5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
Alma 8-12
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 (world)
Possible engagement tool: Invite your class to notice how Alma didn’t always have success, what kinds of things people said to him, and think about how we sometimes have similar experiences.
Note: This quote can be divided up between 2-3 readers.
9 Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not hearken unto the words of Alma.
10 Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance.
11 Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts, saying unto him: Behold, we know that thou art Alma; and we know that thou art high priest over the church which thou hast established in many parts of the land, according to your tradition; and we are not of thy church, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions. (Alma 8:9-11)
foolish: silly, brainless, pointless
Possible discussion questions: Why do you think Mormon included this story in his abridgment of the plates? Do we sometimes have disappointing results even though we put our faith, heart, and soul into the outcome? Can our current missionaries sometimes have disappointing days? Why is it important to stay strong in the faith even though people say rude or mean things? What would you recommend to someone who is discouraged because their gospel message and efforts have been rejected? What’s the best way to handle negative remarks about our religion? (Accept all reasonable answers – simply state your faith and walk away or “heed them not.”
Great Quote from Elder Bednar
The word heed suggests taking notice of or paying attention to someone or something. Thus, the lyrics of the hymn “Let Us All Press On” admonish us to make an affirmative decision to pay no attention to “what the wicked may say.” And Lehi and the people with him who were partaking of the fruit of the tree provide a strong example of not paying attention to the mocking and scorn that so frequently come from the great and spacious building. (Elder Bednar, But We Heeded Them Not – April 2022)
Deepen the Understanding
10 Practical Ways to ‘Heed Not’ in Difficult Situations
If you have difficult people in your life who give you a hard time over your religion (or anything else), here are some helpful tips.
This is a list I cultivated with lots of trial and error. A life-long study of how to deal with difficult people. I still make mistakes and have to review this list. However…when applied, these suggestions work wonders.
The Spirit of Christ, regular scriptures, and daily, connected prayer will help you develop and acquire the calm and the strength to follow these steps:
- Don’t get pulled into drama or a “word salad” (meaning lots of words which include bickering, refuting, proving, recalling)
- Cultivate a peaceful, graceful response to invalidations, pettiness, talking in circles, and setups. (See item #1.) Some neutral responses: “I’ll keep that in mind” – (great response 75% of the time). “Let me think about that and get back to you.” “I have no response to that.” “That’s a story.” Make sure you keep your voice tone neutral – no emotion, no faces, and no body language.
- Don’t pick it up when crazy-making accusations or head games are laid at your feet. You have no points to make. Just observe.
- When someone behaves poorly or aggressively, shrug it off (to yourself). Please don’t wear it.
- Don’t try to change them. Don’t steer them. Don’t catch them in the act. Period.
- Step away and give yourself a timeout. Soothe yourself – do something you enjoy. Don’t rehearse it in your head.
- Let them make a fuss. They look ridiculous.
- Develop self-worth that is independent of anyone but Christ.
- Decompress. Regularly do self-care and enjoy yourself. Hard calendar and schedule at least a half-hour each day for your hobby, gift, talent, and calling in life. Take it off the back burner, and don’t let other things crowd it out.
- Some people are “unpleasable” or forever expressing disapproval. Don’t get wrapped up in pleasing them. See items 1-9 for help with this. (~Shawnie Cannon from Divine Code)
Quote #2 (a sketch)
Alma sketches Christ with heartfelt words, and they capture the soul. This could be a complete gospel doctrine lesson all by itself.
Possible engagement tool: Tell the class we’re about to read Alma’s description of Christ. Ask them to listen and notice which words really stand out for them today.
“And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers.”
Alma 9:26

Descriptions of Jesus
A look at each descriptive word in the verse above opens the door to understanding more of who Jesus is.
Possible activity: Print out this list of qualities and definitions and give each class member a copy. Ask them to notice, “Which words about Christ stand out for you – what ones do you appreciate the most today? Let people take turns picking one and sharing what they like about it. You may have to start with your own.
For me: For me, it’s “grace” and “quick to hear and answer” (think ministering and service). Especially with the sub-definitions: generosity, tenderness, and responsiveness.
- full of grace; compassion, generosity, goodness, kindness, love, tenderness AND beauty, ease, elegance, poise, refinement
- equity; even-handed, fair-minded, honesty, integrity
- truth; accuracy, authenticity, certainty, correctness, genuineness, principle, sincerity
- full of patience; capacity, willingness to endure, diligence, grit, perseverance, tolerance, restraint
- mercy; benevolence, blessing, charity, forgiveness, goodwill, pity, sympathy
- long-suffering; forbearing, uncomplaining
- quick to hear and answer; aware, conscious, receptive, responsive
Deepen the Understanding
Why is it important to understand the Savior and make a study of Him?
“Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”
3 Nephi 27:27
Following the Savior means working on our self-mastery. Maybe, look at the list of qualities and characteristics again. Which word or two are the ones you need to work on right now?
Possible Activity: Hand out pieces of paper/pencils and have people take a moment to write down two qualities they want to work on more.
Quote #3 (hard heart)
What Happens When the Heart Hardens?
Possible engagement tool: Ask the class what it means to have a hard heart. (Accept all reasonable answers – usually, it’s a feeling of rebelliousness or indignation of some kind.)
10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries;
[Have you noticed they seem to lose their ability to comprehend obvious truths or even connect fairly simple dots?]
…and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell. (Alma 12:10-11)
portion: part, section, quantity
Possible discussion questions: What does this verse help us understand about personal revelation? How do we obtain more understanding and a “greater portion”? (Seek after God’s words and be humble.) Where does comprehension and the ability to reason and see spiritually come from (gifts of the Spirit.) Can we lose our ability to understand spiritually, even though we once had a strong testimony? Who replaces a loss of the Spirit? (Satan and his influence.)
Quote #4 (mercy)
Adam and Eve learned about mercy through Christ in the Garden of Eden and God has taught about mercy ever since.
mercy: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish
Possible engagement tool: Ask the class to think about the word mercy as we read this next scripture and why it matters so much in the Gospel plan.
33 But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son;
34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest. (Alma 12:33-34)
Write on the board: REPENT + HARDEN NOT HEARTS = MERCY
Possible discussion questions: How important is repentance in regards to our eternal lives? How often should we repent? What is the Sacrament ordinance centered on? (Accept all reasonable answers – it’s a time for us to reflect, confess, repent and resolve on better behavior for the coming week.) What does it mean to harden your heart? (it’s a feeling of rebelliousness or indignation of some kind, ignoring God and commandments). Why is mercy so central to our hope of eternal life? Who brings us mercy?
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.
Really great ideas for a great lesson!! Thank you for doing this!!