Welcome to August!
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August, Week 1
Day 1
Primary
1. Read Alma 36.
2. Sharing tender spiritual experiences with those we love can be a source of strength for them and us. Speaking to his son Helaman, Alma recounted his experience seeing an angel, feeling the torment of his sins, and finding deliverance through Jesus Christ.
3. Watch the video “Alma Counsels His Sons.”
4. Listen to the song “Books in the Book of Mormon.” Make sure you can sing it through Alma.
Primary
1. Read Alma 36.
2. Sharing tender spiritual experiences with those we love can be a source of strength for them and us. Speaking to his son Helaman, Alma recounted his experience seeing an angel, feeling the torment of his sins, and finding deliverance through Jesus Christ.
3. Jesus Christ has power to deliver us from the pain of our sins and fill us with joy. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
As we honestly confess our sins, restore what we can to the offended, and forsake our sins by keeping the commandments, we are in the process of receiving forgiveness. With time, we will feel the anguish of our sorrow subside, taking “away the guilt from our hearts” and bringing “peace of conscience.” (Neil L. Andersen, “Repent … That I May Heal You,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 42)
4. How does the suffering involved in repentance compare to suffering we will experience if we do not repent? Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Any pain entailed in repentance will always be far less than the suffering required to satisfy justice for unresolved transgression. The Savior spoke little about what He endured to satisfy the demands of justice and atone for our sins, but He did make this revealing statement:
“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
“But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit — and would that I might not drink the bitter cup” (D&C 19:16–18). (D. Todd Christofferson, “The Divine Gift of Repentance,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 40)
5. Watch the video “Alma Testifies to His Son Helaman.”
6. Listen to the song “Books in the Book of Mormon.” Make sure you can sing it through Alma.
Day 2
Primary
1. Read Alma 37:1-20.
2. Sometimes our problems seem so big and complicated that we assume the solutions also need to be big and complicated. However, Alma taught his son Helaman that the Lord often uses small and simple things to do great things, such as allowing scriptures to point “the way [we] should go” in our lives. What are some small and simple things that make a big difference in your life?
3. Listen to the song “As I Search the Holy Scriptures.”
Youth
1. Read Alma 37:1-20.
2. Sometimes our problems seem so big and complicated that we assume the solutions also need to be big and complicated. However, Alma taught his son Helaman that the Lord often uses small and simple things to do great things, such as allowing scriptures to point “the way [we] should go” in our lives. What are some small and simple things that make a big difference in your life?
3. One truth we can learn in Alma 37 is that the Lord uses the scriptures to bring salvation to many people. Why do you think the Lord uses the scriptures to help people build faith in Jesus Christ and to come unto Him for salvation? If you do not feel you are receiving great blessings through scripture study, seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to know what you may need to recognize or change.
4. Why is it important to study the scriptures daily? President Russell M. Nelson taught the following:
If you are not also seeking the Lord through daily prayer and gospel study, you leave yourself vulnerable to philosophies that may be intriguing but are not true. Even Saints who are otherwise faithful can be derailed by the steady beat of Babylon’s band.
My brothers and sisters, I plead with you to make time for the Lord! Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always. (Russell M. Nelson, “Make Time for the Lord,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 120)
5. How can I find time for scripture study in my busy life? Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it! (Richard G. Scott, “Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 93)
Day 3
Primary
1. Read Alma 37:21-47.
2. What are some lessons you have learned from your parents or Church leaders? What are some things you hope to teach your children someday? Alma understood that parents have a sacred responsibility to teach their children. Following his mission to the Zoramites, Alma gathered his sons to teach and encourage them. He counseled them to keep the commandments of God.
3. Listen to the song “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth.”
Youth
1. Read Alma 37:21-47.
2. What are some lessons you have learned from your parents or Church leaders? What are some things you hope to teach your children someday? Alma understood that parents have a sacred responsibility to teach their children. Following his mission to the Zoramites, Alma gathered his sons to teach and encourage them. He counseled them to keep the commandments of God.
3. President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) shared the following story:
In an interview published in a national magazine, well-known American NCAA basketball player Jabari Parker, a member of the Church, was asked to share the best advice he had received from his father. Replied Jabari, “[My father] said, Just be the same person you are in the dark that you are in the light.” Important advice … for all of us. (Thomas S. Monson, “Be Strong and of a Good Courage,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 68)
4. Why do you think it is better to “learn in [your] youth to keep the commandments of God” instead of waiting until you are older? President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) shared the following experience about planting a tree:
I put [the tree] in a place at the corner where the wind from the canyon to the east blew the hardest. I dug a hole, put in the bare root, put soil around it, poured on water, and largely forgot it. It was only a wisp of a tree, perhaps three-quarters of an inch in diameter. It was so supple that I could bend it with ease in any direction. I paid little attention to it as the years passed.
Then one winter day … I noticed that it was leaning to the west, misshapen and out of balance. … I went out and braced myself against it as if to push it upright. But the trunk was now nearly a foot in diameter. My strength was as nothing against it. I took from my toolshed a block and tackle. Attaching one end to the tree and another to a well-set post, I pulled the rope. The pulleys moved a little, and the trunk of the tree trembled slightly. But that was all. …
Finally in desperation I took my saw and cut off the great heavy branch on the west side. The saw left an ugly scar, more than eight inches across. I stepped back and surveyed what I had done. I had cut off the major part of the tree, leaving only one branch growing skyward. …
When it was first planted, a piece of string would have held it in place against the forces of the wind. I could have and should have supplied that string with ever so little effort. But I did not, and it bent to the forces that came against it. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Bring Up a Child in the Way He Should Go,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 59)
5. How might keeping the commandments be like supporting a young tree so it grows straight and strong despite the wind? How can ignoring the commandments until later in life affect us?
Day 4
Primary
1. Today read Alma 38.
2. In chapter 38, Alma talks to his son Shiblon. Shiblon was righteous, and Alma told him to trust in the Lord and bridle his passions (or strong emotions). A bridle is used to control the direction a horse goes. When we can bridle, or control, our strong emotions, it can help us act with love.
Youth
1. Today read Alma 38.
2. In chapter 38, Alma talks to his son Shiblon. Shiblon was righteous, and Alma told him to trust in the Lord and bridle his passions (or strong emotions). A bridle is used to control the direction a horse goes. When we can bridle, or control, our strong emotions, it can help us act with love.
3. What does it mean to be temperate? Elder Kent D. Watson, formerly of the Seventy, shared the following:
Tempered glass, like tempered steel, undergoes a well-controlled heating process which increases strength. Thus, when tempered glass is under stress, it will not easily break into jagged shards that can injure.
Likewise, a temperate soul—one who is humble and full of love—is also a person of increased spiritual strength. With increased spiritual strength, we are able to develop self-mastery and to live with moderation. We learn to control, or temper, our anger, vanity, and pride. With increased spiritual strength, we can protect ourselves from the dangerous excesses and destructive addictions of today’s world. (Kent D. Watson, “Being Temperate in All Things,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 38)
4. How can bridling my passions fill me with love? Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Alma counseled his son Shiblon to “bridle all [of his] passions, that [he] may be filled with love” (Alma 38:12). Significantly, disciplining the natural man in each of us makes possible a richer, a deeper, and a more enduring love of God and of His children. Love increases through righteous restraint and decreases through impulsive indulgence. (David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 43–44)
5. Watch the video “Alma Commends His Son Shiblon.”
Week 2
Day 1
Primary
1. Today read Alma 39.
2. There is a doctrinal mastery scripture in this chapter, Alma 39:9.
9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things.
3. One of Alma’s sons, Corianton, had sinned and made mistakes. Alma explained to him how he could repent of his sins and forsake them (leave them behind and not do them again) to move forward and be happier in his life.
4. Watch the video “Corianton.”
Youth
1. Today read Alma 39.
2. There is a doctrinal mastery scripture in this chapter, Alma 39:9.
9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things.
3. The law of chastity is the Lord’s law of sexual purity. Obeying the law of chastity means keeping yourself clean in thought, word, and action, including staying away from anything pornographic. It also means avoiding any sexual relations before marriage and being completely faithful to your wife or husband during marriage.
4. Alma 39 is the first of four chapters containing counsel, commandments, and teachings from Alma to his son Corianton. Corianton had accompanied his father and brother Shiblon to preach the gospel among the Zoramites. During this mission, however, Corianton committed some serious sins.
5. In addition to teaching his son about the seriousness of sexual sin, Alma also taught Corianton how to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Review Alma 39:9, looking for words or phrases that can help you resist temptation and keep the law of chastity. (The phrase “cross yourself” means to exercise self-control or self-mastery.) One possible principle from this verses is that as we exercise self-control and turn to the Lord, we can overcome the temptation to violate God’s law of chastity. Exercising self-control and turning to the Lord to overcome temptation can sometimes be difficult. It can help to think of a variety of ways to do this and then follow promptings from the Spirit about what would be most helpful for you.
6. Watch the video “Alma Admonishes His Son Corianton to Repent.”
Day 2
Primary
1. Read Alma 40.
2. After his father invited him to repent, Corianton had some questions about God’s plan, including what happens to us after we die. His father, Alma, answered his questions and testified of Jesus Christ’s central role in Heavenly Father’s plan. Because Jesus Christ was resurrected, all of us will also be resurrected.
3. Listen to the song “As I Search the Holy Scriptures.”
Youth
1. Read Alma 40.
2. After his father invited him to repent, Corianton had some questions about God’s plan, including what happens to us after we die. His father, Alma, answered his questions and testified of Jesus Christ’s central role in Heavenly Father’s plan.
3. Sister Reyna I. Aburto, a counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, shared a personal experience that illustrates questions we may have about what happens after we die.
When I was nine years old, I lost my older brother during a devastating earthquake. Because it happened unexpectedly, it took me a while to grasp the reality of what had occurred. I was heartbroken by sorrow, and I would ask myself, “What happened to my brother? Where is he? Where did he go? Will I ever see him again?”
Back then I did not yet know about God’s plan of salvation, and I had the desire to know where we come from, what the purpose of life is, and what happens to us after we die. Don’t we all have those yearnings when we lose a loved one or when we go through difficulties in our lives? (Reyna I. Aburto, “The Grave Has No Victory,” Liahona, May 2021, 86)
4. President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:
We know from the scriptures that after our bodies die we continue to live as spirits in the spirit world. The scriptures also teach that this spirit world is divided between those who have been “righteous” or “just” during life and those who have been wicked. They also describe how some faithful spirits teach the gospel to those who have been wicked or rebellious (see 1 Peter 3:19; Doctrine and Covenants 138:19–20, 29, 32, 37). (Dallin H. Oaks, “Trust in the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 26)
5. President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:
We celebrate the reality of the Resurrection in this Easter season. This gives us the perspective and strength to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and those we love, such things as the physical, mental, or emotional deficiencies we acquire at birth or experience during our mortal lives. Because of the Resurrection, we know that these mortal deficiencies are only temporary! (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Great Plan,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 94–95)
6. Because Jesus Christ was resurrected, all of us will also be resurrected.
Day 3
Primary
1. Read Alma 41.
2. There is a doctrinal mastery scripture in this chapter, Alma 41:10. (There is a song to go with it!)
10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
3. After teaching Corianton about the dangers of his sins, Alma worked to correct false teachings. He taught Corianton important truths to help him understand Heavenly Father’s plan of restoration and to help him repent.
Youth
1. Read Alma 41.
2. There is a doctrinal mastery scripture in this chapter, Alma 41:10. (There is a song to go with it!)
10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
3. After teaching Corianton about the dangers of his sins, Alma worked to correct false teachings. He taught Corianton important truths to help him understand Heavenly Father’s plan of restoration and to help him repent.
4. Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy explained the relationship between the nature of God and happiness:
Note that to be without God in the world — in other words, to refuse to live His gospel and therefore lack the companionship of the Spirit—is to be in a state contrary to the nature of happiness. The gospel of Jesus Christ is, in fact, the — note that this is singular, meaning it is the only — “great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8). If you opt for any other way of life or try to live only the parts of the gospel that seem convenient, such a choice will cheat you of the full, resplendent joy and happiness for which you were designed by our loving Father in Heaven and His Son. (Marcus B. Nash, “The Great Plan of Happiness,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 49)
5. What if I am keeping the commandments but don’t feel happy? Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:
I recognize that, despite the overwhelming happiness embodied in God’s divine plan, sometimes it can feel far away and disconnected from our current circumstances. It may feel beyond our reach as struggling disciples. From our limited perspective, current temptations and distractions can seem attractive. The rewards for resisting those temptations, on the other hand, can feel distant and unattainable. But a true understanding of the Father’s plan reveals that the rewards of righteousness are available right now. Wickedness, such as immoral conduct, is never part of the answer. (Quentin L. Cook, “Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 40)
6. Watch the video “Alma Teaches His Son Corianton About Resurrection and Judgement.”
Day 4
Primary
1. Read Alma 42.
2. The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes redemption possible. Corianton believed that punishment for sins was not fair. Alma explained to his son that the Savior’s Atonement make both justice and mercy possible.
3. Listen to the song “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth.”
Youth
1. Read Alma 42.
2. The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes redemption possible. Corianton believed that punishment for sins was not fair. Alma explained to his son that the Savior’s Atonement make both justice and mercy possible.
3. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about God’s justice and mercy:
Justice is an essential attribute of God. We can have faith in God because He is perfectly trustworthy. The scriptures teach us that “God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round” [Doctrine and Covenants 3:2] and that “God is no respecter of persons” [Acts 10:34]. We rely on the divine quality of justice for faith, confidence, and hope.
But as a consequence of being perfectly just, there are some things God cannot do. He cannot be arbitrary in saving some and banishing others. He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” [Doctrine and Covenants 1:31]. He cannot allow mercy to rob justice [see Alma 42:25].
It is compelling evidence of His justice that God has forged the companion principle of mercy. It is because He is just that He devised the means for mercy to play its indispensable role in our eternal destiny. (D. Todd Christofferson, “Free Forever, to Act for Themselves,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 17)
4. Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:
The demands of justice for broken law can be satisfied through mercy, earned by your continual repentance and obedience to the laws of God. Such repentance and obedience are absolutely essential for the Atonement to work its complete miracle in your life. The Redeemer can settle your individual account with justice and grant forgiveness through the merciful path of your repentance. Through the Atonement you can live in a world where justice assures that you will retain what you earn by obedience. Through His mercy you can resolve the consequences of broken laws. (Richard G. Scott, “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 42)
5. Watch the video “Alma Teaches Corianton About God’s Justice and Mercy.”
Week 3
Day 1
Primary
1. Today read Alma 43.
2. The last part of the book of Alma describes a time of contention and war. The strategies used by the Nephites in these wars can help us develop strategies we can use in our daily battles against Satan. For example, Captain Moroni made sure his troops were ready to fight, preparing them with armor and weapons. When his enemy was defeated, he showed them mercy, allowing them to leave if they promised not to battle against the Nephites any more.
3. Watch the video Captain Moroni and Zarahemna.
Youth
1. Today read Alma 43.
2. The last part of the book of Alma describes a time of contention and war. The strategies used by the Nephites in these wars can help us develop strategies we can use in our daily battles against Satan.
3. President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles warned:
You are growing up in enemy territory. … [The adversary] is in homes, entertainment, the media, language—everything around you. In most cases, his presence is undetected. (Boyd K. Packer, “How to Survive in Enemy Territory,” New Era, Apr. 2012, 2)
4. In what ways are we in a spiritual war today? President Russell M. Nelson taught:
The battle with sin is real. The adversary is quadrupling his efforts to disrupt testimonies and impede the work of the Lord. He is arming his minions with potent weapons to keep us from partaking of the joy and love of the Lord. (Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 68)
The adversary is increasing his attacks on faith and upon us and our families at an exponential rate. To survive spiritually, we need counterstrategies and proactive plans. (Russell M. Nelson, “Opening Remarks,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 7)
5. What can I do to be protected from the adversary? President Russell M. Nelson explained:
We have been promised that “if [we] are prepared [we] shall not fear” [Doctrine and Covenants 38:30]. This assurance has profound implications today. The Lord has declared that despite today’s unprecedented challenges, those who build their foundations upon Jesus Christ, and have learned how to draw upon His power, need not succumb to the unique anxieties of this era. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 94)
Day 2
Primary
1. Today read Alma 46.
2. When Moroni heard of the dissensions among his people caused by Amalickiah, he was angry. He created the title of liberty, and on it he listed important things for his people to always remember. Moroni’s words inspired the people to strengthen their commitment to God.
3. Watch the video “The Title of Liberty.”
Youth
1. Today read Alma 46.
2. When Moroni heard of the dissensions among his people caused by Amalickiah, he was angry. He created the title of liberty, and on it he listed important things for his people to always remember. Moroni’s words inspired the people to strengthen their commitment to God.
3. Read Alma 46:8. When we forget the Lord, we can more easily be led to do iniquity.
4. Moroni was angry with Amalickiah for causing these dissensions among the Nephites. Read Alma 46:12–14, 19–20. What did Moroni do to inspire the Nephites to be faithful to God?
5. How can I help establish peace in the world around me? President Russell M. Nelson taught:
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, what does the Lord expect of us? As a Church, we must “renounce war and proclaim peace” [Doctrine and Covenants 98:16]. As individuals, we should “follow after the things which make for peace” [Romans 14:19]. We should be personal peacemakers. We should live peacefully—as couples, families, and neighbors. We should live by the Golden Rule. (Russell M. Nelson, “Blessed Are the Peacemakers,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 41)
6. Watch the video “Moroni Raises the Title of Liberty.”
Day 3
Primary
1. Read Alma 47.
2. You might remember that Amalickiah and a group of Nephite dissenters sought to overthrow the freedom of the Nephites and destroy the church of God. After being stopped by Moroni and other Nephites, Amalickiah escaped to the Lamanites and attempted to stir them up to anger against the Nephites. Through tricks and traps, he became the king of the Lamanites. This gave him the power to command an army against the Nephites.
3. Listen to the song “As I Search the Holy Scriptures.”
Youth
1. Read Alma 47.
2. You might remember that Amalickiah and a group of Nephite dissenters sought to overthrow the freedom of the Nephites and destroy the church of God. After being stopped by Moroni and other Nephites, Amalickiah escaped to the Lamanites and attempted to stir them up to anger against the Nephites. Through tricks and traps, he became the king of the Lamanites. This gave him the power to command an army against the Nephites.
3. Because Lehonti yielded just a little to his enemy, he found himself in very dangerous and even deadly circumstances. President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles compared fishing lures and Satan’s temptations. A fishing lure is a type of bait used to catch fish. The lure attracts the attention of the fish and can entice the fish to try to bite it. Then once the fish is hooked, it can be captured. Amalickiah lured Lehonti into a position where he was vulnerable, and then he was able to gain power over him.
4. If we give in to Satan’s temptations even a little, we give him greater influence to lead us astray. What help does the Lord provide to resist temptation? President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:
With the help of the Holy Ghost, we can watch over ourselves. We can pray to recognize and reject the first thoughts of sin. We can pray to recognize a warning not to speak words which would hurt or tempt someone else. And we can, when we must, pray for the humility and the faith to repent.
There will surely be some who hear my voice who will have this thought come into their minds: “But the temptations are too great for me. I have resisted as long as I can. For me, the commandments are too hard. The standard is too high.”
That is not so. The Savior is our Advocate with the Father. He knows our weaknesses. He knows how to succor those who are tempted. (Henry B. Eyring, “As a Child,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 17)
Day 4
Primary
1. Today read Alma 51.
2. A group called king-men tried to change the law to allow a king to rule over the Nephites. They failed in their attempt. In their anger over their failure, the king-men refused to take up arms when Amalickiah and the Lamanites came to wage war against the Nephites. According to the law, Moroni required them to take up arms or be put to death. Amalickiah’s army captured many Nephite cities and slew many Nephites. As Amalickiah sought to capture the land Bountiful, he was met by Teancum and his army. Teancum slew Amalickiah and prevented the advance of the Lamanite army.
3. Watch the video “Teancum.”
4. Listen to the song “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth.”
Youth
1. Today read Alma 51.
2. In Alma 50, a man named Morianton and the people who followed him tried to leave the Nephites and escape into the land northward. Moroni feared that this division would lead to a loss of liberty for the Nephites. He sent an army, led by a man named Teancum, to stop Morianton’s people from leaving. Teancum’s army prevented Morianton’s people from reaching their destination, and Morianton was killed. The remainder of his people “covenant[ed] to keep the peace” (Alma 50:36).
3. During the time that Captain Moroni was leading the Nephites in their battles against the Lamanites, Pahoran became the chief judge of the Nephites. He was a righteous man, and he worked to establish peace in the land. However, a group of Nephites desired to change the Nephite laws so they would be ruled by a king, not a system of judges. The matter was put to a vote, and the people voted to keep their system of judges. However, the “king-men” would not support the voice of the people and refused to fight with the other Nephites when the Lamanites came to battle. Moroni had to lead his armies against the king-men to force them to join the Nephites. This greatly weakened the Nephites in their battles against the Lamanites. Amalickiah’s army captured many Nephite cities and slew many Nephites.
4. As Amalickiah sought to capture the land Bountiful, he was met by Teancum and his army. Teancum slew Amalickiah and prevented the advance of the Lamanite army.
5. Division and contention destroy peace. Read Alma 50:39–40 and Alma 51:22, and notice how diligently Pahoran and Captain Moroni sought to establish peace among their people. Think about a time in your life when you have seen contention, whether among friends, family members, school associates, or others.
Week 4
Day 1
Primary
1. Today read Alma 53.
2. We all face tests in this life that can tempt us to break our covenants with God. The people of Ammon gave us a powerful example of keeping covenants even when facing difficult circumstances.
3. Watch the video “Mothers of a Young Army.”
Youth
1. Today read Alma 53.
2. We all face tests in this life that can tempt us to break our covenants with God. The people of Ammon gave us a powerful example of keeping covenants even when facing difficult circumstances.
3. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you and will help you in your efforts to stay on the covenant path, which leads back to Them. Take a moment to remember the covenants you have already made with Them and the ways you are striving to keep those covenants. As part of President Russell M. Nelson’s first press conference as the newly called prophet, he taught:
Now, to each member of the Church I say, keep on the covenant path. Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere. (Russell M. Nelson, “As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign, Apr. 2018, 7)
4. In Alma 24, a group of repentant Lamanites known as the people of Ammon made a unique covenant with God to protect them from falling back into their former sins after being cleansed by the Savior. Read Alma 53:10–12 to review their covenant (or oath). Later, when a powerful Lamanite army attacked the Nephites, Captain Moroni and his armies were forced into a terrible war. Read the following statement by Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, looking for the difficult decision the people of Ammon faced.
The people of Ammon were at a critical moment of their spiritual lives. They had been true to their covenant never to take up arms. But they understood that fathers are responsible to provide protection to their families. That need seemed great enough to merit consideration of breaking their covenant. (Richard G. Scott, “Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 82)
5. The prophet Helaman counseled the people to keep their covenant. Instead, their sons made a covenant of their own.
6. Watch the video “The Sons of Helaman Enter into a Covenant.”
Day 2
Primary
1. Today read Alma 56.
2. The stripling warriors had never fought, but they did not fear death because they had faith in Christ. As we have the courage to act in faith, we will receive strength from God.
3. Today watch the video “A Young Army.”
Youth
1. Today read Alma 56.
2. The stripling warriors had never fought, but they did not fear death because they had faith in Christ. As we have the courage to act in faith, we will receive strength from God. It is important to know that while God preserved all of Helaman’s army, He may not always physically preserve the faithful. But He will always bless them in ways He knows will benefit their souls.
3. How can I have courage today? President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) stated:
Courage comes in many forms. Wrote the Christian author Charles Swindoll: “Courage is not limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.” I would add that this inner courage also includes doing the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a loss of friends or of social status. He who stands steadfastly for that which is right must risk becoming at times disapproved and unpopular. (Thomas S. Monson, “Be Strong and of a Good Courage,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 67)
4. What if I try to be faithful and do not feel like the deliverance is coming? Elder Alvin F. Meredith III of the Seventy counseled:
In the face of affliction or trial, you may be like me and hope that the rescue will be immediate. … When we must wait, rest assured that the Savior is always watching, ensuring that we will not have to endure more than we can bear. To those who are waiting … , perhaps still in the midst of suffering, do not lose hope. Rescue always comes to the faithful, whether during mortality or in the eternities. (Alvin F. Meredith III, “Look down the Road,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 115–16)
5. Today watch the following videos:
- The Sons of Helaman Strengthen the Army of Antipus
- The Sons of Helaman Go Forward in Faith
- The Sons of Helaman Fight and are Delivered
Day 3
Primary
1. Read Alma 57.
2. In the previous lesson, you learned how the 2,000 stripling warriors helped Antipus and his men defeat “the strongest” and “most numerous” Lamanite army in that part of the land. In Alma 57, Helaman continued his letter to Captain Moroni. Sixty more sons of the people of Ammon joined his army, and the 2,060 young warriors faced another threat. The Lamanites attacked the Nephites and were about to overpower them when Helaman and his men were joined by a group of soldiers who had previously been conveying Lamanite prisoners. Although every one of those young men was wounded, none of them were killed, through the power of God.
3. Watch “Helaman and the 2000 Young Warriors.”
3. Listen to the song “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth.”
Youth
1. Read Alma 57.
2. In the previous lesson, you learned how the 2,000 stripling warriors helped Antipus and his men defeat “the strongest” and “most numerous” Lamanite army in that part of the land. In Alma 57, Helaman continued his letter to Captain Moroni. Sixty more sons of the people of Ammon joined his army, and the 2,060 young warriors faced another threat. The Lamanites attacked the Nephites and were about to overpower them when Helaman and his men were joined by a group of soldiers who had previously been conveying Lamanite prisoners.
3. Read Alma 57:24–27. How were the sons of Helaman were blessed in their second battle because of their faith in and obedience to God? If we put our trust in God and strive to keep His commands continually, then He will bless us by His marvelous power.
4. What blessings come from obeying all of God’s commandments? President Russell M. Nelson pointed out another way we can strive to obey with exactness:
[You] will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery. To prepare to meet God, one keeps all of His commandments. …
… Obedience to the commandments of God will provide physical and spiritual protection. (Russell M. Nelson, “Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 34–35)
5. Why does the Lord give us commandments? Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Our Heavenly Father’s goal in parenting is not to have His children do what is right; it is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him. If He simply wanted us to be obedient, He would use immediate rewards and punishments to influence our behaviors.
But God is not interested in His children just becoming trained and obedient “pets.” …
God established a plan whereby we can become heirs in His kingdom, a covenant path that leads us to become like Him, have the kind of life He has, and live forever as families in His presence. Personal choice was — and is — vital to this plan, which we learned about in our premortal existence. (Dale G. Renlund, “Choose You This Day,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 104)
Day 4
Youth
1. Read Alma 59 and Alma 61.
2. After learning that Helaman’s army lacked men and supplies to defend the Nephites from a large Lamanite army, Captain Moroni sent a letter to Pahoran, the Nephite chief judge. Moroni asked Pahoran to send reinforcements to Helaman’s army. No help arrived, and Helaman’s army continued to suffer. In the meantime, a Lamanite army conquered Nephihah, another city for which Moroni had expected to receive reinforcements.
3. What Moroni did not know is that a group of wicked Nephites in league with the Lamanites had rebelled against Pahoran, causing him to flee for his life. The rebels took control of the capital city of Zarahemla. Pahoran was a righteous man who was trying to gather forces to retake Zarahemla. If you were Pahoran, how might you have been tempted to react to Moroni’s letter?
4. Elder Bednar shared an important truth we can learn from this account.
To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else. …
… A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended—and to say with Pahoran, “it mattereth not.” (David A. Bednar, “And Nothing Shall Offend Them,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 90–91)
5. Following the Savior’s example of not being offended can be difficult. Elder Bednar explained the help available to us when we don’t feel strong enough to overcome feelings of offense.
Through the strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you and I can be blessed to avoid and triumph over offense. …
The capacity to conquer offense may seem beyond our reach. … The very nature of the Redeemer’s Atonement and the purpose of the restored Church are intended to help us receive precisely this kind of spiritual strength. (David A. Bednar, “And Nothing Shall Offend Them,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 90–91)
