5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
Mormon 1 – 6
This week’s lesson focuses on Mormon’s difficult life and circumstances, including discussions about bravery, gathering Israel, fear of death, and following Jesus.
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 (fifteen)
Mormon’s history is remarkable, partly because he grew up with mayhem and wickedness. Yet, despite that huge disadvantage, he was brave and steady in his testimony.
13 But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people.
14 And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief.
15 And I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus. (Mormon 1:13-15)
Possible discussion questions: Did Mormon’s challenging surroundings mean the Lord did not bless him? Who did Mormon lean on? (accept all reasonable answers – his testimony and faith in Christ)
Quote #2 (Israel)
Possible intro: Mormon talks about the House of Israel as if we are present.
10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come. (Mormon 5:10)
Quote – President Nelson
The Lord is gathering those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives. The Lord is gathering those who will choose to let God be the most important influence in their lives.
We are also referring to building faith and testimony in the hearts of those with whom we live, work, and serve. Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel. (President Nelson, Let God Prevail – Oct 2020)
Possible discussion questions: Why is the House of Israel important to us? How can we help gather Israel?
Quote #3 (fear)
Possible Intro: As Latter-day Saints, we have so much more hope when someone dies compared to those who don’t have much faith in the next life. Compare this to what Mormon’s people experienced.
7 And it came to pass that my people, with their wives and their children, did now behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked, did they await to receive them. (Mormon 6:7)
Possible question: How is their reaction to death different than someone with a strong testimony of the gospel plan? What is the Plan of Salvation, and where do we go after this life?

If you feel like it would benefit your class. Here are some detailed notes about life after death.
Post-Earth Life
– **Spirit World**: After death, the spirit separates from the body and enters the spirit world, which is divided into:
– **Paradise is a place of peace for the righteous where they await the resurrection.
– **Spirit Prison**: Where those who have lived wickedly can learn about the gospel, repent, and accept ordinances performed on their behalf through vicarious work in temples.
Resurrection: Christ’s resurrection reunites spirit and body, and all will be resurrected with an immortal, perfected body.
– **Judgment**: Each person will be judged according to their works and the desires of their hearts.
– **Degrees of Glory**: After judgment, individuals will inherit one of three degrees of glory:
– **Celestial Kingdom**: The highest degree, akin to heaven, where God and Christ dwell. Only those who have accepted the fullness of the gospel made and kept sacred covenants, and lived righteously will enter here.
– **Terrestrial Kingdom**: For honorable people who did not accept the fullness of the gospel or were not valiant in their testimony of Jesus.
– **Telestial Kingdom**: The lowest of the kingdoms of glory, for those who lived lives of rebellion or wickedness.
The Plan of Salvation teaches that every human has the potential to return to live with God, achieving the ultimate goal of eternal life, which is to know and live with God and Jesus Christ.
Quote #4 (mourn)
Possible intro: Mormon purposely chose the scriptures and stories that would mean the most to us today. As we read these verses, think about why he chose the following message about most of his people being destroyed by war.
Note: Can be divided between 2 or more readers.
16 And my soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried:
17 O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!
18 Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss.
19 O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen!
20 But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return. (Mormon 6:16-20)
Possible discussion questions: What would have happened differently if Mormon people had accepted Jesus and followed Him? Is it hard to watch people we know and care about choose darkness over gospel light? What would you say to Mormon if you could have been there to give him comfort?
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.
Dear Shawnie –
So missing your RS GC insights!
Will you start once again, now that we’ve had GC this month?
Oh how they help me in preparing for my lessons.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia West
Redondo 1st Ward
Torrance, CA
I’m about to finish President Nelson’s and I will be doing as many as I can.