Alma CHAPTER 32 Alma teaches the poor whose afflictions had humbled them—Faith is a hope in that which is not seen which is true—Alma testifies that angels minister to men, women, and children—Alma compares the word unto a seed—It must be planted and nourished—Then it grows into a tree from which the fruit of eternal life is picked. About 74 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 33 Zenos taught that men should pray and worship in all places, and that judgments are turned away because of the Son—Zenock taught that mercy is bestowed because of the Son—Moses had lifted up in the wilderness a type of the Son of God. About 74 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 34 Amulek testifies that the word is in Christ unto salvation—Unless an atonement is made, all mankind must perish—The whole law of Moses points toward the sacrifice of the Son of God—The eternal plan of redemption is based on faith and repentance—Pray for temporal and spiritual blessings—This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God—Work out your salvation with fear before God. About 74 B.C.‘
Alma CHAPTER 35 The preaching of the word destroys the craft of the Zoramites—They expel the converts, who then join the people of Ammon in Jershon—Alma sorrows because of the wickedness of the people. About 74 B.C.
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).
The Zoramites were trying to elevate themselves above others and declare that they were better than everyone else.
Definition of Pride: A inflated, high opinion of one’s own importance, merit, or superiority.
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 cut out the following image into pieces and post them on the board, or draw a part of the Rameumptom tower on the board as each answer is given.)
What did the Zoramites set their hearts on? (see Alma 31:24, 28). What are some worldly things that people set their hearts on today?
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. What are some of the blessings that come from being humble?(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.
Seeds, trees, and fruit are familiar objects that can help children understand abstract principles like faith and testimony. Let your children hold a seed while you read Alma 32:28. Then you could ask them to help you think of ways that growing a testimony of Jesus Christ is like planting and nourishing a seed (see “Chapter 29: Alma Teaches about Faith and the Word of God,” Book of Mormon Stories, 81). Maybe you could plant your seed and talk about what is needed to help a seed—or a testimony—grow.
A picture of a tree accompanies this outline; you might use it to illustrate Alma’s words in Alma 32:28–43. Or you could go for a walk to find plants at different stages of growth and read verses from Alma 32 that compare a growing plant to our testimony. Or maybe your children could draw a tree on the board and add a leaf or a fruit every time they think of something they can do to help their testimony of Jesus Christ grow.
What can a seed become? (A plant or tree, depending on the type of seed.)
What must happen before a seed can begin to grow? (Show the illustration of the sprouting seed or draw one on the chalkboard.)
What does a tree look like when it is young? (Show the illustration of the sap-ling or draw one on the chalkboard.) What does it look like when it is mature? (Show the illustration of a tree or draw one on the chalkboard.)
What nourishment does a seed need to help it grow into a plant or tree? (Explain that nourishment means something that helps things grow or keeps them alive and well, such as water, fertilizer, sunshine, and soil. Place the illustrations of the sun, rain, soil, and fertilizer near the picture of the seed.)
Explain to the children that in this lesson they will learn how they can grow a strong testimony.
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.
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”)
Friend July 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Growing Your Testimony” Alma taught that when you listen to the word of God and do things to show your faith, your testimony will grow, like a tree (see Alma 32:37). Draw things you can do to help a tree grow, like giving it water and sunshine. Then draw things you can do to help your testimony grow, like going to church and praying.
For younger children: Sing “Faith” (Children’s Songbook, 96). While you sing, do actions to show a seed growing big and tall. Talk about growing your testimony.
Help your children find phrases that describe places we can pray (in Alma 33:4–11) and things we can pray about (in Alma 34:17–27). Perhaps they could draw pictures of themselves praying in these places. Share with each other experiences when Heavenly Father heard your prayers. You could also sing a song about prayer, such as “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13).
Come Follow Me Kid Show pictures below and ask which place or places they think would be good spots to pray. Read Alma 33:3-8, and have them listen carefully to see if they can hear which of these places would be places we could pray from. Help them understand that we can pray anywhere and our prayers will be heard if we pray in faith. You could also have some fun with this and list additional places/times and ask, “Would it be okay to pray __” (in a car, at midnight, in the backyard, silently, etc.), and help them see that the answer to all of these is “Yes!”
In the wilderness (Alma 33:4)
In a field (Alma 33:5)
In your house (Alma 33:6)
In your closet (Alma 33:7)
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.
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.
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.)
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 43-52” Read together selected verses from Alma 47:4–19, and explain to the children how Amalickiah gained control of Lehonti’s army, even though the members of the army were “fixed in their minds” that they would not be forced to fight the Nephites. What would have happened if Amalickiah had told Lehonti what he planned to do from the beginning? What do these verses teach us about how Satan tries to deceive us?
He wishes to destroy our lives and bring us into captivity through getting us to sin. Demonstrate how Satan takes away our freedom through sin by doing the following object lesson.
Object Lesson Ask for a volunteer. Have the volunteer put their hands together. Wrap one layer of the masking tape around their fingers and thumbs. Ask them if they can break free. Explain that when we first make a mistake or sin we are easily able to break free of its grasp and repent. But Satan knows that if he continue to gets us to sin, little by little, eventually the sin will become accepted and then we become bound in captivity to the sin because it becomes a habit or an addiction. (Wrap the tape around the child’s hands several times, layering one area around the fingers and thumbs.) Ask the child to try and break free from the bindings. They shouldn’t be able to. Satan wants us to be miserable like he is, and he knows that sin binds us in captivity and destroys lives.
“The traitorous Amalickiah urged Lehonti to ‘come down’ and meet him in the valley. But when Lehonti left the high ground, he was poisoned ‘by degrees’ until he died, and his army fell into Amalickiah’s hands (see Alma 47). By arguments and accusations, some people bait us to leave the high ground. The high ground is where the light is. … It is the safe ground” (“Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship,”Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 74).
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 43-52” Show a picture of a house that is well maintained and a house that has been neglected, or show a picture of a healthy garden and a garden full of weeds. Let the children talk about what they see in the pictures and how these changes might have happened over time. What could the owner of the house or garden have done to prevent this? Explain that people can gradually become sinful if they do not resist Satan’s temptations to commit small sins (such as being dishonest or looking at pornography) and then bigger sins. What are some bad things that we need to resist doing in our lives?
Display some items (such as money or food) and toy imitations of these items. Which would the children rather have? This could lead to a discussion about how to know the difference between things that are real and things that are false. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 30-31”)
Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 20: Korihor, the Anti-Christ,” Write the first word of each pair below on slips of paper and hand them out to the children. Ask each child to think of a word that means the opposite of the word on his or her paper. Let each child say the opposite word he or she has thought of while the rest of the class tries to guess the positive word on the child’s paper.
When everyone has had a turn, explain that just as every word in this activity has an opposite, Satan has a counterfeit or opposite teaching for every teaching of Jesus Christ. Following Heavenly Father brings us happiness; following Satan brings us unhappiness. Ask the children the difference between how people feel when they tell lies and how they feel when they tell the truth.
Teach the children that the more we learn about something, the more we can tell the difference between that thing and its opposite. The more we learn about and follow Jesus Christ’s teachings, the more we will be able to resist the temptations and deception of Satan.
Why do you suppose the people of Ammon would not listen to Korihor? The people of Ammon had lived most of their lives following Korihor-like-beliefs, and they knew the heartache, the misery, and the destruction it can cause in people’s lives.
Ammon’s people provide good examples of how we should respond when we are confronted with people like Korihor. We should not listen to those who would tear down our faith.
Korihor was arguing, as men and women have falsely argued from the beginning of time, that to take counsel from the servants of God is to surrender God-given rights of independence. But the argument is false because it misrepresents reality. When we reject the counsel which comes from God, we do not choose to be independent of outside influence. We choose another influence. We reject the protection of a perfectly loving, all-powerful, all-knowing Father in Heaven, whose whole purpose, as that of His Beloved Son, is to give us eternal life, to give us all that He has, and to bring us home again in families to the arms of His love. In rejecting His counsel, we choose the influence of another power, whose purpose is to make us miserable and whose motive is hatred. (Henry B. Eyring, “Finding Safety in Counsel,” Ensign, May 1997, 25)
Ensign March 2018 “Family Home Evening: Discerning Right from Wrong” Object Lesson. Satan tries to make good, righteous, and joyful seem miserable and evil appear to be good. Wrap a rock as a gift and put a treat in a brown paper bag. (See more at link)
You don’t need to strive to improve yourself because you are already good enough. (Verse 21)
God will justify a little sin. He may punish you a little, but he will still allow you to be saved in His Kingdom. (Verse 8)
There is no hell or devil. (Verse 22)
God has already given all His words. You don’t need more. (Verse 29)
Beware of those who say miracles still occur. Miracles don’t need to happen anymore. (Verse 6)
There is no God.
Why would Satan want people to believe there is no God? One reason is that when a belief in God and his teachings are taken away, Satan can destroy people’s lives through getting them to sin.
Korihor said that we can’t know of things we have not seen. He argued that a person who had not seen God could not know of his existence.
• Ask the children to think of a place they have never visited that exists. Why do you believe that place exists? Just as we have other’s accounts to help us know of places we have not seen, we have the testimonies of prophets, the scriptures, and the Holy Ghost to help us know that God exists.
Alma talked about how things in the sky and on the earth testify that God lives. If possible, take a walk outside with your children or stand at a window as you read Alma 30:44. Ask them to point out things they see that help them know that God is real and that He loves them. They could also draw pictures of things they discover (see this week’s activity page).
While you and your children sing “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” (Children’s Songbook, 228–29), pass around a ball or other object. Periodically stop the music and ask the child holding the object to share one thing Heavenly Father created that he or she is grateful for.
What could the personal consequences be for believing each of the above lies? (You could wrap some thread around someone’s wrists to represent “a flaxen cord” as the family members mention possible consequences. Then read the following: [Satan] leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever. 2 Nephi 26:22)
To help your family learn how Satan can deceive us, draw a body, and as your family reads 3 Nephi 2:1–3 and 6:15–17, mark the different parts of the body mentioned. According to these verses, what are some of the ways Satan tempts us to forget God and turn to sin?
• Give each child a real sugar cookie and explain that sin can leaves a bitter taste and cause lasting harm, but when we are obedient and follow Jesus then we are blessed with the sweet joys and happiness of making good choices. • Show the children the cookies you prepared, and then give each child a napkin and let them choose a cookie. Some of the children may choose the salt cookies. Have them spit out their bites into the napkin when they taste the salt. Point out that all the cookies were beautifully decorated and looked appealing, but some were made with salt instead of sugar. Point out the not only does salt cookies taste awful, consuming large amounts of salt is harmful for the body. Explain that Satan makes sin look appealing and he even makes bad things seem good. They look appealing on the outside, but if we partake then we may consume something into our lives that would be bad and harmful. Ask the children if they can think of anything that looks appealing but is actually harmful to our souls. Inappropriate movies, violent video games, fighting, arguing,
Forgetting spiritual experiences makes me vulnerable to Satan’s temptations.
Ask the children if any of them would like to share a spiritual experience they have had. Ideas could include answers to prayers, warm feelings when reading the scriptures, etc.
What can you do to better remember the past spiritual experiences you have had? Consider writing them down. You could also share them with your family (Sharing your experience can bring back the Spirit. It can also help the other person to feel the Spirit). Ensign September 2020 “How can we keep from forgetting spiritual experiences?”
“Jared’s Journal.” In this Friend story, Jared learns he can color in a journal to remember important things.
“Scripture Journal.” This activity idea from the Friend can help your children start writing what they learn from the scriptures. Includes a doorknob tag to print and cut out.
Read 3 Nephi 2:1–3 together and talk about how some people “began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard.” Then play an activity to help your family remember God all week.
Label a jar “God loves me.”
Give each family member a small piece of paper and ask them to write down a blessing God has given them. Put the papers in the jar.
Encourage family members to add more papers to the jar as they notice blessings during the week.
At the end of the week, pick a handful of papers to read out loud and talk about.
Discussion: Why do you think the adversary wants us to forget the spiritual “wonders” we notice in our lives? How can we remember God every day?
Another idea is to make beautifully decorated cookies with salt instead of sugar. Be sure to give each child a napkin to spit the bite of cookie out into. and let them choose a cookie. Explain that Satan makes sin look appealing and he even makes bad things seem good. They look appealing on the outside, but if we partake then we may consume something into our lives that would be bad and harmful. Ask the children if they can think of anything that looks appealing but is actually harmful to our souls. Inappropriate movies, violent video games, fighting, arguing,
You could also show the first 90 seconds of the video “You Will Be Freed” (Gospel Library). Why does the fisherman disguise his hook? Why does Satan disguise sin? How does Jesus Christ help us avoid being deceived by Satan?
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?
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)
As you study Moses 1:12–26, look for things Moses did to resist Satan. How might Moses’s example help the children when they face temptations?
Summarize Moses’s experience in Moses 1:12–26 in your own words, or ask one of the children to do so (see also the video “I Am a Son of God” [ChurchofJesusChrist.org]). Invite the children to search these verses to learn how Moses was able to overcome Satan. (If they need help, point them to verses 13, 15, 18, 20–22, 26.) (Remember you are a son or daughter of God, listen to the Spirit, think of Jesus, and pray for strength.)
Bring a box of tools (or pictures of tools), and label each tool with a way we can resist temptation (such as praying, singing a hymn, reading the scriptures, or serving others). Let each child pick a tool and talk about a situation when the action written on that tool’s label could help us resist temptation. Read together verses 25–26, and testify that God will help us when we face temptation.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and benticeth to do cgood, and to love God, and to serve him, is dinspired of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do aevil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
Heavenly Father will help me resist temptation. (Sr)
Friend February 2019 “Yo-Yo Decision” While shopping with her mom, Lea found a yo-yo. Oscar had brought one to school and had impressed everyone with tricks. Lea wanted to do that too, but she didn’t have enough money to buy the yo-yo. A thought came into her mind that she could just put it in her pocket, but then she had a bad feeling. She realized it was the Holy Ghost warning her, so she put it back and felt peaceful and happy.
The Red Crystal has a list of temptations that could be printed off. You could use the Temptation Toolbox activity below with the temptation scenarios. Have the children read off the temptation and choose a tool, or name something else (write it on a blank tool), that could help them overcome the temptation. Have them explain how that tool could help them before putting it in the tool box.
Bring a box of tools (or pictures of tools), and label each tool with a way we can resist temptation (such as praying, singing a hymn, reading the scriptures, [remembering Jesus], or serving others). Let each child pick a tool and talk about a situation when the action written on that tool’s label could help us resist temptation. Read together verses 25–26, and testify that God will help us when we face temptation. Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Moses 1; Abraham 3”
The children you teach make small but important decisions every day. How can you help them understand the importance of choosing what’s right even when it’s hard?
Review 2 Samuel 11 with the children, pointing out the choices David made. Ask the children what good choices David should have made. What are some things we can do when we are being tempted that can help us choose the right?
To share an example of someone who, unlike David, resisted temptation, ask the children if they remember the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (see Genesis 39:7–12). You might review this story with the children and help them compare it with the story of David. What can we learn from the stories of David and of Joseph about how to resist temptation? (Watch below video until .38)
Lesson 15: Joseph Was Sold into Egypt,” Primary 6: Old Testament Tell the class that the nail, pin, or paper clip represents us. Place it between the two magnets on a flat surface so it can be attracted by one or the other. Show that the further away from “Satan” we are, the less power he has to tempt us. As you move the metal object toward the magnet representing God, explain that the closer we live to the Lord, the more we are influenced by his goodness. When we seek after good, we are less influenced by that which is evil. (What can we do to draw close to God? How can the Holy Ghost help us?)
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know that it is harder to avoid temptation when we allow ourselves to get close to it. Discuss with the children how they could distance themselves from temptation in the following situations:
A plate of your favorite dessert is on the table, ready to be taken to a sick neighbor.
Your parents have warned you not to swim without someone watching. You are alone by the water on a very hot day; perhaps you could just wade up to your knees …
Some of your friends are trying to convince you to try smoking a cigarette. Whenever you are with them, they dare you to take just one puff.
You are troubled by bad thoughts when you read a certain book.You could make a list on the chalkboard of other temptations, such as gossiping, looking at vulgar magazines, using bad language, dressing immodestly, watching inappropriate movies or television shows, telling unclean jokes or stories, listening to improper song lyrics, or using drugs. Discuss strategies for resisting evil, such as removing ourselves from the situation and replacing the temptation with something wholesome. Erase each harmful influence from the chalkboard as it is discussed.
Someone tries to show you pictures of people who are immodestly dressed. You are tempted to look.
Someone starts to tell a dirty joke or story. You want to listen.
A friend tells an unkind story about someone. The thought comes into your mind to spread the gossip.
You are watching a television program that shows immoral behavior. This program is popular with your friends and you want to watch it.
You are angry with someone and feel like punching him or her.
You see your favorite candy bar at the store. The thought comes into your mind to steal it.
Story: The prophet Nathan told a story about two men. The first man had lots of lambs. The second man had only one lamb. The man with many lambs stole the other man’s lamb. That made the man with only one lamb very sad. It also made Heavenly Father sad. (See 2 Samuel 12:1–4.)
Song: “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79)
Activity: Act out the story of the two men and the lambs. You could use toys or other objects for the lambs. Then act it out again, but this time change the ending! What can the first man do to be kind instead of selfish?
Discuss some ways the children can interrupt impure thoughts that may come to them (turn away, leave the situation, replace the bad thoughts with good thoughts and actions, say a prayer, think of an uplifting song or verse of scripture, recite the thirteenth article of faith, and so forth). Challenge the class members to be prepared in advance with a specific replacement for an undesirable thought. Allow them a minute to choose something uplifting they can think of instead. To help the children practice what they will do when a bad thought comes into their mind, play the following game.
Video tells story of David. President Oaks compares David’s story to looking at pornography.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “2 Nephi 1-2” To help your children understand Lehi’s invitation to “shake off the chains” of sin, maybe you could work together to make a chain from slips of paper. On the slips, your children could help you write some things Satan tempts us to do. Then you could read together 2 Nephi 1:13, 15, 23 as they act out some of the phrases in these verses—including shaking off the paper chain. How is sin like a chain? How does Jesus help us “shake off the chains” of sin?
Explain that when we first make a mistake or sin we are easily able to break free of its grasp and repent. But Satan knows that if he can get us to do the sin again and again, that eventually the sin will become a habit or an addiction and then we are bound in captivity to the sin.
Object Lesson Ask for a volunteer. Have the volunteer put their hands together. Wrap one layer of the masking tape around their fingers and thumbs. Ask them if they can break free. Explain that when we first make a mistake or sin we are easily able to break free of its grasp and repent. But Satan knows that if he can get us to do the sin again and again, that eventually the sin will become a habit or an addiction and then we are bound in captivity to the sin. (Wrap the tape around the child’s hands several times, layering one area around the fingers and thumbs.) Ask the child to try and break free from the bindings. They shouldn’t be able to.
Satan wants us to be miserable like he is, and he knows that sin destroys lives and keeps us from the many joys and blessings we could be enjoying. (Ask the child whose hands are bound to try and do some form of activity they normally could do if their hands were free such as tying their shoes. With their fingers bound they shouldn’t be able to do the activity. Afterwards, remove the tape and thank them for their help.)
Share an example, such as a person who is a drug addict may not be enjoying the following blessings: good health, good relationships with family and friends, spiritual blessings such as temple attendance, freedom (they may be locked up in prison for illegal drug transactions), financial security (due to wasting their money on drugs), integrity and the trust of others (due to lying and stealing to buy drugs), etc. Their addiction becomes more important than anything else and destroys their ability to hold onto and enjoy all the good and wholesome things in life.
In Mosiah 7, Limhi reminds his people of instances when God has delivered groups out of physical bondage. Likewise, the Lord is willing and able to deliver us from spiritual bondage.
On strips of paper, write the tools that Satan uses to keep us in spiritual bondage (pornography, alcohol, immorality, and so on).
Connect the paper strips to make a paper chain.
Bind someone’s wrists with the paper chain.
Read Mosiah 7:33 aloud. As you discuss ways we can turn to the Lord, trust Him, and serve Him, break the chain to represent how the Lord can deliver us.
Draw pictures of a sun and a dark cloud, and cut them out. Invite the children to read Revelation 9:2 and 1 Nephi 12:17 and write on the dark cloud what the smoke or mists in these verses represent. Place the dark cloud on the board, and invite the children to make a list of temptations children their age face. Then place the sun on the board and ask them to make a list of tools Heavenly Father has given us to overcome the darkness in the world.(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”)
How can we help others who are in the dark spiritually? To help the children think about this question, show part of the video “Choose the Light” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), especially the last half of the video. How can we be like the person who helped the biker in the tunnel?(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Revelation 6–14”)
Some people think that living the gospel restricts them. How can you use John 8:31–36 to help the children understand that living the gospel actually makes us free?
Invite the children to read John 8:31–36 and share what they think it means to be a servant of sin. How do the teachings of Jesus help us be free?
Show a lock to represent sin and a key to represent how truths of the gospel can make us free. For example, knowing about the Savior’s Atonement can give us freedom to repent and be forgiven of our sins. Or knowing about the Word of Wisdom can give us freedom to avoid addictions.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “2 Nephi 26-30” “I prophesy unto you concerning the last days,” Nephi wrote (2 Nephi 26:14). In other words, he was writing about our day. And there’s reason to be concerned about what he saw: people denying the power and miracles of God, rampant envy and strife, the devil binding people with strong cords. [But he also spoke of] a book that speaks from the dust, that exposes Satan’s lies, and that gathers the righteous like a standard. That book is the Book of Mormon.
Satan Seeks to Deceive
Things Satan wants people to believe:
You don’t need to strive to improve yourself because you are already good enough. (Verse 21)
God will justify a little sin. He may punish you a little, but he will still allow you to be saved in His Kingdom. (Verse 8)
There is no hell or devil. (Verse 22)
God has already given all His words. You don’t need more. (Verse 29)
Beware of those who say miracles still occur. Miracles don’t need to happen anymore. (Verse 6)
What could the personal consequences be for believing each of the above lies? (You could wrap some thread around someone’s wrists to represent “a flaxen cord” as the family members mention possible consequences. Then read the following: [Satan] leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever. 2 Nephi 26:22)
Object lesson: Ask for a volunteer. Have the volunteer put their hands together. Wrap one layer of the masking tape around their fingers and thumbs. Ask them if they can break free. Explain that when we first make a mistake or sin we are easily able to break free of its grasp and repent. But Satan knows that if he continue to gets us to sin, little by little, eventually the sin will become accepted and then we become bound in captivity to the sin because it becomes a habit or an addiction. (Wrap the tape around the child’s hands several times, layering one area around the fingers and thumbs.) Ask the child to try and break free from the bindings. They shouldn’t be able to. Satan wants us to be miserable like he is, and he knows that sin binds us in captivity and destroys lives.
Lot entertains holy men—The men of Sodom seek to abuse Lot’s guests and are smitten with blindness—Lot is sent out of Sodom—The Lord rains brimstone and fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah—Lot’s daughters preserve his seed in the land.
When these three messengers arrived in Sodom, they met Lot, Abraham’s nephew. For reasons that are not clear, Lot had moved his family from living near Sodom (see Genesis 13:12) to living in Sodom (see Genesis 14:12). In the last lesson, you learned about the great wickedness that existed in Sodom and the Lord’s decision to destroy the city (see Genesis 18).
There are two indications in the scriptures that the phrase “looked back” was an idiomatic way of saying “she turned back” or “returned to Sodom.” The implication is that Lot’s wife started back to Sodom, perhaps to save some possessions, and was caught in the destruction.
Most scholars agree that the most probable site of Sodom is now covered by the southern part of the Dead Sea, a body of water with a high salt content. If Lot’s wife returned to Sodom, she would have been caught in the destruction. Her becoming a pillar of salt could be a figurative way of expressing this outcome.
Summarize Genesis 19:15–26 by explaining that Lot’s family lived in a very wicked city, and angels warned them to leave. Read together verses 15–17, 26, and help the children think about what it might mean for them today to “escape” evil and “look not behind” (verse 17).
Display a picture of the Savior, and ask the children to take a step toward it as they share one thing they can do to flee wickedness and come closer to Christ.
Avoiding temptation is easier than resisting it.
Discuss situations in which a friend might invite the children to do something they know isn’t right. How would we “flee” these situations? What could we say to our friend?
Friend November 2017 “Peer Pressure Problems” Ideas on how to deal with peer pressure to avoid making wrong choices
Story: Heavenly Father gives us commandments to help us and keep us safe. Angels told a man named Lot to leave his home in a wicked city. Because Lot listened and obeyed, he stayed safe.
Song: “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, 146–47)
Activity: Now play a game! Take turns being the leader. The leader tells others to do actions, like “jump up and down” or “run in a circle.” Everyone else follows them. How can following the commandments help you?
Joseph, prospered by the Lord, becomes ruler of Potiphar’s house—He resists the advances of Potiphar’s wife, is falsely accused, and is cast into prison—The keeper of the prison commits the prison’s affairs into Joseph’s hands.
Show a picture of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (see Gospel Art Book, no. 11), and share the story in Genesis 39:7–12. How did Joseph resist temptation? Help the children find words in Genesis 39:7–12 that answer this question—for example, Joseph knew that being with Potiphar’s wife would be a “sin against God” (verse 9).
Physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife. God has commanded that [physical] intimacy be reserved for marriage.“(Sexual Purity” (in For the Strength of Youth [2011], 35–37)
Invite the children to think of situations in which children their age might be tempted to make wrong choices. Ask them to role-play how they could follow Joseph’s example in these situations—for example, what are some ways we can remember God when we are tempted?
Lesson 15: Joseph Was Sold into Egypt,” Primary 6: Old Testament Tell the class that the nail, pin, or paper clip represents us. Place it between the two magnets on a flat surface so it can be attracted by one or the other. Show that the further away from “Satan” we are, the less power he has to tempt us. As you move the metal object toward the magnet representing God, explain that the closer we live to the Lord, the more we are influenced by his goodness. When we seek after good, we are less influenced by that which is evil. (What can we do to draw close to God? How can the Holy Ghost help us?)
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know that it is harder to avoid temptation when we allow ourselves to get close to it. Discuss with the children how they could distance themselves from temptation in the following situations:
A plate of your favorite dessert is on the table, ready to be taken to a sick neighbor.
Your parents have warned you not to swim without someone watching. You are alone by the water on a very hot day; perhaps you could just wade up to your knees …
Some of your friends are trying to convince you to try smoking a cigarette. Whenever you are with them, they dare you to take just one puff.
You are troubled by bad thoughts when you read a certain book.You could make a list on the chalkboard of other temptations, such as gossiping, looking at vulgar magazines, using bad language, dressing immodestly, watching inappropriate movies or television shows, telling unclean jokes or stories, listening to improper song lyrics, or using drugs. Discuss strategies for resisting evil, such as removing ourselves from the situation and replacing the temptation with something wholesome. Erase each harmful influence from the chalkboard as it is discussed.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8–13” How could you teach your family about our “warfare” against wickedness? Would your family enjoy building a wall or a fort with chairs and blankets? This could lead to a discussion about how to cast down things that lead us away from God and how to “[bring] into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” What are the spiritual “weapons” we use to control our thoughts? (see Ephesians 6:11–18).
When Faith is Rooted in Jesus, I can resist temptation
Draw a picture of your favorite fruit tree and follow the instructions to add to it throughout the lesson:
Draw deep and strong roots for your tree. Label some of the roots with attributes these people have or actions they take that you feel firmly connect them to Jesus Christ.
Just as there are natural forces that can uproot or destroy a tree, there are forces that try to uproot us from our spiritual foundations in Jesus Christ.
Around your tree, draw winds or storms that may uproot your tree. Label these winds and storms with forces that could spiritually uproot you from being grounded and settled in Jesus Christ. You may want to read Colossians 2:4, 8 to see some of the forces that the Saints in Colossae were experiencing.
How can the roots you identified today help you receive the Savior’s power to stand strong against the forces you identified?
Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 20: Korihor, the Anti-Christ,” Write the first word of each pair below on slips of paper and hand them out to the children. Ask each child to think of a word that means the opposite of the word on his or her paper. Let each child say the opposite word he or she has thought of while the rest of the class tries to guess the positive word on the child’s paper.
When everyone has had a turn, explain that just as every word in this activity has an opposite, Satan has a counterfeit or opposite teaching for every teaching of Jesus Christ. Following Heavenly Father brings us happiness; following Satan brings us unhappiness. Ask the children the difference between how people feel when they tell lies and how they feel when they tell the truth.
Teach the children that the more we learn about something, the more we can tell the difference between that thing and its opposite. The more we learn about and follow Jesus Christ’s teachings, the more we will be able to resist the temptations and deception of Satan..
Ensign March 2018 “Family Home Evening: Discerning Right from Wrong” Object Lesson. Satan tries to make good, righteous, and joyful seem miserable and evil appear to be good. Wrap a rock as a gift and put a treat in a brown paper bag. (See more at link)
Show the video “Spiritual Whirlwinds.” What are some temptations and false doctrines in the world today that can weaken our faith? Encourage the children to write down one thing they can do to strengthen their faith so that they are “rooted” (Colossians 2:7) in Jesus Christ. Ask them to display this somewhere they will see it each day. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Philippians; Colossians”)
In these verses, the Lord gave a pattern so “that [we] may not be deceived” (Doctrine and Covenants 52:14) by false teachers and messages.
Show the children an example of a pattern (such as a pattern for sewing clothes or making something), and talk about why patterns are helpful. To help the children learn about a pattern from the Lord, write on the board phrases like He that______ , the same is_____ , He that______ shall be______ , and He that_____ is not_______ . Invite the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 52:15–18 and fill in the blanks. Why is this pattern helpful to us? (see verses 14, 19).
Draw something simple, and invite the children to follow your pattern to make the same drawing. Then explore with them the Lord’s pattern recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 52:14–19.
As your family reads about the Nephites’ fortifications, you could discuss how you are fortifying your home against the adversary. Children might enjoy building a fort out of objects like chairs and blankets, or they could draw what they imagine the Nephite fortifications looked like.
Lesson Four: Tree of Life Vision Looking up scriptures that help us overcome temptations. See the link for the game instructions for the below visual aids.
God’s word in the Book of Mormon helps us see and avoid Satan’s deceptions, and He continues to give revelation to us individually, and to His prophets that teach us His words. But He reminds us that“for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.” (Review Satan’s lies pertaining to the idea of not needing to do or learn more. Also point out that Heavenly Father doesn’t expect us to know everything at once. Point out that we learn “line upon line.” Do the activity below to help the children understand the reason for that.)
Friend February 2020 “My Family Night Fun” Sit in a circle to play this game. The first person says, “I’m going to church, and I’m going to learn ______.” The next person repeats what the first person said and adds their own item at the end. Continue going around the circle, repeating all the items and adding more one by one. Can you remember them all? Too much at once can be a little overwhelming and hard to remember. But when we try to learn a little each day, we are able to retain it better. Reading the Book of Mormon each day helps us learn “line upon line” and helps us avoid Satan’s temptations and stay on the path to Eternal Life.
Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 20: Korihor, the Anti-Christ,” Write the first word of each pair below on slips of paper and hand them out to the children. Ask each child to think of a word that means the opposite of the word on his or her paper. Let each child say the opposite word he or she has thought of while the rest of the class tries to guess the positive word on the child’s paper.
When everyone has had a turn, explain that just as every word in this activity has an opposite, Satan has a counterfeit or opposite teaching for every teaching of Jesus Christ. Following Heavenly Father brings us happiness; following Satan brings us unhappiness. Ask the children the difference between how people feel when they tell lies and how they feel when they tell the truth.
Teach the children that the more we learn about something, the more we can tell the difference between that thing and its opposite. The more we learn about and follow Jesus Christ’s teachings, the more we will be able to resist the temptations and deception of Satan..
Pray Daily and Always
What happens if we don’t pray daily and sincerely? We tend to lose the guidance of the Spirit, which is essential for managing the challenges and temptations of life. What was the result of the Zoramites not praying daily? They succumbed to Satan’s temptations.
Satan would prefer that we forget he exists—or that we at least fail to recognize his attempts to influence us (see 2 Nephi 28:22–23). But the Lord’s words in Doctrine and Covenants 10 reveal that Satan is in constant, active opposition to God’s work. As you read verses 1–33, identify how Satan sought to destroy God’s work in Joseph Smith’s time (see also verses 62–63). What similarities do you see with the ways Satan works today? You could ask the Lord to help you see how Satan may be tempting you. What do you learn from section 10 that can help you resist Satan’s efforts?
The Lord’s “wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.”
As the translation of the Book of Mormon progressed, a question naturally arose: What should Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery do about those pages of the translation that had been lost? The logical thing might be to go back and retranslate that portion, but the Lord could see something that they could not—wicked men were plotting to alter the words on those pages to cast doubt on Joseph’s inspired work. God had a plan to thwart Satan’s efforts and compensate for what was lost. This plan was put into motion thousands of years earlier when the prophet Nephi felt inspired to create a second record that covered the same time period. Later, Mormon was inspired to include this record in the Book of Mormon “for a wise purpose” known to the Lord (see Words of Mormon 1:3–7).
More than 2,400 years in advance, the Lord prepared to compensate for the lost pages of the Book of Mormon (see 1 Nephi 9).The record that God prepared to replace the lost manuscript is now found in 1 Nephi through Omni. How have the stories and teachings in this record [helped bless your life]?
Friend September 2018 “Keep Paddling” Life is like being on a river. Our goal to return to our Heavenly Father is upstream. We paddle toward this goal by making good choices. Temptations in the world try to take us downstream, away from our goal. It helps if we are part of a team that is paddling together. Your family is on your rowing crew. Your Primary teachers and Church leaders are also on your rowing crew too. Your crew helps you make good choices. Make this boat and draw who the people are that are on your rowing crew.
To avoid temptation we must follow righteous counsel and examples.
While on a mission, Corianton did things he shouldn’t have. His father, Alma, counseled him on avoiding temptation by following righteous examples and counsel. 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.
Doctrine and Covenants 133 can help the children understand how to keep themselves clean from the worldly influences around them.
Invite the children to read “Babel, Babylon” in the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) to find out what Babylon is and what it represents. Then read together Doctrine and Covenants 133:4–5, 14–15. What does it mean to “go ye out from Babylon”? (verse 5). What are some places and situations the Lord wants us to stay away from? What can we do to avoid them?
Place a sign on one side of the room that says “Zion,” and place another sign on the other side that says “Babylon.” Write on strips of paper words from Doctrine and Covenants 133:4–5, 14–15 that describe either Zion or Babylon (such as “wicked,” “clean,” or “destruction”), and invite the children to place each paper under the appropriate sign.
The spiritual opposite of Zion is Babylon—an ancient city that throughout scripture symbolizes wickedness and spiritual bondage (see D. Todd Christofferson, “Come to Zion,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 37; Guide to the Scriptures, “Babel, Babylon,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Is there anything you need to do as a family to, in a spiritual sense, “go … out from Babylon” (verse 5) and “go … forth unto … Zion”? (verse 9).
Christmas Day is usually a time to ponder messages like “peace on earth” and “good will toward men” (see Luke 2:14). But on December 25, 1832, Joseph Smith’s mind was occupied with the threat of war. South Carolina had just defied the United States government and was preparing for battle. And the Lord revealed to Joseph that this was only the beginning: “War,” He declared, “will be poured out upon all nations” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:2). It seemed like this prophecy would be fulfilled very soon.
But then it wasn’t. Within just a few weeks, South Carolina and the U.S. government reached a compromise, and war was averted. But revelation is not always fulfilled at the time or in the way we expect. Nearly 30 years later, long after Joseph Smith was martyred and the Saints had moved west, South Carolina did rebel and civil war followed. Since then, war throughout the world has caused “the earth [to] mourn” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:6). While the prophecy was ultimately fulfilled, the value of this revelation is less in predicting when calamity will come and more in teaching what to do when it does. The counsel is the same in 1831, 1861, and 2021: “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved” (verse 8).
The children you teach will face spiritual and physical dangers throughout their lives. You can help them prepare to face those dangers by teaching them to find and stand in holy places.
Read together Doctrine and Covenants 87:6 to learn about things the Lord said would happen in the latter days. Ask the children to talk about challenges that children their age sometimes face. Invite them to find in verse 8 what the Lord said we should do during hard times. Tell the children about holy places in your life.
Help the children make a list of holy places, holy thoughts, and holy actions that can help them face spiritual danger (for ideas, see the videos “Standing in Holy Places” and “Stand Ye in Holy Places—Bloom Where You’re Planted,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite them to keep their list with them to refer to when needed.
Place pictures of a home, a church building, and a temple in different places throughout the room. Give clues describing these places, and invite the children to stand near the picture you are describing. Read the first line from Doctrine and Covenants 45:32. Testify that we are blessed when we spend time in holy places like our homes, our church buildings, and the temple. Ask the children to talk about how they feel when they are in holy places like these.
Invite the children to complete this week’s activity page. Help them write “I can help my home become a holy place” and “Doctrine and Covenants 45:32” on their drawing. What can they do to help their home become a holy place?
No home is perfect, but there are things we can all do to make our homes into holy places of peace.
Explain to the children that Joseph Smith was worried about things that were happening in the world. Summarize the heading to section 87, or read “Chapter 30: A Revelation about War” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 117–18; see also the video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ask the children to listen for things that might have made Joseph worried. To teach what the Lord said we should do about those problems, read Doctrine and Covenants 87:8.
Show a picture of a temple, and share why the temple is a holy place. Show a picture of a home, and help the children think of ways they can make their homes holy like the temple (see this week’s activity page). Why do we want to be in holy places?
To introduce a discussion about how to make your home a holier place, you could invite family members to design a home for someone who loves the Savior. This may lead to ideas about how to “redesign” your home to make it a place of peace amid the spiritual danger in the world. Songs like “Love at Home,” “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth” (Hymns,nos. 294, 298), or “Where Love Is” (Children’s Songbook, 138–39) could give you ideas.
Jesus loves us even when we sin and wants to help us repent.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, testified of the Savior’s power to heal spiritual illness.
Sometimes spiritual illness comes as a result of sin or emotional wounds. …Even the deepest spiritual wounds—yes, even those that may appear to be incurable—can be healed.
My dear friends, the healing power of Jesus Christ is not absent in our day. The Savior’s healing touch can transform lives in our day just as it did in His. If we will but have faith, He can take our hands, fill our souls with heavenly light and healing, and speak to us the blessed words, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk” [ John 5:8 ].
Write How does Jesus feel about sin? and How does Jesus feel about us when we sin? on the board. Ask the children to think about these questions as they read together Mark 2:15–17 and then share their answers. (You may want to read together “Publican” in Guide to the Scriptures [scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org].–In ancient Rome, a collector of taxes for the government. Publicans were generally hated by the Jews. Some publicans readily accepted the gospel) Why is it important to know that Jesus loves us, even though we aren’t perfect? How can knowing this help us when we need to repent?
Show a picture of the Savior (such as one in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families), and ask the children what words they would use to describe Him. Invite them to find words that describe Him in Psalm 86:5, 13, 15. If needed, help them define these words. What could we say to a friend who feels that God is angry at them when they sin?
Sing with the children a song that you feel will help them understand the Savior’s forgiving nature, such as “I Stand All Amazed” (Hymns, no. 193). Share your testimony that Jesus Christ wants to forgive us.
Friend January 2023 “What’s on Your Mind?” Jesus Christ loves you perfectly. If you make a wrong choice, He still loves you. And He can help you repent and make things right again. He is always waiting for you to follow Him. He believes in you! (See more at link.)
If someone were to stray off a path, fall, and become injured, what would be some of the possible symptoms and effects of being injured? Answers might include: pain, shock, bruises, scrapes, cuts, bleeding, broken bones, sprain, concussion, etc.
Just like a person would suffer the effects of being injured, a person who had sinned would also suffer the consequences and results of that sin. What are some of the consequences that can occur because of sin? Answers might include: guilt, loss of the Spirit’s help and guidance, possible loss of freedom, loss of other’s trust, damaged relationships, possible loss of good health, loss of inheritance in the kingdom of God, etc.
Show the children some medical items and ask what they are used for. (To help treat and heal physical injuries and sickness.)
Who is the master physician that can heal our spiritual wounds, small or large? (Jesus Christ) The Savior said: ‘Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? … If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.’”
A few days before class, invite one of the children and a family member to come to class prepared to share the account in Luke 7:36–50. They could draw pictures depicting parts of the story to show the class. Discuss with the children what the Lord might want us to learn from this story.
Have you ever wondered if Satan can know what you’re thinking? Well, the Lord answered that question when He said this to Oliver Cowdery through the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“There is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:16).
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “John 2–4” At the wedding in Cana, Mary told Jesus that the wine had run out. According to the Joseph Smith Translation, Jesus responded to His mother by asking, “Woman, what wilt thou have me to do for thee? that will I do” (in John 2:4, footnote a). Jesus is an example of how we should treat our mothers.
Invite the children to read John 2:1–11 and take turns retelling the story in their own words.
Ask the children to list things their mother might need help with. Invite them to practice what they could say to her using some of Jesus’s words: “What wilt thou have me to do for thee?” (John 2:4, footnote a).
Invite some mothers to visit your class and share what their children do to show respect for them.
To honor your parents means to love, respect, and obey them.
Friend November 2021 “Jesus Honored His Parents” As He grew up, Jesus obeyed His earthly parents. He loved and cared for them. Even when He was dying on the cross, He asked one of His disciples to take care of His mother. He also honored His Heavenly Father by keeping the commandments.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “John 2-4” At a marriage feast in Cana, Christ changed water into wine—an event John called the “beginning of miracles” (John 2:11). That’s true in more than one sense. While this was the first miracle Jesus performed publicly, it can also symbolize another miraculous beginning—the process of our hearts being transformed as we become ever more like our Savior. This miracle of a lifetime begins with the decision to follow Jesus Christ, to change and live a better life through Him.
Friend June 2019 “For Parent’s of Little Ones” Father’s Day and Mother’s Day can bring up sad feelings for children who don’t have a mom or dad at home. This article gives great ideas on how to honor those days in sensitive ways.
Friend August 2019 “Done with Swim Team” Some girls on Ava’s swim team make fun of her body. Ava wants to quit swim tea, but her mom helps her understand that not all bodies look the same just like temples don’t all look the same, but they are all beautiful, and the important thing is what goes on inside. Her mom also teaches her other important truths, and Ava feels the Holy Ghost telling her that they are true.
A Body is a Gift from Heavenly Father
Friend June 2022 “Amazing Grace” Grace could run fast and dance and her mom said her body was a wonderful gift. Sometimes it didn’t feel like a gift, especially when she compared herself to other kids at school. Thinking of her body as a gift helped her deal with a kid that said mean things about her body.
Taking Care of Your Body
Friend July 2020 “Lila’s Choice” Lila wanted to always choose the right, so when coffee was put in the milk at school, she decided not to have any milk that day. She was happy to choose the right and take care of the body Heavenly Father gave her.
Friend August 2019 “Amelia’s Growing Body” Amelia is learning to take care of her body by eating healthy, exercising, etc.
Friend May 2018 “Helping on the Farm” Liam uses different parts of his body to help on the farm.
Friend May 2017 “At the Playground” Emilie uses different parts of her body while at the playground.
Friend August 2019 ” My Body” An action rhyme about the things “my body” can do.
Safety from Abuse
Friend June 2017 “Tickling Trouble” Lizzie and Max learn that we should respect each other when we don’t want to be touched (including being tickled). We should also say stop if we don’t want to be touched, and tell a parent if someone doesn’t stop when told.
You could use this story to start a conversation about what is appropriate touch, and how it’s OK to stand up for yourself if you are being touched in a way you don’t like or a way you have been taught is wrong. Ensign June 2017
Body Needs Lots of Things to Be Healthy
Friend March 2021 “The Adventures Just Outside” After playing a math game on her tablet for a long time, Rylee’s mom explained that doing math is good for her brain, but too much screen time isn’t good for her brain, or for the rest of her body. They decide to go for a walk to the park, and Rylee finds lots of things to do that helps her brain grow stronger.
Alma CHAPTER 30 Korihor, the anti-Christ, ridicules Christ, the Atonement, and the spirit of prophecy—He teaches that there is no God, no fall of man, no penalty for sin, and no Christ—Alma testifies that Christ will come and that all things denote there is a God—Korihor demands a sign and is struck dumb—The devil had appeared to Korihor as an angel and taught him what to say—Korihor is trodden down and dies. About 76–74 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 31 Alma heads a mission to reclaim the apostate Zoramites—The Zoramites deny Christ, believe in a false concept of election, and worship with set prayers—The missionaries are filled with the Holy Spirit—Their afflictions are swallowed up in the joy of Christ. About 74 B.C.
Alma 30
Korihor
The Book of Mormon warns me against false teachings.
Display some items (such as money or food) and toy imitations of these items. Which would the children rather have? This could lead to a discussion about how to know the difference between things that are real and things that are false. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 30-31”)
Teach the children that the more we learn about something, the more we can tell the difference between that thing and its opposite. The more we learn about and follow Jesus Christ’s teachings, the more we will be able to resist the temptations and deception of Satan.
Why do you suppose the people of Ammon would not listen to Korihor? The people of Ammon had lived most of their lives following Korihor-like-beliefs, and they knew the heartache, the misery, and the destruction it can cause in people’s lives.
Ammon’s people provide good examples of how we should respond when we are confronted with people like Korihor. We should not listen to those who would tear down our faith.
Korihor was arguing, as men and women have falsely argued from the beginning of time, that to take counsel from the servants of God is to surrender God-given rights of independence. But the argument is false because it misrepresents reality. When we reject the counsel which comes from God, we do not choose to be independent of outside influence. We choose another influence. We reject the protection of a perfectly loving, all-powerful, all-knowing Father in Heaven, whose whole purpose, as that of His Beloved Son, is to give us eternal life, to give us all that He has, and to bring us home again in families to the arms of His love. In rejecting His counsel, we choose the influence of another power, whose purpose is to make us miserable and whose motive is hatred. (Henry B. Eyring, “Finding Safety in Counsel,” Ensign, May 1997, 25)
Alma talked about how things in the sky and on the earth testify that God lives. If possible, take a walk outside with your children or stand at a window as you read Alma 30:44. Ask them to point out things they see that help them know that God is real and that He loves them. They could also draw pictures of things they discover (see this week’s activity page).
While you and your children sing “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” (Children’s Songbook, 228–29), pass around a ball or other object. Periodically stop the music and ask the child holding the object to share one thing Heavenly Father created that he or she is grateful for.
Korihor said he did not believe there was a God, and that there was no such thing as sin.
Why would Satan want people to believe there is no God? One reason is that when a belief in God and his teachings are taken away, Satan can destroy people’s lives through getting them to sin.
Korihor said that we can’t know of things we have not seen. He argued that a person who had not seen God could not know of his existence.
• Ask the children to think of a place they have never visited that exists. Why do you believe that place exists? Just as we have other’s accounts to help us know of places we have not seen, we have the testimonies of prophets, the scriptures, and the Holy Ghost to help us know that God exists.
Also, Alma pointed to things in the sky and on the earth to testify that God lives and directs the universe.
Have each family member write the letters of the alphabet in a list down one side of a paper.
For two minutes, everyone should try to write a creation that begins with each letter. For example, you could write “Trees” for the letter T.
When time runs out, have everyone share their list.
Discussion: How do these blessings from God make you feel? What can we do to take care of God’s creations?
Friend July 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities” Alma taught that “all things denote there is a God” (Alma 30:44). That means that everything God created can remind us of Him. Set up chairs in a circle with enough chairs for everyone but one person. Have someone play music and choose when it pauses. When the music stops, everyone else sits on a chair. The person who doesn’t have a chair shares one thing that reminds them of God. Keep going until everyone has a turn.
For younger children: Walk around your home or outside. Look for things that help you feel happy and remind you of Heavenly Father.
Friend July 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Alma 30:44 together and help your little ones say, “God made this beautiful world.” Look out a window or go on a walk and help your children name the beautiful things you see—clouds, sky, dirt, bugs, and plants. Testify that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ created all of these things!
Read Alma 30:44 to the children, and ask them to listen for things that Alma said help us know God is real. Display pictures of some of these things, and ask the children to point to the pictures when you read about them in the verse. Invite the children to draw pictures of things that help them believe in God.
Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 21: The Zoramites and the Rameumptom” Have a make-believe dinner. Have two plates, two glasses, and two sets of utensils, but no food. Pretend to eat, and act enthusiastic about the delicious food. Invite a child to join you. Eating off empty dishes could be compared to the emptiness of the false and insincere worship of the Zoramites that is described in this lesson. Such empty worship does no more good for our spiritual nourishment than not eating does for our physical strength. In this lesson the children will learn about appropriate and sincere ways to worship God.
Teaching Children the Gospel: Put the bowl, spoon, and measuring items on the table and explain to the children that you are going to make some peanut butter candy for them. Show them the recipe, but then toss it aside. Tell the children that you have decided not to follow the recipe because you want to try some different ingredients. Show the children the substitute ingredients you brought, and then mix together various amounts of those ingredients. (Be sure to mention the correct recipe ingredients as you do this. For example: “The recipe calls for peanut butter, but I want the candy to be really crunchy so I think I will add whole peanuts.”)
After combining the substitute ingredients show the children the results. Ask them if they think the mixture looks like peanut butter candy.
Ask the children what the results would be if someone tried to make up their own ingredients for gaining salvation instead of following Heavenly Father’s plan. Would they get the desired results? Tell the children that in today’s lesson they will be learning about a group of people who tried to do just that.
The problem of the Zoramites separating from the Nephites may have seemed to some like it needed a political or military solution (see Alma 31:1–4). But Alma said that the Word of God is more powerful than the sword.
How can you help your children understand that the word of God is more powerful than “anything else”? (Alma 31:5). Consider asking them to think of something or someone powerful, or show pictures of a few powerful things. What makes them powerful? Read Alma 31:5 together, and ask your children what they think this verse means. Share an experience when the word of God had a powerful influence on you. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 30-31”)
What does God’s word have the power to do? Change hearts to good
Repeat the phrase “The word of God is more powerful than …” several times, and ask the children to help you complete the phrase.
Sing together a song about the scriptures, such as “Scripture Power” (music.ChurchofJesusChrist.org), and ask the children to listen for how the scriptures help us.
Briefly summarize the story of Alma and the Zoramites, using verses from Alma 31:8–35 (see also “Chapter 28: The Zoramites and the Rameumptom,” Book of Mormon Stories, 78–80). Help your children identify things the Zoramites said in their prayer (see Alma 31:15–18) as they help you build a Rameumptom tower with blocks or rocks. Explain that this is not how we should pray. As you and your children talk about how we should pray, let them remove the blocks or rocks one at a time. Maybe they could keep one of the rocks by their bed as a reminder to pray every morning and night. They might enjoy decorating their rock. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 30-31”)
The Zoramites Prayers were Repetitious: Said same thing every time. They also only prayed once a week.
What happens if we don’t pray daily and sincerely? We tend to lose the guidance of the Spirit, which is essential for managing the challenges and temptations of life. What was the result of the Zoramites not praying daily? They succumbed to Satan’s temptations.
Why did the Zoramites choose to believe in incorrect principles about God, and why did they not want to believe in Christ? One possible reason may have been to deny the doctrine of the plan of salvation – of coming to earth to get a body and be tested. They wanted to think they were elected (chosen) to be saved regardless of what they did. They did not want to believe in sin or the need for a Savior.
Alma showed faith in God and Jesus Christ Alma petitioned the Lord for blessings in his prayer. He had faith that the Lord would bless and help him.
See PRAYER for activity, stories, a lesson ideas about prayer.
Friend July 2020 “Cook Like a Pioneer” Johnny Cakes: Add or subtract the items in the picture to to find out how much of each of the ingredients to use.
Friend July 2021 “Pioneers Then and Now” A pioneer is someone who helps lead the way. There are many ways to be a pioneer! How many similarities can you find between these two pioneer families?
Friend July 2020 “Following the Pioneers” Anyone who leads the way to help make life better for others is a pioneer. Activity: As you pass through each circle in the maze, read the ways you can be a pioneer!
Friend July 2019 “Funstuff: Modern Pioneers” Put the pictures in order of a modern pioneer family joining the Church in Nigeria.
Pioneer Journey
Friend 1982 – 1 of 2
Friend 1982 – 2 of 2
Friend July 2022 “Draw It” Some of the first pioneers in the Church went to the Salt Lake Valley in covered wagons. For Pioneer Day on July 24, learn to draw a covered wagon and oxen!
Friend July 2015 – could be used as choosing idea for songs or lessons. Each cup could have a song title or lesson item in it. When a child gets the ball in a cup then the child looks to see what item or song is in it.
When one of the children gets three wagons in a row they get to choose one of the wagons and get its bag out. Whatever is inside the bag is the activity the Primary children will do, such as singing a pioneer song, or listening to a pioneer story, or doing a pioneer game or activity. After the activity, have the children continue playing the game in the same manner until all the bag activities have been done (or until time runs out).
Friend July 2019 “For Parents of Little Ones” Ideas on how to celebrate Pioneer Day by discussing how their ancestors (or themselves) were pioneers, such first to go to college, first to join the Church, etc.
Ensign July 2016 Pioneers are people who prepare the way for others to follow. Draw a picture or find a photo of one of your ancestors. Can you find a story of how they prepared the way for you to follow? Write two ways you can be a pioneer today.
Friend July 2018 “Find the people in your family tree who were pioneers, such as the first person to join the church or the first to graduate from college.
Friend July 2020 “Following the Pioneers” It’s not as important to walk where pioneers walked as it is to live like they lived, such as having faith, obedience, not leaving anyone behind, and working together to build Zion.
Friend July 2020 “For Older Kids” A pioneer is someone who does something new and helps others to follow.Were you the first in your family to do something? What was it? Draw or write about it in your journal!
Friend March 2017 “A Great Feeling” Paulo didn’t want the feeling he had when he was baptized to go away, but the next day he yelled at his brother. Through repentance and the sacrament he was able to get the feeling back.
Friend May 2024 “Clean Again” Emily wanted to keep the good feeling she had when she was baptized. She felt sure she could do it. But then her brother did something that made her angry and she yelled at him. I’ve ruined it, she thought. I couldn’t even choose the right for one day! But then she was reminded during her confirmation that because of Jesus she can repent and be forgiven, and when she takes the sacrament she can promise again to follow Jesus.
Remembering Jesus During Sacrament
Friend June 2020 “Koa and the Sacrament” He sings the sacrament hymn.Koa thinks about Jesus. He listens to the sacrament prayers. Koa is reverent. He feels happy inside!
Friend April 2017 “Mia’s First Sacrament” Mia learns about the sacrament when she goes to church with the missionaries.
Friend April 2020 “Just One Piece” Todd has a hard time sitting still during the sacrament. He is also hungry so he grabs two handfuls of bread. He learns that “We don’t take the bread because we are hungry. We take the bread to remember Jesus.” The next week he tries extra hard to remember Jesus during the sacrament.
Friend June 2023 “A Tiny Piece of Bread” Anahí was excited to take the sacrament at the church building again after Covid was over. She listened to the prayers and looked at a picture of Jesus while waiting, but by the time the tray got to her there was only a small crumb left. She picked it up and put it in her mouth, but all day long she worried that it didn’t count because it was only a crumb. But her mom said, “What matters is how you felt as you remembered the Savior,” Mami said. “And even though you just had a tiny piece of bread, Jesus’s love for you is not tiny. He loves you so, so much.”
Passing the Sacrament
Friend January 2023 “Representing Jesus” The older boys were going to show David and the other 11-year-old boys how to pass the sacrament. David was nervous because his autism sometimes made it hard for him to learn new things, but he practiced and had lots of help.
Alma CHAPTER 23 Religious freedom is proclaimed—The Lamanites in seven lands and cities are converted—They call themselves Anti-Nephi-Lehies and are freed from the curse—The Amalekites and the Amulonites reject the truth. About 90–77 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 24 The Lamanites come against the people of God—The Anti-Nephi-Lehies rejoice in Christ and are visited by angels—They choose to suffer death rather than to defend themselves—More Lamanites are converted. About 90–77 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 25 Lamanite aggressions spread—The seed of the priests of Noah perish as Abinadi prophesied—Many Lamanites are converted and join the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi—They believe in Christ and keep the law of Moses. About 90–77 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 26 Ammon glories in the Lord—The faithful are strengthened by the Lord and are given knowledge—By faith men may bring thousands of souls unto repentance—God has all power and comprehends all things. About 90–77 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 27 The Lord commands Ammon to lead the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi to safety—Upon meeting Alma, Ammon’s joy exhausts his strength—The Nephites give the Anti-Nephi-Lehies the land of Jershon—They are called the people of Ammon. About 90–77 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 28 The Lamanites are defeated in a tremendous battle—Tens of thousands are slain—The wicked are consigned to a state of endless woe; the righteous attain a never-ending happiness. About 77–76 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 29 Alma desires to cry repentance with angelic zeal—The Lord grants teachers for all nations—Alma glories in the Lord’s work and in the success of Ammon and his brethren. About 76 B.C.
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.
Perhaps your children would enjoy burying their “weapons” like the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. You could read a few verses from Alma 24:6–24 to teach the children about the promises the Anti-Nephi-Lehies made to follow the Savior. They could then think of something they will change to follow Him, write it on this week’s activity page, and pretend to dig a hole and bury their weapon. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 23-29”)
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.
Covenants are promises I make with God and He makes with me.
Sprinkle the salt or sand on the bottom of the box. With your finger write the word Promise in the salt or sand. Ask the children the following questions:
Have you ever made an agreement or promise with someone who broke their part of the promise? (Let the children tell how they felt when the promise was broken as you gently blow on the salt or sand to erase the word.)
What do we call a promise we make with Heavenly Father? (A covenant.)
When did we make promises to Heavenly Father? (When we were baptized.)
Remind the children that a promise should not be made lightly. Emphasize the importance of keeping your word. Write the word Covenant on the rock with a marker or crayon. Explain that a gospel covenant is a promise between Heavenly Father and his children. Blow on the rock to demonstrate that the word cannot be easily removed. As we make covenants we should remember that they are sacred, and we should be determined to keep them.
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? (Alma 24:19). Read together Alma 24:16–25 to learn what covenant the people of Ammon made and how they honored their covenant. Invite the children to take the rocks home as a reminder to keep their covenants. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 23-29”)
Explain that the covenants we make are “a testimony to God” that we want to follow God’s commandments (verse 18). What covenants have the children made?
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.
Friend July 2020 “My Family Night Fun”The Anti-Nephi-Lehies made a promise with God that they wouldn’t fight again. They buried their weapons in the ground (see Alma 23:7, 24:17). Take a small piece of paper and write down something you want to stop doing, like fighting or complaining. Share what you wrote, and promise to do your best to stop doing that thing. Then rip the paper into tiny pieces and bury it in the ground.
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.
News with Naylors Lesson ideas about contention in the home and finding peace. On the swords write somethings that may be causing contention such as yelling, arguing, not sharing, etc.
Because Heavenly Father is merciful, we can repent and change.
To help your children see how Jesus Christ can help us change when we repent, you could teach them about the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. To do this, you might label two bowls “before” and “after.” Then your children could read Alma 17:14–15 and 27:27–30, write down what the Lamanites were like before and after repenting, and put them in the correct bowl. According to Alma 24:7–10, what helped them change? How can we show our thanks to God for His mercy? (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 23-29”)
Perhaps you and your children would enjoy drawing pictures of things in the gospel of Jesus Christ that bring you joy. Share your picture with your children, and encourage them to share their picture with someone to help that person feel joy too. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 23-29”
Friend July 2024 “Sharing the Friend“ A girl gave her Friend magazine to another girl that looked sad. She wanted the girl to feel the happiness she feels when she learns about Jesus.
Friend July 2021 “Winfred’s New Recipe” Winfred is sad because she misses her father who has to work far away, and she misses her friends because of Covid. She figures out a recipe for happiness which includes prayer, reading scriptures, having faith, being grateful, and serving others.
Help your children find the words joy and rejoice in Alma 26 and 29. What brought Ammon and Alma joy or caused them to rejoice? This question could lead to a discussion about the joy that comes from living or sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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.
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.
While the scene is being acted out, other family members guess what the service is.
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?
The gospel brings me joy, and I can share this joy with others.
Invite two children to face each other and see who can make the other child smile first. What are some ways we can spread joy to others? How does sharing the gospel spread joy? Help the children think of ways they can share the joy of the gospel with their friends and families.
How would your family answer Ammon’s questions in Alma 26:2? Perhaps you could make a list of their answers on a large piece of paper and hang it in a place where everyone can see it. Encourage family members to add to it as they think of other blessings God has “bestowed upon us.” (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 23-29”)
Because of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies’ promise not to fight anymore, 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. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 23-29”)
Your children could read Alma 27:22–23, looking for what the Nephites did to help the Anti-Nephi-Lehies keep their promise to never fight again. How can we help our friends keep their promises? Your children could role-play situations. For example, what can we say to a friend who wants to lie or be mean? (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 23-29”)
Come Follow Me Kid Some additional situations could be: A friend wants you to go somewhere your parents told you not to go to. A friend tells another kid they can’t play with them because they think they’re weird. A friend has a bag of candy and is rudely telling other kids that he/she is not going to share. A friend wants you to try a cigarette with them. A friend starts making fun of another kid and tries to get you to join. A friend tells you to lie to your parents about something that happened.
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
Additional Resources
Teaching the Scripture Readers: Book of Mormon “The People of Ammon”
