Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 30

Introduction

Draw this diagram, and add features for birth, death, resurrection, and judgment.

Discuss briefly what the diagram represents, then read the following quote by Elder Maxwell:

“The Lord has described his plan of redemption as the Plan of Happiness. … Conversationally, we reference this great design almost too casually at times; we even sketch its rude outlines on chalkboards and paper as if it were the floor plan for an addition to one’s house. However, when we really take time to ponder the Plan, it is breathtaking and overpowering!” (“Thanks Be to God,” Ensign, July 1982, 51).

What items are missing from this sketch?  The most important item is Jesus Christ.  Without his Atonement, the entire plan becomes nothing more than the house plan that will never be realized.  Other missing items include the Fall, agency, opposition, etc.

Alma teaches about death and resurrection

As a righteous father, Alma paid attention to the needs of his children.  He “perceived” (see Alma 40:1, 41:1) the needs that Corianton had and taught him about what happens after we die.  He began with a discussion of the spirit world.  Divide the class in half and ask them to listen as Alma 40:11–15, 21 is read.  Have one half of the class describe Paradise, and the other half describe Prison.

PARADISE	SPIRIT PRISON
State of happiness	State of misery
State of rest and peace	State of darkness, with weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth
No troubles or sorrow	Awful, fearful waiting for the wrath of God

From D&C 138 we learn that the wicked are taught the principles of the gospel by those who were obedient in mortality.  Read D&C 138:29-35.  Note the following:

• The gospel was preached to both those who died in ignorance, and those who sinned against the message taught by prophets.
• The principles taught in the spirit world are the same as those taught in mortality: faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
• The key is reiterated in verse 35: the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross.

Alma defines clearly what the resurrection is in Alma 40:23.  This resurrection will come upon all people at the appointed time.  Although we don’t know all things, we can have faith in this truth.

Alma teaches about restoration

The Atonement of Jesus Christ does not just bring about the reuniting of the soul and body in the resurrection; it also restores good or evil to us, according to our desires.  Read Alma 41:3-6.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie stated, “The resurrection is a restoration, both a restoration of body and spirit and a restoration to the individual of the same mental and spiritual acquirements and attitudes he had in this life” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 641).

Now is the time for us to control and guide our “acquirements and attitudes.”

Alma taught Corianton in Alma 41:7 that we are our own judges.  How is this so?  Read 1 Corinthians 15:40 and D&C 88:20-24, 28-29 (see also D&C 76:70, 78). We are our own judges as we simply compare our resurrected, restored body to those around us.  We self-sort ourselves into the kingdom where we are most comfortable.  See also Mormon 9:4.

Alma teaches about justice and mercy

Corianton had trouble with these teachings.  He didn’t think it was “fair” that the sinner should be consigned to a state of misery.  This sounds like the legitimate questions people have today:  “If God loves all His children, wouldn’t he want to save all of them?  Surely God isn’t so cruel as to send anyone to hell!”

They are right!  God does love all his children and does want to save all of them!  He isn’t so cruel as to send anyone to hell, although some will choose to go there anyway.  We are in mortality having these experiences – and some mortal experiences are excruciating – because we need to have a body like God does, and we need to know how to control it.  Because he loves us, God created this wonderful plan of salvation to help us become like him.  If we do everything we can, we will have a perfect, glorious, resurrected body that we know how to control perfectly.

Alma summarizes the entire plan, including justice, mercy, the fall and atonement, in just a few verses to Corianton.  Read Alma 42:15-16, 21-23, 26-27.  He finishes with a plea to Corianton that applies equally well to all of us in Alma 42:29-30