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Come Follow Me: Book of Mormon, Teaching Ideas and Free Resources
ALMA 43 – 52
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
Each Come Follow Me Lesson asks important and reflective questions. When I first began my individual study these questions threw me off. Simply because many of these questions required so much depth and individual reflection in order to answer honestly. My first approach to come follow me was to get in, get out, get it done, check it off. These questions simply didn’t allow me to do so. In fact, I felt a little sick when I would read a question like, “How does the spirit speak to you?” and I wouldn’t know the answer right away. After a time, and pondering on that specific question I realized IT’S OKAY. In fact, I think these questions were meant to be set aside, thought about, and pondered. When we try and come up with the quick easy, obvious, answer, we are depriving ourselves of an opportunity to reflect, ponder, pray, and RECEIVE REVELATION. Is this not the whole reason for Come Follow Me? Are we not trying to finetune and recognize how we, and how to receive personal revelation.
So each week I will list out some of the questions issued in Come Follow Me. Maybe you pick to ponder about all of them, maybe you pick just one. Whatever you do, ponder on this for the ENTIRE week. Pray about it, discuss it with loved ones, then at the start of the new week, take the time to write down your impressions or thoughts, share them with your family, testify of powerful insights.
- As you read Alma 43–52, notice what the Nephites did that made them successful (or unsuccessful). Then ponder how you can use what you learn to help you win your spiritual battles.
- Do you wish you could become more like the Savior and lessen the power of the adversary in your life? One way is to follow the admonition in Alma 48:17 to become “like unto Moroni.” Pay attention to Moroni’s attributes and actions that are described throughout Alma 43–52 but particularly in 46:11–28 and 48:7–17.
- What impresses you about this “mighty man”?
- How can attributes and actions like his weaken the power of the devil in your life? Ponder what you feel inspired to do to follow Moroni’s example and become more like the Savior.
- 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 49:28–30 and 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.
- Alma 46:12–22 The title of liberty inspired the Nephites to keep the commandments of God and defend their faith. What inspires us to do the same?
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Alma 51:1–12 What do these verses teach about what can happen within our family when we have contention? How can we increase our unity?
Lesson:
Excerpt taken from the Book of Mormon Institute Student Manual:
“Rallying others for a righteous cause takes courage. President Ezra Taft Benson often taught concerning the importance of Captain Moroni’s actions in raising the title of liberty. He frequently emphasized the need to be an active citizen and promote liberty and freedom: “Improve your community by active participation and service. Remember in your civic responsibility that ‘the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing’ (Edmund Burke). … Do something meaningful in defense of your God-given freedom and liberty” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1988, 58; or Ensign, May 1988, 51).
President Benson further taught:
“In that sacred volume of scripture, the Book of Mormon, we note the great and prolonged struggle for liberty. We also note the complacency of the people and their frequent willingness to give up their liberty for the promises of a would-be provider. …
“… Moroni, like the prophets whose words are recorded in the Book of Mormon, spoke of the Americas as a chosen land—the land of liberty. He led the people in battle who were willing to fight to ‘maintain their liberty.’
“And the record states: ‘… that he caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, … and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.’ [Alma 46:36.]
“This is our need today—to plant the standard of liberty among our people throughout the Americas.
“While this incident occurred some seventy years B.C., the struggle went on through one thousand years covered by this sacred Book of Mormon record. In fact, the struggle for liberty is a continuing one—it is with us in a very real sense today”
Making your Own Title of Liberty:
Defending the Values on your Title of Liberty:
I loved the object lesson Latter Day Kids shared about protecting ourselves spiritually. You could easily connect the two lessons by using a napkin as one example, and your title of liberty as the other object protected in the ziplock bag.
Display the bowl of dark water and hold up the napkin while you discuss the following questions:
1) What will happen if this napkin touches the water? (Discuss.)
2) What if the napkin only touches the water a little bit? Will the napkin be okay? (Discuss.)
Dip the end of the napkin into the water and allow the water to soak into the napkin. Continue to hold the napkin partially in the water while you discuss the following questions:
1) What is happening? (The water is going into the napkin.)
2) Is the napkin getting stronger or weaker? (Weaker.)
3) What do you think will happen if I drop the napkin? (Discuss.)
Now place a second napkin (or your title of liberty) inside a ziploc bag and dip the bag into the same bowl of water. Discuss the following questions:
1) What is happening to this napkin? (Nothing! It’s safe!)
2) Is any of the water going into this napkin? (No.)
3) Why not? (The ziploc bag is protecting it.)
Explain the following: “There is a spiritual battle in this world between good and evil. Satan wants darkness to go inside our hearts, just like when the dirty water went into the napkin. He wants to take away our happiness and make us weak. But Heavenly Father is strong enough to resist evil! If we have faith in Jesus Christ, He can protect us from our spiritual enemies, just like this bag protected the napkin!”
Click Here to See the Full Latter Day Kid Lesson for this week
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Teaching Ideas for Toddlers & Young Children
Watch or Listen To:
With a 2-year-old and 4-year-old, I understand the STRUGGLE and the attention span you are dealing with. Below are some of my favorite videos or audio recordings|podcasts you can listen to and watch with your children. My favorites right now are the Book of Mormon Story videos.**Different from the newly released B.O.M. videos. These are illustrated and READ stories to your children. THESE are PERFECT for when everyone is strapped in the car seat. My 4-year-old now requests these over the radio. Each segment is only 2-4 minutes long. This allows us to listen, review and discuss together, and listen again throughout the week. Many of the videos I share can be found on the Saint’s Radio Channel App. (Formerly Mormon Channel App, If you don’t already have this, DOWNLOAD NOW.)
I am absolutely LOVING the YouTube Channel, Latter Day Kids. Each week they put out a beautifully illustrated video meant for young children to be used in conjunction with the Come Follow Me Lessons. This week’s video is all about All Things Denoting there is a God! You can even head to their website to download discussion questions to go along with the video and a fun coloring page.
Click Here to access this week’s Printables and Activities
Click here to subscribe to Latter Day Kids
Drawn In: Free Sample of Subscription Videos
The ONLY Paid Subscription I use for Come Follow Me
I’ve recently teamed up with David Bowman artist, author and creator of the Drawn-In Video Subscription to bring a discount to all Living on Lemon Lane readers. This is the ONLY Paid Come Follow Me product that I have a subscription to, and it is worth every cent. Each week you get TWO engaging and fun videos (around 20 minutes long each!) as well as exclusive content and printables! Like his books, instead of just introducing the scripture story he explains a principle, then takes it a step further by exploring APPLICATION. Click here to watch his Free Videos, If you’re interested make sure to use the promo code LEMONLANE10 at checkout to receive 10% off of the yearly membership!
Click Here to Learn More, Use Code LEMONLANE10 for an exclusive discount off the yearly membership!Head to davidbowmanart.com to watch more FREE episodes and learn more about subscribing ($4.95 per month – gets you 2 episodes PER WEEK that go directly with Come Follow Me as well as supplemental PDF print outs)
Wonderful Podcast geared towards younger (Primary) reviewing some of the chapters this week.
Try this link if you’re having trouble playing the podcast:
Read:
Activity Suggestions:
Download Happiness and Obedience by President Nelson
Click Here to Download the Coloring Page
Click Here to Download the Coloring Page 19
Click Here to Download the Coloring Page 20
Activity Suggestions from the Friend:
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Fly Your Flag: For Alma 43–52
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Sing “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth” (Hymns, no. 298).
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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.
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Make your own flag! On a piece of paper, draw pictures of what’s important to you and your family. Hang it up as a reminder.
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Gospel Protection For Alma 43–52
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.
Come Follow Me Suggestions:
- 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.
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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.
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Show the picture of Moroni in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Tell the children about the title of liberty and what was written on it, using phrases from Alma 46:11–16. You could refer to “Chapter 32: Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty” (Book of Mormon Stories, 89–90, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Let the children help tell the story as much as possible. Point out that Moroni used the title of liberty to help the Nephites remember what was important to them.
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Help the children create a title of liberty for themselves or for your class. Begin by helping them think of things they believe in or things Heavenly Father wants them to remember. Let them draw pictures of these things on a large piece of paper, or you could bring pictures for them to attach to the paper.
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Ask the children to tell you about some people they want to be like and why they want to be like them. 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.
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Teaching Ideas for Families
Watch or Listen To:
Finding time to make Come Follow Me can be tough, it can also be tough to keep the attention of family members. The Book of Mormon videos recently released by the church are a WONDERFUL resource.
Read:
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- I LOVE using the Institute and Seminary Manuals to aid my study! They answer questions, provide insight and background coupled with beautiful quotes from Prophets and Apostles.
- Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection: Rasband
- New Era & Ensign Articles:
Activity Suggestions:
LOVE this Activity Idea from Sharing Talents about the application of building fortresses.
Click Here to View Infographic
Activity Suggestion from Come Follow Me:
- Alma 46:12–22 The title of liberty inspired the Nephites to keep the commandments of God and defend their faith. What inspires us to do the same? Perhaps your family could create your own title of liberty—a flag or banner with words or images that remind you to keep the commandments of God each day.
- Alma 48:7–9; 49:1–9; 50:1–6 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.
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Invite each child to read silently one of the following verses that describe how the Nephites prepared for battle against the Lamanites: Alma 43:19; 48:8; 49:1–5; and 50:2–4. Ask the children to share what they learned (offer help if needed). Explain that we are in a spiritual war against Satan, and we must protect ourselves spiritually, just as the Nephites protected themselves physically from the Lamanites. What kinds of spiritual armor or fortifications can we build to protect ourselves in our spiritual battles?
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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).
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- 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?
- 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?
Activity Suggestion from Ensign:
- Alma 50 Captain Moroni Says
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.
Click Here to Download the Infographic
Individual Study & Extension
Watch or Listen To:
Read:
- John Welch Notes: Learn about the Book of Mormon with verse by verse commentaries from renowned Book of Mormon scholar.
- Freedom or Captivity: Ensign Article
:MOST IMPORTANT PART:
Comment below and share YOUR favorite resources for this week of Come Follow Me in the Book of Mormon. Join the conversation on @livingonlemonlane on Instagram and stay updated on new blog posts! If you enjoyed this PLEASE SHARE! Till next week.
