the song that describe what Jesus did for us. Ask the children to share their thoughts and feelings about the Savior’s Atonement, or share your testimony.

I can come unto Christ and follow God’s plan.

2 Nephi 9:27–54

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 6-10” In 2 Nephi 9, Jacob used two powerful and contrasting phrases: “the merciful plan of the great Creator” and “that cunning plan of the evil one” (2 Nephi 9:6, 28). Perhaps you could draw a path and label it Heavenly Father’s Plan. Then search 2 Nephi 9:27–52. Look for warnings and invitations that Jacob gave to help us follow this plan. Write what you find beside the path. How does Satan try to lead us away from God’s plan? What do you feel inspired to do in response to Jacob’s warnings and invitations?

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 6-10” Perhaps one day this week your family could search 2 Nephi 9:27–38, looking for the warnings (preceded by “wo”). Which of these seem especially important for your family to discuss? On another day, you could search 2 Nephi 9:39–44, looking for what Jacob invited his people to remember.

Come Follow Me Kid

Oh No!” Game (I Can Come Unto Christ and Receive the Glorious Blessings of His Atonement) –

• The manual says, “Jesus Christ came ‘into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice.’ (2 Nephi 9:21). In other words, we must be willing to accept the saving blessings He offers. After describing the great plan of redemption, Jacob gave important warnings and invitations, found in 2 Nephi 9:27-54, to help us receive the blessings of the Atonement.”
• Warnings: Have them stand by the picture of Christ from the monster activity (maybe tape it onto the wall). Explain that the word “wo” in the scriptures we’re about to read isn’t really a good thing. Have them listen carefully while you read 2 Nephi 9:27-40. Each time they hear the word “wo,” they’ll say, “Oh no!” and then hop one hop away from the Christ picture. Briefly summarize what each verse means after they’ve hopped and talk about how those things would take us farther away from Christ.
  
• Invitations: Do we want to stay far away from Christ? Does He want us to be far away from Him? Read the following invitations from this chapter one at a time. As each one is read and discussed, they canhop closer to the Savior.
  
• “But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.” (2 Nephi 2:29)
• “Give ear to my words” (2 Nephi 9:40)
• “Come unto the Lord, the Holy One” (2 Nephi 9:41)
• “And whoso knocketh, to him will he open” (2 Nephi 9:42)
• “O, my beloved brethren, remember my words” (2 Nephi 9:44)
• “O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation.” (2 Nephi 9:45)
• “Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered to the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear.” (2 Nephi 9:46)
• “Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.” (2 Nephi 9:52)

6. Because of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I can “Cheer Up” My Heart – The manual says, “Jacob’s message was a joyful one. ‘I speak unto you these things,’ he said, ‘that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever (2 Nephi 9:3).” Find matches in Friend February 2020 “Funstuff: Blessing from Jesus” to talk about some of the ways we can be blessed and happy because of Jesus Christ:
   

Infinite Atonement

Ensign February 2020 “Family Study Fun: Cupboard Counter”

Christ’s Atonement is “an infinite atonement” (2 Nephi 9:7), but what does infinity mean? Open your cupboards and find various containers of cooking foods, such as: Sugar, Salt, Rice. Take turns guessing how many grains of each item would go into one cup. For example: Sugar = 960,000, Salt = 2,000,000,Rice = 8,000

Discussion: Name other things of which there is a numberless amount (sand at the beach, stars in the sky, cells in the body). How is the reach of Christ’s Atonement greater than all of these? Why is it called infinite?

President Russell M. Nelson explained: [Jesus Christ’s] Atonement is infinite—without an end. It was also infinite in that all humankind would be saved from never-ending death. It was infinite in terms of His immense suffering. It was infinite in time, putting an end to the preceding prototype of animal sacrifice. It was infinite in scope—it was to be done once for all. And the mercy of the Atonement extends not only to an infinite number of people, but also to an infinite number of worlds created by Him. It was infinite beyond any human scale of measurement or mortal comprehension. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Atonement,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 35)

See also Jesus Christ: Atonement, Jesus Christ: Resurrection, Death & Resurrection, 3rd Article of Faith

Trust in the Lord

I will be blessed as I follow God’s counsel.

2 Nephi 9:20, 28–29, 42–43

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 6-10” Invite the children to tell you about something they know a lot about, such as a favorite book or hobby. Ask a child to read 2 Nephi 9:20, and testify that God “[knows] all things.” Why is it important for us to understand that God knows everything?

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 6-10” Your children are likely to interact with people (if they haven’t already) who think that the Lord’s commandments are foolish or out of date. Maybe you and your children could talk about how to explain why we’re happy to keep the commandments. Why is it important to trust God’s counsel even if we do not completely understand it? You could encourage them to look in 2 Nephi 9:20, 28–29, 42–43 for help with thinking about and discussing these questions.

28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

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

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.

Read together Proverbs 3:5–7, and invite the children to list the things these verses say we should do and should not do. Ask them what they feel each of these things might mean. What qualities do we find in people we trust? What qualities does the Lord have that help us trust Him?

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families Old Testament 2022 To help family members visualize what these verses teach, you could invite them to lean against something sturdy and stable, like a wall. Then they could try leaning against something that is not sturdy, like a broom. Why should we “lean not unto [our] own understanding”? How can we show that we trust Jesus Christ with all our hearts?

Friend November 2019)

Liahona February 2024 “He Did Provide Means for Us” Tells of how the Lord provided during trials when Nephi was trying to be obedient.

See also Faith

“My heart delighteth in righteousness.”

2 Nephi 9:20, 28–29, 42–43, 49

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 6-10” To encourage your children to “[delight] in righteousness” or joyfully obey the Lord (2 Nephi 9:49), perhaps you could share examples in which a child makes a good choice or a bad choice. Invite your children to stand up when the choice brings happiness and sit down when the choice brings sadness. When have we felt happy because we made a choice to follow Jesus Christ?

The Cozy Red Cottage CTR board Game-Divide the class into 2 teams.  Each team starts by rolling the dice and moving the correct number of circles.  If they land on one of the CTR spaces they get to roll again. Then pick a card.  Read the scenario on the card (I’ve included the ones from the lesson as well as many others).  Decide if its a good choice or a bad choice and if it would make you happy or sad.  Have them raise the correct puppet.  If its a wrong choice ask what should you do? 

Friend February 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Bouncy-Ball Blessings” Jacob said we can be happy because of the blessings Heavenly Father gives us (see 2 Nephi 9:3). Bounce a ball back and forth. When it’s your turn to bounce the ball, say a blessing Heavenly Father has given you. Keep going as long as you can!

Friend February 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read 2 Nephi 10:23 together and help your little ones say, “I can make good choices.” Flip through the Friend and help your children smile and give a thumbs up—or whatever gesture means “good job” in your culture—whenever you find a picture of someone making a good decision.

See Obedience and Commandments and Choice (Choosing the Right Helps Us Be Happy)

Additional Resources

Latter Day Kids “The Atonement of Jesus Christ “ Lesson ideas

The Red Crystal