Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 26

Introduction

Bill Cosby has a routine in which he describes life at home with a newborn baby.  At first everyone is completely enthralled by everything the new baby does.  The proud new parents report everything to the happy grandparents, and someone even suggests bronzing the first dirty diaper.  After two months, God puts odor in the dirty diapers and no one thinks they’re cute anymore.  What do you do with a dirty diaper on a kid?  You change it!  Why?  Because the dirty one is nasty, unpleasant, and if left unchanged, unsanitary and ultimately dangerous.  What is it like after it is changed?  It’s clean again and pleasant to be around.  It’s the standard we strive for.

 

What on earth does this have to do with the Book of Mormon?  Last week we discussed Limhi and his father, and their miraculous experience being taught by Ammon, Aaron, and others.  These leaders and many of their people were totally converted (remember, converted means changed) to the Lord, and we will see some of the qualities of those who are completely changed by their testimony of Jesus Christ.

The Anti-Nephi-Lehies are converted to the Lord

In Alma 23 we pick up where we left off last week, with Lamoni’s father being converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As the high king over the land, he didn’t command all of his people to be baptized because that is not the Lord’s way.  What did he do?  Read Alma 23:1-3.  What was the result of this command?  Read Alma 23:4-7. 

How did the Anti-Nephi-Lehies demonstrate the extent of their conversion?

a.       They “were converted unto the Lord” (Alma 23:6). Why is it essential that Jesus Christ be at the center of our conversion? For what other reasons might people be drawn to the Church? (Answers may include the personalities of missionaries, the influence of friends, or the appeal of social programs.) Why do these things alone fail to bring about true conversion?

b.       They “were desirous … that they might be distinguished from their brethren” (Alma 23:16). In what ways did the converted Lamanites choose to distinguish themselves from their brethren who remained wicked?

                     i.            Alma 23:16–18 – They took a new name upon themselves.

                    ii.            Alma 27:27–30 – They were completely honest in all things.  They did not delight in bloodshed or fear death.  Don’t all those things sound a little peculiar in today’s world? 

                  iii.            In what ways are we distinguished from the world when we are converted? Why is it important to distinguish ourselves in such ways?

c.        They expressed gratitude to God even in times of trial and affliction (Alma 24:6–10, 23).  As a result of their conversion, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies faced tremendous problems.

                     i.            Alma 24:1-2 – The unconverted subjects rejected their king.

                    ii.            Alma 24:20-22; 27:1–3. – Over a thousand faithful converts were slaughtered by the sword.

                  iii.            Despite these afflictions, what were they grateful for? (See Alma 24:7–10.) They were primarily grateful for the opportunity to repent!  How many of us want to repent when things aren’t going our way?  How can gratitude to God help us face trials and afflictions?

d.       “They took their swords … and they did bury them up deep in the earth” (Alma 24:15–17). Why did the Anti-Nephi-Lehies bury their swords and other weapons? (See Alma 23:7; 24:11–13, 18–19.) Why was it significant that they buried their weapons rather than simply promising not to use them? How might we sometimes “rebel against God”? What can we do to bury our “weapons of rebellion”?

                     i.            We’ve been talking about why the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi did what they did.  We also get a quick reminder of why God does what he does in the middle of Alma 24:14 – “Because he loveth our souls…”  How can we remember God’s love when it feels like your enemies are running at your with swords?

e.        They showed “great love” for their brethren (Alma 26:31). In what ways can conversion increase a person’s love for others? Does that happen automatically, or do we need to work for it?

The Anti-Nephi-Lehies go to Jershon

After seeing the destruction of the converted Lamanites by those who remained wicked, Ammon suggests asking the Nephites for protection.  The Lamanite king doesn’t like that idea and is sure the Nephites will kill them.  After Ammon inquires of the Lord and tells the Lamanite king that it is God’s will that they seek safety in the land of the Nephites, then the king is willing to go and accept whatever consequences follow.  They settle in the land of Jershon and support the Nephite armies with what they produce.

Ammon and Alma Rejoice

In Alma 26:1-9 Ammon celebrates the wonderful things God has done for the Lamanites, and that he got to be a part of.  When Aaron rebuked him for boasting, Ammon clarified his feelings.  Read Alma 26:11-12.  What does Ammon mean when he says that in God’s strength he can do all things?  What does this mean for you??

 

It wasn’t always easy to be a missionary.  Read Alma 26:27-28.  Ammon explains the key to their endurance at the very end of verse 28 – they relied upon the mercies of God.  What does this mean?  How can we rely on God’s mercies when things go wrong in our lives?

 

Alma’s greatest desire was to proclaim the gospel to all people.  Read Alma 29:1-2.  The result of the type of preaching Alma wants to engage in is an end of all sorrow.  This is what will happen at the end, but God defines when that end will be.  Until then, we like Alma need to be content with what the Lord has allotted to us (see verse 3).

Conclusion

We can and must follow the example of the converted Lamanites and be changed by the influence of Jesus Christ in our lives.  As we do so, our old sinful desires will be swallowed up by the joy that comes from turning our hearts, lives, and desires over to him.  We need to identify the weapons of our rebellion and bury them deep in the earth.