Seminary
Mormon 7: “A State of Happiness Which Hath No End”

“Mormon 7: ‘A State of Happiness Which Hath No End,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)

“Mormon 7,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual

Mormon 7

“A State of Happiness Which Hath No End”

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Mormon

Imagine what Mormon may have felt as he witnessed the sorrow and destruction caused by the final battles between the Nephites and Lamanites. Before these battles claimed his own life, Mormon concluded his writings by teaching of Jesus Christ and the eternal happiness that awaits those who follow Him. This lesson can help you follow Jesus Christ and prepare to live with God in eternal happiness.

Encourage a habit of daily scripture study. Developing a habit of daily scripture study has the potential to bless students for the rest of their lives. Look for ways to teach students about the blessings of studying the scriptures each day.

Student preparation: You could invite students to come to class prepared to share what makes them happy. Students could also talk to a family member about what makes that family member happy.

Possible Learning Activities

To help students reflect on what they know about Mormon, you could use the following quiz. Students could respond electronically or raise their hand when the correct answer is read. Rather than providing a quiz, you might display an image of Mormon and ask students to share what they know about him. Because Mormon’s writings (his own words and an abridgement of Nephite history) include everything from Words of Mormon to Mormon 7, you could invite students with paper scriptures to open to these chapters to visualize how many pages within the Book of Mormon he abridged and wrote.

Answers to the quiz: 1) c; 2) a; 3) b (Words of Mormon–Mormon 7 and Moroni 7–9)

The life of Mormon

Take the following quiz to see what you remember about the prophet Mormon.

  1. How was Mormon described in his youth? (See Mormon 1:2.)

    1. He was an arms bearer in the Nephite army

    2. He was scared

    3. He was quick to observe

  2. What did Mormon experience at the age of 15? (See Mormon 1:15.)

    1. He was visited of the Lord

    2. His preaching converted hundreds

    3. He was injured in battle

  3. Approximately how much of the Book of Mormon was written or abridged by Mormon?

    1. 1/2

    2. 2/3

    3. 3/4

Mormon had the responsibility to abridge, write, and preserve the sacred scripture we now know as the Book of Mormon. Toward the end of his life, Mormon witnessed and participated in a great war between the Nephites and Lamanites. This war eventually cost Mormon his life (see Mormon 8:3). Prior to passing the sacred records to his son Moroni, Mormon wrote his final message to future readers of the Book of Mormon.

Invite students to ponder and discuss the following question in small groups. This will allow more students to share their thoughts.

  • As you reflect on Mormon’s life, experience, and testimony, what do you think he might write in his final message to future Book of Mormon readers? Why?

As you study Mormon 7, look at how Mormon’s message might be meaningful not only to people in the midst of a war but to people in any circumstance in life.

What Mormon wants us to know

As students study Mormon 7, they could compare Mormon’s teachings to the truths they anticipated he would teach.

Read Mormon 7:2–7. Mark in your scriptures or list in your journal the things that Mormon wanted readers to know. Pay particular attention to what Mormon taught about Jesus Christ in verses 5–7.

  • Why do you think Mormon may have felt these were important truths for us to know?

  • Which of these truths is most meaningful to you personally? Why?

  • Why is it essential to know “that ye are of the house of Israel” (Mormon 7:2)?

If you feel students could benefit from a deeper study of verses 2–7, consider inviting them to use study resources such as Gospel Library, footnotes, or general conference talks. Such resources could help them better understand the significance of what Mormon invited us to know. For example, some could study the significance of knowing “ye are of the house of Israel” (verse 2). Others could seek to understand the relevance of “[laying] down your weapons of war” (verse 4).

You may have noticed that as Mormon was surrounded by wickedness and war, he looked to the Resurrection and redemption of Jesus Christ. He taught that because of Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins and thus prepared to live with God in a state of happiness (see Mormon 7:7).

  • What are some challenges or negative influences that surround you?

  • How does a knowledge of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the potential for eternal happiness serve as a source of hope and strength in your life right now?

Turning knowledge into action

Knowing we can dwell with God in eternal happiness can provide us with great hope. To help us achieve this happiness, Mormon encouraged us to turn knowledge into action. This is indicated by his use of the word “therefore” in verse 8.

Consider writing the following incomplete principle on the board. Students could write different ways they can use Mormon’s words in verses 8–10 to finish the statement.

In your study journal, write the following incomplete statement: “I can live with God in a state of happiness as I …”

Read Mormon 7:8–10 and complete the statement by writing at least three actions that Mormon invites us to take. Note that in verse 9, “this” refers to the Book of Mormon and “that” refers to the Holy Bible.

If needed, help students identify actions such as the following:

  • “… repent, and [am] baptized in the name of Jesus” (Mormon 7:8).

  • “… lay hold upon the gospel of Christ [in the scriptures]” (Mormon 7:8).

  • “… [follow] the example of our Savior” (Mormon 7:10).

Students could be divided into small groups and assigned one of the three actions. Together, they could discuss the following questions.

  • What are some ways we can apply these actions?

  • How can these actions prepare us to receive the promised happiness available through Jesus Christ?

If possible, provide students with the following scale. Or read the options aloud so students can ponder their responses.

Reflect on how well you are acting on Mormon’s counsel. Look at the following scale and rate yourself in each category (1 = never; 5 = almost always).

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scale 1 to 5 for each statement

You might share a personal story or testimony to illustrate the peace that can come from repenting, studying the scriptures, following the example of Jesus Christ, and looking forward to eternal happiness with God. Students could complete the following in their study journal.

Select one of Mormon’s invitations that you feel could help you seek the happiness available through Jesus Christ. Decide what you can do to act on that invitation and how it can help you focus on the Savior.