Mosiah 25-28

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Mosiah CHAPTER 25 The descendants of Mulek at Zarahemla become Nephites—They learn of the people of Alma and of Zeniff—Alma baptizes Limhi and all his people—Mosiah authorizes Alma to organize the Church of God. About 120 B.C.

Mosiah CHAPTER 26 Many members of the Church are led into sin by unbelievers—Alma is promised eternal life—Those who repent and are baptized gain forgiveness—Church members in sin who repent and confess to Alma and to the Lord will be forgiven; otherwise, they will not be numbered among the people of the Church. About 120–100 B.C.

Mosiah CHAPTER 27 Mosiah forbids persecution and enjoins equality—Alma the younger and the four sons of Mosiah seek to destroy the Church—An angel appears and commands them to cease their evil course—Alma is struck dumb—All mankind must be born again to gain salvation—Alma and the sons of Mosiah declare glad tidings. About 100–92 B.C.

Mosiah CHAPTER 28 The sons of Mosiah go to preach to the Lamanites—Using the two seer stones, Mosiah translates the Jaredite plates. About 92 B.C.

Friend June 2023

King Mosiah reads the records of the people of Zeniff and Alma

Mosiah 25

Recording Spiritual Experiences

Mosiah 25:5–11

How did Mosiah’s people feel after he read to them the records of Zeniff’s people and Alma’s people? Has your family kept any records you could read from? Maybe you could add to your records or start keeping your own. What would you include that might help your family (including future generations) be “filled with exceedingly great joy” and learn about “the immediate goodness of God”? (Mosiah 25:8, 10). (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 25-28”)

Mosiah 25:16

Why was it important for Limhi’s people to remember that the Lord had delivered them out of captivity? What has the Lord done for us that we should remember?

Friend June 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities” Goodness of God Coloring

King Mosiah read his people stories about how God had blessed Alma’s people. When they heard the stories, they thought about the “immediate goodness of God” (Mosiah 25:10). Ask your parents and grandparents about how God has been good to your family. Draw pictures of favorite stories you hear.

For younger children: Do the coloring page on page 48. While you color, talk about ways we can feel Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s love.

Alma seeks direction concerning the unrepentant

Mosiah 26

God freely forgives those who repent.

Mosiah 26:22–23, 29–30

Ask the children to pretend they are talking to someone who doesn’t think God will ever forgive him or her. Invite them to review God’s words to Alma the Elder in Mosiah 26:22–23, 29–30. What do they find that would help that person? (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 25-28”)

The Lord wants me to forgive.

Mosiah 26:30–31

To help your children discover what the Lord taught Alma about forgiveness, you could invite them to read Mosiah 26:29–31 and count how many times the word “forgive” appears. What do these verses teach about forgiving others? (See also “Help Me, Dear Father,” Children’s Songbook, 99.) (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 25-28”)

To emphasize the Savior’s example of forgiveness, you could show a picture of Him on the cross and read together Luke 23:33–34. What did Jesus ask Heavenly Father to do for the people who put Him on the cross? After this discussion, your children could role-play forgiving each other. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 25-28”)

Sometimes it is difficult to forgive ourselves when we make mistakes. How can God’s words to Alma help? Your children could pretend they are talking to someone who doesn’t think God will ever forgive them. Invite your children to [review God’s words to Alma the Elder in]in Mosiah 26:22–23, 29–30 that might help that person. (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 25-28”)

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 25-28” The Lord taught Alma that He freely forgives those who repent. We should follow His example by forgiving those who sin against us.

  • Read to the children this phrase from Mosiah 26:31: “Ye shall also forgive one another.” Let the children practice saying “I forgive you” a few times, and find out if they know what it means to forgive. Share an experience from your life when you forgave someone or someone forgave you.

Friend April 2019 “A New Block Tower” Mason accidentally knocks down Bo’s block tower. Mason says sorry and offers to help build another one. Bo forgives him, and they both are happy.

Help the children role-play forgiving one another. Ask one child to pretend that he or she has done something to hurt or offend another child. What can the other child say or do to show forgiveness? Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 25-28”

Invite the children to draw a sad face on one side of a paper and a happy face on the other side. Ask them to hold up the sad face while they tell about an experience when a sibling or friend made them upset. Ask them to hold up the happy face while they tell how they have forgiven or will forgive that person. Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 25-28”

To be forgiven, I must forgive.

How does forgiveness help both the person who has done something wrong and the person who forgives? (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 25-28”)

“Pockets Full of Rocks” (February 2014 Friend)
A humorous poem about a man who carries rocks around to remind him of all things people have done to him.

Ask a child to draw a bridge on the board, and share this statement quoted by President Thomas S. Monson: “He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven, for everyone has need of forgiveness” (George Herbert, quoted in “Hidden Wedges,” Ensign, May 2002, 19). Erase part of the bridge, and ask the children to help you rebuild it, piece by piece, as they share ways they can extend forgiveness to others. Invite them to think of someone they need to forgive. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 25-28”)

The Red Crystal

Alma the Younger repents

Mosiah 27

Friend July 2020 “Alma the Younger Repents”

Jesus Christ helps me become more like Him.

Mosiah 27:8–37

The conversion of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah demonstrates that because of Jesus Christ and His gospel, anyone can change and become more like Jesus.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 25-28”

You or your children could use the paintings in this outline, this week’s activity page, and a few key scriptures from Mosiah 27:8–37 to tell the story (see also “Chapter 18: Alma the Younger Repents,” in Book of Mormon Stories, 49–52). Give special emphasis to verse 24, to teach that Alma repented and Jesus Christ helped him change. Let your children act out the story if they’d like.

Teaching Children the Gospel “Lesson 14: Alma the Younger Repents”

Invite the children to make a list of words from Mosiah 27:8–10 that describe what Alma and the sons of Mosiah were like before their conversion. Then ask them to make another list from Mosiah 27:32–37 that describe what they were like afterward. According to verses 24–29, what caused this great change in Alma?(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 25-28”)

How might our spiritual progression be compared to a caterpillar becoming a butterfly?

More Repentance Ideas (lesson, activity, story, and song ideas)

I can pray and fast for God to bless the people I love.

Mosiah 27:8–24

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 25-28”

Read together Mosiah 27:8–24, and ask your children to identify what Alma and his people did to help Alma the Younger. Have you ever fasted and prayed for someone? Share your experience with your children, and let them share theirs.

  • “Fasting for Shem” (July 2013 Friend)
    When Tim is worried about his friend Shem in the hospital, he decides to pray and fast for him.

Do you or your children know someone who needs God’s help? Following Alma’s example, maybe you could pray together for that person and, if your children are able, fast for them too.

Friend July 2020 ” Alma Repented and Followed Jesus” Coloring Page

More Fasting Ideas (stories, lesson ideas, & activities)

The sons of Mosiah desire to teach the Lamanites

Mosiah 28

I can share the gospel.

Mosiah 28:1–8

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Mosiah 25-28” After their conversion, the sons of Mosiah were eager to share the gospel with everyone, including their enemies, the Lamanites.

  • Use Mosiah 28:1–8 to tell the children about the sons of Mosiah deciding to preach the gospel to the Lamanites. For help, see “Chapter 19: The Sons of Mosiah Become Missionaries” (Book of Mormon Stories, 53, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Why did they want to share the gospel? (see verse 3).
  • Help each child think of someone who needs to know more about the gospel. Help the children plan what they will say to the people they thought of.
  • Sing together a song about sharing the gospel, such as “I Want to Be a Missionary Now” (Children’s Songbook, 168). Point out phrases in the song that suggest how we can share the gospel with others.

See the Red Crystal for free printouts of the below visual aids.

Scripture Stories Coloring Book—Book of Mormon “Alma the Younger”

Additional Resources

Friend June 2024 “Who Were the Sons of Mosiah?”

Gospel Art Book “Conversion of Alma the Younger”

Book of Mormon Stories

The Red Crystal


Lesson 14 – Alma the Younger Repents

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Lesson 14
Alma the Younger Repents

Preparation

  •  Items needed: two containers of playdough, a display board, tape, a small container of water, two small Ziplock baggies, three envelopes, several small rocks (wash the rocks carefully so no grit or dirt is left on them).
  • Print and cut out the scripture story visual aids. Number the back of each story card to help keep them in the correct order.
  • Print and cut out the paper doll pattern, the steps of repentance, and the repentance story cards. Put each set of four story cards into an envelope.
  • Roll out the playdough until each is 1/4 inch thick. Put the cut out paper doll pattern on top of the play dough, and with a knife, cut out a figure from each rolled out piece of playdough. Put each playdough figure into a Ziploc bag to prevent it from drying out.

 

Attention Activity
Show the children one of the playdough figures. Point out how smooth and clean it looks. Show the children the small rocks and explain that each rock represents a sin.

Push the rocks one at a time into the figure as you tell of a sin the rock might represent such as lying, stealing, swearing, etc. Point out how the figure looks and explain that sin corrupts and pollutes our spirits so that we become distorted and unclean.

Show the other playdough figure. Explain that those who are close to us may also be affected by our sins and follow our example. (Push rocks into the other figure.) When we realize the damage we are doing to ourselves and others we may feel shame, regret, and sorrow.

Tell the children that in today’s lesson they will learn about the regret and misery that can come because of sin, and they will learn of the great joy that can come through repentance.

Scripture Story
Teach the following story using the scripture story visual aids.

Remind the children of last week’s lesson about the people of Limhi and the people of Alma escaping the bondage of the Lamanites and coming to Zarahemla. Tell the children that after Alma and his people arrived in Zarahemla, King Mosiah authorized Alma to lead and organize the church in the land of Zarahemla. The church had grown so large that it needed to be divided up into several congregations. Alma set up these congregations and ordained leaders for each of them.

Not all of the people in Zarahemla believed in the gospel. Some of these nonbelievers persecuted the believing church members. King Mosiah was made aware of the problem, and he made a law that there should be no persecutions among the people.

  • Why might a nonbeliever persecute church members? The reasons can be varied. One of the reasons may be that they feel offended or less valued because they live their life contrary to the morals and values that the church teaches. To help alleviate this problem a strict command was made throughout all the churches that there should be equality among men, and that there should be no pride or haughtiness.
  • How can we make sure that people who are not members of our church know they are valued regardless of differences in lifestyle? Answers might include: love them, emphasize the things we have in common, appreciate the good in them, invite and include them in our activities, etc.

The laws and commands helped establish peace in the land, but the sons of King Mosiah and one of the sons of Alma were among the unbelievers, and they caused many problems for the church.

  • Why might Alma and the sons of Mosiah, who had been brought up in the church, be among the unbelievers?  One reason may be that they chose to pursue other interests instead of taking the time to examine, understand, and do the things necessary to gain a testimony of the teachings of the gospel. Another reason may be that they chose to pursue sinful interests in preference to turning their lives and hearts toward God. Such was the case of Alma’s son, who was also named Alma after his father. Alma the younger chose a wicked and idolatrous lifestyle.

Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah secretly went among the people trying to lead the people astray and destroy the church. Alma the younger was very good at speaking, and he influenced and persuaded many to commit the same sins he was committing.  (Remind the children of the lesson about King Noah and his desire to get people to commit the same sins he was committing.)

Because Alma the younger was the son of the religious leader, and the sons of Mosiah were the sons of the king, their example and influence caused a lot of people to fall away from the church.

One day as Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah were going about trying to destroy the church, an angel of the Lord appeared to them. The angel descended in a cloud. His voice was like thunder, and it caused the earth to shake. So great was their astonishment and fear that Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah fell to the earth. The angel asked Alma the younger why he persecuted the church of God.

  • The Lord usually does not send angels to the wicked. Why did God send an angel to speak to Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah? (See Mosiah 27:14) Because of the prayers of the people of God, and because of the prayers of Alma’s father’s who prayed with faith that his son might be brought to a knowledge of the truth.

When Alma the younger saw the angel, he was struck with fear and amazement. The fear and astonishment of Alma was so great that he could not speak, and he became weak and could not move. The sons of Mosiah carried Alma to his father. They told his father what had happened to them. Alma’s father rejoiced.

  •  Why did Alma’s father rejoice when he saw his son in such a weak and helpless state? Alma’s father had been concerned about the spiritual welfare of his son. He rejoiced because he knew that the power of God was at work.

Alma the elder called a multitude together so they could witness what the Lord had done. He also called the priests, and they began to fast and pray for Alma the younger.

After they had fasted and prayed for two days and two nights, Alma the younger’s limbs regained strength. He stood up and began to speak to them. He said, “I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord.”

Alma’s repentance wasn’t easy. He had to go through the same steps of repentance we do in order to repent and be forgiven of our sins. When Alma saw the angel, he was afraid. He thought he would be destroyed because of his wickedness. For three days and three nights he could not move or speak. He was racked with torment for the memory of his many sins. He suffered greatly. Alma experienced the first step of repentance.

  •  What is the first step of repentance? Step One – Recognize that a wrong has been committed and feel sorrowful remorse. (Put this sign on the display board.)

As Alma was suffering, he remembered his father’s prophesies about the coming of Jesus Christ, the son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. His mind caught hold upon this thought, and he cried in his heart, “O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me.” After having this thought he was no longer tortured by the memory of his sins, and his soul was filled with great joy and light. He had begun the second step of repentance.

  • What is the second step of repentance? Step Two – Confess the sin and ask for forgiveness from God and from those we have hurt. (Put this sign on the display board.) Alma confessed his sinful state to God and asked for forgiveness. He now needed to confess his sins to the people he had affected and influenced.

Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah began from that time forward to travel throughout all the land confessing their sins. They also told the people about the angel’s appearance to them and the things which they had heard and seen, and they preached the word of God. Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah attempted to repair the damage they had done to the church. It wasn’t easy because they were persecuted by many of the unbelievers, but they did their best to carry out the third step of repentance

  • What is the third step of repentance? Step Three – Do our best to make up for the wrong. (Put this sign on the display board.)
  • What is the fourth step of repentance? Step Four – Forsake the sin. Do not commit the sin again. (Put this sign on the display board) True repentance includes a desire to change one’s life and actions.

Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah changed their lives. They served in the church and taught others the gospel. Alma the younger eventually became the leader of the church after his father died. The sons of Mosiah served a mission to the Lamanites to teach them the gospel. Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah wanted to help bring others to a knowledge of God. They did not want anyone to suffer because of sin. They wanted others to feel the joy they had experienced through repentance.

Object Lesson

Show the children the two playdough figures again. Explain to the children that if we will follow the steps of repentance, we can be healed and become clean of sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ. (Remove the rocks and press together the damaged areas. Smooth out the creases with water on your finger tips.)

Activity
Tell the children they are going to do an activity to help them remember the steps of repentance. Put one set of the repentance story cards face down on the table. Have a volunteer pick up one of cards, read it out loud, and then put it on the display board next to the step of repentance it goes with. Have the children each take a turn doing this. If one of the children thinks their card should go somewhere that someone else has placed a card, they can put their card in that spot, but they have to put the other card where they think it goes. After all the cards have been placed, read the story out loud to the class. If all the cards are in the right place, it will tell the story in order. Do another set after completing a story.

Conclusion
Heavenly Father loves us. He wants us to be happy. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to make it possible for us to repent. Through his Atonement, Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins so that we can repent, be forgiven, and gain eternal life. It isn’t always easy to fix our mistakes, but the wonderful results and benefits are always worth the effort.

Weekly Reading Assignment

Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week – Mosiah 27:1-37 and Alma 36:6-21