Lesson 27: Alma 30-31

July 6-12
Alma 30-31
"The virtue of the word of God"

Materials: t-chart, paper strips, 
Opening Song: "A Child's Prayer" (Children's Songbook, 12)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Alma 31: 28

Attention Activity:
Would you rather play in the snow in the mountains or in the sand at the beach? Would you rather be a unicorn or a pegasus? Would you rather live in a tree house for the rest of your life or live on a boat house for the rest of your life? Would you rather hear a beautiful lie or a simple and honest truth? Heavenly Father would much rather hear us pray with simple and honest truth than with beautiful lies. 

Lesson:
This point in the scriptures is a challenging time for Alma the younger. He has to contend with the wicked antichrist Korihor. Korihor's teachings led many astray. Just as Alma gets through this trial, he learns that  the Zoramites have fallen away from the church and cut themselves off from the people of Zarahemla. Alma decided to lead a group, including the sons of Mosiah and his sons, to travel to the land of Antionum to try to bring the apostate Zoramites back from wickedness. When they get there, they discover that the Zoramites have not been keeping the commandments and have perverted (messed up) gospel concepts like prayer. 

Activty: prayer T-chart
Alma observes how the Zoramites pray and then offers his own prayer to Heavenly Father in Alma 31. Print out the T-chart and paper strips below. Have each family member take turns picking a strip out of a bowel and deciding whether that action was done by the Zoramites or by Alma. 

-      Saying the same prayers over and over (v.20)

-      Prayed on a rameumptom, or tower, so that everyone could see them pray (v.21)

-      Prayed about traditions of their fathers and not about Christ (v.22)

-      Didn’t pray in their homes or any other times (v. 24)

-      Tells God of their struggles with prideful people (v.24-30) 

-      Asks God to comfort them (v.31)

-      Asks God to comfort their loved ones and bless them with strength (v. 32-33)

-      Asks for help bringing lost souls back to Christ because they care about them. (34-35)

The Zoramites were turning their prayers into something like a performance. They wanted everyone to hear them praying, but they never truly prayed in their hearts or homes. Prayer was a tool that they used to gain popularity. Their hearts revolved around worldly possessions, money, and pride. What can we learn from the Zoramites prayer?

Alma's prayer was different. He tells the Lord the deepest feelings of his heart. He communicates with the Lord how frustrated he is with prideful people like the Zoramites and asks God when these kinds of trials will end. He prays for comfort and strength not only for himself but his loved ones. Alma also prays for the lost Zoramites, that they might come back to Christ. 

Alma's prayer is  good example of a heartfelt prayer given in the midst of a personal trial. What can we learn from Alma's prayer? When we offer sincere prayers of faith to God, he will answer our prayers. Read Alma 31:38. Because Alma prayed in faith, any of his suffering would be "swallowed up in the joy of Christ." Christ always eases our burdens and answers our prayers when we pray in faith. 

Can you think of other scripture stories we a have learned this year that also demonstrate this concept? 

Optional Activity: Create prayer rocks to help members of your family remember to pray. Decorate small stones with paint, markers, glitter, stickers, etc. 

Closing Song: "I pray in faith" (Children's songbook, 14)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Spinach Artichoke Wonton Chips recipe here