5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
2 Nephi 26-30
These chapters offer great opportunities for gospel discussion and learning.
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 show 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
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 (laborer)
labor: work hard; make great effort.
Possible engagement tool: Invite your class to think about what the scriptures mean by “laborer in Zion.”
31 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.
32 And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish. (2 Nephi 26:31-32)
Possible activity: List the things the Lord says not to do.
- murder
- lie
- steal
- swear with God’s name, take His name in vain
- envy
- have malice
- contend
- commit whoredoms
Possible discussion questions: What does ‘envy’ mean? (accept all reasonable answers — a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck.) How can we keep from being envious? (Gratitude, confidence in God, serving others)
What does it mean to ‘have malice’? (accept all reasonable answers — Malice is the desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another) What is gossip? Can gossip be a form of malice? (yes, it’s designed to hurt reputations and sway sentiment against someone else.)
Does it take effort NOT to do some of these things? What do the scriptures say will happen if we do these things?
Quote #2 (sealed)
Everything that has happened from the beginning of the earth to the end of the earth has already been written and recorded in a sealed book. Someday, we will read the words of that sealed book.
Possible engagement tool: Remind your class that 2 Nephi 27 is largely the same as Isaiah 29.
11 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth. (2 Nephi 27:11)
Possible discussion question: If you had a chance to read this sealed book today, would you?
Optional – Deepen the Understanding
We might wonder why we have to wait for this book. Joseph Smith explains why the Saints are not always given every doctrine and piece of knowledge.

Joseph Smith often noted that he could not share every doctrine and teaching he wanted because the Saints would rebel against him and slaughter him. Here, he reveals why they were so frantic to crucify Christ and draws a parallel to his time (and our time). It’s worth pondering. Do you see the pattern?
Note: This quote can be divided among 2-4 readers.
“Many men will say, “I will never forsake you, but will stand by you at all times.” But the moment you teach them some of the mysteries of the kingdom of God that are retained in the heavens and are to be revealed to the children of men when they are prepared for them, they will be 👉the first to stone you and put you to death.👈 It was this same principle that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ and will cause the people to kill the prophets in this generation.
“Many things are insoluble to the children of men in the last days: for instance, that God should raise the dead, and forgetting that things have been hid from before the foundation of the world, which are to be revealed to babes in the last days.
Some Men “Too Wise to Be Taught”
“There are a great many wise men and women too 👉in our midst who are too wise to be taught;👈, therefore, they must die in their ignorance, and in the resurrection, they will find their mistake. Many seal up the door of heaven by saying, [Only this] far, God may reveal, and I will believe.” ~TPJS, pg. 309
Quote #3 (devil)
Nephi gives us a very clear look at how Satan operates! It’s essential to recognize the patterns.
Possible engagement tool: Ask your class to listen for three strategies that Satan uses with us.
Note: This quote can be divided among 2-4 readers.
19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;
20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.
21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. (2 Nephi 28:19-22)
Possible discussion questions: What are Satan’s strategies with us and others? Do you see a lot of anger and hatred in the world today? Who is responsible for that? Have you ever known someone who didn’t believe that there was a devil? Is all well in Zion? Why is it important to understand Zion isn’t finished and needs work? Does Nephi describe Satan’s tactics as obvious or subtle and sneaky?
Quote #4 (bible)
Possible engagement tool: Mention to your class that many Christian denominations believe the heavens are closed and that there can be no more prophets and revelations. Invite them to listen to how the Lord responds to that claim.
9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.
10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. (2 Nephi 29:9-10)
Possible discussion questions: What does the Lord say to those who claim He speaks to men no more? How do you feel about a prophet who receives revelation during our day? Why is continuing revelation so vital to you personally? What is one of your favorite revelations for our times?
Quote #5 (covenant people)
Possible engagement tool: Ask your class to consider what it takes to be covenant people of the Lord.
2 For behold, I say unto you that as many of the Gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lord; and as many of the Jews as will not repent shall be cast off; for the Lord covenanteth with none save it be with them that repent and believe in his Son, who is the Holy One of Israel. (2 Nephi 30:2)
Possible discussion questions: Does the Lord restrict who can become covenant people? What are the two most essential requirements before you belong to the Lord’s covenant people? (Accept all reasonable answers—repent and believe in Christ.) Can you believe in Christ and not repent? Will belief in Christ, by itself, be enough?
Deepen the Understanding
Here’s an excellent quote from President Nelson:
Note: This quote can be divided among 2 readers.
“Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
“Does everyone need to repent?” The answer is yes.
“Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us.” (We Can Do Better and Be Better – April 2019)
Possible discussion question: How would you explain repentance to a friend?
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.
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