5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS

See the complete list of CFM Lessons

Alma 30-31

Today’s Korihors sound like the Korihors of old. Recognizing the repeating patterns helps us learn how to respond.

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 them (pick one of the questions below and give it to them, along with the assigned quote). The sooner you do this, the better, but if possible, at least show it to them before the Sacrament meeting. You can also text or email it.
• Ask various people to read and participate – especially those who aren’t asked as much.

Lesson Delivery

You can arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you. I suggest starting with the most important ones and working 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 (same)

An old saying goes: “The more things change, the more they stay the same. This means people are predictable, and people’s behavior patterns repeat. It’s a lot like “History repeats itself.”

People will ridicule you for your faith if it hasn’t happened yet. See if Korihor’s words might sound like some people today:

Note: Can be divided among 2 or more readers.

13 O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.

14 Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.

15 How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ.

16 Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so. (Alma 30:13-16)

Possible discussion questions: What are some similar things people today might say? How do you feel when you hear someone talk like that? Could your testimony hold up to Korihor’s words? What do you have a testimony of? What about the gospel in your life do you love most?

Quote #2 (unpaid)

Unpaid clergy and volunteers produce the best outcome and are wisdom in God. Alma tries to explain this to a defiant Korihor.

34 And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren?

35 Then why sayest thou that we preach unto this people to get gain, when thou, of thyself, knowest that we receive no gain? And now, believest thou that we deceive this people, that causes such joy in their hearts? (Alma 30:34-35)

Possible discussion questions: What would happen if we paid people to teach and lead at church? (Accept all reasonable answers – Attract greed, people would tell others what they want to hear instead of going by the Spirit, so they will get money, church positions become more competitive and political, produces strife)

Alma 31

A guided discussion (use all or parts of this for class discussion).

Part 1

Alma 31 details how Alma collided with difficult egos and then rose above the challenge they presented. Regrettably, we all face unreasonable, selfish people at some point or another. In this chapter, Alma guides us through the encounter.

The Zoramites were a community of privileged, narcissistic apostates. The underlying theme of their devotion was, “Thank God, I am special-er than those other losers. ”As Alma hears them pray for the first time, he is shocked by lines like, “And thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell…” (Alma 31:17)

Part 2 – Shock

This verse literally translates to “their jaws hit the floor.”

“Now it came to pass that after Alma and his brethren and his sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all measure.” (Alma 31:19)

No matter what awkward, difficult circumstances you have already experienced with people in your life, there is always someone who can (and will) top them. Sometimes, we are blindsided by how people treat us, and occasionally, it even sets us back for a while as we think our way through it.

Part 3 – Pain

Alma feels deep regret over how the Zoramites are acting. He prays:

“…O, how long, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness among the children of men?” (Alma 31:26)

Have you ever looked at the events of the world and even the people right around you and wondered something similar?

Part 4 – We Make a Choice

Life isn’t so much what happens to us, as much as it is how we respond to what happens. We can choose resentment, anger, disdain, discouragement, damaged self-esteem, vindictiveness, gossip, enmity, aggression, rudeness…and more. Unfortunately, we’re the ones who suffer most from such responses.

Or we can choose what Alma chose – love, patience, kindness, civility, and non-retaliation. However, he doesn’t just draw on himself for those better reactions; he enlists the heavens. His go-to is our go-to as well.

Part 5 – Prayer

Alma’s prayer spans several verses, but I think the core of it is captured in verse 31.

31 O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful [irritated, put out, angry, depressed, weak, discouraged, anxious, disappointed, or concerned]; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer [endure and interact] with patience [peace, confidence, well-being] these afflictions [poor behaviors] which shall come upon me , because of the iniquity [egos, selfishness] of this people. (Alma 31:31)

Extraordinary outcomes start with sincere, heartfelt prayer.

Possible discussion questions: How do you feel about prayer? Have you ever had a strong, spiritual experience during prayer?

Deepen the Understanding

Elder Holland gave a powerful lesson on prayer at the last General Conference. See what stands out to you.

If we “ask not amiss,” there are no limits to when, where, or about what we should pray. According to the revelations, we are to “pray always.” We are to pray, Amulek said, for “those who are around you,” with the belief that the “fervent prayer of a righteous [people] availeth much.” Our prayers ought to be vocal when we have the privacy to so offer them. If that is not practical, they should be carried as silent utterances in our heart. (Elder Holland, Motions of a Hidden Fire – April 2024)

Possible discussion question: What stands out for you from Elder Holland’s quote?

Part 6 – Resolve and the Spirit

Even after this setback and discouragement, Alma pulls himself together and reminds himself of his purpose and path. He brings the Spirit back into his life and those around him.

The result?

Resolve.

We can benefit from Alma’s technique on a regular basis. When we bring the Spirit into our day (with scriptures, conference talks, sincere prayer, church attendance, or good music) – it changes the quality and outcome of our responses.

Armed with the influence of the Spirit, Alma, and his brethren aren’t about to allow anyone to yank them off their chosen track. They review their objectives, remember who they are, and move forward.

Reader #2

37 And after that they did separate themselves one from another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on, [or what disapproval others might give them].

38 And the Lord …also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions [including difficult people], save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ [it all rolled off their backs because they were in a place of peace, confidence and well-being]. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith. (Alma 31:37-38)

Prayer changes things.

Divine Code

Possible discussion question: Why is this story about Alma’s experience with difficult people so important to us today?

Closing Narrator:

The Book of Mormon is written for us and our time. The story about Alma applies to you and the modern situations you face. May you rise above the disappointments imposed by people and repeatedly find strength in Christ and also through humble prayer.

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 find more truths in the scriptures. 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 arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you.