Lesson 43: Mormon 7-9

November 2-8
Mormon 7-9
"I Speak unto you as if were present"

Materials: pictures of treasure and Book of Mormon below, booklets printed, cut, and folded, scissors, coloring supplies.
Opening Song: "Search, Ponder, and Pray" (Children's Songbook, )
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Mormon 8:14 And I am the same who ^ahideth up this record unto the Lord; the plates thereof are of no worth, because of the commandment of the Lord. For he truly saith that no one shall have them ^btoget gain; but the record thereof is of ^cgreat worth; and whoso shall bring it to light, him will the Lord bless.

Attention Activity:

Would you rather have a chest full of treasure or a copy of the Book of Mormon. President Nelson asked, "If you were offered diamonds or rubies or the Book of Mormon, which would you choose? Honestly, which is of greater worth to you?" ("The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like Without it?" General Confernce, Oct. 2017)

Lesson:

Mormon has died in battle after being hunted down by the Lamanites. His son, Moroni is now the soul surviving Nephite and keeper of the ancient records. It will be Moroni's duty to complete the Book of Mormon and deposit it safely until it is recovered over a thousand years later by Joseph Smith. 

"Things may have seemed hopeless, but Moroni found hope in his testimony of the Savior and his knowledge that 'the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on' [Mormon 8:22]. And Moroni knew that a key role in those eternal purposes would be played by the Book of Mormon—the record he was now diligently completing, the record that would one day 'shine forth out of darkness' and bring many people 'to the knowledge of Christ' [Mormon 8:16; 9:36]" (Come Follow Me For Individuals and Families, pg. 170).

Activity: Booklet of Mormon Directed coloring

Directions: Before FHE print out the sheet below--one per person. Fold in half vertically (hamburger style) and cut the folded side horizontally half way (to the intersection). Unfold it and the middle horizontal lines should be cut. Then fold the top half down horizontally and then and squeeze the two end of the book together to make pages. Here is a good tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbnaFy9o1gs

Give each family member a booklet and some coloring utensils. Go through each page of the book with your family. Read each page and its corresponding scriptures. Some additional talking points are listed below.

1. The Book of Mormon is a treasure of great worth. Mormon 8:14. What is your favorite scripture or scripture story? 

2. Mormon 8:12;17. Joseph Smith said, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth. …” (History of the Church, 4:461.) 

3. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God. "Joseph Smith consistently testified that he translated the Book of Mormon by the “gift and power of God.” His scribes shared that testimony. The angel who brought news of an ancient record on metal plates buried in a hillside and the divine instruments prepared especially for Joseph Smith to translate were all part of what Joseph and his scribes viewed as the miracle of translation" (Book of Mormon Translation, churchofjesuschrist.org).

4. The Book of Mormon was written specifically with the people of the last days in mind. Many prophets have written about our day and Moroni addresses us specifically. 

5. Moroni was shown the condition of the world in our day. Moroni like other prophets before him, has seen the wicked state of the world in the latter-days. We are truly living in the time described by Moroni as we face more natural disasters, civil unrest, pandemics, and a world that discounts religion as a bigoted fantasy. Last week we discussed how keeping high standards can help us stay faithful. 

6. Moroni counsels the people of our day to believe in Christ. In today's world, its becoming more and more rare to believe in God. Atheists and agnostics plague the internet with talk about how "no evidence" for God exists. Moroni describes how the consequences for being unbelieving and abusing his laws are catastrophic and lead to damnation. 

7. Moroni counsels us to believe in modern revelations and miracles. Unlike most other churches, we believe in continuous revelation from heaven. President Nelson leads our church via this revelation. Also, each of us as members of the church have access to heaven through personal revelation. 

8. Moroni counsels us to have faith. Faith is a powerful force. Moroni asserts that the righteous who ask God in faith will receive what they need. Faith as the first principle of the gospel, is the first step to everlasting life. 

The Book of Mormon is a remarkable book. It testifies of Christ and his infinite atonement; it preaches repentance and faith; it prophesizes of the gathering of Israel and the second coming of Jesus Christ. 

How has this year's study of the Book of Mormon blessed your life? What insights have you had this year while studying the Book of Mormon through the Come Follow Me program? As we finish of the Book of Mormon in the next six weeks, let us remember what a blessing the Book of Mormon is and ponder the question that President Nelson asked, "How would your life be different without it?"

Closing Song: "Scripture Power" (Additional Songs for Children on Gospel Music App)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Cinnamon Roll Cake recipe here

 

Lesson 42: Mormon 1-6

 October 26-November 1
Mormon 1-6
"I would that I could persuade all... to repent."

Materials: "Mormon Mustang" video (see below), picture of Mormon profile (below), Copies of For Strength of Youth pamphlet for activity below, paper, coloring utensils
Opening Song: "I will be valiant" (Children's Songbook, 162)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Mormon 5: 24 "Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come our in justice against you"

Attention Activity:

Watch the video "Mormon Mustang" found on churchofjesuschrist.org. Just like their are perameters set to safely fly an airplane like the Mormon Mustang, when we live with high standards, (rules we set for ourselves) we will be able to be spiritually safe. 

Lesson:

Show your family the pretend Facebook profile for the prophet Mormon below. Mormon describes himself as being learned (educated), quick to observe, sober (sensible and serious), and large in stature. Elder Holland shared in a BYU devotional that being quick to observe "is vitally important for you and for me in the world in which we do now and will yet live...when we are quick to observe, we promptly look or notice and obey. Both of these fundamental elements—looking and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe. And the prophet Mormon is an impressive example of this gift in action" ("Quick to Observe" Elder David A. Bednar, BYU devotional address, May 10 2005.)

When Mormon was the prophet, were the Nephites being righteous or wicked? Read Mormon 5:2. The Nephites had fallen into incredible wickedness. Unlike times before, they were not turning to Christ when they endured hardships like war. They would not repent or remember God's kindness when he helped them win battles against their enemies. Although they revered Mormon as a military leader, they would not listen to his counsel on matters of repentance. They were a fallen people, ready for destruction. 

Mormon and his family were the only righteous people mentioned during this time in the Book of Mormon. Mormon and his son Moroni tried to live the gospel regardless of the wickedness and sin happening around them. They held high standards for themselves and never wavered from their testimonies or their standards. 

Activity: For the Strength of Youth coloring

Show a For Strength Of Youth pamphlet. This pamphlet was designed to help the youth of the church define their personal standards (or rules to live by) recommended by our prophet. Although it's written for teens, it is a good guide for all members of the church. 

Give each member of your family a section of the For Strength of Youth to read along with a piece of paper and coloring utensils. (You will want to print them out ahead of time or have enough books handy for every family member) After they read, have them draw out the standards described in their section. Have everyone share their section with the family.

Mormon was a good example of the gospel adage "to stand in holy places and be not moved." He did not stray from his principles, kept his covenants, and consistantly prayed for others to unto Christ and repent. Like Mormon, we can keep our standards  high and be light to those around us. We can live righteously in a world that seems to be getting more evil every day. 

Bear your testimony.

Closing Song: "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" (Additional Songs for Children on Gospel Music App)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Mini Candy Corn Cheesecakes recipe here