Lesson 8 Teacher Material

Life after Death

As students conclude unit 2, “The Great Plan of Redemption,” they will have the opportunity to explain how a correct understanding of the afterlife can provide them with increased comfort and hope in this life. They will also identify actions they can take to better prepare themselves to meet God.

Suggestions for Teaching

Alma and Amulek teach about the spirit world and the Resurrection.

Begin class by sharing the following scenario and inviting students to discuss what they would say or how they would respond:

Imagine you are going to visit the family of a close friend, Anna, who has just died. Anna joined the Church a few months ago. Her family is not religious. As you express your sympathy to Anna’s mother, she holds your hands and looks into your eyes and says, “Can you tell me what happens after we die?”

Invite students to review Alma 11:43–44 and Alma 40:11–14, looking for truths about the afterlife that could bring Anna’s mother comfort and hope. (Students may identify principles like the following: Because of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected and be brought before God to be judged. In the Resurrection our bodies will be perfected. If we are righteous, we will rest from all of our troubles and sorrows in the spirit world.)

• What stands out to you most about Alma and Amulek’s teachings on the Resurrection? How can having a testimony of the Resurrection help us to face the challenges of mortality with greater hope and courage? (Consider reading President Susan W. Tanner’s statement in section 2 of the preparation material.)

• What else do we know about the spirit world from the scriptures and modern revelation? (You may want to ask students to review the statement by President Dallin H. Oaks in section 1 of the preparation material.)

• In what ways does the Lord’s doctrine about the spirit world and the Resurrection demonstrate His love for and mercy toward us?

Invite students to quietly consider who might need to hear their testimony of the afterlife and how they can share their testimony with those who need to hear it. (Provide time for students to ponder their answer.)

Note: Students may have heard different ideas about the afterlife. Remind them that we should use divinely appointed sources, such as the scriptures and teachings of Church leaders, to evaluate these ideas. You may find it helpful to share and discuss the following caution from President Dallin H. Oaks:

President Dallin H. Oaks

So what else [beyond what we learn from our canon of scripture] do we know about the spirit world? Many members of the Church have had visions or other inspirations to inform them about how things operate or are organized in the spirit world, but these personal spiritual experiences are not to be understood or taught as the official doctrine of the Church. And, of course, there is abundant speculation by members and others in published sources like books on near-death experiences. (“Trust in the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 27)

Alma and Amulek teach that we should prepare to meet God.

Display the following statements:

• I know people who break the commandments and say, “It’s not that big of a deal, because I can always repent later.”

• God is loving. He won’t keep me from the celestial kingdom just because I put off repenting of a few sins.

• No matter how hard I try, I always fall short and will never be prepared to meet God.

Consider forming students into small groups and asking each group to select one of the preceding statements they would like to discuss. Invite each group to read Alma 34:32–34 and to use the teachings in this passage to evaluate their selected statement. You may want to provide each group with the following questions to help deepen their discussion:

• Which parts of this statement are true, and which parts might be false or misleading?

• What principles taught in Alma 34:32–34 are most relevant to this statement? How would you explain these principles to someone who made this statement? (Students might identify and explain some of the following principles: This life is the time to prepare to meet God and perform our labors. We prepare to meet God by repenting and improving today. If we procrastinate our repentance, we will be unprepared to meet God.)

After students have had time to discuss these questions, invite some groups to share what they learned with the class.

• What are some other things that keep people from preparing to meet God? (List students’ answers on the board.)

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Provide students with time to ponder. One way we can help students better apply their hearts to understanding is to give them “time in class to meditate on, ponder, or write about what they have understood and felt, and to consider what specific actions they should take to apply it in their lives” (Gospel Teaching and Learning: A Handbook for Teachers and Leaders in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion [2012], 2.5.4). Consider watching the video “2.5.4 The Importance and Power of Pondering” (0:31) to gain more insight on this topic.

Remind students that Alma asked the people of Zarahemla some soul-searching questions. (Students reviewed these questions as they studied Alma 5:15–17, 19, 27, 33 in section 3 of the preparation material.) Invite students to take a few minutes to study more deeply by rereading and pondering more on Alma’s questions and teachings found in Alma 5:14–35. You may want to help them know that what they ponder is more important than how many verses they cover.

After sufficient time, you may want to ask one or both of the following questions for students to ponder:

• In what ways will the Savior help you as you strive to prepare to meet God?

• What change or changes do you need to make today to be more prepared to meet God?

Consider sharing the following statement by President Oaks:

President Dallin H. Oaks

The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. (“The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32)

You might ask students to think about who they desire to become. Consider sharing with students your testimony that Heavenly Father and the Savior have the desire and the ability to help them become the kind of person who is at peace in Their presence.

Encourage students to ponder, plan, or write what specific action they will take today to demonstrate their sincere desire to become more prepared to meet God. (It may also be helpful to review the statement by President Henry B. Eyring in section 3 of the preparation material.)

You could conclude class by inviting students to share what they have learned from their experience together studying unit 2, “The Great Plan of Redemption.” You could also invite students to testify of how this knowledge affects their appreciation for the Savior and their desires to become more like Him.

For Next Time

Bear testimony that the Lord has prepared the way for each of us to return to the presence of God. This way for us to return to Him is called the doctrine of Christ, and that topic is the focus of our next unit. As students prepare for the next class, invite them to consider how having faith in Jesus Christ prepares them to meet God.