Lesson 22: Alma 5-7

June 1-7
Alma 5-7
"Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" 

Materials: Whiteboard, marker, printout cut into strips (see below), tape, poster, art supplies
Opening Song: "I Will Follow God's Plan" (Children's Songbook, 164)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Alma 5:28 Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand

Attention Activity:
Have a whiteboard or piece of paper ready. Show the picture below. What materials do you need to go camping? Can you just get in the car and go or do you have to prepare? How do you prepare? (pack food, cooking equipment, pack sleeping bags and tents, reserve a camping spot, etc.) 

Lesson:
We have always heard it is important to "be prepared." That motto has been used by the Boy Scouts of America for decades and even used by the wicked lion, Scar in The Lion King. 

Why is it important to be prepared? What has the Lord asked us to prepare for? When Alma was teaching, he asked them a bunch of questions. These questions were meant to help his people to think about whether or not they were prepared to meet God. 

Cut the printout below into strips and place into a bowl. Have family members take turns reading the questions Alma asked his people in chapter 5:14-33. Tape the questions to the whiteboard. When finished read aloud the questions in the blue parenthesis ( ). 

Some of these questions might look familiar some of you. Raise your hand if you've ever had an interview for a temple recommend. A lot of these questions are similar to those the bishop and member of the stake presidency ask you before you are able to enter the holy temple. 
Read your family the temple interview questions (from Closing Remarks, President Nelson, October 2019). 

1. Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?
2. Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer?
3. Do you have a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
4. Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator and as the only person on the earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?
   Do you sustain the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators?
   Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local leaders of the Church?
5. The Lord has said that all things are to be “done in cleanliness” before Him (Doctrine and Covenants 42:41).
   Do you strive for moral cleanliness in your thoughts and behavior?
   Do you obey the law of chastity?
6. Do you follow the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ in your private and public behavior with members of your family and others?
7. Do you support or promote any teachings, practices, or doctrine contrary to those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
8. Do you strive to keep the Sabbath day holy, both at home and at church; attend your meetings; prepare for and worthily partake of the sacrament; and live your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?
9. Do you strive to be honest in all that you do?
10. Are you a full-tithe payer?
11. Do you understand and obey the Word of Wisdom?
12. Do you have any financial or other obligations to a former spouse or to children?
    If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?
13. Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple, including wearing the temple garment as instructed in the endowment?
14. Are there serious sins in your life that need to be resolved with priesthood authorities as part of your repentance?
15. Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?

So how do you know if you are prepared to meet God? It's rather simple. If you can give honestly answer the questions above and are found worthy to receive a temple recommend, you are on the right track. Elder Cornish of the seventy said, "As with my own experience, our members often ask, 'Am I good enough as a person?' or 'Will I really make it to the celestial kingdom?' ...Let me be direct and clear. The answers to the questions 'Am I good enough?' and 'Will I make it?' are 'Yes! You are going to be good enough' and 'Yes, you are going to make it as long as you keep repenting and do not rationalize or rebel.'" ("Am I Good Enough? Will I Make it?" General Conference, October 2016). 

Activity: Be Prepared Poster

Using a poster board and art supplies, have your family come up with poster/ad using the words "Be Prepared." You could show your family some MormonAds for some inspiration. The poster can have bold lettering, pictures, taglines, scripture captions, it's up to you. Display the poster in your home through the week as a reminder to always be prepared to meet God. 


Closing Song: "Come, Come Ye Saints" (Hymnal, 30)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: 
Brownie Truffles recipe here