Tag Archives: Helaman

Jul 23 2023

Alma 36-38

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Table of Contents

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.

Friend August 2024

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.

Alma 36:6–24

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. )

The Red Crystal

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.”

Alma 37:6–7

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.

Alma 37:38–47

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?

The Red Crystal

Come Follow Me Kid

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.

  1. Draw a circle with an arrow in it. Ask someone to hold this pretend Liahona.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

The Red Crystal

Aug 10 2020

Alma 53-63

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Table of Contents

Alma CHAPTER 53 The Lamanite prisoners are used to fortify the city Bountiful—Dissensions among the Nephites give rise to Lamanite victories—Helaman takes command of the two thousand stripling sons of the people of Ammon. About 64–63 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 54 Ammoron and Moroni negotiate for the exchange of prisoners—Moroni demands that the Lamanites withdraw and cease their murderous attacks—Ammoron demands that the Nephites lay down their arms and become subject to the Lamanites. About 63 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 55 Moroni refuses to exchange prisoners—The Lamanite guards are enticed to become drunk, and the Nephite prisoners are freed—The city of Gid is taken without bloodshed. About 63–62 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 56 Helaman sends an epistle to Moroni, recounting the state of the war with the Lamanites—Antipus and Helaman gain a great victory over the Lamanites—Helaman’s two thousand stripling sons fight with miraculous power, and none of them are slain. Verse 1, about 62 B.C.; verses 2–19, about 66 B.C.; and verses 20–57, about 65–64 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 57 Helaman recounts the taking of Antiparah and the surrender and later the defense of Cumeni—His Ammonite striplings fight valiantly; all are wounded, but none are slain—Gid reports the slaying and the escape of the Lamanite prisoners. About 63 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 58 Helaman, Gid, and Teomner take the city of Manti by a stratagem—The Lamanites withdraw—The sons of the people of Ammon are preserved as they stand fast in defense of their liberty and faith. About 63–62 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 59 Moroni asks Pahoran to strengthen the forces of Helaman—The Lamanites take the city of Nephihah—Moroni is angry with the government. About 62 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 60 Moroni complains to Pahoran of the government’s neglect of the armies—The Lord suffers the righteous to be slain—The Nephites must use all of their power and means to deliver themselves from their enemies—Moroni threatens to fight against the government unless help is supplied to his armies. About 62 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 61 Pahoran tells Moroni of the insurrection and rebellion against the government—The king-men take Zarahemla and are in league with the Lamanites—Pahoran asks for military aid against the rebels. About 62 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 62 Moroni marches to the aid of Pahoran in the land of Gideon—The king-men who refuse to defend their country are put to death—Pahoran and Moroni retake Nephihah—Many Lamanites join the people of Ammon—Teancum slays Ammoron and is in turn slain—The Lamanites are driven from the land, and peace is established—Helaman returns to the ministry and builds up the Church. About 62–57 B.C.

Alma CHAPTER 63 Shiblon and later Helaman take possession of the sacred records—Many Nephites travel to the land northward—Hagoth builds ships, which sail forth in the west sea—Moronihah defeats the Lamanites in battle. About 56–52 B.C.

Alma 53

Helaman and the 2000 Stripling Warriors

I can be faithful to God like Helaman’s young soldiers.

Alma 53:20–21; 56:47–48

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 53-63”

Book of Mormon Stories “Chapter 34: Helaman and the 2,000 Young Warriors” Video and Images

Friend August 2024 “The Stripling Warriors”

Book of Mormon Stories for Young Readers “The Stripling Warriors” Video and Images (scroll down to read the captions.)

The Book of Mormon tells about some young men who had to go to battle to protect their people and their families. They are called the stripling warriors. The word “stripling” means “young.”
Friend August 2020

This week’s activity page can help your children think of ways they can be like the army of Helaman. Consider sharing some of the qualities of the young soldiers from Alma 53:20–21 to get them started.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 53-63” Read Alma 53:20–21, and help the children understand what words like valiant, courage, strength, and true mean. Describe how the stripling warriors showed these qualities. Make simple name tags for the children that read, “When I am , I am like a stripling warrior!” Help the children fill in the blank with a quality they choose from Alma 53:20–21.

Teaching Children the Gospel “Lesson 27: Helaman and the Stripling Warriors” Activity: Divide the children into four groups and explain that each group is going to look up a scripture that tells about one of the righteous characteristics the young Ammonites developed in their youth. Give each group their characteristic card and their scripture and discussion ideas card. Tell them to read their discussion card and scripture and be prepared to tell what their characteristic is, tell about or describe their characteristic, and read the related parts of their scripture to the class. Have them tape their characteristic on the board. (Be prepared to add in any additional needed discussion to what the children present.)

Game: After a group presents their characteristic, do the following game: Have a child stand and tell how they can demonstrate that characteristic as they go about their day to day life. For example “I can courageously stand up for the right by sticking up for a child that is being picked on.” Have the next child stand and say the same thing plus add their own. Continue doing this until all the children have had a turn. (Start with a different child each time a new characteristic is presented.)

You could also sing together “We’ll Bring the World His Truth” (Children’s Songbook, 172–73).

The Red Crystal

I can be faithful to what my parents teach in righteousness.

Alma 56:45–48; 57:21

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 53-63”

  • Invite a girl and a boy to represent the mothers and fathers of the stripling warriors. As you read Alma 56:27 and 47–48, give these children items to hold that represent how the mothers and fathers helped the warriors, such as a sack of food to represent the “provisions” the fathers sent and scriptures to represent the mothers’ teachings. Ask the children to share things their parents provide for them or teach them.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 53-63”

  • Helaman’s young soldiers looked to their mothers’ faith when they were faced with a great challenge. Perhaps you could read Alma 56:46–48 with your children and invite them to listen for what the mothers of these young men taught them about faith. You might ask them what they’ve learned from their parents—or other faithful adults—about the Savior.

Why is it important to obey “with exactness”? (Alma 57:21).

Ensign August 2020 “Family Study Fun” Read Alma 57:19–27 together and talk about how the stripling warriors were protected when they obeyed “with exactness” (verse 21).

  1. Blindfold one family member and have them stand against a wall.
  2. Place an object anywhere along the opposite wall and have the blindfolded person try to find the object in one minute without any help.
  3. After the time is up, have the person try again, except this time give them instructions to follow “with exactness.”

Discussion: How do God’s “instructions” help us stay safe and reach our goals?

How can you—like the mothers of the stripling soldiers—make sure your children know of your faith in God? One way is to share how your faith affects your life. For example, how has He “delivered” you when you “did not doubt”?

Coloring Page: “We Do Not Doubt” (March 2010 Liahona and Friend)

Friend August 2020 “Cover”

I can keep my covenants with Heavenly Father.

Alma 53:10–18

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 53-63”

  • Your children might be able to talk about a time when someone made and kept a promise with them. How did they feel when the promise was kept? You could read Alma 53:10–18 and invite your children to look for how Helaman, the people of Ammon, and the sons of the people of Ammon made and kept their promises, or covenants. You might share how Heavenly Father blesses you as you keep your covenants.

Gospel Media “The Anti-Nephi-Lehies Burying Their Swords”

Book of Mormon Seminary Teacher Manual (2024) “Alma 53”

Draw a path like the one in the above image to symbolize your life and the covenants we need to make to return to Heavenly Father. Draw pictures or write the covenants that each picture represents. Make a mark (or draw a figure representing yourself) showing where you currently are on the covenant path.

Take a moment to remember the covenants you have already made with Them and the ways you are striving to keep those covenants.

“Now, to each member of the Church I say, keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere. (Russell M. Nelson, “As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign, Apr. 2018, 7)

Alma 54-55

Moroni reclaims the Captured Prisoners

For the Strength of Youth August 2024 “Fun Stop” Rescue the Prisoner: Can you rescue the prisoner from the Lamanite stronghold? Without passing by any guards, find your way to the prisoner, and then leave by a different path than you came. (For a real-life story about rescuing prisoners, see Alma 55.) (See answer at link)

Alma 56-57

Helaman’s 2000 Young Warriors Trust God and are Preserved in Battle

Lesson 27: Helaman and the Stripling Warriors Lesson

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 53-63”

  • When compared with the Lamanite armies, Helaman’s “little army” (Alma 56:33) of 2,000 young Nephites shouldn’t have stood a chance. Besides being few in number, Helaman’s soldiers “were all … very young,” and “they never had fought” (Alma 56:46–47). In some ways, their situation might seem familiar to those of us who sometimes feel outnumbered and overwhelmed in our latter-day battle against Satan and the forces of evil in the world.
  • But the army of Helaman had some advantages over the Lamanites that had nothing to do with numbers or military skill. They chose Helaman, a prophet, to lead them (Alma 53:19); “they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them” (Alma 56:47); and they had “exceeding faith in that which they had been taught.” As a result, they were protected by “the miraculous power of God” (Alma 57:26). Even though they were all wounded in battle, “there was not one soul of them who did perish” (Alma 57:25). So when life inflicts spiritual wounds on each of us, we can take courage—the message of Helaman’s army is that “there [is] a just God, and whosoever [does] not doubt, [will] be preserved by his marvelous power” (Alma 57:26).

Ensign August 2020

Friend August 2020 “The Stripling Warriors Were Brave” Coloring page

Primary 4 Book of Mormon “Lesson 27: Helaman and the Two Thousand Warriors”

Let children volunteer to complete the following statements:

I can be like the young warriors by how I ______________.

I can be like the young warriors by remembering that my parents taught me to____________ .

I most admire_____________about the young warriors.

My favorite part of the account of the two thousand young warriors is______________

Alma 58

When I am worried, I can trust God.

Alma 58:32–41

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 53-63”

  • Draw a frowning face on the board, and talk about how Helaman was worried because his army didn’t have enough food or enough men to keep fighting (see Alma 58:32–41). Ask the children to share times when they were worried. Read Alma 58:37 (or help a child read it), and help the children change the face on the board to a smiling face to show how Helaman felt because he trusted God. What can we do when we feel worried? Sing together “Smiles” (Children’s Songbook, 267).
  • Write on some slips of paper a few things that children might worry about. Let the children take turns choosing a paper for you to read, and invite the children to share how God could help them with each of these worries. Share an experience in which God helped you when you were worried.

The Red Crystal

Alma 59-62

Moroni and Pahoran

I can choose to not be angry.

Alma 61:3–14

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 53-63”

  • Consider inviting your children to think about a time when they were accused of doing something they didn’t do. Tell them about how this happened to Pahoran (see Alma 60–61; see also “Chapter 35: Captain Moroni and Pahoran,” Book of Mormon Stories, 95–97). To learn about how Pahoran reacted, take turns reading verses from Alma 61:3–14. What did Pahoran do when Moroni accused him? (see Alma 61:2–3, 8–9). What do we learn about forgiveness from the Savior’s example? (see Luke 23:34).

Book of Mormon Stories “Chapter 35: Captain Moroni and Pahoran” Video and Images

  • Both Helaman and Pahoran had good reasons to be offended. Helaman was not receiving sufficient support for his armies, and Pahoran was falsely accused by Moroni of withholding that support. Instead of getting angry, Pahoran said, “I … rejoice in the greatness of your heart” (Alma 61:9).

I can choose to think the best of others and not be offended.

For the Strength of Youth March 2023 “When You’re Judged Unfairly”

  • “The Right Reply.” Emily wants to write a mean reply when her friend sends her a mean email, but then she thinks of what Jesus would do and responds kindly. (From the Friend.)
  • “Bugs and Brothers.” In this Friend story, Lacey learns that she doesn’t have to be angry at her brother Zach for teasing her.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation.”

Alma 62

Teancum

Alma 62:33-37

After the War

Hardened or Softened by Adversity

Alma 62:39–41

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 53-63”Here’s an object lesson that can help your family understand that we can choose to be either “hardened” or “softened” by our trials: Place a raw potato and a raw egg in a pot of boiling water. The potato and the egg represent us, and the water represents the trials we face. As the potato and egg boil, you could talk about some of the trials your family faces. What are some different ways to react to trials like these? According to Alma 62:41, how do our reactions to trials affect us? After the potato and egg are fully cooked, cut open the potato and crack open the egg to show that the same “trial” softened the potato and hardened the egg. What can our family do to be sure that our trials humble us and bring us closer to God?

Additional Resources

Friend August 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities” Helaman and other leaders wrote epistles, or letters, to tell each other about the good and bad things happening in the battles (see Alma 56). You can write letters too! Write a letter to a family member or friend. Write down the good things happening in your life and the things that are hard for you. Then send your letter!

For younger children: Practice writing “I love you” or drawing a heart to give to someone you love. Talk about how prophets in the scriptures also wrote letters.

Media Library

Friend August 2020 “Stripling Warrior Challenge” The stripling warriors kept their bodies and spirits strong. Set this page on the floor. Close your eyes and drop a pebble or button onto the page. Then do the challenge for the box it lands closest to.

  • “Stripling-Warrior Search” (August 2019 Friend)
    Find eight letters hidden in this picture of the stripling warriors, and unscramble them to decode a hidden message.

Friend August 2000 “Stripling Warriors Game” Story Review Game

Friend Scripture Figures: “Stripling Warriors”

Media Library “Stripling Warriors”

Book of Mormon Coloring Book “The Stripling Warriors”

Friend May 1986

The Red Crystal

Latter Day Kids “The Valiant Fox- Come Follow Me: August 10th-16th” Video, lesson and activity ideas. Helping children to understand what valiant means.

Apr 18 2012

Lesson 27: Helaman and the Stripling Warriors

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Lesson 27
Helaman and the Stripling Warriors

 Preparation
• Items needed: tape, scriptures for each child, two containers, colored markers, several pieces of chalk and an eraser, scissors for each child (child scissors can usually be checked out at meetinghouse libraries).

• Print and cut out the health statements. Tape the “true” and “false” signs onto the containers, one on each.  Also print and cut out the characteristics activity items.
• Print and cut out the scripture story visual aids. (The footprints are not in the correct order. This is to allow you to use different colored paper for  each of the three groups. To help you identify the groups, there are letters next to each number on the footprints. S stands for stripling warrior, L stands for Lamanites, and N stands for Nephites. Also trace and cut out one blank footprint for each group from the color paper used.)
• Print the small footprints. One copy is needed per child, and they can be printed or copied onto different colored papers if desired.
• Print or obtain the pictures of the Two Thousand Young Warriors and The Anti-Nephi-Lehies Burying their Swords.
• Put the scripture story answer strips on the board using magnets or tape before class begins, or pre-stick them to a small portable display board using sticky tack. Post the big sign that says “Faith in God” on a wall.

Attention Activity
Put the true and false labeled containers on the table. Give each child a health statement, and have them take turns reading their statement. Tell the children to stand up if they hear a statement read that is not true. Ask the children to explain why it is not true. After a statement is read, have the child put their statement in the true or the false container.

Ask the children how they knew when something was false. (Because their mothers or someone had taught them what is correct.)

• What would happen if someone did the things that were on the false statements? (Their body could become unhealthy, sick, or injured). Does knowing the consequences of following the false health statements help you want to do what is correct? Did knowing what was right help you stand up and declare when something was false?

Tell the children that in today’s lesson they will learn about a group of young men who were taught what is right by their mothers; they were taught to have faith in God and to be obedient to God’s commandments. This knowledge helped them be valiant in doing and defending what is right.

Scripture Story
Remind the children of last week’s lesson concerning Amalickiah and his desire to rule over all the land. His wicked desires motivated him to start a war to attain his purposes. Explain that Amalickiah’s quest for power was brief because he was killed by the Nephite Teancum. But Amalickiah’s brother, Ammaron, was appointed to be king over the Lamanites in Amalickiah’s stead. Ammaron also desired power, and he continued the terrible war his brother had started.

There was much suffering and death that occurred because of the war. The Lamanites attacked and captured many Nephite cities. They accomplished this through cunning and through their numberless hosts. The cities they captured were all strongly fortified after the manner of the fortifications of Moroni; all of which afforded strongholds for the Lamanites.

Show a picture of the “Anti-Nephi-Lehies Burying Their Swords”, and ask the children if they remember who the people in the picture are and why they were burying their weapons. Remind the children that after the Anti-Nephi-Lehies (the people of Ammon) repented of their many sins, they made a covenant to never shed blood again. Because of their covenant they would not defend themselves against the Lamanites. In order to protect the people of Ammon, the Nephites gave them the land of Jershon to live in. (Put the land of Jershon picture on the top left of the board (or wall).

When the people of Ammon saw the danger, the afflictions, and the many tribulations the Nephites were enduring in the war against the Lamanites, they were moved to compassion and wished to take up arms in defense of their country. Helaman persuaded them not to break their oath because Helaman feared they would lose their souls if they broke their covenant.

The people of Ammon had many sons who had not entered into the covenant. These young sons gathered and covenanted to fight for the liberty of the people. (Put the picture of the stripling warriors at the top right of the board.) These young warriors chose a leader, and then they marched toward the southern borders in support of the people there.

Activity
Put footprint number one on the board, next to the land of Jershon, heading towards the bottom right of the board. Have a child read the question on the footprint and then find the matching answer. Have the children look up and read the scripture reference to make sure the answer is correct. If the answer is incorrect have the child exchange their answer for the correct one. Afterwards, add any additional discussion or comments that are listed under the question below. Continue in this manner with each footprint, going in numerical order.

1-S) Who did the young Ammonites choose as their leader? (Alma 53:19) The stripling warriors desired Helaman to be their leader.

• Who was Helaman? He was the oldest son of the prophet Alma the younger. He had been chosen to be the next spiritual leader of the people and the keeper of the records.

• Why would choosing and following a righteous leader make a difference in the young Ammonite’s effectiveness and safety in battle? A righteous leader would seek for, be worthy of, and follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost as he made decisions concerning their endeavors.

2-S) How many of these young Ammonite warriors were there at first? (Alma 53:22) There were two thousand of these young men called stripling warriors.

• What does “stripling” mean? The dictionary defines it as a boy in his teenage years who has not yet grown to his full size.

3-S) What did Helaman call the stripling warriors? (Alma 56:10) Sons

• Why did Helaman call the stripling warriors sons? They were young and worthy to be called sons, and Helaman loved each of these young men like a father loves his children.

4-S) What city did the sons of Helaman march to? (Alma 56:9) The city of Judea (Put the picture of the city of Judea on the board, along with footprint five leading to its entrance.)

5-S) How did the Nephites in Judea respond when they saw the stripling warriors? (Alma 56:10 & 16-17) (Joyfully)  The leader Antipus rejoiced to have reinforcements to strengthen his army. The Nephite soldiers were also joyful. They had lost many men and had suffered much in defense of their cities, and it gave them hope and joy to see the stripling warriors.

Now that the Nephites had reinforcements they wished to try and draw out the Lamanites from the Nephite cities they had taken. They did not desire to attack the Lamanites in their strongholds.

6-S) Who did Antipus send out of the city of Judea as bait to pretend to take provisions to a neighboring city? (Alma 56:30) Helaman and the stripling warriors

7-S) Which Lamanite conquered city did Helaman and his two thousand stripling warriors march past in order to try and draw the Lamanites out? (Alma 56:31) Antiparah (Put the city of Antiparah just below footprint number six.)

(Put the next footprint (8-L) coming out of the city of Antiparah.)

8-L) What did the Lamanites in Antiparah do when they saw Helaman and his young warriors? (Alma 56:35-36) The Lamanites came forth from Antiparah with their army and pursued after them. Helaman and his stripling warriors did flee before the Lamanites, and thus they did accomplish their goal of leading away a large Lamanite army from their stronghold.

(Put the next footprint coming out of the city of Judea. The footprints after that will be added to the end of the footprints of each group according to their label of L for Lamanites, N for Nephites, and S for the stripling warriors.)

9-N) What were Antipus and part of his army doing when the stripling warriors were marching past Antiparah? (Alma 56:33) They were marching forth from Judea to go attack the Lamanites that came out of Antiparah.

10-L) What did the Lamanites desire to do before the Nephite army overtook them? (Alma 56:37) Slay Helaman and his stripling warriors so they would not be surrounded when the Nephite army overtook them.

11-N) What did Antipus do when he saw the danger to the young stripling warriors? (Alma 56:38) Increased the speed of his army

12 -S) How many days did the Lamanites pursue Helaman and the stripling warriors? (Alma 56:42) Two days and two nights, and into the morning of the third day. (Put one blank footprint on each group to represent the pursuit, and then explain that on the morning of the third day the Lamanites halted their pursuit.

13-S) What did the stripling warriors want to do when they saw they were no longer being pursued? (Alma 56:43-46) They wanted to turn back, even though the situation could be a trap. They wanted to make sure Antipus and his army had not been overcome by the Lamanites.

(Put the next footprints turning back to head towards the Lamanite footprints).

14-S) Why were the stripling warriors not afraid to fight in the battle against the Lamanites? (Alma 56:47) (Love for family & faith in God) They had been taught by their mothers that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

15-S) What did the stripling warriors discover when they turned back? (Alma 56:49) They discovered a terrible battle had commenced between the Lamanites and the army of Antipus. (Put the visual aid that is labeled battle area between the end of the Lamanite and Nephite footprints.)

(Put the next footprint on top of the battle area.)

16-N) What would have happened to the army of Antipus if the stripling warriors had not turned back? (Alma 56:50) The army of Antipus was weary from their long, fast march and they were about to fall into the hands of the Lamanites. If Helaman and his stripling warriors had not returned, the army would have fallen.

(Put footprint sixteen on top of footprint fifteen.)

17-L) The Lamanites surrendered to the Nephites. What factors compelled them to surrender? (Alma 56:54 & 56) With the arrival of the two thousand stripling warriors into the battle, the Lamanites were surrounded, but the most compelling reason for their surrender was that they became afraid when they saw the mighty power and strength the two thousand warriors fought with.

(Put footprint eighteen on top of footprint seventeen, and tell the children that after the Lamanites surrendered, Helaman numbered his young men fearing that many had been slain.)

18-S) How many stripling warriors died in battle? (Alma 55-56) To his great joy he discovered that not one of them had been slain by the sword

After returning to the city of Judea and receiving reinforcements, the Nephites and stripling warriors waged other battles against the Lamanites, and they took back several cities. After one great battle, where they were outnumbered and many people were killed, Helaman was once again worried that that some of his young men might have been killed.

Activity

Have six children, in sets of two, quickly draw on the board some stick figures under the title of Nephites, Lamanites, and stripling warriors. Have a child erase some of the Nephites. Explain that a thousand Nephites were killed in the terrible battle. Have another child erase some the Lamanites. Explain that many Lamanites were also killed in the battle. (Activity Source: Teaching the Scripture Readers)

• How many of the stripling warriors were killed in the battle? Every one of the stripling warriors had several injuries, but Helaman was happy to find out that not one of them had perished. (Alma 57:25)

The stripling warrior’s preservation was astonishing to the Nephite army, and they attributed it to the stripling warrior’s great faith in the Lord that He would preserve them.

Activity
The stripling warriors gained their great faith while in their youth as they listened to and obeyed the teachings of their mothers. Heavenly Father gives us parents to love, teach, and guide us through our lives.

• What are some things that your parents or other family members (such as grandparents) have taught you that led you to gaining faith in the Lord?

Give each child a page of the small footsteps and have the children write their answers on the small footsteps. (For example: Keep the Sabbath Day holy, read the scriptures, say prayers, be honest, be forgiving, serve others, etc.) Have them roughly cut a few out and post them on the wall heading toward the sign that says “Faith in God.” Tell the children that at the end of class you want them to take their footsteps (cutting out the rest later) and put them on a wall in their room leading to their sign that says “Faith in God”. This will help remind them that following the righteous teachings of their parents and family members can lead them to gaining faith in God.

Activity & Game
As the Ammonites listened to and obeyed the righteous teachings of their mothers, not only did they gain great faith but they also developed other strong, righteous characteristics.

Divide the children into four groups and explain that each group is going to look up a scripture that tells about one of the righteous characteristics the young Ammonites developed in their youth. Give each group their characteristic card and their scripture and discussion ideas card. Tell them to read their discussion card and scripture and be prepared to tell what their characteristic is, tell about or describe their characteristic, and read the related parts of their scripture to the class. Have them tape their characteristic on the board. (Be prepared to add in any additional needed discussion to what the children present.)

After a group presents their characteristic, do the following game: Have a child stand and tell how they can demonstrate that characteristic as they go about their day to day life. For example “I can courageously stand up for the right by sticking up for a child that is being picked on.” Have the next child stand and say the same thing plus add their own. Continue doing this until all the children have had a turn. (Start with a different child each time a new characteristic is presented.)

• Trustworthy and Reliable (Read the second half of Alma 53:20) The stripling warriors were “true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.” The Lord could count on them to always do the right things and firmly follow through with whatever he asked of them. The people around them could also rely on them to be dependable and trustworthy.

• Courageous (Read the first half of Alma 53:20) “They were exceedingly valiant for courage.” They had great courage and did not fear death. “They did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives.” (Alma 56:47) They courageously stood for what is right because of their love for their family. Our family and friends are also under attack – spiritual attack. We need to have the courage to stand up for what is right and defend truth and right to help make the world a safer and better place for them.

• Hard Working (Read the first half of Alma 53:20) “They were exceedingly valiant for courage and also for strength and activity.’ Valiant for strength and activity means they worked hard to do whatever needed to be done.

• Obedient – to parents, leaders, and the commandments of God. (Read the scriptures below.)
• How did the young Ammonites respond to the commands they received from their leaders and from God? (See Alma 57:21) “They did obey…. every word of command with exactness.” (Alma 58:40) “They are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually.”

(Read this quote after the characteristic of obedience is presented.) “The key to their success was to obey every word and command. Yes, if we are going to draw upon the powers of heaven, intention is not enough. We must obey every word of command with exactness…We must actually obey the law; intention is not enough!” Rex C. Reeve, New Era, Jul 1981

Explain to the children that they can be given the strength and power to stand up for what is right and gain characteristics of great worth like the stripling warriors if they will listen to and follow the righteous teachings and examples of their parents and leaders.

Weekly Reading Assignment

Remind the children to do their scripture reading assignment for this week: Alma 53: 10–22 & Alma 56:21-56