5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
Ether 12 – 15
Great lesson about a better world, good works and the harm of hate.
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 (better)
Possible intro: Ether spoke many things to the Jaredites, but Moroni singled out this verse in chapter 12:
Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. (Ether 12:4)
Possible discussion questions: What does “a place at the right hand of God” symbolize – what does that mean? How can we make a better world happen in this life? (See D&C 25:10) What effects does faith have on us? (Accept all reasonable answers – the scripture mentions our souls feel sure and steadfast, we abound in good works, and we glorify/worship God.)
Footnote 4b: D&C 25:10 – “And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better.”
More possible questions: What does laying aside the things of this world and seeking for the better look like to you? What’s one way you could do that? (Accept all reasonable answers – pray for help and guidance.)
Quote #2 (weakness)
After contemplating these verses this morning, I had a new thought:
28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness. (Ether 12:28)
Recognizing our weaknesses and grappling with them is a sanctifying process.
But today, it also hit me that faith, hope, and charity cure us of our ills. They are a path to healing power. When we endeavor to act on our faith, have hope, and do charity, additional wellness springs up in our lives.
Footnote 28a: And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works. (Alma 7:24)

Exercising faith, hope, and charity lend us the willpower and energy or life force to bring about ‘good works.’ Good works bring fulfillment and purpose. It’s a divine process.
Possible discussion questions: How does recognizing our weaknesses help us? In what ways can you show faith? What does it mean to have hope? What are some ways you like to do charity work for others? How does that feel? Why do you think faith, hope and charity lead to good works?
Quote #3 (hate)
Possible Intro: Explain that the Jaredites numbered over two million people – and through anger, retaliation, and hate, they warred with each other until only two Jaredite kings remained.
31 And it came to pass that after he had smitten off the head of Shiz, that Shiz raised up on his hands and fell; and after that he had struggled for breath, he died.
32 And it came to pass that Coriantumr fell to the earth, and became as if he had no life.
33 And the Lord spake unto Ether, and said unto him: Go forth. And he went forth, and beheld that the words of the Lord had all been fulfilled; and he finished his record; (and the hundredth part I have not written) and he hid them in a manner that the people of Limhi did find them. (Ether 15:31-33)
Even though the prophet Ether warned the people and told them how to save themselves, he watched a civilization wipe itself out.
Possible discussion questions: Why would the Book of Mormon want us to know about this story? What does anger and negative communication lead to in our lives? When you or others around you express anger and very negative feelings – how does that usually turn out for you? What does the gospel teach us to do instead?
Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions.
…My dear brothers and sisters, this should not be. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be examples of how to interact with others—especially when we have differences of opinion. One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people.
The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers. (President Nelson, Peacekeepers Needed – April 2023)
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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