34594, Primary 4, 15: Alma and Amulek's Mission to Ammonihah, Purpose, 50
To teach the children the importance of faithfully obeying Heavenly Father's commandments.
1. Prayerfully study Alma 8:8-9:34 and Alma 11:21-12:19. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account. (See "Preparing Your Lessons," p. vi, and "Teaching from the Scriptures," p. vii.)
2. Additional reading: Alma 10.
3. Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
4. Materials needed:
a. A Book of Mormon for each child.
b. Picture 4-27, Alma Teaching the People of Ammonihah.
Invite a child to give the opening prayer.
Draw the following illustration on the chalkboard:
Have a child place the chalk on the dot and draw a line following these instructions:
1. Go right three squares.
2. Go down two squares.
3. Go left one square.
4. Go up one square.
5. Go left two squares.
6. Go down one square.
7. Go right one square.
8. Go down one square.
9. Go right two squares.
* If (name of child) had not followed my instructions, would the line have ended up on the star?
Thank the child for being obedient in following every instruction. Tell the children that in this lesson they will learn about two missionaries who were obedient in all they were asked to do.
Teach the story of Alma and Amulek and their mission to Ammonihah from Alma 8:8-9:34 and Alma 11:21-12:19. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see "Teaching from the Scriptures," p. vii.) Use the picture at an appropriate time.
Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.
* Why wouldn't the people of Ammonihah listen to Alma? (Alma 8:9.) What did Alma do to try to soften the hearts of the people? (Alma 8:10.)
* What do you think you would have done if you had experienced what Alma did when he first went to Ammonihah? (Alma 8:13-14.) Why did the angel tell Alma to rejoice? (Alma 8:15.) How do you feel when you have obeyed Heavenly Father's commandments?
* When was the first time this angel had been sent with a message for Alma? (Point out the footnote for the word delivered in Alma 8:15, and then have someone read Mosiah 27:11-16.) Briefly review how Alma had repented and become an obedient servant of Heavenly Father (see lesson 14).
* What can we learn from the way Alma responded to the angel's command? (Alma 8:18.)
* Why was Amulek so willing to help Alma? (Alma 8:20.) What were Alma and Amulek commanded to do? (Alma 8:29.)
* How did Heavenly Father help Alma and Amulek face the wicked people of Ammonihah? (Alma 8:30-32.) What can we do to be worthy of Heavenly Father's help in difficult situations?
* What did Alma prophesy would happen to the people of Ammonihah if they did not repent and obey the commandments? (Alma 9:18.)
* What did Alma and Amulek prophesy about Jesus Christ? (Alma 9:26-28.)
* What does it mean to fast? Why did Alma fast for the people of Ammonihah? (Alma 10:7.) How can fasting be a blessing to you?
* How did Zeezrom try to tempt Amulek? (Alma 11:22.) How did Amulek respond to this temptation? (Alma 11:23-25.) Has anyone tried to trick or tempt you to do something wrong? How can you resist such temptations?
* How was Zeezrom blessed by the obedience of Alma and Amulek? What caused Zeezrom to repent? (Alma 12:7-8.) How can sharing your testimony help others gain a testimony? What did Alma teach Zeezrom about how God will judge us? (Alma 12:12-15.)
You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.
1. Invite a returned missionary to visit the class to share how important it was for him or her to obey the mission rules and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Explain that every morning missionaries strengthen themselves with scripture study and prayer before going out to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Teach the children that obeying the commandments will help them gain faith, courage, and protection from Satan.
2. Bring one or more items so that a child can dress up as Alma. Have a few children role-play Alma's mission to Ammonihah. Give the child taking the part of Alma a card with the following message written on it: "I am Alma. I have come to teach you about our Savior, Jesus Christ, and how to obey his commandments. May I come in?" Give other children cards with the following messages:
We are no longer members of the Church, Alma. We do not believe anything you say.
You cannot come in, Alma. Leave our house and our city.
Come in. I would like to hear your message.
No! We remember how rebellious you were, Alma. We will not listen to a hypocrite.
Talk about the courage missionaries must have and how faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his commandments gives us courage.
3. Ask a child to role-play Amulek. Ask another child to role-play Zeezrom and pretend that he has six onties of silver in his hand. Give this child a card with the following message written on it: "Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being."
Stop the role play and ask the children what they think Amulek should say to this bribe. Emphasize Amulek's courage in doing what was right. Talk about the courage Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to have to be obedient.
4. Ask the children what commandments they have obeyed or will obey today, such as saying prayers, coming to church, singing songs, bearing testimony, partaking of the sacrament, thinking of Jesus Christ during the sacrament, doing kind deeds of service, and paying tithing. Encourage the children to be aware of their actions, their words, and their thoughts in the coming week and to have the courage to obey Heavenly Father's commandments.
5. Sing or read the words to "Dare to Do Right" (Children's Songbook, p. 158), "Stand for the Right" (Children's Songbook, p. 159), or "Choose the Right Way" (Children's Songbook, p. 160).
Bear testimony that Heavenly Father wants us to obey his commandments so we will be worthy of his Spirit, which will be with us and help us return to him.
Suggest that the children study Alma 8:14-20 at home as a review of this lesson.
Invite a child to give the closing prayer.