Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families “Moroni 7–9: “May Christ Lift Thee Up”
Before Moroni concluded the record we know today as the Book of Mormon with his own final words, he shared three messages from his father, Mormon: an address to “the peaceable followers of Christ” (Moroni 7:3) and two letters that Mormon had written to Moroni. Perhaps Moroni included these messages in the Book of Mormon because he foresaw similarities between the perils of his day and ours. When these words were written, the Nephite people as a whole were tumbling headlong into apostasy. Many of them had “lost their love, one towards another” and delighted in “everything save that which is good” (Moroni 9:5, 19). And yet Mormon still found cause for hope—teaching us that hope does not mean ignoring or being naive about the world’s problems; it means having faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, whose power is greater and more everlasting than those problems. It means “lay[ing] hold upon every good thing” (Moroni 7:19). It means letting the Atonement of Jesus Christ “and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind” (Moroni 9:25). And until the glorious day of Christ’s Second Coming, it means never ceasing the “labor [we have] to perform … [to] conquer the enemy of all righteousness” (Moroni 9:6).
Primary 4 Manual: Book of Mormon “Lesson 42: Moroni and His Writings” (See more lesson and study ideas in the lesson.)
Moroni received a letter from his father when Moroni was first called to the ministry. As part of the letter Mormon expressed his love, appreciation, and concern for his son (see Moroni 8:2–3). Before class have a parent, or an adult relative or friend, of each of the children in your class write a letter of love and appreciation. Give these letters to the children as you explain the love that Mormon had for his son, Moroni. Point out that Moroni valued this letter; he carried it with him as he fled from his enemies. Suggest that the children save their letters as a reminder to continue to do good things which will please their parents and the Lord.
The light of Christ helps me judge between good and evil.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families “Moroni 7–9: “May Christ Lift Thee Up”
How can Mormon’s counsel help us make good choices about how we spend our time and who we spend it with? You could invite family members to search your home and “lay hold upon” (Moroni 7:19), or hold on to, things that invite them “to do good, and to love God, and to serve him” (Moroni 7:13). Praise them for the good things they find.
Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 42: Moroni and His Writings,”
- Use the following or similar examples of choices that apply to your class. Have the children use Moroni 7:16 to help them choose good from evil.
- You are playing ball with your friends when a child who does not play well wants to join your team. Your friends tell you if this person plays on your team you will lose the game. You consider telling the child not to play with you. Ask yourself, “Does this choice invite me to do good and to believe in Jesus Christ?”
- You are watching a movie that has an immoral scene that lasts only a few seconds. You feel embarrassed to leave the movie. Ask yourself, “Does watching this movie invite me to do good and to believe in Jesus Christ?”
- You are in a store when the clerk makes a mistake and doesn’t charge you the right amount for the item you are buying. You know that the item costs more than what you were charged, but the clerk made the error. Ask yourself, “Does paying the wrong price invite me to do good and to believe in Jesus Christ?”
- Your bishop has asked you to read the Book of Mormon every day. Sometimes scripture words are hard for you to understand. Ask yourself, “Does reading the scriptures every day help me to do good and persuade me to believe in Christ?”
If I have faith, I can do whatever God needs me to do.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Moroni 7–9: “May Christ Lift Thee Up”
Children who have faith in Jesus Christ and confidence in His power can accomplish great things when they are serving Him.
Possible Activities
- Read Moroni 7:33, and invite the children to stand up when they hear the word “faith.” Explain that we show our faith in Jesus Christ when we keep His commandments. Help the children make a list on the board of some things Jesus wants them to do, like obeying their parents or telling the truth. Testify that our faith in Jesus Christ can help us keep the commandments.
- Display a few pictures that show someone from the Book of Mormon (or other books of scripture) accomplishing something important because he or she had faith in Jesus Christ (see, for example, Gospel Art Book, nos. 19, 70, 78, 81). Help the children tell the story portrayed in the picture. Tell them that because these people had faith in Jesus Christ, they were given power to do what He needed them to do.
Primary Manual 4: Book of Mormon ““Lesson 43: Moroni Teaches Faith in Jesus Christ” This lesson includes many more teaching ideas about Faith.
- Play the Who Am I? game with the children. Give them the following clues, and have them guess the person you are talking about.
- I prayed all day and all night, using my faith in Jesus Christ. (Enos.)
- Because of faith, an angel appeared to my son and the four sons of Mosiah to call them to repentance. (Alma.)
- I used a special flag to encourage my people to have faith in Jesus Christ and to fight for their liberty and their families. (Captain Moroni.)
- Because of my faith, I chose to take my family and go with Lehi and his family into the wilderness. (Ishmael.)
- I had the faith to return to Jerusalem to get the brass plates. (Nephi.)
- My faith in Jesus Christ let me see his finger and then his whole being. (Brother of Jared.)
- Our faith in Jesus Christ, taught by our mothers, saved our lives in battle. (2,000 stripling warriors.)
- My faith in Jesus Christ and my desire to preach his gospel helped me fight off a band of robbers who wanted to kill King Lamoni’s sheep. (Ammon.)
- Our faith caused the prison to tumble. (Alma and Amulek.)
- While imprisoned, we were encircled with fire because of our faith. (Nephi and Lehi.)
- Because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we will not taste of death. (Three Nephites.)
- We were guided by the Liahona to the promised land according to our faith in Jesus Christ. (Lehi and his family.)
I am blessed when I have faith in Jesus Christ.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Moroni 7–9: “May Christ Lift Thee Up”
21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing. 22 and in Christ there should come every good thing. 25 and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing;
Help the children list on the board some of the “good thing[s]” that we receive through the gospel of Jesus Christ, such as having eternal families, returning to Heavenly Father, and being forgiven of our sins.
Believing in Jesus Christ can give me hope.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Moroni 7–9: “May Christ Lift Thee Up”
- Read and explain Moroni 7:41 to the children, and ask them to raise their hands when they hear something Mormon said we should have hope for. Tell the children about the hope you feel because of Jesus Christ.
Ensign December 2020 ““What is it that ye shall hope for?”
I can have hope in Jesus Christ, even during difficult trials.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Moroni 7–9: “May Christ Lift Thee Up”
There are many people in the world who feel that they have no hope. How can you help the children you teach find hope in Jesus Christ?
After describing the wickedness he had seen, Mormon told his son not to grieve. What does it mean to you for Christ to “lift [you] up”? Moroni 9:25–26
- Fill a clear container with water, and drop two objects into it—one that floats and one that sinks. Compare the floating object to a person who has hope in Christ. Read together Moroni 9:25. How does Christ “lift [us] up” when we face difficult trials? Help the children think of ways they can keep the Savior and His encouraging teachings “in [their] mind forever.”
- Ask the children to think of someone they know who is having a hard time with something. Invite the children to draw a picture for the person that can remind him or her to have hope in Jesus Christ.
New Era December 2020 “Not Ice-olated” Object lesson that demonstrates that with the Lord’s help, we can lift even the heaviest, slipperiest burdens.
“Charity is the pure love of Christ.”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Moroni 7–9: “May Christ Lift Thee Up”
Invite the children to share what they think the word “charity” means. Then invite one of the children to read Moroni 7:45. (If some of the words in this verse are hard to understand, help the children look them up in a dictionary.) Ask the children to talk about people they know who are good examples of charity. Why is charity called “the pure love of Christ”? (Moroni 7:47). What does verse 48 teach us about how we can be filled with charity? Encourage each of the children to pray for charity this week and to look for ways to show charity to others.
Primary 4 Manual: Book of Mormon “Lesson 42: Moroni and His Writings”
- Explain the qualities of charity found in Moroni 7:45 using terms the children can understand. You could have the children match Moroni’s descriptions with your explanations.
- Suffereth long: Is patient
- Kind: Not cruel or mean, loving
- Envieth not: Is not jealous
- Not puffed up: Humble, not proud
- Seeketh not her own: Is unselfish
- Not easily provoked: Slow to anger, quick to forgive
- Thinketh no evil: Is trusting, looks for the good
- Rejoiceth in truth: Is honest
- Beareth all things: Is obedient
- Believeth all things: Is faithful
- Hopeth all things: Is optimistic, trusting
- Endureth all things: Is patient, persistent
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Moroni 7–9: “May Christ Lift Thee Up”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Moroni 7–9: “May Christ Lift Thee Up”
Ask the children to repeat this phrase with you: “Charity is the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). Help the children think of ways Jesus Christ showed love to others (pictures might help, such as Gospel Art Book,nos. 55, 83, 84). How has He shown love to us? Who can we show love to as Jesus did? For an example, example, show the video “My Brother Hyrum” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Invite the children to draw pictures of themselves showing love to someone. Suggest that they put their picture where it will remind them to love others as Jesus does.
Ask the children to write names of people they know on pieces of paper and place them in a small bag or container. Invite them to take their container home, select a name from it every day, and do something that shows love for that person. In a future lesson, invite them to share their experiences serving these people.
Friend December 2020 “Family Night Fun”
Friend December 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones”
Ensign December 2020 “Family Study Fun”
Mormon taught that we “must needs have charity” (Moroni 7:44). Use this activity to talk about what charity means.
- Show the picture of Jesus from page 193 of the Come, Follow Me manual for individuals and families.
- Read Moroni 7:45–47 together. As you read, write down on slips of paper phrases that describe charity (for example, “is kind”).
- Put the slips of paper around the picture of Christ. Talk about times He acted in those ways.
- Now show a picture of your family. Talk about what your family can do to follow Christ’s examples of charity. As each idea is shared, move the corresponding paper from Christ’s picture to your family’s picture.
Discussion: Read and talk about Moroni 7:48. What can your family do to get ready to see the Savior again?
Latter Day Kids “Charity- Come Follow Me” Video and more lesson ideas at link.
Primary 4 Manual: Book of Mormon “Lesson 42: Moroni and His Writings”
- Moroni had the pure love of Christ. Help the children find some of the following examples of Moroni’s charity, or use some of the following examples as you tell the children the story of Moroni.
- Suffereth long: Moroni lived alone for over thirty-six years patiently keeping the records. (Mormon 8:5.)
- Kind: Moroni prayed for us, and he loved his brethren. (Ether 12:36, 38.)
- Envieth not: Moroni saw our day and counseled us to not be envious or proud. (Mormon 8:35–37.)
- Not puffed up: Moroni was humble because of his weakness in writing. (Ether 12:23–25.)
- Seeketh not her own: Moroni unselfishly worked and prayed for us that we would have a knowledge of Jesus Christ. (Mormon 9:36; Ether 12:41.)
- Not easily provoked: Moroni forgave his enemies and worked hard to write things that he hoped would be of worth to them. (Moroni 1:4.)
- Thinketh no evil: Moroni exhorted us to hold to good and touch not evil. (Moroni 10:30.)
- Rejoiceth in truth: Moroni was honest. (Moroni 10:27.)
- Beareth all things: Because Moroni would not deny Jesus Christ, he had to wander alone for his safety. (Moroni 1:2–3.)
- Believeth all things: Moroni encouraged us to believe in Jesus Christ. (Mormon 9:21.) So great was Moroni’s faith that he was able to see Christ face to face. (Ether 12:39.)
- Hopeth all things: Moroni understood the importance of hope. (Ether 12:32.)
- Endureth all things: Moroni was faithful to the end. (Moroni 10:34.)