Editor's note: “Resources to follow Him” curates study resources, teachings, and thoughts to deepen your study of this week's Come, Follow Me.
As you explore Alma 17–22, here are four questions to ask in your families or study groups to spark gospel conversation. We hope these prompts, in addition to the Come, Follow Me manual, will enhance your understanding of these chapters.
Questions
- What did the sons of Mosiah do in order to remain "Alma's brethren in the Lord"?
- Who was Ammon?
- What makes a powerful teacher?
- Why is love so important in teaching?
- How can we attract others to the gospel?
What did the sons of Mosiah do in order to remain "Alma's brethren in the Lord"?
In this week’s episode of the Sunday on Monday study group, the group discusses how the sons of Mosiah remained “Alma’s brethren in the Lord,” using insights from the first verses of chapter 17.
- They "waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth" (Alma 17:2). The group shares a definition of “waxed” from webstersdictionary1828.com: “Waxed—to pass from one state to another.”
- They were "men of sound understanding" (Alma 17:2).
- They searched the scriptures diligently (Alma 17:2).
- They had "given themselves to much prayer" (Alma 17:3).
- They fasted often (Alma 17:3).
- They suffered much and endured well (Alma 17:5).
Host Tammy Uzelac Hall explains that as a result of these actions, the sons of Mosiah were given the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation. The group shares a quote from Elder Robert D. Hales:
“Of the sacred gifts of the Spirit, one that I believe has impact on each of our lives is the gift of prophecy or revelation. This gift is different from the priesthood office of prophet. The gift of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. …President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) taught, ‘All members of the Church should seek for the gift of prophecy, for their own guidance’ (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 1:201) Every Church member, if faithful, has the right to receive revelation for his or her personal blessing.” (Robert D. Hales, “Gifts of the Spirit,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 15)
The Sunday on Monday Study Group is a Deseret Bookshelf PLUS+ original presented by LDS Living. You can access the full study group discussion through the Bookshelf app. Listen to a segment of this week's episode below or listen to the full Sunday on Monday episode here.
Who was Ammon?
This week’s curriculum pairs with a Book of Mormon video highlighting Alma 17–19. LDS Living author Jannalee Sandau wrote this at the time of the episode’s release:
“Even though Ammon’s impressive fighting at the waters of Sebus makes him seem like a tough warrior who presented himself boldly before the king and had great skill in fighting, as I watched the whole story of Ammon and Lamoni, I was reminded that Ammon was, first and foremost, a missionary. He and his brothers had been very involved in Alma the Younger’s conversion. They knew what it was like to be far from the gospel, and they wanted to share the joyful message of the Savior that they had discovered. “In this video, I was surprised to see Ammon portrayed as more soft-spoken and reflective than I had pictured him growing up. He always acted with the intent to do what was right and to bring others to Christ, from the time he was taken prisoner to the time that he read King Lamoni's thoughts and began teaching him the gospel.”
Watch the episode below or read more of Sandau’s takeaways.
What makes a powerful teacher?
In this week’s episode of “Don’t Miss This,” Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler give tips from Alma 17, Alma 18 and Alma 20 on how to be a powerful teacher.
- Be a servant (Alma 17:25).
- Win the hearts (Alma 17:29).
- Be a friend (Alma 18:3).
- Feed the horses (Alma 18:9).
- Prepare the chariots (Alma 18:9).
- Ask what you can do (Alma 18:14).
- Begin to speak (Alma 18:24).
- Teach with the Spirit (Alma 18:25–35).
- Open the scriptures (Alma 18:36).
- Love greatly (Alma 20:23–26).
Freeman notes that we learn a lot about teaching from Ammon before he even begins his message.
“You think a great teacher is going to stand up and deliver a great message and that’s what makes a great teacher,” Freeman says. “And Ammon is going to teach us that’s not necessarily true because there are so many things that are going to happen before Ammon actually ever opens his mouth.”
Watch the full episode of “Don’t Miss This” below and be sure to pick up a Don’t Miss This 2020 Journalso you can follow along.
Why is love so important in teaching?
The Come, Follow Me—Sunday School manual explains, “There are many ways to share the gospel, and all of them are more effective when love is the motivation.” The manual shares a valuable experience President Dallin H. Oaks learned as a young man:
“I was assigned to visit a less-active member, a successful professional many years older than I. Looking back on my actions, I realize that I had very little loving concern for the man I visited. I acted out of duty, with a desire to report 100 percent on my home teaching. One evening, close to the end of a month, I phoned to ask if my companion and I could come right over and visit him. His chastening reply taught me an unforgettable lesson. “‘No, I don’t believe I want you to come over this evening,’ he said. ‘I’m tired. I’ve already dressed for bed. I am reading, and I am just not willing to be interrupted so that you can report 100 percent on your home teaching this month.’ That reply still stings me because I knew he had sensed my selfish motivation. “I hope no person we approach with an invitation to hear the message of the restored gospel feels that we are acting out of any reason other than a genuine love for them and an unselfish desire to share something we know to be precious.”
Listen to President Oaks’ full address, “Sharing the Gospel” below.
How can we attract others to the gospel?
The Come, Follow Me—Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women manual shares the following idea:
“In her talk titled ‘Turn On Your Light’ (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 6–9), Sister Sharon Eubank shared five ways we can attract others to the Church of Jesus Christ. Working in groups, quorum or class members could read about one of these five ways and, if possible, think of someone they know who has shown their light in the way described. Invite them to share what they learned. Give them time to individually choose one of the ways they discussed that they would like to work on so they can help bring others closer to Jesus Christ.”
Watch Sister Eubank’s talk below.
