Ideas to Help You Study Alma 13-16 "Enter into the Rest of the Lord" (June 15-21)
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Let’s get ready to teach Come, Follow Me Alma 13-16 “Enter into the Rest of the Lord” (June 15-21). We continue with Alma and Amulek preaching in the city of Ammonihah and end with Ammonihah destroyed and a converted Zeezrom.
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Alma and Amulek continue to teach the people of Ammonihah. Many believe but many also become angry. Alma and Amulek are imprisoned and tortured. Those who believe as well as scriptures are thrown into a fire. Alma and Amulek miraculously escape a crumbled prison unharmed. They move on to Sidom where they heal Zeezrom and establish a church. Zeezrom becomes a missionary. Ammonihah is completely destroyed. Some principles you can discuss as you read these stories this week:
Priesthood ordinances help us come unto Christ and receive redemption (Alma 13:1-19).
God prepared and called Melchizedek Priesthood holders and others from the foundation of the world (Alma 13).
Agency existed in the premortal world (Alma 13:4).
Because we all have agency, sometimes the righteous suffer (Alma 14).
As we trust God in our afflictions, we will be blessed and strengthened (Alma 14-15).
Discipleship requires sacrifice (Alma 15:16, 18).
Those who reject the gospel suffer spiritually and sometimes physically (Alma 16).
We are blessed as we follow the prophet (Alma 16:1-8).
Angels help us and help spread the gospel (Alma 13:22-26).
Priesthood ordinances help us come unto Christ and receive redemption (Alma 13:1-19)- ordinances
Ordinances are like building blocks. As we participate in ordinances and make covenants with God, we are building ourselves a firm fountain AND coming to Christ. They lift us up and keep us firm. Use my ordinance labels to help show this point. You can build a paper tower with a firm foundation or tape the labels to blocks and use a doll. As you talk about what the various ordinances are, also share how each one helps us be immoveable. Share how they bring us unto Christ. See also “Therefore They Hushed Their Fears” by Elder David A. Bednar (April 2015).
Now that you have had the opportunity to have the sacrament or enjoy some quiet reflection time to think about the sacrament at home these past few months, how has it changed the way you view this sacred ordinance? Talk about the things you do to prepare to have the sacrament in your home or for time to ponder the sacrament. Why do you do those things? Why is it important to you? How does the sacrament bring us unto Christ each week? What symbolism do you recognize? What promises do we make? How do these things keep you steady?
Using my ordinance labels, sort them into Saving Ordinances and Other Ordinances. You can point out how the Saving Ordinances are those that we do vicariously as well. These ordinances take effect only if the people we do them for accept them and keep the covenants associated with them. What ordinances have you received? Why do they matter to you?
- Here’s a great object lesson from Meck Mom about what ordinances are- no supplies needed. Meck Mom offers weekly ideas and insights for the Come, Follow Me lessons through her subscription service that are really great as well.
God prepared and called Melchizedek Priesthood holders and others from the foundation of the world (Alma 13)
This is a great time to talk about patriarchal blessings- how to receive one, why receive one, what to do after you receive one. Patriarchal blessings are like a map. They help explain where you come from (your lineage) and helps give you directions and warnings for your future. Make your own map from your patriarchal blessing or make a map of what your hopes and dreams are right now if you don’t have one. You can use my template as a guide.
There are some great resources to help you prepare for and study about your patriarchal blessings on the Church’s site. Watch a video or read an article to better understand how you can make the best of your blessing.
If you already have your blessing, study it again this week. Look for messages that talk about your foreordination. You can even print yours out scripture style with the free template from the Personal Progress Helper.
Why do you think we are given missions before coming to earth if we can’t remember what they are? How might it have prepared us for our duties on earth? What happens if you don’t do your duty? How do you feel knowing you have a duty?
As we trust God in our afflictions, we will be blessed and strengthened (Alma 14-15)
Time to get baking! This week, make some type of crumble recipe whether it’s a fruit crumble like these Blackberry Pie Crumble Bars or a cookie crumble like these Chocolate Chip Caramel Crumble Bars (Note- I only recommend food for an at-home activity, not for a Church class for the safety of all- including those who may use the room after you). Hopefully, you can get everyone to help you make the bars but if not, that’s okay. Bring out the crumble bars as you read Alma 14. What parallels can your family draw between what happens in Alma 14 and your crumble treat? There really aren’t any “right” answers here except for the symbolism of the prison crumbling. Instead, it gives you a chance to see what your family is noticing in the scriptures. If they can’t think of something then maybe they didn’t understand what you just read. If they think of the crumbling prison, that’s great. If they draw upon another symbolism, awesome.
As you discuss afflictions, you can also point to how you made your crumble recipe. You beat the mixture, maybe cracked apart some eggs, cut or melted butter, etc. THEN you put it in a really hot oven. Not an easy process for a bunch of ingredients when you think about each ingredient being a member of your family. Alma and Amulek endured beatings as well as watched the people they just taught the gospel (and the scriptures) thrown into the fire. And they couldn’t do much about it. So much pain. What is your first reaction when you are in pain- either physically, emotionally, or spiritually? How does your reaction change as the level of pain increases? What is your reaction as you watch your loved ones in pain? What were Alma and Amulek’s reactions? What should our reaction be? How can the Lord help us with our pain? How does He understand? Can the Lord take your pain and turn it into something beautiful (or delicious)? How?
Remember, you can find additional articles to study as well as great videos for each week’s lesson on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
The Ensign also has great additional articles and activities- check out the digital version.
- Remember to check out The Red Headed Hostess and her Come, Follow Me packets as you prepare. She has additional resources on the priesthood and following the prophet this week.
- Love Pray Teach's packet this week also includes a fun Father's Day treat for you to make.
