5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list CFM Lessons
1 Nephi 6-10
The spectacular account of Lehi’s vision – a symbolic overview of our life’s journey.
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
Put the quotes in any order that makes sense to you. I would start with the ones you feel are most important and work your way down. Don’t worry about covering all the quotes.
- 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.
Quote #1 (forgotten)
Laman and Lemuel are one of Nephi’s biggest challenges.
Possible invitation to engage: Ask your class to listen for a phrase that’s repeated three times in these verses. (How is it ye have forgotten?)
10 How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?
11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?
12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him. (1 Nephi 7:10-12)
Possible discussion questions: Nephi chides his brothers for forgetting important things – what did they forget? (accept all reasonable answers – significant spiritual experiences, blessings along the way, that exercising faith is important)
Possible activity: Hand out pieces of paper and have people write down their answers – one at a time or post the three questions on the board:
- In a few words, describe a meaningful spiritual experience you have had.
- How have you felt the hand of the Lord helping you along the way? Or can you name a blessing?
- In what way will you be more faithful to Jesus Christ this coming year? (possible actions or new habits)
Do not require anyone to share their answers but ask, “Would anyone mind sharing one of their answers? Be ready to share something for each question yourself.
(Or ask the above questions without the writing activity.)
Quote #2 (darkness)
Lehi’s dream symbolizes our journey through life and our experiences, including uncomfortable periods of darkness.
Possible invitation to engage: Ask your class to notice what happens when Nephi prays.
8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.
9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious field.
10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. (1 Nephi 8:8-10)
Possible discussion questions: What happened to Nephi after he prayed? (accept all reasonable answers – his eyes were opened, and he was led to a better place.) Do we sometimes dwell in the dark longer than necessary because we don’t pray and keep close to the Lord?
What does the word mercy mean to you?
mercy: generosity, blessing, forgiveness, sympathy
Can you ask the Lord for mercy in your prayers like Nephi did?
Recognizing Tender Mercies
Nephi said the Lord has a multitude of tender mercies, and so did Elder Bednar.
I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us. (Elder Bednar – April 2005)
Sometimes tender mercies are hard to see, especially in times of darkness or sadness. Can we pray to see better and feel the Lord’s tender mercies?
tender mercies: …the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts we receive… (Elder Bednar – April 2005)
Possible challenge: Write down and keep a record of every tender mercy you notice over the coming week.
Quote #3 (beckon)
beckon: call, wave, entice, invite, coax
Sometimes, good people need an invitation and encouragement.

14 And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go.
15 And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.
16 And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also. (1Nephi 8:14-16)
Possible discussion questions: What can we generally say about Nephi, Sariah, and Sam’s testimony? (they were faithful and strong and believed Lehi) Can solid and faithful people need encouragement and invitations, too? Why is it important to talk to each other about the gospel -OR- call or text other people in our class about going to YM/YW or Sunday Church? (we all need encouragement and reminders) How does it feel when someone takes the time to ask if you’re going to be at Church or a YM/YW activity? Is there someone you need to reach out to?
Possible challenge: Invite everyone to “beckon” at least two people this coming week. You can even take the time to counsel together, make assignments, and have them report back.
Quote #4 (heed not)
heed not: not pay attention to, not take notice of, not listen to, not be mindful of
33 And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.
34 These are the words of my father: For as many as heeded them, had fallen away. (1 Nephi 8:33-34)
Possible discussion questions: What does “heed not“ mean to you? Have you ever had a situation where you heeded not?
Elder Bednar tells us how we can follow this advice in our time.
Note: This quote can be split up into two smaller quotes.
One hymn that has blessed my life in remarkable ways is “Let Us All Press On.” Recently I have been pondering and learning about a specific phrase in the refrain of that hymn. “We will heed not what the wicked may say, but the Lord alone we will obey.”
We will heed not.
As I sing “Let Us All Press On,” I often think of the people in Lehi’s vision pressing forward on the path that led to the tree of life who were not merely “clinging to” but were “continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” Lehi described multitudes in the great and spacious building that were pointing “the finger of scorn at [him] and those … partaking of the fruit.” His response to the jeers and insults is magnificent and memorable: “But we heeded them not.”
I pray that the Holy Ghost will bless and enlighten each of us as we consider together how we can be strengthened to “heed not” the evil influences and mocking voices of the contemporary world in which we live. (Elder Bednar – April 2022)
Possible discussion questions: When someone insults us or jeers at our religion, we probably want to respond. What is Elder Bednar’s advice? What would be your advice to a friend when someone is bullying them about being a Latter-day Saint?
Quote #5 (mysteries)
A possible engagement tool: Tell your class that certain people are eligible to learn the mysteries of God. What does Nephi say about that?
18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.
19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. (1 Nephi 10:18)
Who can learn and understand the mysteries of God?
Who? All Men
If?
- They Repent
- Come unto Christ
- Diligently Seek
Possible discussion questions: What does “dilligently seek” mean to you? (accept all possible answers – to keep searching and not give up. To be proactive and actively study it out, ponder, ask questions, ask in prayer, talk to faithful people who have the Spirit)
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
As you study and teach, you can help others liken the scriptures to themselves. Thank you for bringing powerful Book of Mormon teachings into other people’s lives.
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.
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