How can the Book of Mormon help me strengthen my faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
The primary purpose of the Book of Mormon is to convince all people that Jesus is the Christ. It teaches that we “must come unto Him or [we] cannot be saved” (1 Nephi 13:40). It contains many examples of faithful disciples who had faith in Jesus Christ and received the blessings of His Atonement. Book of Mormon prophets bore powerful testimony of the Savior, that we “may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins” (2 Nephi 25:26).
Prepare yourself spiritually
How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to Jesus Christ? What are some scriptures in the Book of Mormon that have strengthened your testimony of the Savior?
How has the Book of Mormon strengthened the faith of the youth you teach? How can they strengthen each other’s faith in Jesus Christ using the Book of Mormon?
As you prayerfully study the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, what do you feel will help the youth strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ?
Title page and introduction to the Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 25:26 (Nephites preach and write about Christ to strengthen the faith of their children)
3 Nephi 27:13–14 (The Savior testifies to the Nephites of His divine mission)
Neil L. Andersen, “The Book of Mormon: Strengthening Our Faith in Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2011, 39–45
Video: “Book of Mormon Introduction”
Teaching in the Savior’s way
In every setting, Jesus was an example and mentor to those He taught. He taught them how to pray, teach, love, and serve by the way He lived. How can your example inspire the youth you teach? What personal experiences could you share that would help the youth know how the Book of Mormon has strengthened your faith in Jesus Christ?
Make connections
During the first few minutes of every class, help the youth make connections between things they are learning in various settings (such as personal study, seminary, other Church classes, or experiences with their friends). How can you help them see the relevance of the gospel in daily living? The ideas below might help you:
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What experiences have the youth had that seem to reinforce the things they are learning about Jesus Christ and the Atonement?
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Have the youth imagine that a friend asks them if Mormons are Christians. Challenge them to use scriptures from the Book of Mormon (such as the scriptures suggested in this outline) to answer this question.
Learn together
Each of the activities below can help the youth understand how the Book of Mormon can strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. Following the guidance of the Spirit, select one or more that will work best for your class:
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Write on the board “How can the Book of Mormon help me strengthen my faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ?” Divide the class in to small groups, and assign each group to read a section of Elder Neil L. Andersen’s article “The Book of Mormon: Strengthening Our Faith in Jesus Christ.” Invite them to look for answers to the question on the board. Encourage each group to present their answers to the class, along with a scripture reference they found meaningful from their assigned section.
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Show the video “Book of Mormon Introduction.” Invite the youth to work in pairs to plan a short video of their own in which they share how the Book of Mormon has influenced their testimonies of the Savior and His Atonement. How would they explain what the Book of Mormon is? What verses or stories would they share? Encourage them to consider ways they could share the video with others.
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With permission from the bishop, invite a recent convert to share his or her experience gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Ask him or her to come prepared to share some favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. How did the Book of Mormon bring him or her closer to the Savior? How did it help him or her understand His mission better? Invite class members to share their own testimonies and favorite scriptures about Jesus Christ from the Book of Mormon.
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As a class, think of examples of people in the Book of Mormon who repented and received forgiveness of their sins (such as Alma the Younger, Enos, or King Lamoni). Read some of their stories in the Book of Mormon. What do these experiences teach us about the Atonement?
Ask the youth to share what they learned today. Do they understand how the Book of Mormon can strengthen their faith in the Atonement? What feelings or impressions do they have? Do they have any additional questions? Would it be worthwhile to spend more time on this topic?
Teaching tip
“Testify whenever the Spirit prompts you to do so, not just at the end of each lesson. Provide opportunities for those you teach to bear their testimonies” (Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 45).
Video: “Finding Answers in Conference Talks”
Invite to act
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Invite the youth to use the Book of Mormon to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. Give them opportunities in future classes to share scriptures they find in the Book of Mormon that testify of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
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Bear your testimony of the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ.