5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

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Studying the title page of The Book of Mormon is a great way to introduce the book for this year’s study.

Lesson Notes

You can find the full Come, Follow Me lesson here. Unless you opt to spend a lot of time on a particular quote, try to pick around 2 questions per quote. Choose the questions that resonate the most with you and make a meaningful discussion for your group of personalities.

All blue quotes from the Book of Mormon (unless otherwise noted).

Lesson Prep

• If you want the discussion to be more meaningful, hand out reading assignments ahead of time and ask the reader to answer one question about it (Pick one of the questions below and give it to them, along with the assigned quote.) The sooner you do this, the better, but at least give it to them before Sacrament meeting if possible. You can text it or email it, too.
• Ask various people to read and participate – especially those who aren’t asked as much.

Lesson Delivery

• Make sure you assign others to read the quotes. You’re talking enough already. Letting others read allows more people to participate.
• Encourage discussion by accepting all reasonable answers. Validate people for participating and be thankful they spoke up. Engage with the answer in a conversational way whenever it feels natural. Never say, “That’s not the right answer,” or “We haven’t got to that part of the lesson yet.”
• Remember, spiritual discussion is golden. We want people to talk about the gospel together.
• If a lesson takes a different turn, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.
• If the discussion gets too non-spiritual, pull it back by going to the following quote or question.
• Avoid videos – they shut down discussion. Save them for personal study.

Printable Files

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Quote #1 (origin)

The title page of the Book of Mormon was written in ancient times instead of ours. Moroni wrote it to us, knowing that the book and the title page would come forth in our day.

Possible invitation to engage: Ask the class to listen for the key ideas Moroni shared about the Book of Mormon

Note: This quote can be split up into two smaller quotes.

THE BOOK OF MORMON

AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF MORMON UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI

Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

Possible discussion questions: Why didn’t Moroni write to the Nephites? (accept all reasonable answers – He knew they would become extinct.) Did Moroni realize he was writing to us?

Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing. (Mormon 8:35, Moroni speaking)

More Questions: Who did he prophesy would bring forth the Book of Mormon? (A Gentile gifted with the means of interpretation) What does it mean to be a Gentile in the Book of Mormon? (non-Jewish nations or anyone who is not Jewish)

Quote #2 (capitals)

This is the second and last paragraph of the title page.

Note: This quote can be split up into two smaller quotes.

Possible invitation to engage: Ask the class to notice which words are all capital letters as we read the last paragraph.

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS IS THE CHRIST the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

Possible discussion questions: Which words are in all caps? Why do you think they are capitalized (accept all reasonable answers – Because Jesus Christ is the center of the Book of Mormon) Moroni talks about the Book of Ether, another story about a people brought to America. What is one of your favorite stories in The Book of Mormon?

Quote #3 (the way)

Talking out loud about how you will study The Book of Mormon this year strongly affects personal commitment. Help your class members firm up their own plans.

Don’t require a response, but let some people volunteer what they will do – and be ready to share your plan.

Two Important Questions

When and where will you read? Let people volunteer answers.

How will you invite the Spirit into your study? Let people volunteer answers.

The best way to keep up a habit is to attach it to something you already always do. Here are some examples:

• I’ll read it first thing in the morning after I wake up.
• I’ll read it right after breakfast.
• I’ll listen to it on the way to school or church.
• I’ll listen to it while I work out.

Quote #4 (skim the page)

The Come Follow Me lesson gives an excellent list of Book of Mormon Verses that represent its purposes. People won’t remember if you go over too many verses at once. People will remember the discussion if you pick one or two to emphasize.

• Verses Print Out

Option #1 – Hand out a list of the scriptures printed out, and ask your classmates to pick out a verse that stands out to them today. (Give them one minute to skim) When someone volunteers a verse, read it together, and then ask that person why they chose that verse and what it means to them?

Option #2 – Give this list of verses out ahead of time to two people. Have them pick a verse and be ready to share why that verse felt important to them personally. In class, give out the same verse handout to everyone. Have your two people read the verse and share their comments. (Note: Try to pick people who aren’t asked as much.)

For options #1 and #2, allow other class members to make additional comments, volunteer different verses, and allow discussion if it happens naturally.

Reference: 2 Nephi 25:26; Mosiah 3:5–8; Alma 5:48; 7:10–13; Helaman 5:12; 3 Nephi 9:13–18; 11:6–14; Moroni 10:32–33.

Quote #5 (mistakes)

Note: This quote can be split up into two smaller quotes.

Elder Uchtdorf quotes the title page of the Book of Mormon and makes an important point:

And, to be perfectly frank, there have been times when members or leaders in the Church have simply made mistakes. There may have been things said or done that were not in harmony with our values, principles, or doctrine.

I suppose the Church would be perfect only if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is pure. But He works through us—His imperfect children—and imperfect people make mistakes.

In the title page of the Book of Mormon we read, “And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.”

This is the way it has always been and will be until the perfect day when Christ Himself reigns personally upon the earth. (Elder Uchtdorf – October 2013)

Possible discussion questions: Should we reject the Book of Mormon if we find a mistake? Does a prophet stop being called by God if he makes a mistake? Are any Church leaders perfect? Why is it important to forgive Church leaders for their errors and mistakes? (we are all human, and we will all make mistakes)

Summary

Summarize class discussion highlights and/or share your testimony and feelings about the lesson. Thank your class for their excellent contributions and insights.

Final Comment

How wonderful it is to discuss the Book of Mormon this year. I’m thankful to anyone who teaches important doctrine like this on Sunday. You do vital work whenever you encourage more understanding and invite people to live their faith more fully.

If you would like some tips on how to feel more confident while teaching – try “9 Tips for More Class Participation.” Please put the quotes in any order that makes sense to you.

PDFs for Download – click the blue link to view online.

Coming soon.