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 6: Heavenly Father Commands Nephi to Build a Ship,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 19

We should be good examples and have a spiritual influence on our families by obeying Heavenly Father’s commandments. “If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them” (1 Nephi 17:50).

Read 1 Nephi 17 also review 1 Nephi 16:17–32 from Lesson 5.

Think of the following questions:

• What materials do you think you would need to build a ship large and strong enough to carry you and your family across the ocean?
• What kind of help would you need?
• Where could you go to learn how to build a ship?

This lesson is about how Heavenly Father helped Nephi build a ship.

The Lord promise if we obey his commandments, that he will "doth nourish [us], and strengthen [us], and provide means whereby [we] can accomplish the thing which he has commanded [us]" (1 Nephi 17:3). We and our families can be blessed because of our obedience.

The Lord command Nephi to build a ship, so they could cross the waters (1 Nephi 17:8). Nephi respond by asking the Lord where to find the materials he needed (1 Nephi 17:9). What gave Nephi had such great confidence because he trusted in the Lord (1 Nephi 17:14–15).

Why do you think the Lord did not just give them a ship? Why doesn't he just give us what we need? It is important for us to do all we can for ourselves, so that we can learn and grow from our experiances. We can become spoiled if everything is given to us, and we fail to learn the value of doing things for our selves and others.

Laman and Lemuel didn't want to help Nephi build a ship, because they didn't have faith that it could be done. They did not want to work to gain the promises of the Lord (1 Nephi 17:17–19, 45–46). How would working together make building the ship easier? How can working together in our families and communities make large projects easier?

How would you feel if your older brothers made fun of you because you were keeping Heavenly Father’s commandments? How have you been able to help your family? How have you felt when you have helped your family or have not helped your family?

When his brothers tried to kill him, Heavenly Father give Nephi power that "whoso shall lay his hands upon [him] shall wither even as a dried reed" (1 Nephi 17:48, 54).

Nephi show his faith in Jesus Christ by building a ship according to his instructions (1 Nephi 17:50–51). How can you be like Nephi and show courage and faith in Jesus Christ?

List the things the Lord promises when we are obedient as found in 1 Nephi 17:3 and 1 Nephi 3:7. You will be blessed if they keep the commandments and ask Heavenly Father for guidance.

List things you could do to help your families learn the gospel and keep the commandments, such as encourage daily scripture study, participate willingly in family prayer, help organize and participate in family home evening, obey your parents, help keep your homes neat and clean, pray for family members, show love and kindness to each other, share what you have learned here, and so on. Choose one thing you would like to work on improving during the coming week.

Labels: Book of Mormon, Lesson 6, Nephi, Obediance, Ship