Book of Mormon Primary Lessons

“Lesson 16: Alma and Amulek in Prison,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 53

Developing faith in Jesus Christ will help you stand for the right. In this lession we will learn that as we obey the commandments as Alma and Amulek did, our own faith in Jesus Christ will increase and we will have courage to stand for the right.

Read Alma 14:1–16:10, Alma 60:13, and the fourth article of faith.

Briefly review the story of Zeezrom from Lesson 15. Zeezrom felt bad that he had blinded the minds of the people so much that "he began to be encircled about by the pains of hell" (Alma 14:6).

Zeezrom "began to cry unto the people, saying: Behold, I am guilty, and these men are spotless before God. And he began to plead for them from that time forth." But the people "reviled him . . . And they spit upon him, and cast him out from among them" (Alma 14:7). Why do people sometimes persecute those who believe in Heavenly Father?

The people of Ammonihah took Zeezrom and those who believed Alma and Amulek, "to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of [all those who believed] who were consumed by fire" (Alma 14:7, 9). How would you feel if this happened to you?

As the sorrowing Alma and Amulek watched the scriptures and the innocent wives and children burning, the Holy Ghost "constraineth [Alma] that [he] must not stretch forth [his] hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day" (Alma 14:11).

Righteous people who die in defense of the truth "do enter into the rest of the Lord their God." Sometimes righteous people have died for defending the truth. The Lord allows this so "that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked" (Alma 60:13).

While Alma and Amulek were in prison, they were given the power to "[break] the cords with which they were bound . . . and the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison were rent in twain, so that they fell to the earth." "the Lord had granted unto them power, according to their faith which was in Christ" (Alma 14:25–28). The people of the city ran away from Alma and Amulek for "they were struck with great fear" (Alma 14:29).

After they left Ammonihah and went to Sidom, Zeezrom sick with a burning fever "which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness" (Alma 15:3). Zeezrom was healed both physically and spiritually when "Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ" (Alma 15:6–8). How have you felt when you have done something wrong? How have you felt when you have repented?

After Zeezrom was healed and baptized "he began from that time forth to preach unto the people." (Alma 15:12). Because Amulek was a missionary he had "forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things" (Alma 15:16).

Alma had prophesied to the people of Ammonihah that if they didn't repent "the Lamanites shall be sent . . . and ye shall be visited with utter destruction" (Alma 9:18). This prophecy was fulfilled just as Alma had said. "every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city" (Alma 15:15; 16:2–3, 9–10).

Labels: Alma, Ammonihah, Amulek, Book of Mormon, Faith, Lesson 16, Obediance, Sidom, Zeezrom

“Lesson 15: Alma and Amulek’s Mission to Ammonihah,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 50

It is import for us to faithfully obey Heavenly Father’s commandments. This lesson is about two missionaries who were obedient in all they were asked to do.

Read Alma 8:8–9:34, 11:21–12:19, and Alma 10.

Alma and Amulek took their mission to Ammonihah, but the people of Ammonihah wouldn't listen to Alma, because "Satan had gotten great hold upon [their]hearts" (Alma 8:9). "Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people" (Alma 8:10).

When Alma first went to Ammonihah, they "spit upon him, and caused that he should be cast out of their city" which cased Alma to be "weighed down with sorrow" (Alma 8:13–14). But an angel told Alma to rejoice. (Alma 8:15).

Notice the footnote for the word delivered in Alma 8:15, and then read Mosiah 27:11–16. Briefly review how Alma had repented and become an obedient servant of Heavenly Father (see lesson 14 - This was the first time this angel had been sent with a message for Alma).

Alma responded to the angel’s command by "[returning] speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way" (Alma 8:18).

Alma found Amulek who was willing to help him because he too was a Nephite, and he knew that Alma was a prophet of God (Alma 8:20). Alma and Amulek went on to preach repentance to the people of Ammonihah (Alma 8:29).

". . . they were filled with the Holy Ghost. And they had power . . . that . . . man could [not] slay them . . . Now, this was done that the Lord might show forth his power in them . . . they went forth and began to preach . . . unto the people" (Alma 8:30–32).

Alma prophesy to the people of Ammonihah if they did not repent and obey the commandments "the Lamanites shall be sent upon [them] . . . and ye shall be visited with utter destruction" (Alma 9:18).

"the Son of God shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father . . . he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name . . . if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls . . . [if] evil they shall reap the damnation" (Alma 9:26–28).

Alma fasted for the people of Ammonihah "because of the sins of this people" (Alma 10:7). How can fasting be a blessing to you?

Zeezrom, an evil man, tried to tempt Amulek by offering him money (Alma 11:22). Amulek responded by exposing Zeezrom’s true intent (Alma 11:23–25). Has anyone tried to trick or tempt you to do something wrong? How can you resist such temptations?

"Zeezrom . . . was convinced [of the power of God because Alma] knew the thoughts and intents of his heart" (Alma 12:7–8). Alma taught Zeezrom that God will judge us "according to our works" (Alma 12:12–15).

Heavenly Father wants us to obey his commandments so we will be worthy of his Spirit, which will be with us and help us return to him.

Labels: Alma, Ammonihah, Amulek, Book of Mormon, Lesson 15, Mission, Zeezrom