“Alma 12: A Hard or Soft Heart,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Alma 12,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
Alma 12
A Hard or Soft Heart
What do you think it means to have a hard heart or a soft heart toward the Lord? When Zeezrom began to ask Alma and Amulek sincere questions, Alma taught that those who do not harden their hearts can learn the things of God. Alma taught the plan of redemption and encouraged the people to evaluate their hearts. This lesson can help you evaluate your heart and your willingness to receive God’s word.
Encourage learners to ponder. Give students time to ponder what they learn about Jesus Christ in the scriptures and the words of the prophets. Encourage them to reflect on how His power is demonstrated in the scriptures and in their own lives.
Student preparation: Consider giving each student a copy of the self-evaluation in this lesson. Invite them to evaluate themselves and ponder how their answers affect them.
Possible Learning Activities
Comparing the heart to clay
Consider asking two students to make something out of clay in one minute. If possible, give one student soft clay and the other dried out or hard clay. If enough clay is available, you could give every student in class a small amount for this activity.
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How does using soft or hard clay affect your ability to shape it?
Consider drawing hearts like the following on the board.
In your study journal, draw two hearts, labeling one “hard heart” and the other “soft heart.” It may be helpful to know that in scripture the heart often symbolizes someone’s “mind and will” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Heart,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Compare our hearts to the clay and the Lord to the person molding it. As you study this lesson, seek the Lord’s help to answer the following questions:
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What does it mean to have a hard heart or a soft heart? Why does the state of my heart matter?
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In what ways do I have a hard heart or a soft heart?
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If my heart is hard, how can I seek the Lord’s help to soften it?
It may be helpful to list these questions on the board so students can write their responses in their study journals throughout the lesson. Students should not be expected to answer these questions at this point in the lesson.
As you learn, consider writing notes under each heart you drew in your study journal.
Hard hearts and soft hearts
As you begin studying Alma 12 together, it might be helpful to ask students what they recall about Zeezrom and his interaction with Alma and Amulek.
Zeezrom and others had been trying to deceive and discredit Alma and Amulek by asking questions meant to trap them (see Alma 11:21). Amulek responded through the Spirit, testifying of the Savior and of the Final Judgment (see Alma 11:26–46). Alma explained that he and Amulek knew of Zeezrom’s deceptions through the Spirit (see Alma 12:3–6).
Read Alma 12:7–8, looking for what happened to Zeezrom.
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What phrases indicate to you that Zeezrom was changing?
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What difference do you think Zeezrom’s attitude might have had on his ability to receive answers?
Because Zeezrom really wanted to know about the Final Judgment, Alma used this opportunity to teach about God’s plan of redemption. However, Alma first cautioned Zeezrom that his heart needed to be right before God.
As you read Alma 12:9–11, mark words or phrases that help you understand what happens because of the state of our hearts. It might help to know that “mysteries of God are spiritual truths known only by revelation” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Mysteries of God,” scriptures.churchofJesusChrist.org).
Invite students to share what they learned. Write on the board any principles they share.
Two principles you may have identified are (1) if we do not harden our hearts and we diligently give heed to God’s word, we can come to know God’s mysteries and (2) if we harden our hearts, we will receive less of God’s word until we know nothing about God’s mysteries. Consider writing each truth next to the hearts you have drawn in your journal.
To gain greater understanding of what it means to have a hard heart or what we can do for the Lord to soften our hearts, read some of the following verses. Next to the corresponding hearts in your study journal, write what you learn or important phrases from these verses and the verses you read from Alma 12:7–11.
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People hardening their hearts: 1 Nephi 15:3; 2 Nephi 33:2; Mosiah 11:29.
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What people did for the Lord to soften their hearts: 1 Nephi 2:16; Alma 24:8.
Invite students to write on the board next to the two hearts what they learned or phrases from the verses. Near the soft heart, students might suggest some of the following ideas that lead to a soft heart: “cry unto the Lord” (1 Nephi 2:16); “inquire … diligently” about the gospel (Alma 12:8); give “heed and diligence” to what the Lord gives us (Alma 12:9); and do things that invite His Spirit into our lives (see Alma 24:8).
Invite students to discuss why the state of our hearts is relevant. One way to do this might be to invite a few students to volunteer to answer questions on a panel. They could sit on chairs at the front of the room. Consider writing the following questions on the board. The class can ask the panel these or other questions to discuss the relevance of the state of our hearts.
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What do you think it would look like for someone to ask questions with a hard heart? What would it look like to ask giving “heed and diligence” (Alma 12:9) to the Lord?
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Why might we sometimes feel tempted to harden our hearts?
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Why do you think the state of our heart toward the Lord can make such a difference in our lives?
God’s plan of redemption
Because Zeezrom began to have a sincere desire to understand the resurrection and the Judgment Day, Alma taught him about God’s plan of redemption. He taught this life is “a time to prepare to meet God” and about the essential role of the Savior in overcoming our sins and death (see Alma 12:16–18, 24–28, 33). He pointed out the importance of not hardening our hearts.
Consider inviting students to close their eyes as they do the following.
Take a moment to imagine what it may be like to stand before God at the Final Judgment after living with a hardened heart. Also imagine what it may be like after living with a softened heart.
Read Alma 12:12–15, 33–37, looking for how your heart can affect your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ at the Final Judgment. You may want to mark important words or phrases in your scriptures.
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According to Alma 12:33–34, why is it essential to not harden our hearts and to repent?
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How was the Savior a perfect example of having a soft and humble heart toward His Father? (See Matthew 26:39; 2 Nephi 31:4–7; Doctrine and Covenants 19:18–19.)
Your heart
Help students do a personal assessment of their hearts. This should be a private experience for each student. You could use the following assessment or create one of your own. You could display the instructions and statements on the board, and students could record their responses in their journals.
To help you evaluate your own heart, answer the following questions on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 meaning “never true of me” and 5 meaning “always true of me.”
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I want guidance from Heavenly Father in all aspects of my life.
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I am willing to obey Heavenly Father.
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I accept correction.
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I feel a need for the Savior’s help in my life.
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I am willing to turn to the Savior and repent.
To help students reflect on what they have learned in this lesson, share the following scenario and encourage students to use the scriptures in their response.
Imagine that someone felt they had a hard heart in some ways and wanted the Lord’s help to soften it. How could you use what you learned today to help them? You could also share the example of the Savior and your own personal experiences.
Consider ending by sharing your testimony of the truths in this lesson and of the Lord’s ability to soften our hearts to receive more of His words.