Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 25

Introduction

Elder Carlos E. Asay related the following experience:

“Not too long ago, I heard the testimony of a new convert—a young man obviously touched by the Spirit. Among other things, he indicated that it was his great desire to share the restored gospel with his family and friends. With tears in his eyes and a quiver in his voice, he said:

“ ‘I want them to know what I know.

“ ‘I want them to feel what I feel.

“ ‘I want them to do what I have done.’

“There is a missionary spirit—a spirit which urges us to live outside ourselves and to be concerned for the welfare of others. And anyone who has ever served an honorable mission, assisted in the conversion of a friend, supported a son or daughter in the mission field, or enjoyed close associations with missionaries will testify of its reality” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1976, 58; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, 42).

The sons of Mosiah felt so strongly about what they knew that they had to do something about it.  They became some of the greatest missionaries in the scriptures.

Today’s lesson primarily discusses missionary work and how we can be better missionaries.  This is a responsibility we all share.  I also believe that the principles we are going to discuss today relate to many other righteous responsibilities we have.  Consider how you can apply what we discuss today in your life, whether in your family, career, schooling, etc.

In the last couple of weeks we have talked about Alma’s preaching in Zarahemla, Middoni, Ammonihah, and other Nephite lands.  This chapter begins as Alma is traveling toward Manti and is surprised to bump into Ammon and his brothers who were going to Zarahemla.

The sons of Mosiah preach to the Lamanites

Why were the sons of Mosiah so successful?  Read Alma 17:2-3.  Make a list on the chalkboard listing principles from today’s lesson.  Point #1: Study, fast and pray.

• How does our personal worthiness and preparation affect our ability to be effective in our righteous efforts?
• How have you or someone you know been blessed because of their preparation?

What did these missionaries sacrifice to preach the gospel?  Read Alma 17:5-6.  Why did they do this?  (See Alma 17:9, 16)  Point #2: Love God and others.

Ammon and company had a tough assignment to preach to a group of wicked, unrepentant people.  God wanted this done, but he didn’t miraculously make it easy.  Read Alma 17:10-11.  Verse 11 talks about being patient in long-suffering.  To me this implies that some of our problems may not pass very quickly, and that our responsibility is to be patient, not necessarily to solve the problem.  As we do so, God can use our experience for his glory and to bless others.  How can we develop this patience?  How have you seen blessings come through afflictions?  Point #3: Be patient.

Ammon teaches King Lamoni

After arriving in the Lamanite lands, the missionaries split up, and Ammon went to the land of Ishmael and met King Lamoni.  Ask someone to summarize the events in Alma 17:19-39. 

Ammon declined an opportunity to marry one of Lamoni’s daughters!  Becoming a Lamanite prince may have seemed like a great way to further the work of the Lord, but Ammon declined, offering instead to be a servant.

How did Ammon respond when the flocks were scattered?  Why?  (See Alma 17:29)  Point #4: Find opportunities in challenges.

After preserving the flocks, what did Ammon do next?  He simply went on to his next assignment rather than looking for praise.  See Alma 18:8-10.  Point #5: Give service and develop trust.

Read Alma 18:24-33.  Point #6: Build on common beliefs.

Read Alma 18:36, 39.  Point #7: Teach the plan of salvation from the scriptures.

King Lamoni believed Ammon’s teachings.  Read Alma 18:40-41.  Summarize the story in Alma 19.  The end result is recorded in Alma 19:33.  True doctrine taught by the power of the Holy Ghost changes lives.

Lamoni’s father is taught

Summarize the story of Ammon and King Lamoni traveling to the land of Middoni and meeting Lamoni’s father on the way.  Read Alma 20:23.  Note that the king was willing to give up half of his kingdom in exchange for his mortal life.  We’ll come back to this idea in a minute.

Aaron and others had been thrown in prison where they suffered much.  Read Alma 21:14-15.  Point #8: Be diligent in spite of setbacks.

Read Alma 22:2-3.  This always makes me smile.  Aaron knew what had worked for Ammon, so he decided to try the same.  Lamoni’s father already trusted Aaron, and he was too anxious to be taught to bother with the preliminary stuff.  Point #9: Be a good example, and follow the good examples of others.

Aaron followed the same teaching pattern Ammon had used, teaching Lamoni’s father from the scriptures about God, the creation, fall and atonement.  Read Alma 22:15-16.  I think an important point is contained in verse 15.  Remember that to spare his mortal life, the king was willing to give up half of his kingdom.  But once he felt the Spirit testify of the truths of the gospel, he was willing to give up all that he possessed.  What lessons are there for us in this experience of King Lamoni’s father?

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Each of us must surrender our sins if we are to really know Christ. For we do not know Him until we become like Him. There are some, like this king, who must pray until they, too, have ‘a wicked spirit rooted’ from them so they can find the same joy” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1983, 63; or Ensign, Nov. 1983, 43).

Conclusion

These principles taught by Ammon, Aaron, and others, and demonstrated in the experiences of Lamoni and his father are keys to our success in missionary work, and in life.  As we follow the 9 points listed above, we will not only help others become converted, we too will be converted.