Book of Mormon Primary Lessons

“Lesson 44: Moroni and the Book of Mormon Promise,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, (1997),156

Moroni promises that we can gain a personal testimony of the Book of Mormon and learn "how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men" (Moroni 10:3) as we study it and live its teachings throughout their lives. A testimony of the Book of Mormon comes by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Read Moroni 10 and Joseph Smith—History 1:30–35, 59–60. Also see Mormon 8:1–4, 16, the title page of the Book of Mormon, and the eighth article of faith.

Moroni wanted us to "remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men" (Moroni 10:3).

Moroni said we should "ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ" to find out if the Book of Mormon is true (Moroni 10:4).

The "power of the Holy Ghost" can help you know the Book of Mormon is true (Moroni 10:5).

Moroni’s promise to us is that we can gain a personal testimony as to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon if "ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith" (Moroni 10:4).

How can we recognize the power of the Holy Ghost when he is testifying to us that the Book of Mormon is true? The Lord prompts us most often through our feelings. The Holy Ghost often gives us a feeling of peace that something is right and good. It may be a warm feeling inside us.

The most important thing you can learn from studying the Book of Mormon is that Jesus is the Christ. (See the title page of the Book of Mormon).

Moroni said the the Book of Mormon "shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God" (Mormon 8:16).

The Prophet Joseph Smith received the gold plates from out of the earth were Moroni buried them, and translated them into the Book of Mormon.

Now that the work of the Book of Mormon prophets and the Prophet Joseph Smith has been completed, our responsibility is to study it, gain a testimony of it, live its teachings, and share our testimony with others.

When we gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, we also gain a testimony that: Jesus is the Christ; Joseph Smith is a prophet of God; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of God.

Labels: Book of Mormon, Faith, Holly Ghost, Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Latter-day Saints, LDS, Lesson 44, Mormon, Peace, Prophet

"Lesson 43: Moroni Teaches Faith in Jesus Christ,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, (1997),152

Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen (Ether 12:6). The Book of Mormon teaches about many people who received great blessings and performed miracles because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Read: Ether 12:6–41, Moroni 7:21–28, 33–34 and the fourth article of faith.

Jesus Christ said we will receive "power to do whatsoever thing is excpedient in [him]" if we have faith in him (Moroni 7:33). Thinking back on past lessons from this year, what examples of people can you think of who did great things because of their faith in Jesus Christ?

Moroni taught how to receive a witness, or testimony, of the gospel by "the trial of your faith" (Ether 12:6). To have a “trial of your faith” means to have your faith tested in some way.

We all have weaknesses. God gave "unto men weakness that they may be humble . . . for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them"(Ether 12:27).

Some things that faith in Jesus Christ will help us do include: pray, receive answers to prayers, repent, be baptized, follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, serve others, resist temptation, pay tithing, meet challenges, say “I’m sorry,” attend church, obey the Word of Wisdom, and so on.

Heavenly Father's promise about prayer gives people who have faith anything they righteously desire (Moroni 7:26). How have your prayers been answered?

We build our faith by obeying the Lord’s commandments, and from getting to know and trust the Lord.

Labels: Book of Mormon, Ether, Faith, Jesus Christ, Lesson 43, Moroni

“Lesson 22: Alma Teaches about Faith,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 74

The word of God, when nourished by faith, will grow in our hearts into a testimony of Jesus Christ; just as a seed can become a large tree, if nourished properly. If you will learn the word of God and obey the commandments, you will gain a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Read Alma 32, and 33.

The poor Zoramites were humble because "they were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel" (Alma 32:2–3). Sometimes afflictions may make us humble enough to listen to the gospel, or learn the things God wants us to learn.

To be “poor in heart” means to be humble, teachable, truly repentant, and free from pride.
Being poor was a blessing for these people because it made them humble and teachable (Alma 32:12–13). We can become humble even if we don’t suffer afflictions or poverty, but sometimes we become proud and need to be humbled. Why is it necessary for us to be humble when we are taught the gospel?

". . . faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true" (Alma 32:21). We must have faith to develop a testimony of the gospel, because "ye cannot know of [it with] surety at first" (Alma 32:26). It takes time to gain a testimony. Keeping the commandments can help us gain a testimony that they are true.

"But behold, if ye will . . . experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith . . . even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words." (Alma 32:27). What can you do to increase your desire to believe?

Obeying the commandments is an “experiment” on the word of God. As we follow them we will receive blessings for our obedience and our testimonies will become stronger.

We can plant the word of God in our hearts so our testimonies will grow by regularly studying the scriptures; attending church; having family home evening; praying; and consistently applying the principles of the gospel in our lives.

We will know when the good seed, or a testimony of the gospel, is beginning to grow inside us because it will "beginneth to enlighten [your] understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to [you]" (Alma 32:28, 34). Gain and strengthen your testimonies, have faith, and you will gain a strong testimony of the gospel, just as with time a tree will grow to become very strong.

Alma tells us we must have faith and patience to nourish our testimonies of the gospel (Alma 32:41–42). Why do you think patience and diligence are necessary in developing faith and a testimony? Can you expect a large tree to grow over night?

Studying the scriptures will strengthen our faith and testimony as they testify of Christ (Alma 33:14).

". . . believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he [suffered] and [died] to atone for [our] sins; and that he [did] rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works" (Alma 33:22).

A strong testimony like a tree "springing up in you unto everlasting life." (Alma 33:23). How do you think having a testimony will help you gain eternal life?

Labels: Alma, Book of Mormon, Faith, Jesus Christ, Lesson 22, Tree of Life

“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