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Week 20: Come Follow Me: Book of Mormon, Teaching Ideas and Free Resources
May 18th – 24th
MOSIAH 25 – 28
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.
- In Mosiah 26 we read of a problem in the Church that Alma had never dealt with, and “he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God” (Mosiah 26:13). What did Alma do in this situation? (see Mosiah 26:13–14, 33–34, 38–39).
- What does Alma’s experience suggest about how you might approach difficult problems in your family or your Church service?
- It might also be interesting to list the truths that God revealed to Alma, found in Mosiah 26:15–32. Notice that some of these truths were not in direct response to Alma’s question.
- What does this suggest to you about prayer and receiving personal revelation?
- Who, like Alma’s father, is supporting you and praying for you “with much faith”?
- What experiences have helped “convince [you] of the power and authority of God”? (Mosiah 27:14).
- What “great things” has the Lord done for you or your family that you should “remember”? (Mosiah 27:16).
- What do you learn from Alma the Younger’s words and actions about what it means to be born again?
- Maybe you know a parent in Alma the Elder’s situation, whose son or daughter is making destructive choices. Or maybe you are that parent. What do you find in Mosiah 27:14, 19–24 that gives you hope?
- How might these verses influence your prayers in behalf of others?
- 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).
- 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?
- Mosiah 26:29–31; 27:35 According to these verses, what must a person do to receive forgiveness?
- Is there someone in your family you could pray or fast for?
Lesson:
This week we read about one of the greatest conversion stories in the scriptures. Alma the Younger has always been one of my favorite accounts in the Book of Mormon. If ever you think you don’t have a place in this church or past transgressions will prevent you from serving or being the person you want to be, that Heavenly Father wants you to be, that Jesus Christ can enable you to be… think of Alma the Younger. Think of the sons of Mosiah.
I thought this week we could focus on the idea of conversion. We read in Mosiah Chapter 27:
23 And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of atwo days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort:
24 For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been aredeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.
25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be aborn again; yea, bborn of God, cchanged from their carnal and dfallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his esons and daughters;
26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in anowise inherit the kingdom of God.
27 I say unto you, unless this be the case, they must be cast off; and this I know, because I was like to be cast off.
A couple of things to discuss|consider within these verses.
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“Conversion is a process, not an event. Conversion comes as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith.”
“Although conversion is miraculous and life changing, it is a quiet miracle. Angelic visitations and other spectacular occurrences do not bring conversion. Even Alma, who saw an angel, became converted only after he “fasted and prayed many days” for a witness of the truth (Alma 5:46). And Paul, who saw the resurrected Savior, taught that “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Corinthians 12:3).
- Conversion Vs. Testimony:
“Testimony brings increased personal accountability and is a source of purpose, assurance, and joy. Seeking for and obtaining a testimony of spiritual truth requires asking, seeking, and knocking (see Matthew 7:7; 3 Nephi 14:7) with a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in the Savior (see Moroni 10:4). Fundamental components of a testimony are knowing that Heavenly Father lives and loves us, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that the fulness of the gospel has been restored to the earth in these latter days. -David A. Bednar
“True conversion brings a change in one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God (see Acts 3:19; 3 Nephi 9:20) and includes a conscious commitment to become a disciple of Christ. Conversion is an enlarging, a deepening, and a broadening of the undergirding base of testimony. It is the result of revelation from God, accompanied by individual repentance, obedience, and diligence. Any honest seeker of truth can become converted by experiencing the mighty change of heart and being spiritually born of God (see Alma 5:12–14). As we honor the ordinances and covenants of salvation and exaltation (see D&C 20:25), “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ” (2 Nephi 31:20), and endure in faith to the end (see D&C 14:7), we become new creatures in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Conversion is an offering of self, of love, and of loyalty we give to God in gratitude for the gift of testimony.” -David A. Bednar
“Testimony is the beginning of and a prerequisite to continuing conversion. Testimony is a point of departure; it is not an ultimate destination. Strong testimony is the foundation upon which conversion is established. Testimony alone is not and will not be enough to protect us in the latter-day storm of darkness and evil in which we are living. Testimony is important and necessary but not sufficient to provide the spiritual strength and protection we need. Some members of the Church with testimonies have wavered and fallen away. Their spiritual knowledge and commitment did not measure up to the challenges they faced. An important lesson about the connection between testimony and conversion is evident in the missionary labors of the sons of Mosiah.” -David A. Bednar
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“And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God” (Mosiah 27:25–26).
Conversion includes a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it 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, a change of heart, and a baptism of fire. The Lord said:
“Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;
When I think of conversion and the idea of becoming a new creature I am reminded of a butterfly. I can’t help but think that many of God’s most beautiful creations mimic the life of the Savior and elements of the Gospel.
Have your family consider what they know about a butterfly and it’s life-cycle. Use the free T-Chart to jot down notes about what you know. (Download Below) Discuss the difference between a butterfly and it’s former form the caterpillar… If you didn’t know anything about a butterfly or caterpillar how surprised would you be to find that the caterpillar had the capability to be something as magnificent and contradictory as a butterfly?Like the butterfly, we all have something divine within us, that through Christ’s enabling and overcoming atonement we can become something more magnificent and different than ever imagined. When we are converted unto Christ, we become new creatures. Our life is in a sense a new one, like when comparing the life of a caterpillar to that of a butterfly. Christ’s Gospel gives us wings. *** This FREE Download is exclusive to members of Living on Lemon Lane. In order to access the download, you must be logged in. Not a member? Not a problem! Sign-up is FAST, FREE and Easy-Peasy Lemon Squeezy! Click here to become a member!
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Lessons From a Monarch Butterfly:
Do yourself a favor and read through the highlights of one of Elder Niel A. Anderson’s devotional in 2013. Here he shares lessons we can learn from a butterfly. Such as:
- You are a child of God with eternal possibilities available to you.
- To become who God would have you become, you will need the gifts of the Savior and your own correct choices.
- Your spiritual senses are refined and delicate and are protected by honesty and obedience.
- As you see beyond yourself, you begin to see who the Lord would have you become.
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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
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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
Alma the Younger Free Coloring Page | Activity
Alma the Younger Coloring Page
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.
- Becoming a New Creature in Christ
- Alma, Son of Alma – Holland
- What God Wanted For Me – 6 different youth accounts in New Era Article
- 7 Things We Fear About Repentance, and Why We Shouldn’t – New Era Article
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.
- 3 Accounts of Alma’s Conversion
: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.
