“Alma 23: They ‘Never Did Fall Away,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Alma 23,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
Alma 23
They “Never Did Fall Away”
Think about the many forces in the world today that seek to destroy your faith and pull you away from the Lord. What can you do to stand firm and prevent this from happening? We can learn from the examples of thousands of Lamanites who were “converted unto the Lord” and “never did fall away” (Alma 23:6). The purpose of this lesson is to help you desire to be more fully converted to the Lord and identify any obstacles to that conversion.
Encouraging learners to strive to follow Jesus Christ. Help learners understand that as they strive to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, they can become more like the Savior and find increased joy in their discipleship.
Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share what they think it means to be “converted unto the Lord” (Alma 23:6) and why conversion to Him is so important. They could refer to the Guide to the Scriptures under “Conversion, Convert” if they need help.
Possible Learning Activities
Standing strong
This lesson and the lesson on Alma 24 can work together to help students deepen their conversion. This lesson can help students identify obstacles to their conversion; the next lesson is intended to help them overcome those obstacles.
Consider inviting two volunteers to do the following activity. Remind them not to push too hard.
If possible, stand on one foot for 30 seconds. Think about how hard it would be to stay standing if someone pushed you while you were on one foot.
Now stand on both feet and think about how much easier it would be to stay standing if someone pushed you.
At times, the scriptures compare faithfulness to the Lord to standing steadfast (see Mosiah 4:11; Alma 1:25) and turning away from the Lord to falling (see 2 Nephi 18:15; Helaman 5:12).
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What are some reasons people fall away from Jesus Christ and His Church?
You may want to display these questions to allow students to ponder them.
Ponder the following questions:
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If you were to continue living the way you are now, do you feel you would grow closer to the Lord and His Church or begin to fall away? Why?
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What do you know about the Lord and His Church that makes you not want to fall away?
As you study about people who “never did fall away” (Alma 23:6), look for insights and seek guidance for your life through prayer to Heavenly Father and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
Converted unto the Lord
After his conversion, the king of the Lamanites proclaimed religious freedom in the land so the sons of Mosiah could safely preach the gospel.
Read Alma 23:3–5, looking for the effect that preaching had on the people.
Consider asking what phrases stood out to your students.
At times, the scriptures repeat phrases that are important for us to understand. Read Alma 23:6–13, 15, looking for phrases that indicate why these thousands of converts “never did fall away” (verse 6). Consider marking the repeated phrases.
Invite students to share what they found. “Converted unto the Lord” is repeated in Alma 23:6, 8, 13, and “lay down the weapons of their rebellion” and “laid down the weapons of their rebellion” are in Alma 23:7, 13, respectively.
One truth we can learn from these verses is that as we are converted unto the Lord and lay down our weapons of rebellion, we can always stand faithful to Him.
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What does it mean to be “converted unto the Lord”? (Alma 23:6). (If helpful, consider studying “Conversion, Convert” in the Guide to the Scriptures or the Topical Guide).
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Why is it important to be converted “unto the Lord” rather than to a missionary or a particular teaching?
Display a picture of the Savior as you invite students to do the following.
Think about what you know about the Savior and ponder why you want to become and stay converted to Him throughout your life. Consider reading some of the following verses to help you:
Invite students to share their thoughts and what they found.
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What has helped you and others you know become more converted unto the Lord?
Laying down our weapons of rebellion
To be truly converted to the Lord and never fall away, we must be willing to lay down our weapons of rebellion. The Lamanites’ weapons of rebellion were both literal and symbolic. But for us, these weapons are likely only symbolic.
Consider writing the following statements on the board.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that our weapons of rebellion could be “selfishness, pride, and disobedience” (“Converted unto the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 108). Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that our weapons could be “personal desires that are contrary to being anchored to the Savior and to following the covenant path” (“Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 22).
The intent of the following activity is to help students identify examples of weapons of rebellion that are relevant to our day. Consider dividing the class into small groups. After sufficient time, invite each group to select a member to come to the board and draw and label a weapon of rebellion while another member briefly presents a few of the group’s responses to the following questions. As they share, look for ways to compliment students on making the scriptures relevant to our day, and thank them for their efforts.
Draw two simple weapons (swords, spears, or other weapons) in your study journal or on a piece of paper. Next to or on each weapon, write a specific and realistic example of an attitude or action contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ that a teenager may have in our day. For example, someone struggling with pride may not listen to his or her parents’ counsel or may feel that prophets are old and out of touch. Or someone else may commit certain sins because he or she thinks God’s commandments are too restrictive.
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How might these attitudes or actions affect this person’s conversion to the Lord?
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How might laying down or leaving behind these attitudes or actions help someone be more converted to the Lord?
Your weapons of rebellion
Consider inviting students to do the following activity in their study journals.
To conclude this lesson, seek Heavenly Father’s help through the Holy Ghost to identify what weapons of rebellion you may have. If you identify one, consider writing it in your study journal and drawing a weapon next to it.
Ponder what you may do to lay down your weapons of rebellion and how that commitment may help you to become converted to the Lord and never fall away.
Consider bearing testimony of the principles taught in this lesson.