Table of Contents
Alma CHAPTER 43 Alma and his sons preach the word—The Zoramites and other Nephite dissenters become Lamanites—The Lamanites come against the Nephites in war—Moroni arms the Nephites with defensive armor—The Lord reveals to Alma the strategy of the Lamanites—The Nephites defend their homes, liberties, families, and religion—The armies of Moroni and Lehi surround the Lamanites. About 74 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 44 Moroni commands the Lamanites to make a covenant of peace or be destroyed—Zerahemnah rejects the offer, and the battle resumes—Moroni’s armies defeat the Lamanites. About 74–73 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 45 Helaman believes the words of Alma—Alma prophesies the destruction of the Nephites—He blesses and curses the land—Alma may have been taken up by the Spirit, even as Moses—Dissension grows in the Church. About 73 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 46 Amalickiah conspires to be king—Moroni raises the title of liberty—He rallies the people to defend their religion—True believers are called Christians—A remnant of Joseph will be preserved—Amalickiah and the dissenters flee to the land of Nephi—Those who will not support the cause of freedom are put to death. About 73–72 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 47 Amalickiah uses treachery, murder, and intrigue to become king of the Lamanites—The Nephite dissenters are more wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites. About 72 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 48 Amalickiah incites the Lamanites against the Nephites—Moroni prepares his people to defend the cause of the Christians—He rejoices in liberty and freedom and is a mighty man of God. About 72 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 49 The invading Lamanites are unable to take the fortified cities of Ammonihah and Noah—Amalickiah curses God and swears to drink the blood of Moroni—Helaman and his brethren continue to strengthen the Church. About 72 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 50 Moroni fortifies the lands of the Nephites—They build many new cities—Wars and destructions befell the Nephites in the days of their wickedness and abominations—Morianton and his dissenters are defeated by Teancum—Nephihah dies, and his son Pahoran fills the judgment seat. About 72–67 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 51 The king-men seek to change the law and set up a king—Pahoran and the freemen are supported by the voice of the people—Moroni compels the king-men to defend their country or be put to death—Amalickiah and the Lamanites capture many fortified cities—Teancum repels the Lamanite invasion and slays Amalickiah in his tent. About 67–66 B.C.
Alma CHAPTER 52 Ammoron succeeds Amalickiah as king of the Lamanites—Moroni, Teancum, and Lehi lead the Nephites in a victorious war against the Lamanites—The city of Mulek is retaken, and Jacob the Zoramite is slain. About 66–64 B.C.
Alma 43-44
Captain Moroni Defeats Zerahemnah
Book of Mormon Stories “Chapter 31: Captain Moroni Defeats Zerahemnah” Images and Video
Lesson 25: Captain Moroni Defeats Zerahemnah Lesson ideas
I can find spiritual protection in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Alma 43:17–21; 48:7–8; 49:1–5; 50:1–6
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 43-52”
To defend the Nephites against the Lamanites, Moroni prepared his people with armor and fortifications. His efforts teach us how we can find spiritual safety.
Tell the children a little about the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites (see Alma 43), emphasizing that the Nephites wore armor to protect themselves. You could use “Chapter 31: Captain Moroni Defeats Zerahemnah” (Book of Mormon Stories, 85–88, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Read Alma 43:19, and invite the children to point to parts of their bodies as they hear them in the scripture.
Explain that just as the Nephites were in a physical war, we are in a spiritual war against Satan, who doesn’t want us to keep God’s commandments. Draw a child on the board, and help the children think of things that protect us spiritually as armor protects our bodies (for example, prayer, scripture reading, or keeping the commandments). Each time something is mentioned, draw a piece of armor on the child on the board.
Lesson 25: Captain Moroni Defeats Zerahemnah
Help the children make a shield out of a large piece of paper or cardboard, and ask them to write on it things that protect us spiritually. Give each child a piece of paper, and invite the children to write something bad that Satan might tempt us to do (such as lie, steal, or be unkind). Ask them to crumple their papers into balls and throw them at the shield to illustrate how the gospel can keep us safe from Satan (see also Ephesians 6:16).
Friend August 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Alma 49:28 together and help your little ones say, “The gospel helps protect us.” Cut out or draw pictures to represent parts of the gospel—like scriptures, a temple, etc. Tape them to a plastic lid, piece of cardboard, or pillow. Then use it as a shield! One person could throw crumpled balls of paper while the other person blocks the attack.
Friend August 2020 “Happiness and Obedience” Captain Moroni gave the Nephites shields to help keep them safe. On each shield, write a gospel standard from the list below that can help you stay safe and strong.
Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 25: Captain Moroni Defeats Zerahemnah”
Ask the children what types of things Satan uses today to try to wound or kill us spiritually. They may mention such things as certain movies, television programs, videos, books, or magazines; temptations to break the Word of Wisdom; temptations to not go to church; and so on. Discuss what the children are doing to strengthen their spiritual armor, such as having personal and family prayers, having personal and family scripture study, having family home evenings, attending church, and so on.
Could use the below map or the chalkboard to illustrate the strategy Captain Moroni used, as told in Alma 43:31–42. Explain that just as Captain Moroni used strategy to defeat the enemy, you can use similar approaches in spiritual battles. Strategizing and preplanning how you will face temptations will help you make more correct choices.
Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 25: Captain Moroni Defeats Zerahemnah”
Alma 46
Title of Liberty
Book of Mormon Stories “Chapter 32: Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty” Video and Images
Book of Mormon Stories for Young Readers “Captain Moroni’s Flag” Video and Images
I can be “firm in the faith of Christ” like Captain Moroni.
Alma 46:11–16; 48:11–13, 16–17
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 43-52”
- Your children could look at the pictures in this outline to tell the story of the title of liberty (see Alma 46:11–16; “Chapter 32: Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty,” Book of Mormon Stories, 89–90). What did Moroni want the people to remember (see verse 12)? What does Heavenly Father want us to remember? Perhaps your children could design their own “titles of liberty” with phrases or pictures that will help them remember these things.
Book of Mormon Coloring Book “Moroni’s Title of Liberty” Coloring Page
Lesson 26 – Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty
- To teach your children about being “firm in the faith of Christ” like Moroni (see Alma 48:13), you could help them find and touch something firm. What does it mean for faith to be “firm”? Read together Alma 48:11–12 to find out what made Moroni firm in his faith in Christ. You could also sing together a song like “I Will Be Valiant” (Children’s Songbook, 162). What can we do to be “firm in the faith of Christ”?
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 43-52”
Moroni was a faithful and strong disciple of Jesus Christ, who inspired the Nephites to live the gospel (see Alma 48:17).
Ask the children to tell you about some people they want to be like and why they want to be like them. Read Alma 48:11–13, 16 then share with them some words from Alma 48:11–13 that describe Moroni, and invite them to guess who these words are describing. Show a picture of Moroni, and talk about ways we can be like him. Have the children to think of specific things they can do to be more like Moroni.
Friend August 2020 “Family Night Fun”
- Captain Moroni made a flag out of his coat to remind his army that they were fighting for their families, their faith, and their freedom (see Alma 46:12). This flag was called the title of liberty.
- Make your own flag! On a piece of paper, draw pictures of what’s important to you and your family, such as who they are, what they enjoy, who they hope to be, and what they stand for. You might share some symbols that represent these things. Hang it up as a reminder.
Ensign August 2020 “What is Your Focus” Moroni’s focus was “inspired by a better cause” (Alma 43:45). Where do you place the focus in your life?
Latter Day Kids “Spiritual Battles” Video and lesson ideas.
Friend August 2024 “The Title of Liberty”
For the Strength of Youth August 2024
Friend July 1988 “Follow Righteous Leaders”
Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 26: Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty”
Alma 47
Amalickiah Entices Lehonti to Meet with Him.
Satan tempts and deceives us little by little.
Book of Mormon Seminary Teacher Manual (2024) “Alma 47–48: Amalickiah and Lehonti”
Have you ever heard someone say, “Just once won’t hurt,” “It’s only a little bit,” or “It’s not that bad”? When we decide to yield to Satan’s temptations even a little, we give him power over us. In Alma 47, we learn about a man named Lehonti who yielded just a little to his enemy and found himself in very dangerous and even deadly circumstances.
Consider drawing the following diagram on the board to help students visualize the situation described in these verses.
After reading verse 11, you could ask, “Why might it have been unwise to come down to the foot of the mountain to meet with Amalickiah?” Then students could read verse 12 and look for what Amalickiah did differently the fourth time he tried to entice Lehonti to meet with him.
To illustrate Amalickiah’s different approach, you could add arrows to the diagram on the board to reflect Amalickiah going nearly to the top of the mountain, as well as his request that Lehonti come down just a little.
- Step 1: Draw a [child] standing on top of a mountain. At the bottom of the mountain, list temptations or tactics Satan uses to try to get us to “come down” a little so he can gain power over us. Be sure to leave space between the [child] and the temptations you list so you have room for step 2.
- Step 2: At the top of the mountain, list some of the resources or teachings the Lord has given us that can protect us against Satan’s temptations.
In what ways were Amalickiah’s tactics similar to the tactics Satan uses to destroy us? (If needed, see 2 Nephi 28:7–8,
Like Amalickiah, Satan may seek to persuade us to gradually lower our standards and place ourselves in circumstances that make us vulnerable to his attacks. Consider inviting students to mark the phrase “come down” wherever it appears in Alma 47:10–13. What is a truth you learn from this account about the danger of giving in to Satan’s temptations, even a little?
Satan knows that most of us aren’t willing to commit big sins or believe big lies. Therefore, he uses subtle lies and temptations to lead us into seemingly small sins—as many as he thinks we will accept. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 43-52”
“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).
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.
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?
Alma 48, 49, 50
Moroni Fortifies the Lands of the Nephites
Spiritual Fortifications
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Alma 43-52”
- These verses describe the fortifications the Nephites built: Alma 48:7–9; 49:1–9; 50:1–6. After reading these verses together, your children might enjoy building a fort out of objects like chairs and blankets. The video “Elder Stevenson on Fortifying Families” (Gospel Library) can help you discuss how to spiritually fortify your home.
Book of Mormon Seminary Teacher Manual (2024) “Alma 47–48: Amalickiah and Lehonti”
Friend August 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Fort of Safety” When Captain Moroni was preparing for war, he built things around the city to keep the people safe (see Alma 50:1–6). Build a fort with your family! Every time you add something new to your fort, name something you can do to keep your family safe spiritually, like reading the scriptures or praying.
For younger children: Build a fort to sit in. Talk about how people build forts to be safe. Then talk about how we can make our homes spiritually safe by reading the scriptures.
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.
Ensign August 2020 “Family Study Fun”
Alma 50 describes how Captain Moroni protected his people against their enemies.
- Read Alma 50:1–6 and make a list of what the Nephites did to defend themselves: dig up heaps of earth, build a timber wall, and so on.
- Come up with an action to represent each defense. For example, pretend to shovel dirt for “digging up heaps of earth.”
- Now play a Book of Mormon version of Simon Says. One family member starts by saying “Captain Moroni says to …” and then picks one of the defenses. The rest of the group should quickly do the corresponding action. Then Captain Moroni gives a new command.
- If Captain Moroni gives a command without first saying “Captain Moroni says,” anyone who does the action is out.
Discussion: What spiritual dangers exist in the world? What can we do to protect ourselves and our homes from the adversary? For further insights, read and discuss Alma 43:19, 23–24.
Book of Mormon Coloring Book “Moroni’s Title of Liberty”
“Even when things went well, Captain Moroni continued to prepare his people. He never stopped. He never became complacent.
“The adversary never stops attacking. So, we can never stop preparing!” (Russell M. Nelson, “Embrace the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 75)
Alma 50-52
King-Men Versus Freemen
Unity brings safety.
In the circumstances recorded at the beginning of Alma 50, it looked like the Lamanites had no chance against the Nephites. The armor, fortifications, and unified efforts of the Nephites made them seem unconquerable (see Alma 49:28–30and 50:17–20). But the Lamanites soon captured many of their cities—including those that Moroni had fortified (see Alma 51:26–27). How did that happen? Look for answers as you read these chapters (see particularly Alma 51:1–12). Ponder what warnings this account may have for you and your family. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “Alma 43-52”
Book of Mormon Stories “King-Men Verses Freemen” Images and Video
Teancum
Friend May 1988 “Scriptural Giants: Teancum, Fighter for Freedom”
Additional Resources
