Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 15

Introduction

In elementary school, we were required to complete book reports on the books we read, and were given credit based on the number of pages we read. The book report had to tell about the book, who the main characters were, the theme, and so on. I remember finishing the Book of Mormon for the first time when I lived in Seattle. I was so excited to have finished reading a book with 531 pages! This was going to be an easy A! Then I realized that I had no idea how to write a book report on the Book of Mormon. If you were going to help me write a book report, how would you answer the following questions:

1. Who is the main character of the book? (Jesus Christ)
2. What is the theme of the book? (Only through the gospel of Jesus Christ can we receive forgiveness of our sins and be worthy to return to live in God’s presence.)

Background

As King Benjamin neared the end of his life, he instructed his son Mosiah in several key items, including the spiritual care of the plates and the temporal care of the people as king. The people gathered in what we would recognize as General Conference.

We are indebted to God

The opening line of Benjamin’s address is recorded for us in Mosiah 2:9. What does it mean to open our ears, hearts, and minds?

• Ears represent our hearing of the word. This would include our eyes to read too.
• Hearts represent the care we give the things we learn. More than just accepting these words as good ideas or interesting philosophies, we accept them into our lives and love the principles.
• Minds could represent the fact that we use these truths in making daily decisions, and that we strive to find appropriate ways to apply them to our circumstances.

Read Mosiah 2:14-16. I used to think this was a great passage for other people (notably those in leadership positions) to learn from. But back in verse 11 Benjamin says that he is like us. Let’s follow Benjamin’s counsel to open our ears, hearts and minds.

• What does Benjamin say?
• How would his people likely have felt? How do you feel about this teaching?
• What can you do to implement these principles in your life?

Read Mosiah 2:17-21, 34. How do we serve God with our whole souls? What is the result of such service for ourselves? For others?

Benjamin testifies of Jesus Christ

Julie’s younger brother David is preparing to serve a mission to San Diego. He has been emailing a friend of his from Missouri who is a devout Christian and who respects David’s zeal, but doubts everything about the Church, especially our belief in Jesus Christ. Read D&C 123:12-13. I wish he could read Mosiah 3 because of the power of Benjamin’s testimony of the Savior.

Read Mosiah 3:5-12. Follow up with a brief review of the doctrine contained in verses 16-18. This is such a powerful, simple, and clear testimony of the reality of Jesus Christ’s life and mission, his tremendous love for us, and the consequences of both obedience and disobedience in our lives.

Read Mosiah 3:19. I think one indicator of the importance of a verse of scripture is looking at how many footnotes there are in the verse. This verse has 11 different footnotes referencing 17 other scriptures and 11 entries in the Topical Guide.

• What does the phrase “natural man” mean? (See also Alma 42:6-10.)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: “After the fall of Adam, man became carnal, sensual, and devilish by nature; he became fallen man. … All accountable persons on earth inherit this fallen state, this probationary state, this state in which worldly things seem desirable to the carnal nature. Being in this state, ‘the natural man is an enemy to God,’ until he conforms to the great plan of redemption and is born again to righteousness. (Mosiah 3:19.) Thus all mankind would remain lost and fallen forever were it not for the atonement of our Lord. (Alma 42:4–14.)” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 267–68).

• How do we put off the natural man?

Conclusion

Benjamin’s final “General Conference” address was filled with the powerful doctrines of Jesus Christ. He lives, loves us, and has served us better than anyone else ever could. We are commanded to follow his example and demonstrate our love for God through our love for and service toward others. As we do so, we will be blessed with the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost.