5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
Ether 1 – 5
These chapters discuss America, the Spirit of Christ, doing good, Father roles, and prophecy.
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 than you planned, 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 (land)
Note: Make sure everyone has their own copy of the scriptures in front of them, either a book or a phone.
Possible intro: The land of America is richly blessed and has a specific purpose. See what comes up for you as we read the following verses.
11 And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written. (Ether 2:11-12)

Possible discussion questions: Who are the Gentiles in this verse? (Us) What must we do to keep this land free and blessed?
Quote #2 (spirit)
11 But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good. (Ether 4:11)
Possible discussion questions: What role do faith and trust play in our spiritual lives? (Accept all reasonable answers – They bring manifestations of the Spirit of Christ into our lives.) What role does the Spirit of Christ play in our lives? (Accept all reasonable answers – It bears witness to our soul when we hear or find truth and leads us to do good.)
Quote #3 (do good)
Possible intro: There are two answers to listen for as we read the following verse: 1) where does “good” come from? and 2) what does the word Father mean? The word is used twice – which one is literal, and which one is symbolic?
Note: “Father” can be literal, like “God the Father,” or symbolic, and refer to Christ’s creator and founder roles.
12 And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father**, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. (Ether 4:12)
Possible discussion questions: Whose influence leads us to “do good”? How does Christ light your world? Who does the first “Father” refer to in this verse? (Heavenly Father) Who does the second “Father” refer to in this verse? (Jesus Christ – the Creator)
Deepen the Understanding
**Jesus Christ explains what He means by “I am the Father,” (you can verify that Christ is speaking in section 45 in both the chapter heading and verse 3):
Listen for the ways that Jesus Christ symbolically plays the Father role:
1 Hearken, O ye people of my church, to whom the kingdom has been given; hearken ye and give ear to him who laid the foundation of the earth, who made the heavens and all the hosts thereof, and by whom all things were made which live, and move, and have a being. (D&C 45:1)
Possible discussion questions: In what ways is Christ the “Father” to us? (Pull out a list)
These are all “Father” roles that Jesus fulfills.
- Founded the Church
- Laid the foundation of the earth
- Made the heavens
- Gives the world light, life, and truth (see previous vs. 12 above)
Quote #4 (prophecy)
Moroni shares prophecies about more scriptures coming our way someday.
Possible intro: We have more scriptures coming! Moroni mentions extraordinary revelations by John and Jared’s brother that we don’t have yet.
Note: Can be divided among several readers.
Jared
4 Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.
5 Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord.
6 For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.
7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are. (Ether 4:4-7)
Possible activity: Have your class help you pull out the qualifications for reading sealed books in the future. They do not have to get them all or word them the same as the list below. (Optional; write the answers on the board):
- Repent of sins.
- Become clean before the Lord.
- Exercise great faith.
- Become sanctified.
Possible discussion question: If you don’t do the activity above >> Who will be eligible to read these sealed books? (Those who repent of their sins and become clean before the Lord. Those who exercise great faith and become sanctified.)
Note: To help your class understand how much new scripture there is – share the following accounts as well.
John
16 And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people. Remember, when ye see these things, ye shall know that the time is at hand that they shall be made manifest in very deed. (Ether 4:16)
Nephi’s Comments
Nephi writes about it as well.
26 And also others who have been, to them hath he shown all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel. (1 Nephi 14:25-26)
Possible discussion questions: Who would like to read the sealed books someday? How can we prepare ourselves to read them? (Accept all reasonable answers – add “How about reading the scriptures we have now,” in your own words.) Why is it important to read our scriptures and know them well? (Remind them that those who use what we have now will be given more.)
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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