Seminary
Mosiah 1–3: Overview

“Mosiah 1–3: Overview,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)

“Mosiah 1–3,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual

Mosiah 1–3

Overview

King Benjamin was a leader who served God by serving his people and teaching them to serve one another. He taught that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). He invited his people to seek happiness through righteous living and devotion to God. He was visited by an angel, and he shared with his people the angel’s testimony of Jesus Christ, the things the Savior would experience, and the truth that salvation comes only through the name of Christ.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson.

Mosiah 2:1–18

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students better serve God by better serving others.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to find a small way to serve another person before the next lesson.

  • Content to display: The self-assessment from the beginning of the lesson on the board

  • Videos: “Service through Song” (3:19); “You Are the Gift” (0:54)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: For the self-assessment in which students describe their feelings about opportunities to serve, you might display the points and ask students to rate themselves on a piece of paper.

Doctrinal Mastery: Mosiah 2:17

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery passage and key scripture phrase for Mosiah 2:17, explain the doctrine, and practice applying the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to realistic scenarios.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to come to class having thought of a time when they had a challenging service experience or an opportunity to serve but didn’t want to.

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: For the portion of the lesson in which students write their own scenario, consider inviting them to share their scenarios in the chat. If students would benefit from working with a partner, arrange them in breakout rooms.

Mosiah 2:19–41

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students seek for “the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God” (Mosiah 2:41).

  • Student preparation: Students could be invited to finish the following statement and be prepared to discuss their answer: “True and enduring happiness is found by …”

  • Video: “Count Your Blessings” (4:59)

  • Handout: “The Blessed and Happy State of Those Who Keep the Commandments”

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: At the start of the lesson, students could post in the chat various blessings God has given them. This could help students recognize blessings they may not have thought of initially.

Doctrinal Mastery: Mosiah 2:41

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for Mosiah 2:41, explain the doctrine taught in this passage, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in real-life situations.

  • Student preparation: Students could be asked to pick a commandment that they try to obey, then be ready to share how they have been blessed by keeping the commandment.

  • Content to display: The reference and key scripture phrase for Mosiah 2:41 on the board; the scenario from the “Practice application” section

  • Materials for students: Paper and something to draw with (Alternatively, students could complete the activity in their study journal.)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: For the scenario in the “Practice application” section, consider grouping students in three breakout rooms, one for each principle of acquiring spiritual knowledge. A spokesperson from each group could explain the portion of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023) they would share with the person in the scenario.

Mosiah 3:1–17

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students understand the importance of what Jesus Christ did so that they can be saved.

  • Student preparation: You could invite students to discuss with a family member, friend, or Church leader blessings that are possible only because of Jesus Christ.

  • Videos: “Shepherds Learn of the Birth of Christ” (2:50; watch from time code 0:00 to 1:47); “Jesus Christ Suffered for Us” (2:21)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: After students study and ponder Mosiah 3:5–10, consider inviting them to post in the chat scripture phrases that impress them or questions they have about the verses. You could also invite students to review the comments in the chat and select phrases or questions to discuss as a class.