Lesson 24 Give Us Strength According to Our Faith in Christ

Transcription

1 By Donna McAllister Lesson 24 Give Us Strength According to Our Faith in Christ Includes: o Lesson Plan (Sources: Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Lesson 24; New Era March 1986, March 1966; o o o o o o Latter-day Village contributed by Debra Storm ) Lesson Help #1a-1d = How Posters Lesson Help #2a-2b = Priesthood & Foreordination - Crossword Puzzle Lesson Help #3 = President Kimball Reader s Theater Lesson Help #4 = Elder Scott Quote Lesson Help #5 = Elder Packer Quote 1 Lesson Help #6 = Elder Packer Quote 2 Instructions: * Use as much or as little of this lesson as you need to meet the class s needs. Some less attentive classes will only pay attention to the activities and stories. Other classes will profit from most of the lesson. * The text that is blue is linked to the internet where you will find that scripture or picture. To link to the internet, find the text that is blue, place your cursor icon over the text, hit the Ctrl key on your keyboard, and at the same time left click with your mouse. * Print the lesson plan and use as a script when teaching your Sunday School class. * Print any of the Lesson Helps that you want to use. If you don t want to copy the colored ones in color, an alternate (Alt.) black and white version is supplied (except for pictures). You can copy the black and white helps on colored paper if you d like. * All class activities and handouts are in black and white, or have alternate versions so that you can make additional copies in your ward library if you need to. * A good way to display lesson helps while you teach, is to use magnets. Lesson 24

2 Give Us Strength According to Our Faith in Christ Purpose To help class members recognize the importance of honoring their foreordained roles, callings, and priesthood responsibilities and to help them understand that following the counsel of prophets helps us enter into the rest of the Lord. Scripture References Alma Preparation - Prepare Lesson Help sections as needed - If you use the attention activity, bring to class a picture depicting a man receiving the priesthood, such as Christ Ordaining the Apostles (62557; Gospel Art Picture Kit 211) or Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration (62371; Gospel Art Picture Kit 408). - Pencils - Chalk (optional) Lesson Development Attention Activity [Tell class:] I am going to show you one of the most important questions we can ask. [Display Lesson Help #1a How? - Poster (or write on the board: How?) and tell the class:] This question is important when it relates to our personal conduct. Imagine the following situations: a. A woman knows that the church is true and wants to be baptized, but doesn t know how. [Display Lesson Help #1b, under #1a (or write on the board: Baptism by immersion)] b. A man wants the gift of the Holy Ghost, but he doesn t know how. [Display Lesson Help #1c, under #1b (or write on the board: Laying on of hands by those in authority)] c.. A woman wants to be forgiven for her sins, but does not know how. [Display Lesson Help #1d, under #1c (or write on the board: Faith in Jesus Christ & repentance)] [Tell the class:] When Alma taught the people in Ammonihah, he talked about one way we can know how to come unto Christ. Rather than using the word how, he used the phrase in what manner. [Ask a class member to read Alma 13:2] [Display a Picture showing priesthood ordination: Christ Ordaining the Apostles (62557; Gospel Art Picture Kit 211) or Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration (62371; Gospel Art Picture Kit 408) In part of this lesson we will learn how the order of the priesthood helps us know HOW we can look forward to the Savior for redemption. Scripture Discussion and Application 1. Alma gives a powerful discourse on the priesthood and foreordination. [Give a copy of Lesson Help #2 - Cross Word Puzzle- Priesthood & Foreordination and a pencil to each class member let them work individually, or as a group to solve their puzzles] [Tell the class:] It is important to understand how priesthood ordinances help us.

3 [Ask a class member to read D&C 84:21] We need the priesthood in order to be able to receive the power of God. Alma was also very concerned that the people of Ammonihah (ăm-a-nī hä) understood the importance of repentance. [Ask a class member to read Alma 13:27] [Optional STORY] Sitting at the terminal (in the computer lab of the BYU Library), I had the misfortune of pressing my leg up against the underside of the computer table and feeling myself come into contact with something sticky. As I drew my leg slowly away from the table, I saw that my favorite pair of slacks was attached to the table by a strand of freshly deposited, pink Hubba Bubba bubble gum. In near panic I tore my slacks from the offending gum and then did my best to tear the offending gum from my slacks. I succeeded in getting most of the Hubba, but not all of the Bubba, off. There remained, firmly entrenched in the intricate cotton weave, a sticky stain of an unmistakably gray-pink about the size of a quarter. Using my briefcase as a shield to cover up the stain, (I) hurried across campus to my car, and raced home for help. My wife will know what to do, I thought. After all, she s had a lot more experience with laundryrelated emergencies than I have. And I was right. You d better take them to the dry cleaner and pray he can get the gum out, she urged. But don t get your hopes up. At the end of the specified cleaning time I got my slacks back, miraculously minus the Hubba Bubba, with not even a hint that they had ever been in a gum fight. After my experience with the bubble gum, I have been much more careful with my slacks, avoiding doing anything that might cause them a stain or a tear. I have taken particular care, before sitting down at any desk or table, to first check for a Hubba Bubba booby-trap. But I have found that no matter what I do to protect them, the slacks still get a little dirty with nothing as serious as the gum, of course but dirty nonetheless, and I have had to make sure they are cleaned regularly to keep them free from stains and looking good. Recently, it occurred to me that people are like slacks, also prone to get stained or dirty, sometimes with an even more sticky and hard-to-get-off substance than Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum. No one is immune or safe from sin First, we do our best to reject opportunities to sin. Second, when becoming unclean in moments of ignorance or weakness, we put ourselves in a position that allows us through the principle of repentance made possible because of the atonement of Jesus Christ to reinforce our commitment to keep the commandments by humbling ourselves and by following the prescribed steps to complete repentance. (Phillip A. Snyder, New Era, Mar 1986, 16) 2. Alma, Amulek, and other believers are persecuted for their righteousness. [Tell the class:] Many people in Ammonihah believed Alma and Amulek s teachings and began to repent and search the scriptures. Sadly, however, the majority of the people became angry and persecuted Alma and Amulek. It s strange that when people are doing wrong, they sometimes get angry at those who call them to repentance. QUESTION: If you were driving and took a wrong turn somewhere, and someone told you that you turned wrong, would you get mad at them? QUESTION: Why do we get angry when someone points out that we took a wrong turn in life? {guilt; don t want to have to obey the gospel; etc.} [Tell the class:] When the people started testifying against Alma and Amulek, Zeezrom (zē-ĕz rum) suddenly realized that he had caused a big problem.

4 [Ask a class member to read Alma 14:7] It sounds like the other people weren t touched by the spirit like Zeezrom was. Think about how you would feel if our country s laws changed and allowed mobs to do whatever they wanted. If your parents and Bishopric were taken to jail, how would you feel? Listen to these next verses and think how you would react. [Ask a class member to read Alma 14:8 9] QUESTION: Why does God allow innocent people to suffer at the hands of the wicked? {wickedness must be allowed to be shown for what it is; it is all part of the bigger picture; etc.} [Give sections of Lesson Help #3 President Kimball Reader s Theater and ask the class members to read them in order] 1. President Spencer W. Kimball said: Now we find many people critical when a righteous person is killed, a young father or mother is taken from a family, or when violent deaths occur. Some become bitter when oftrepeated prayers seem unanswered. But if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the Gospel, free agency, would be ended. 2. If pain and sorrow and total punishment immediately followed the doing of evil, no soul would repeat a misdeed. If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil - all would do good and not because of the rightness of doing good. There could be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency, no Satanic controls. 3. Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death; and if these were not, there would also be an absence of joy, success, resurrection, eternal life, and godhood. (Spencer W. Kimball, Tragedy or Destiny, Improvement Era, Mar 1966, p. 180,210). Amulek was worried that he and Alma would also be killed. But Alma told him why that wouldn t happen. [Ask a class member to read Alma 14:13] After being persecuted in prison for many days, Alma and Amulek were finally freed. [Ask a class member to read Alma 14:28] [Display Lesson Help #4 Elder Scott Quote, and read, or have a class member read it] Richard G. Scott wrote: Oh, how we all need the healing the Redeemer can provide. Mine is a message of hope for you who yearn for relief from heavy burdens that have come through no conscious act of your own while you have lived a worthy life. It is based on principles embodied in the teachings of the Savior. The better you understand that law, the easier it is to receive His help.god needs brave sons and daughters who are willing to be polished when in His wisdom, that is His will. (Richard G. Scott, New Era, Apr. 2002, 4) 3. Zeezrom is healed and baptized. [Tell the class:] After the Lord delivered them from prison, Alma and Amulek went to the land of Sidom. There they met the men who had been cast out of Ammonihah and stoned because of their belief in the word of God. Zeezrom was one of those men, and he wasn t feeing very well. [Ask a class member to read Alma 15:3] There are many people that get so nervous or stressed about something that they became physically ill. [Display Lesson Help #5 - Elder Packer Quote - Part 1, and read, or have a class member read it] Boyd K. Packer said: I recently asked a doctor of family medicine how much of his time was devoted purely to correcting physical disorders. He has a large practice, and after thoughtfully considering, he answered, Not more than 20 percent. The rest of the time I seem to be working on problems that very much affect the physical

5 well-being of my patients but do not originate in the body. These physical disorders, the doctor concluded, are merely symptoms of some other kind of trouble. (Latter-dayVillage.com Seminary Filing Cabinet, Debra Storm) [Tell the class:] So Zeezrom was sick because he felt so bad about all the bad things he had done. [Display Lesson Help #6 - Elder Packer Quote - Part 2, and read, or have a class member read it] Elder Packer continued: There is another part of us, not so tangible, but quite as real as our physical body. This intangible part of us is described as mind, emotion, intellect, temperament, and many other things. Very seldom is it described as spiritual. But there is a spirit in man; to ignore it is to ignore reality. There are spiritual disorders, too, and spiritual diseases that can cause intense suffering. The body and the spirit of man are bound together. Often, very often, when there are disorders, it is very difficult to tell which is which. (Latter-dayVillage.com Seminary Filing Cabinet, Debra Storm) [Tell the class:] Zeezrom asked for help from Alma and Amulek. [Ask a class member to read Alma 15:5] Alma told him what he needed to believe in order to be healed. [Ask a class member to read Alma 15:8] Zeezrom had previously stated that he did believe in Christ, so let s see what happened next. [Ask a class member to read Alma 15:11 12] Alma and Amulek baptized many people in Sidom. The people worked on becoming humble in their daily lives. QUESTION: Why is it necessary to humble ourselves in order to truly worship God? {we have to be able to admit that all of our power and blessings come from Him} The scriptures tell us about the things that Amulek gave up so that he could serve as a missionary. [Ask a class member to read Alma 15:16] QUESTION: What kinds of things are we asked to give up as we live the gospel? {time; money; worldly things; etc.} Even though he gave up a lot, Amulek received many blessings in return. [Ask a class member to read Alma 8:30 & Ether 12:12 13] Just like Amulek, we also receive great blessings when we live the gospel, don t we? 4. The words of Alma are fulfilled as the Lamanites destroy Ammonihah. [Tell the class:] About one year after Alma and Amulek preached in Ammonihah, the Lamanites invaded Nephite lands. Let s see what happened to Ammonihah. [Ask a class member to read Alma 16:10] Alma had prophesied that this would happen to Ammonihah. Let s see what those people said when he prophesied that their city would be destroyed. [Ask a class member to read Alma 9:4 5] People need to be careful what they say against the Lord!

6 Meanwhile, there was a group of people that understood the power of the Lord in this same story. [Ask a class member to read Alma 16:4 5] They understood that if the Lord was on their side, they would be able to win the battle. [Ask a class member to read Alma 16:6-8] QUESTION: What can we learn by comparing the destruction of Ammonihah to the success of Zoram s armies? {we should trust in God and His prophets rather than in worldly knowledge, power, or possessions} After the destruction of Ammonihah, the Lord gave the people of the Nephites a gift. [Ask a class member to read Alma 16:16] We need to pray each day for the Lord to prepare our hearts to receive His gospel. Conclusion [Tell the class:] In a world filled with doubt and confusion, it is comforting to know that through the priesthood we can learn how to look to the Savior for redemption. [As directed by the Spirit, testify of the truths discussed during the lesson.]

7 Lesson Help #1a HOW?

8 Cut on dotted lines Lesson Help #1b-1d Baptism by immersion Laying on of hands by those in authority Faith in Jesus Christ & repentance b. c. d.

9 Priesthood and Foreordination - Alma 13 Across 4. Now they were ordained after this manner, being with a holy calling (vs.8) 6. This holy calling being prepared for such as would not their hearts (vs.5) 9. Priests called by this holy calling are to teach his unto the children of men (vs.6) 10. I would that ye should remember that the Lord God priests (vs.1) 11. who was also a high priest after this same order (vs.14) 12. Priests were called according to the of God (vs.3) Down 1. Priests are to these things unto the people (vs.1) 2. Priests were called and from the foundation of the world (vs.3) 3. Having their garments made white, being and spotless before God (vs.12) 5. High priests of God, called on account of their exceeding faith and (vs.10) 7. This holy calling being prepared from the of the world (vs.5) 8. Priests have been called to this holy calling on account of their (vs.4) Lesson Help #2A

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11 Cut into sections Reader s Theater Lesson Help #3 1. President Spencer W. Kimball said: Now we find many people critical when a righteous person is killed, a young father or mother is taken from a family, or when violent deaths occur. Some become bitter when oft-repeated prayers seem unanswered. But if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the Gospel, free agency, would be ended. 2. If pain and sorrow and total punishment immediately followed the doing of evil, no soul would repeat a misdeed. If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil - all would do good and not because of the rightness of doing good. There could be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency, no Satanic controls. 3. Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death; and if these were not, there would also be an absence of joy, success, resurrection, eternal life, and godhood. (Spencer W. Kimball, Tragedy or Destiny, Improvement Era, Mar 1966, p. 180,210).

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15 Alt. Lesson Help #1a HOW?

16 Cut on dotted lines Alt. Lesson Help #1b-1d Baptism by immersion Laying on of hands by those in authority Faith in Jesus Christ & repentance b. c. d.

17 Priesthood and Foreordination - Alma 13 Alt. Lesson Help #2A Across 4. Now they were ordained after this manner, being with a holy calling (vs.8) 6. This holy calling being prepared for such as would not their hearts (vs.5) 9. Priests called by this holy calling are to teach his unto the children of men (vs.6) 10. I would that ye should remember that the Lord God priests (vs.1) 11. who was also a high priest after this same order (vs.14) 12. Priests were called according to the of God (vs.3) Down 1. Priests are to these things unto the people (vs.1) 2. Priests were called and from the foundation of the world (vs.3) 3. Having their garments made white, being and spotless before God (vs.12) 5. High priests of God, called on account of their exceeding faith and (vs.10) 7. This holy calling being prepared from the of the world (vs.5) 8. Priests have been called to this holy calling on account of their (vs.4)

18 Alt. Lesson Help #2B

19 Cut into sections Reader s Theater Alt. Lesson Help #3 1. President Spencer W. Kimball said: Now we find many people critical when a righteous person is killed, a young father or mother is taken from a family, or when violent deaths occur. Some become bitter when oft-repeated prayers seem unanswered. But if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the Gospel, free agency, would be ended. 2. If pain and sorrow and total punishment immediately followed the doing of evil, no soul would repeat a misdeed. If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil - all would do good and not because of the rightness of doing good. There could be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency, no Satanic controls. 3. Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death; and if these were not, there would also be an absence of joy, success, resurrection, eternal life, and godhood. (Spencer W. Kimball, Tragedy or Destiny, Improvement Era, Mar 1966, p. 180,210).

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