Alma CHAPTER 36 Alma testifies to Helaman of his conversion after seeing an angel—He suffered the pains of a damned soul; he called upon the name of Jesus, and was then born of God—Sweet joy filled his soul—He saw concourses of angels praising God—Many converts have tasted and seen as he has tasted and seen. About 74 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 37 The plates of brass and other scriptures are preserved to bring souls to salvation—The Jaredites were destroyed because of their wickedness—Their secret oaths and covenants must be kept from the people—Counsel with the Lord in all your doings—As the Liahona guided the Nephites, so the word of Christ leads men to eternal life. About 74 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 38 Shiblon was persecuted for righteousness’ sake—Salvation is in Christ, who is the life and the light of the world—Bridle all your passions. About 74 B.C.
Book of Mormon Stories “Alma Counsels His Sons” Video and Images
Lesson 23: Alma Counsels His Sons Helaman and Shiblon
Alma Testifies to His Son Helaman
Alma 36
Repentance brings me joy in Jesus Christ.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 36-38”
To help your children understand that repentance brings joy, you could give them a piece of paper with a happy face on one side and a sad face on the other. Ask them to listen while you read or summarize Alma 36:13, 17–20 and hold up one of the faces to show how Alma was feeling. Older children could write down words or phrases describing how he felt. What made Alma sad, and what brought him joy? Then you could tell them about the joy you feel when you repent.
(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”)
Review with the children the story of the conversion of Alma the Younger in Alma 36:6–21. Write on slips of paper words and phrases from these verses that describe how Alma felt, and put them on the board. Ask the children to sort the slips of paper into two groups: things Alma felt before he remembered what his father taught about the Savior and things he felt after he remembered. Testify to the children that Jesus Christ forgives us when we repent. (Cut out the following into eight quotes. Put the sad and happy face on the board and have the children put the slips of paper under the correct emotion. )
Invite them to name some things that bring them joy. Show a picture of the Savior, and explain that Alma felt joy because Jesus Christ forgave his sins. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”)
I can be “born of God” when I follow Jesus and repent of my sins.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”
“Conversion … is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth” (“Conversion,” Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
- Write Born of God and the following scripture references on the board: 1 John 4:7; Mosiah 5:7; 27:25–26; Alma 5:14; 22:15. Help the children read the verses and look for phrases that describe what it means to be born of God. How does a person act after being born of God? How can we show that we have been born of God?
Alma 37
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 36-38” Your children might enjoy finding small items that make big things happen. Items like a battery, car key, or even a toy that comforts them might be examples. You could then read Alma 37:6–7 together and think of some small or simple things that God wants us to do. What big things can happen when we obey these small or simple commandments?
Images from Clipart Library
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38” Show a picture or two of small things that accumulate into big things, such as a blade of grass and a field, or a raindrop and a lake. Testify that even small, simple actions can make a big difference in our lives and in the lives of others. Encourage the children to talk about some simple, good things they do every day, or share your own examples. Invite the children to pick one simple, good thing they can do this week and to draw a picture of themselves doing it. Invite them to take their drawings home and share them with their families.
Small Things Make a Difference from The Friend
Friend July 2020 “My Family Night Fun”
Friend August 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities”
With Heavenly Father’s help, small things can make a big difference (see Alma 37:6–7). Help make your favorite recipe. What would happen to the recipe if you took out one of the ingredients? Talk about how small things can make a difference and how you can make a difference too.
For younger children: Look for small things that are helpful, like a small seed that turns into a plant or a light switch that turns on light. Talk about how small things can make a big difference, just like you!
- Your children could also try something like this: start filling a cup with water, one drop at a time. How does this relate to Alma 37:6–7? Then you could talk about how the Lord’s “small and simple things,” such as reading the scriptures daily, are like drops of water in a cup.
- Help your children think of ways that they bring about great things at home, school, or church. The song “‘Give,’ Said the Little Stream” (Children’s Songbook, 236) also illustrates this principle.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”
Read Alma 37:6–7, and invite the children to crouch down every time you read the word “small.” Show them a few small things that can make big things happen or move big things, such as a battery or a car key. What big things happen or move because of these small things? Help the children think of some small or simple things God wants us to do. What big things can happen because of these small or simple commandments? Invite the children to pick one simple, good thing they can do this week and to draw a picture of themselves doing it.
Friend July 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Alma 37:6 together. Crouch down when you hear the word “small” and jump up and spread your arms wide when you hear the word “great.” You could use the scripture verse or repeat the phrase, “Small things can make a great difference!” Talk about how small things like reading the scriptures or praying can make a great difference.
Friend July 2020 “Small and Simple” Boy does small, kind acts to help others which help him grow too.
The scriptures can help me every day.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38” Show or display a picture of the Liahona (such as Gospel Art Book, no. 68), and ask the children to review what they remember about the Liahona from 1 Nephi 16:10, 28. Help the children read Alma 37:38–42. How did the Liahona work? How is this similar to the way the scriptures work? Read together verses 43–47 to help answer this question. Invite the children to complete the activity page as part of this activity.
Friend August 2024 “The Scriptures Can Help Me Every Day”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”
- Draw or display a bucket. How many drops of water would it take to fill the bucket? Help the children recognize that many small drops will be needed to fill the bucket. How does this relate to Alma 37:6–7? How is reading the scriptures like adding little drops of water to a bucket?
Sit in a circle and take turns putting drops into a bucket as we review people we’ve studied in the scriptures, what we’ve learned from the scriptures, blessings we get in our lives from studying and applying the scriptures, etc. Remind them that as we learn small things each day, it might not always seem like lots, but over time, it becomes bigger and will bring many blessings to our lives.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 36-38”
Invite the children to look in Alma 37:6–9 for blessings that come from the “records,” or scriptures. As a class, make a list of what they find. How has reading the scriptures blessed our lives? Share your testimony of the scriptures, and encourage the children to do the same. Or, as you read Alma 37:6–9 have the children listen for blessings that come from the “records,” or scriptures.
Help the children you teach see that reading the scriptures for even a short time each day can bring them great blessings.
Sing together a song about scripture study, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” or “As I Search the Holy Scriptures” (Children’s Songbook, 109; Hymns, no. 277). What blessings of scripture study are mentioned in the song?
Ensign July 2020 “Family Study Fun” Liahona Treasure Hunt: Read Alma 37:38–40 together, which describes the Liahona. When Lehi’s family was faithful, the Lord used this compass to guide them.
- Draw a circle with an arrow in it. Ask someone to hold this pretend Liahona.
- Pick a small object to use as treasure. Have someone leave the room while the rest hide the treasure. Then ask the person to come back in the room and try to find it.
- If that person shares one way they can keep the commandments this week (or way they are going to be better at hearing Christ’s teachings each day (listening better during scripture study, remembering what was learned from the scriptures, applying it to their lives, etc.), the person with the Liahona can point them toward the treasure.
- Each person takes a turn searching and holding the Liahona.
Discussion: How does God try to lead and guide us in our lives? When have you felt that God was guiding you? For additional insights, read and discuss Alma 37:41–47.
Alma Commends His Son Shiblon
Alma 38
Additional Resources
Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 23: Alma Counsels His Sons Helaman and Shiblon” Lesson ideas
Come Follow Me Kid Lesson ideas
Friend June 2017 “Being Like Shiblon”
The Cozy Red Cottage Lesson ideas
