Lessons from the Book of Mormon as taught by S.J. Hollist, in
“Lesson 14: Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah Repent,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 47
Jesus told us that if we come unto him through faith, repentance, and baptism, our burdens will be lightened. Repentance is being sorry for committing a sin, not doing it again, and then trying to live more like the Savior. In this lesson will see how Alma the Younger (his father, Alma the Elder, was the Alma who was converted through Abinadi’s preaching) and the sons of Mosiah discovered the burden of sin and the happiness that comes when that burden is lifted through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. Repentance is necessary for earthly happiness and eternal life.
Read Mosiah 27
and Alma 36:11–24
Alma the Younger went through the repentance process, which is the same process we must go through as we repent (see Alma 36:16–21
1. Recognize sin.
2. Confess the sin and pray for
3. Do our best to make up for the wrong.
4. Forsake the sin.
5. Obey the commandments and
live more like the Savior.
The unbelievers were persecuting the members of the Church. Why do you think these people persecuted members of the Church? (Mosiah 27:1, 8–10
). In what ways might members of the Church be persecuted today?
Who prayed for Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah? For what did they pray? (Mosiah 27:14
). What do you think your parents pray about when they pray for you?
We must pray with faith in order to receive answers (Mosiah 27:14
). What experiences have you had with receiving answers to your prayers?
Alma and his four friends experience Heavenly Father’s power by a visitation form an angle (Mosiah 27:11, 15, 18
). Because of this spiritual experience Alma was struck dumb and became weak (Mosiah 27:19
). This was a great blessing in Alma’s life because it helped him to recognize his sins.
Alma the Elder rejoiced when he heard what happened to his son (Mosiah 27:20–23
). After the angel spoke to Alma he felt bad for what he had done (Alma 36:11–17
). Alma’s knowledge of Jesus Christ’s atonement help him to know he could repent so he confess his sins (Alma 36:17–18
). It is important to confess our sins and pray for forgiveness when we repent, to show that we have truly changed the desires of our hearts, and will forsake the sin.
Alma tried to make up for the wrong he had done by doing missionary work (Alma 36:24
). As part of repentance, it is important for us to change and try to make up for the wrong things we have done. When Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah had repented, they wanted to help others come unto Christ (Mosiah 27:32, 35
It is only through repentance and the atonement of Jesus Christ that our burdens of sin can be lightened and we can receive forgiveness and a fullness of joy.
Labels: Alma, Book of Mormon, Lesson 14, Mosiah, Repentance