Ideas to Help You Teach Come, Follow Me Mosiah 11-17 (May 4-10)
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Let’s talk about Abinadi! Come, Follow Me Mosiah 11-17 “A Light… that Can Never Be Darkened” is all about Abinadi standing boldly in front of wicked people declaring the message of God. It may appear that he fails greatly but Alma is converted and looks what ends up happening! Plus we get to read this awesome account and strengthen our own testimonies. Definitely great chapters to study! You may want to compare Abinadi’s words about Christ to King Benjamin’s words (who lived after Abinadi). They go well together!
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In Mosiah 11-17, we learn from the mighty prophet, Abinadi, and are introduced to Alma the Elder. King Noah is reigning at this time (about 160 B.C.- 148 B.C.) and does not follow in the ways of his father- he is a wicked king. King Noah’s wickedness inspires many of his people to be wicked as well. Abinadi calls people to repentance first in Mosiah 11. Two years later he returns and warns them again Mosiah 12-17. Alma speaks up for Abinadi and has to run for his life as a result. Alma finds a place to hide and writes down the words of Abinadi.
Some key principles and doctrine you can learn from these chapters are:
We can stand for truth even when it’s difficult and we have to do so alone (Mosiah 11-13; 17).
Prophets call people to repentance (Mosiah 11-12).
We should strive to understand and obey God’s word (Mosiah 12:19-30).
The Lord will sustain us as we do His work (Mosiah 13:1-9)
Jesus will make an Atonement for us and redeem us (Mosiah 13-16).
Jesus Christ is the Father and the Son (Mosiah 15:1-2).
There are three groups of people that will come forth in the first resurrection (Mosiah 15:19-26).
Sometimes the righteous suffer for their testimony of Jesus Christ (Mosiah 17).
Remember, this flashback starts before King Benjamin’s time.
Videos
Abinadi and King Noah (about 4 1/2 minutes)- Illustrated scripture story
Handel’s Messiah: Debtor Prison (about 3 1/2)
The Mediator (about 11 minutes)
Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet (about 5 1/2 minutes)
Special Witness- President Nelson (about 3 1/2 minutes)
Why we Need a Savior- A Christmas Message about Our Savior Jesus Christ (about 2 1/2 minutes)
Dare to Stand Alone (about 4 1/2 minutes)- President Monson’s story plus modern examples
Standing for Truth (about 3 minutes)
Abinadi Testifies of Christ (about 25 1/2 minutes)- new Book of Mormon video. You can use the Gospel Media app to break this down into smaller sections or check out this page with it divided it up.
Remember to also check out Drawn In with David Bowman. He releases two videos a week which can be very helpful. You can take 10% off the year membership with my promo code CKN10.
Additional Reading
“Dare to Stand Alone” by President Thomas S. Monson
“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives” by President Russell M. Nelson
“Be Valiant in Courage, Strength, and Activity” by Elder Gary E. Stevenson
“Standing for Truth and Right” by President M. Russell Ballard
“Stand Up, Speak Up, and Shine” by Sister Joy D. Jones
“Turn On Your Light” by Sister Sharon Eubank"
“Be Not Moved!” by Sister Elaine S. Dalton
“Gospel Classics: The Father and the Son” by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“The Love of God: Suffering Tribulation in the Redeemer’s Name” by Gene R. Cook
“Why Does God Allow Bad Things To Happen?” by Chakell Wardleigh (Ensign, August 2018)
“Lessons from Liberty Jail” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“Abinadi: Prophet and Martyr” by Robert J. Matthews
“Abinadi’s Teaching Style” by Renata W. Sukys
Some interesting charts to review as you study Abinadi (these are from BYU Studies)
You might also like "King Noah Blindness and the Vision of Seers" by S. Michael Wilcox. He points out while King Noah was wicked, the people blindly followed him. It's included in your Deseret Book PLUS subscription.
We can stand for truth and be a light even when it’s difficult. The Lord will sustain us as we do His work (Mosiah 11-13; 17)
One of the best parts of Abinadi appearing before King Noah is in chapter 13. They want to take him away but he warns them not to touch him because he hasn’t finished his work yet (verses 1-4). Then in verse 5, they see Abinadi’s face shine like Moses’s did when he spoke with the Lord on Mount Sinai. It’s awesome. It’s so neat to learn from Abinadi. Act out this part of the story with your own glowing Abinadi. Print out my flashlight wraps and tape it around one of yours. It works best when you can tape the two ends in the back together to contain the light more as shown above.
After you’ve shone Abinadi’s light, make a version for yourself! The faces are blank for you to add your own features. Before you turn on your light, share a time when you let your light shine- preferably when it was difficult. How did you feel as you let Christ’s light shine through you? Was it scary? What helped you do it anyway? How do we prepare ourselves daily to let others see our light?
Also, check out this coloring page about Abinadi from the Church’s Book of Mormon coloring book.
Practice shining your light in more ways! In my Be A Light Family Date Night Kit, you’ll get all sorts of fun flashlight game to play plus how to make your own S’mores Station with lots of printables to help you. You’ll love the lanterns and gospel discussion questions to bring it all home. Plus, did I mention s’mores!? Use promo code LIGHT2 to get $2 off this kit (must enter promo code at checkout to receive the discount. Expires May 11, 2020).
One of the things that is often mentioned when studying Abinadi is because he was willing to LIVE for the Lord, he was also willing to die for Him. How are we living for the Lord every day? What are we willing to go and do? Does it include the small things as well as the big? You can tie in this concept of living for the Lord with being lights as well.
Watch Dare to Stand Alone which contains a story from President Thomas S. Monson. It also includes clips of modern-day examples of how we might need to stand alone because we are standing for right. Watch the clip then share some additional examples and talk about how we can have the courage to stand up and do what is right. What are some choices you can make now so that it is easier when the time comes?
Another fun game you can use is Firesweeper! It’s a great way to get your family to answer discussion questions. As they correctly guess, they turn over a square. If it’s blank, they are safe. If a special square, you get to turn over more cards. If it’s a fire, you lose a life. You can break up into teams and give each team 3 lives. The more cards you print, the more intense it gets!
Questions to Consider: How did Abinadi live for the Lord? How are you living for the Lord? How did Abinadi’s teachings and life influence Alma? Why is it important to know the Savior was and is a God? How should this knowledge affect our faith in His ability to save us? How are you living a righteous life despite the wickedness in the world? How is Jesus Christ the Father and the Son?
- Use my prophet worksheet above to go through each role of a prophet and find examples of when Abinadi did those things. How was he blessed and sustained as he did so? You can also use the latest General Conference messages and find answers for how President Russell M. Nelson fulfills his role as prophet. How has he been sustained? You may want to check out President Nelson’s recent biography for some great examples. Then ponder how you have been sustained as you have served the Lord.
Print out the Abinadi card from the 2016 March Friend. Review how Abinadi was courageous and how we can be courageous like him. What can help us be brave?
Use some Bright Ideas posters from The Friend to introduce the courageousness that is sometimes needed to follow the Lord and stand up even when we are alone. Cut them into puzzles then divide into teams and see who can complete their puzzle first. Ask what they all have in common then introduce Abinadi. Here are three great ones to use: Be of Good Cheer and Do Not Fear, Be Strong and of a Good Courage, Be Thou Strong and Very Courageous.
Jesus will make an Atonement for us and redeem us (Mosiah 13-16).
Abinadi does a great job of teaching about Jesus Christ in these chapters. However, one of the other things you can do with your family is how Abinadi is a type or symbol for Christ. As you read through Mosiah 11-17, search for things that remind you of Jesus Christ. Here are a few examples:
Abinadi preached repentance (Mosiah 11:20-25)
He was rejected by many (Mosiah 11:27-29)
He was bound and taken prisoner (Mosiah 12:9)
He was taken before an illegal court (Mosiah 12:25-26)
He taught the correct interpretation of the Law of Moses (Mosiah 13:12-15:31)
He was illegally executed (Mosiah 17:7-8)
He was tortured (Mosiah 17:13)
As you read Mosiah 14, use the Gospel Media app to play a sacrament hymn in the background. Afterward, share your feelings with one another.
Ask your family what they might think the world would be like if we didn’t have a Savior. Then watch Why We Need a Savior. Discuss why we each need a Savior and read Mosiah 13-16.
Debtor’s Prison is another great video to watch. Remember to check out the video section above too if you are looking for more.
(These figurines are lots of fun to play with and to use to act out the stories- plus they make great stocking stuffers. I don’t have Abinadi so I used Nephi in his place. I’ve never gotten over Abinadi’s black mouth but I really just need to get him already- he such a fun prophet to talk about!)
Jesus Christ is the Father and the Son (Mosiah 15:1-2).
Discuss the different roles of Jesus Christ to help better understand how He is the Father and the Son (but not Heavenly Father). If you have kids that need to be doing something while you discuss, try rolling down a hill after you talk about each role or get out some bread dough and make bread sculptures that can represent each role (you can review after they are baked while you eat them!). Roles to discuss:
Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things. Therefore he is often referred to as the Father of heaven and earth.
Jesus is the Father of all who accept His atoning sacrifice and covenant to obey His gospel.
Jesus Christ is also a divine authorized representative of our Heavenly Father. This means he executes God’s will.
Be sure to also check out The Father and Son (a doctrinal exposition by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) for further clarification.
Extra Ideas
Abinadi restated the ten commandments in Mosiah 12:34-13:24. Assign your family one of the ten commandments to rewrite in their own words. How do you see people obeying this commandment today? How are you as a family following it? How might we break this commandment sometimes? How can we improve our obedience to it? What do you think your community would look like if everyone obeyed that commandment?
There is also this crossword from the October 2000 Friend to review the ten commandments.
Abinadi talked about those who would come forth in the first resurrection in Mosiah 15:19-26 to emphasize that King Noah and his people would not be apart of it. There is a good chart to help you visualize the timeline in the Book of Mormon Institute Student Manual right under the section for Mosiah 15:20-31.
- Remember, there are even more great helps over at Meck Mom. She keeps surprising me with great object lessons and printables. Plus her note pages help you get more out of every lesson. Definitely check her out.
- The Red Headed Hostess has more activities including collectible cards and scripture glue ins.
- Love Pray Teach has more helps too including something for Mother's Day!
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