Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 29

Introduction

Write the letters RWYA on the chalkboard.  Do those letters mean anything to anyone in the room?  Those letters stand for the phrase Remember Who You Are, something my father told me frequently as I grew up.  As I have grown up and understand what he meant by this, it has become more valuable to me.  What is the most valuable counsel you have been given by your parents?

Today’s lesson covers Alma chapters 36-39 when Alma gives loving fatherly counsel to his sons Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton.

Alma testifies to Helaman

Alma has a personal testimony

Alma begins by speaking to Helaman and assures him that we are blessed for keeping the commandments, and testifies that he knows this personally.  (See Alma 36:1,4).  In verse 5 he gives the key to having this personal testimony.  It is not in the ministering of an angel that his knowledge is sure, but in his being born of God.

How was Alma born of God?  In Alma 36:5-23 Alma recounts his conversion to Helaman.  When we talk of a “conversion,” we usually think of someone who is not a member of the church receiving a testimony and being baptized.  But Alma was likely already a member of the church.  His father was the high priest; he was probably baptized at age 8 and attended the Nephite equivalent of Primary and Young Men.  And yet he needed a conversion badly!

I find three key elements leading to Alma’s conversion:

1. Alma 36:11-15 – Alma felt sorrow
2. Alma 36:17-18 – Alma relied on Jesus
3. Alma 36:24-25 – Alma worked to spread the message of the gospel

Why was Alma telling Helaman all of these things?  Because he wanted Helaman to follow his example.

1. “Ye should do as I have done” (Alma 36:2).
2. “I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me” (Alma 36:3).
3. “Ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I have done” (Alma 36:29).
4. “Ye ought to know as I do know” (Alma 36:30).

How can we set a righteous example for our children?  What challenges might we face as we try to do this?

Is living the gospel easy or hard?

Alma presents a bit of a contradiction in some of the things he says to Helaman.  Sometimes he says living the gospel is easy, other times he talks about his trials.

Easy	Hard
Alma 37:44-46	Alma 36:3 Alma 36:27

So what is it?  Is living the gospel easy, or is it hard?  In my opinion, living the gospel is hard, but it is a whole lot easier than not living the gospel.

I notice in the “hard” verses that living the gospel does not solve all our problems.  Alma was delivered from prison and from death some of the time (problems solved), but other times he was supported in his trials and afflictions.  What can we learn from this?

Alma praises and encourages Shiblon.

Shiblon is one of my heroes in the Book of Mormon.  We only have 15 verses and a little over a page written about him, but from these verses we get a picture of a man who is not in the limelight, who does not later become the prophet, but who is solid and faithful.  That is an example we can all aspire to follow.

Read Alma 38:10-12.

• Be diligent and temperate.  Diligence implies working continually and steadily to achieve a goal.  Temperate is defined as:
• Moderate; not excessive
• Not marked with passion; not violent; cool; calm
• Don’t be proud.  In Shiblon’s case, he apparently was very wise and strong, but Alma warned him against boasting in these qualities.
• Use boldness but not overbearance.  How do we do this?
• Bridle your passions that ye may be filled with love. 
• What do you do with a bridle?  A bridle controls and directs a horse; it doesn’t destroy it.
• Isn’t it interesting that by controlling and directing our passions, Alma suggests this will fill us with love.  What a contrast to the worldly assertion that giving free and unrestrained expression to our passions is how to show or cultivate love.
• Refrain from idleness.  Get to work!

Alma tells Corianton to repent

Shiblon and Corianton present a wonderful, instructive contrast.  Read Alma 39-2-3.  Corianton did exactly what Alma warned Shiblon not to do; he boasted of his strength and wisdom.  Is it possible that these minor sins contributed to his greater sins?

Elder Boyd K. Packer taught:

“There was provided in our bodies—and this is sacred—a power of creation, a light, so to speak, that has the power to kindle other lights. This gift was to be used only within the sacred bonds of marriage. Through the exercise of this power of creation, a mortal body may be conceived, a spirit enter into it, and a new soul born into this life.

“This power is good. It can create and sustain family life, and it is in family life that we find the fountains of happiness. … 

“The power of creation—or may we say procreation—is not just an incidental part of the plan: it is essential to it. Without it the plan could not proceed. The misuse of it may disrupt the plan.

“Much of the happiness that may come to you in this life will depend on how you use this sacred power of creation. … If [Satan] can entice you to use this power prematurely, to use it too soon, or to misuse it in any way, you may well lose your opportunities for eternal progression. … 

“Protect and guard your gift. Your actual happiness is at stake. Eternal family life … can be achieved because our Heavenly Father has bestowed this choicest gift of all upon you—this power of creation. It is the very key to happiness” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1972, 136–39; or Ensign, July 1972, 111–13).

Corianton’s actions must have caused Alma great sorrow and humiliation.  How did Alma respond to his wayward son?  He didn’t hate him, disown him, or yell at him.  He taught him:

1. Alma reminded Corianton of what led to Corianton’s sin (Alma 39:2–4).
2. He explained the consequences of Corianton’s sin (Alma 39:7–9, 11).
3. He taught Corianton how to repent and avoid the sin in the future (Alma 39:9–14).
4. He taught Corianton about God’s love and forgiveness (Alma 39:15–19).

We live in a world where immorality is rampant, accepted, and even celebrated.  Our best solution is to avoid temptation and sin in the first place.  The scriptures give us suggestions on how to accomplish this:

·         Alma 39:4 – Accept and magnify our callings

·         Alma 39:13 – Turn to the Lord and repent quickly of the sins we commit

·         D&C 121:45 – Think about virtuous things.  This may mean we forego certain popular movies or TV shows.  We need to choose to think about good things.

If we have sinned, Alma’s counsel to Corianton can help us repent.  See Alma 39:9-14.

·         “Go no more after the lusts of your eyes” (Alma 39:9).

·         “Take it upon you to counsel with your elder brothers” (Alma 39:10).

·         “Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing” (Alma 39:11).

·         “Turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength” (Alma 39:13).

·         “Acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done” (Alma 39:13).

·         “Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world” (Alma 39:14).