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Week 19: Come Follow Me: Book of Mormon, Teaching Ideas and Free Resources
May 4th – 10th
MOSIAH 11 – 17
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.
- When have you felt like you were standing alone in defense of the truth?
- As you read Mosiah 11–13 and 17, what do you learn that can help you be ready when the Lord needs you to stand up for His gospel?
- What other principles do you learn from Abinadi’s example?
- As you read Mosiah 12:19–30, ponder what it means to apply your heart to understanding God’s word. Does this inspire you to make any changes in the way you approach learning the gospel?
- What do you find in these verses that reveals that Abinadi trusted the Lord?
- How does Abinadi’s example affect the way you view your callings and responsibilities?
- In Mosiah 14–15, notice words and phrases that describe the Savior and what He suffered for you. What verses help deepen your love and gratitude toward Him?
- Abinadi and Alma are inspiring examples of staying loyal to the truth even when doing so is unpopular. Members of your family may be facing social pressure to compromise their standards. What can they learn from Abinadi and Alma about standing for truth?
- What does it mean to have God’s commandments “written in [our] hearts”? (Mosiah 13:11).
- What are the good things that have happened because He came and atoned for us?
- Mosiah 14 How do family members feel about the Savior as we study these words and phrases?
Lesson:
When have you felt like you were standing alone in defense of the truth?
“May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven,”
-President Thomas S. Monson
Abinadi is the pinnacle of courage. With this in mind, I wanted to focus this week on the idea that we will all have moments in our lives where we will be required to have courage to stand up for what we believe. Many times, it will be easier to blend in or go with the popular opinion. This week I find great value in reflecting back on our lives and thinking to times where courage to stand for what we believe in was required, did we have courage, or did we choose the easier way?
I find it so important to share these moments with our students or loved ones, or to give our students or loved ones the opportunity to share a moment where they demonstrated Abinadi like courage.
Let me explain. Growing up, one of the stories my mother shared with me was a time when she and her friends were driving around, and a group of really cute boys pulled up in a really cool car and wanted her and her friends to join them. Here’s the kicker, alcohol was involved. The details of the story are fleeting to me, but one thing I will never forget her telling me. She said no, even though she really wanted to, and justifiably she could have without giving up her standards, she said no. You better believe that I had similar instances in my life, where I REALLY wanted to go, however, without fail, the example of my mother’s Abinadi like courage came to mind, making the hard choice a little simpler to make. As if after she had relayed this story on to me, the decision had already been made.
These experiences where you showed Abinadi like courage, or even where you regretted not standing up can act as a guiding light in your own children and student’s lives. I know because I have experienced that myself.
So for the activity this week, my hope is that you will take the time to reflect and discuss moments where you might have to stand alone, where you did stand-alone, or where you wished you would have stood. Ask family members and grandparents to ponder as well. Consider capitalizing on the activity from last week and adding those memories and stories to family search, if not please take the time to at least record them in a journal.
Consider using the following stories from President Monsen, and L. Tom Perry, and Elder Cook about their moments of Abinadi like courage.
This entire interview between L. Tom Perry his wife, and Sheri Dew is really fantastic. To listen to his story about drinking a class of milk during business socials start the interview around the 57:35 point.
This video shares the example of early pioneer sister Eliza Cheney standing up courageously to her family while at Winter Quarters. Start the video around 9:16
Strength to Stand
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encouraged us to honor our covenants so we can have the strength to set a righteous example to others.
“We inevitably must make choices,” Elder Cook said. “If we know the doctrines and principles of the gospel, we can make wise decisions. If our lives are pure, the Spirit will guide us. Then we will be able to symbolically pitch our tents toward the temple and the covenants we have made to the Lord, and we will be in the world and not of the world.”
We have a sacred duty to stand in the light and share who we are and what we stand for, Elder Cook said. He retold an instance where he stood up for his beliefs during a job interview following law school. After twice refusing alcoholic beverages offered to him, Elder Cook informed the interviewer of his faith.
“A few months later, the senior partner told me the offer of the alcoholic beverages was a test,” Elder Cook said. “He noted that my résumé made it clear that I had served an LDS mission. He had determined that he would hire me only if I was true to the teachings of my own church. He considered it a significant matter of character and integrity.”
Consider discussing this Facebook Post by Dale G. Rendlund:
“We can stand firm in our beliefs and have a loving relationship with those who hold differing opinions. For example, I believe drinking alcohol is a violation of God’s law. So what do I do when I am hosting friends who do not believe as I do? My wife and I arrange to go to a restaurant with them where they can order as they choose to. And when they order wine with their meal, I do not get in their faces and call them out as sinners.
Similarly, can I be friends with individuals who are living together without the benefit of marriage? Absolutely. And when I am with them, do I stand up in great indignation and call them to repentance, even though they are presently engaged in behavior I do not agree with? No, of course not.
We can stand firm in our beliefs and have a loving relationship with those who hold differing opinions. Let us not forget that the plan of salvation offers the love and mercy of our Savior Jesus Christ to all.”
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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 standing for Truth. 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
Click Here to Learn More, Use Code LEMONLANE10 for an exclusive discount off the yearly membership!
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 recieve 10% off of the yearly membership!
Read:
Activity
Click Here for Free Abinadi Coloring Page (Page 11)
- Activity from the Friend: Commandments
Read Mosiah 12:33–34 together and help your little ones say, “Commandments help us stay safe.” Then make up hand motions together for this rhyme: “This is the mountain where Moses went. This is the tablet the Lord did send. This is His finger that wrote the words. This is the voice that Moses heard. This is the cloud on the mountain tall. These are the commandments—count ten in all!” Then count to ten!
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:
- 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.
- Courage to Stand: A curation of quotes by Apostles and Prophets about standing for what they believe
-
Be Valiant in Courage, Strength, and Activity – Elder Gary E. Stevenson
- Stand as True Millenials – President Russel M. Nelson
Activity Suggestions:
See above for activity suggestions based on having Abinadi like Courage
Dare to Stand Alone: Condensed story and crossword puzzle
Fun Free Crossword Puzzle by a YEAR of FHE based on chapter 13 in Mosiah
Individual Study & Extension
Watch or Listen To:
Excellent Video and Explanation of the chapters for this week!
Read:
- John Welch Notes: Learn about the Book of Mormon with verse by verse commentaries from renowned Book of Mormon scholar.
- In the World – L. Tom Perry
- Meridian Magazine Article: God Himself shall Redeem His People
: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.
