Book of Mormon Primary Lessons

“Lesson 25: Captain Moroni Defeats Zerahemnah,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 87

We are in a spiritual war between good and evil. Put on the armor of God as a protection against evil.

Read Alma 43, 44 and Ephesians 6:11, 13–18. Also read Doctrine and Covenants 27:15–18.

Girdle (belt) — Truth (Ephesians 6:14)
Breastplate — Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)
Shoes — Preparation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15)
Shield — Faith (Ephesians 6:16)
Helmet — Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)
Sword — God’s Spirit, or the word of God (Ephesians 6:17; D&C 6:2)

Zerahemnah, the Lamanite commander, appoint Amalekites and Zoramites as chief captains over the Lamanites "as the Amalekites were of a more wicked and murderous disposition than the Lamanites . . . that he might preserve their hatred towards the Nephites" (Alma 43:6–7). The Lamanites wanted to fight the Nephites to "usurp great power over them, and . . . bringing them into bondage" (Alma 43:8, 29).

The Nephites were ready to fight "for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church" (Alma 43:45, 47). What do you value enough to fight for?

Captain Moroni prepared his army to meet the Lamanites at Jershon. "Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing" (Alma 43:18–19.) This preparation frightened the Lamanites because "they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins" (Alma 43:20–21). In what ways can you put on the spiritual armor of God and be prepared to stand for what is right?

Captain Moroni find out where he should send his armies by sending "men unto [Alma], desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites" (Alma 43:23–24). Prophets help us today to prepare ourselves against evil.

Captain Moroni’s army receive strength and courage to fight as "they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage . . . and in that selfsame hour . . . the Lamanites began to flee before them" (Alma 43:49–50). Prayer can help you put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:18).

After Moroni had surrounded the Lamanites, he showed he was not a man of bloodshed, and offered a truce (Alma 43:54; 44:1–2, 6).

Zerahemnah would not make the oath of peace, but became angry. (Alma 44:12). The Lamanites who covenanted not to fight were allowed to leave without their weapons (Alma 44:15).

Satan uses many things today to try to wound or kill us spiritually. They include things as certain movies, television programs, videos, books, or magazines; temptations to break the Word of Wisdom; temptations to not go to church; and so on. What are you doing to strengthen their spiritual armor? Things that can help include having personal and family prayers, having personal and family scripture study, having family home evenings, attending church, and so on.

Labels: Alma, Amalekites, Armor, Book of Mormon, Captain Moroni, D and C, Ephesians, Lesson 25, War, Zerahemnah, Zoramites

“Lesson 24: Alma Counsels His Son Corianton,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 83

We experience good and bad consequences depending on our choices. We have many difficult choices to make, but Heavenly Father has given us commandments to help us.

Read Alma 39, the second article of faith, and the eleventh article of faith.

Corianton’s brothers had set a good example for him? (Alma 39:1). Whom do you look to for a righteous example?

Alma was unhappy with Corianton "For [he] didst not give so much heed unto my words as did thy brother" (Alma 39:2). Corianton did not obey Alma.

Alma was reminding Corianton of his sins "for [his] good" (Alma 39:7–9). To “cross yourself in all these things” [verse 9] means to turn away from these evils. Keep in mind that God knows of all our sins (Alma 39:8). Feelings of guilt can lead us to repent.

Alma told Corianton his brothers could give him good advice in making choices. (Alma 39:10). From what other sources can you receive righteous counsel?

Corianton’s unrighteous actions caused the Zoramites to not believe Alma's words (Alma 39:11). In what ways may our choices affect others?

Think of some of the choices you have to make. How might the Holy Ghost help you know when you are doing something wrong? The Holy Ghost can also help you know you have made a good decision.

Alma taught Corianton to repent, saying "turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done" (Alma 39:13). We must do all we can to follow Christ's example and repent for what we have done wrong. We also need to apologize to those whom we have hurt by our wrong choices.

Alma’s counsel about seeking riches, saying "Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you [when you die]" (Alma 39:14). When riches become the most important thing in our lives, we lose sight of what's truly important.

Alma taught Corianton about the mission of Jesus Christ: "it is he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people." (Alma 39:15).

Alma told Corianton teach about "declare these glad tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them, that they may . . . hear the word" (Alma 39:16).

Labels: Alma, Book of Mormon, Corianton, Example, Jesus Christ, Lesson 24, Zoramites

“Lesson 21: The Zoramites and the Rameumptom,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 71

Empty worship does no more good for our spiritual nourishment than eating cardboard does for our physical nourishment. In this lesson you will learn about appropriate and sincere ways to worship God.

Read Alma 31; 34:1–30, 38–41; and 35:1–9.

"the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lord . . . the Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites; therefore they had had the word of God preached unto them" (Alma 31:1–3, 8). "for they would not observe to keep the commandments of God" (Alma 31:8–11).

"they had a place built up in the center of their synagogue . . . the top thereof would only admit one person . . . whosoever desired to worship must go forth and stand upon the top thereof . . . from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him" (Alma 31:13–18, 21–23).

This type of self centered, repetitive, and open worship draws more attention to our selves then it does our hearts towards God. Many of the things the Zoramites believed were wrong. Is it important to know who Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really are and what they are like, so that we know how to worship them appropriately.

The Repetitive nature of the Zoramites’ prayers and their lack of worship outside of their synagogues show that they were insincere (Alma 31:23, 27). How can we make our prayers more sincere?

The Zoramites also thought they were better than others (Alma 31:24–25, 27–28). In what ways might we sometimes feel we are better than others? Pride is a serious sin as it leads us away from God.

Alma and the other leaders "were astonished beyond all measure" when the Zoramites (Alma 31:19, 24, 30–31).

The Zoramites’ hearts were set on "their costly apparel . . . all their precious things" (Alma 31:28). What are some worldly things that people today set their hearts on? When we set our hearts on worldly things, we become prideful and forget about God.

Alma prayed for himself and for his companions that they "may have success in bringing [the Zoramites] again unto . . . Christ." (Alma 31:31–35). Praying for specific things, help make Alma's prayer more sincere. How has praying helped you with a problem?

Amulek testify that Jesus Christ "shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world" (Alma 34:8).

"ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you." (Alma 34:18–27). We can worship Heavenly Father every day of the week by praying every day.

"after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and . . . [don't] impart of your substance . . . [then] your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith" (Alma 34:28).

The people of Ammon (the Anti-Nephi-Lehies) "did receive all the poor of the Zoramites that came over unto them; and they did nourish them, and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their wants." (Alma 35:9). How should we treat a stranger or those who are poor among us? How is this showing love for Heavenly Father? (see: Matthew 25:40; Mosiah 2:17).

If we humbly and sincerely worship Heavenly Father, he will bless us, and we will receive answers to our prayers.

Labels: Alma, Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ, Lesson 21, Matthew, Mosiah, Rameumptom, Worship, Zoramites