Book of Mormon Primary Lessons

“Lesson 19: The Anti-Nephi-Lehies,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 64

This lesson will help you learn to strengthen your desire to keep sacred covenants.

Read Alma 23, 24, 25, 26:1–33; and 27. Also read the thirteenth article of faith.
Review the names of the four sons of Mosiah (Mosiah 23:1).

Review why the sons of Mosiah wanted to preach the gospel among the Lamanites (Mosiah 28:3). The Nephites in Zarahemla laughed when the sons of Mosiah told them of their plans (Alma 26:23–25).

Review how the Lamanites converted to Jesus Christ thanks to Ammon's Example (Alma 23:5–6). All of the converts remained strong in their faith in Jesus Christ. What can we do to keep our faith in Jesus Christ strong?

Why did moved to the land of Jershon, by what name were they known? (Alma 27:26). What name have you made a covenant to take upon yourself? (Mosiah 5:7–8).

The Lamanite converts changed their name "that thereby they might be distinguished from their brethren . . . they called their names Anti-Nephi-Lehies" (Alma 23:16–17). Later, when these converts moved to the land of Jershon, they were "called by the Nephites the people of Ammon" (Alma 27:26). When we are baptized we make a covenant to take the name of Jesus Christ upon ourselves (Mosiah 5:7–8). Others may also call us by certain names because of our beliefs (for example: Mormons).

The Anti-Nephi-Lehies made a covenant with the Lord as they buried their weapons "that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man’s blood . . . covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives . . ." (Alma 24:17–18). They were so committed to keeping this covenant that many of them did give up their lives for it (Alma 24:19–22).

When the Lamanite warriors saw that the people of God would not fight but lay down to be killed, their "hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented . . . they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed . . . the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain" (Alma 24:24–27). Our examples of keeping our covenants can help others want to keep their covenants too.

The Anti-Nephi-Lehies show love by burying their weapons (Alma 26:32–33). People who are truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ have love and concern for everyone, including their enemies.

The Anti-Nephi-Lehies were not afraid to die "for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it" (Alma 27:28).

What can we do to become more like the Anti-Nephi-Lehies in honoring our covenants? When we make sacred covenants, we must honor them if we want to receive the promised blessings.

Labels: Alma, Anti-Nephi-Lehies, Book of Mormon, Conversion, covenants, Jershon, Lesson 19, Mosiah