“Alma 4: The Stumbling Block of Pride,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Alma 4,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
Alma 4
The Stumbling Block of Pride
Pride is an absence of humility and leads people to set themselves above or in opposition to others and God (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Pride,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Think about the pride you see in the world today and the negative impacts it has on you and those around you. The pride and contention demonstrated by some members of the Savior’s Church in Alma’s day caused the Church to fail in its progress. As a result, Alma felt inspired to resign as chief judge to devote himself to preaching the word of God. This lesson can help you use the word of God to overcome pride and contention.
Help students discover gospel doctrine and principles. Doctrine and principles should be stated clearly and succinctly. They can teach students the relevance of the scriptures and how scriptural stories and teachings apply to their everyday lives. Understanding doctrine and principles can motivate students to learn and apply gospel teachings.
Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share a scripture or statement from a Church leader about humility.
Possible Learning Activities
A stumbling block
On the floor in the class doorway, tape a piece of paper with the word “stumbling block” written on it. Ask how many students accidentally stepped on it before they noticed it was there when they came into class. If desired, students could also share experiences of a time they tripped or stumbled.
Recall a time you tripped or stumbled. Do you remember what it was that caused you to trip? In life, we sometimes trip over things that could be called “stumbling blocks.” This is also true spiritually.
The following suggested drawing exercise could be done as a class on the board. Or students could complete it individually.
Draw a few blocks and label them with things that may cause youth to stumble spiritually. For example, some may struggle to hearken to the prophet or obey the Word of Wisdom.
Think about the consequences of stumbling over these things. Ponder why you need God’s help to notice, avoid, and overcome these stumbling blocks.
Alma’s people had recently experienced great losses in war with the Lamanites. Because of their afflictions, they were “awakened to a remembrance of their duty,” and many people were baptized (see Alma 4:1–5). However, their peace did not last long because they began to stumble spiritually.
Read Alma 4:6–8, looking for why Church leaders were concerned.
Invite students to share what they found and help them see that pride can be a spiritual stumbling block.
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Why do you think Church leaders were “sorely grieved” (Alma 4:7) by the increasing pride of the people?
President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught:
Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion. I repeat: Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion. (Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989, 7)
Draw a large block representing the stumbling block of pride. On the block, list answers to the following questions:
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How do you think pride can cause someone to stumble spiritually?
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In what ways does pride prevent us from becoming more like the Savior?
As you continue to study Alma 4, think about how pride may be a stumbling block to you and what you can do to overcome it.
Read Alma 4:8–12, looking for the effects of pride in the Church. Note that strife means angry or bitter disagreement or contention. Malice is desire to do evil, or ill will.
Invite students to list on the board the effects of pride in the Church. The list will be referred to later in the lesson. If you have enough writing utensils, let multiple students come to the board at the same time. Then invite students to answer the following questions:
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What were the effects of pride in the Church?
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In what ways are these actions unbecoming of members of the Savior’s Church?
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How were those not of the Church impacted?
Avoiding pride and contention
President Ezra Taft Benson taught:
The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness [see Alma 7:23]. (Ezra Taft Benson, “Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989, 6)
Read Alma 4:13–14, looking for what some Church members did to avoid pride and remain faithful. Note that abasing in verse 13 refers to becoming more humble and meek.
Invite students to write the humble actions of Church members on the board.
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What actions and attitudes in verses 13–14 remind you of Jesus Christ?
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How could developing these attitudes and taking these actions help us become more like Him?
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How have you seen others live these Christlike attitudes or actions, and how did that impact you?
Provide time for students to silently ponder any pride or contention that may exist in their lives and how they can follow the Savior’s example.
Alma determined that he needed to spend his time helping the people spiritually. He turned the judgment seat over to Nephihah while retaining the office of high priest for himself (see Alma 4:15–18).
Read Alma 4:19 and look for what Alma knew could “pull down” pride and contention among the people. You could also watch “Alma Preaches the Word of God” from time code 0:36 to 1:59, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
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In what ways did Alma act like Jesus Christ?
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What can we learn from Alma’s example?
One truth from Alma 4:19 is the word of God and hearing pure testimony can help us overcome pride and contention.
Look for what President Ezra Taft Benson taught about the word of God in the following statement.
The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life. (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Power of the Word,” Ensign, May 1986, 80)
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In what ways might the word of God and bearing pure testimony help pull down pride and contention?
Invite students to choose two or three of the effects of pride they listed on the board earlier, and give them time to study how to overcome those problems in small groups.
Students could search topics such as “Humility” in the Topical Guide or Guide to the Scriptures. It may also help to show them how to do a search in the Gospel Library app to find information.
Invite groups to share what they learn with the class, including ways we can treat others more like the Savior would. Alternatively, after studying, they could write a brief talk addressing problems with pride and contention.
Encourage students to act on any impressions they received about how they might apply what they learned in this lesson.
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List two or three problems that result from pride and contention.
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List scriptures and teachings of modern prophets that you feel could help with these problems.
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Identify why or how the things you listed would help you treat others like the Savior would.
Seek to notice and recognize promptings from the Holy Ghost on how you might apply what you learned in this lesson. Look for opportunities to follow through on those impressions.