Week 21: Chapter 21 - The Amlicites

Book of Mormon Stories
Chapter 21: The Amlicites


Again, these Nephites were blessed because of their righteousness. If you didn't get to use any of last week's suggestions, draw from that list. This week's list is pretty lame because I was really stumped with what I should focus on.

The themes that I came up with for this particular story were: voting, democracy, being blessed for being righteous, marking ourselves (tattoos, etc) is wrong.

So along with last week's suggestions here are a few more that you may think your toddler will enjoy.

• Vote for which doll/teddy bear/stuffed toy will be president of the room. If you really wanted to get into it, you could make your own ballot box and have the toys debate why each one is better than the other.
• Make newspaper swords (rolled up newpaper) and re-enact Alma and Amlici's fight.
• Explain that our body's are gifts from Heavenly Father and that we should treat them carefully (I'm not sure if you want to go into the whole tattoo thing, but if you think your child is ready, go for it).
• Sing "the Lord Gave Me a Temple" (Children's Songbook page 153)

Good luck with that eclectic list!

Moving Again

We are in the middle of moving and trying to set up internet connections. I will have a post up in a few days. Of course if I were organised, I would have already done the post BEFORE moving.

Oh, well... I am working on my organisation skills.

xx

An Indulgence

I hope you will forgive me as I am about to post something a little bit unrelated to toddlers.

I am currently going through the next story in the Book of Mormon Stories picture book, "The Amlicites" - Chapter 21.

It brought to mind an email I sent to my Mother in Law last year after I had read Chapter 2 of Alma for my own personal study. I thought I would share that email with you.

A bit of background before you read: As you may have guessed (from my funny spelling) I am Australian. I am married to an American. I was intrigued with the amount of passion many Americans had toward the recent presidential election. I have no particular bias toward any political party because I have not lived in America long enough to know which party believes what. So please read the email knowing I am not saying that one political party is more like the Amlicites!!



Dear Mom,

I find it interesting that only a day after the American Presidential election I should be reading Alma 2. I was inspired to share with you my thoughts as Dal has mentioned you are concerned about the uncertain future that we face.

Chapter 2 of Alma starts with Amlici stirring up the hearts of those around him and gaining a great support from many of the Nephites who want to make him king. It then goes on to say that the righteous Nephites were ALARMED that they might actually be subject to Amlici because there were so many people who liked him. But as Mosiah had decreed that all things be done according to the "voice of the people", they all came to together to vote on whether Amlici should be King or not.

It is interesting to note that in verse five there is a cross reference, after the mentioning of "much dispute and wonderful contentions", to 3 Nephi 11:29. I can imagine the many presidential debates that went on during that time! But Heavenly Father wants us to know that we can have a democracy WITHOUT contention, because contention is of the devil.

To the Nephites relief, Amlici is voted out. But this doesn't stop him. He gathers his MANY supporters together and raises an army against the Nephites. They go to battle and it looks like the Nephites are going to lose, but in verse 17 and 18 we see that the Lord strengthens the Nephites because of their faithfulness. Again in verse 28 he strengthens them in their faithfulness and prayers and then in verse 30 and 31 we see that Alma was strengthened because of his faithfulness.

I think Heavenly Father wants us to know that regardless of who is leading us or what our current political status, he will protect those saints that are faithful and trust in Him. It seems that chapter two is only the beginning of a long history of battles and wars and there are many Nephites who do die (I don't think that will happen to any of us soon!).... BUT the main theme of chapter two in Alma seems to be that the faithful will conquer, even when we are in the minority.

What a lovely way to start a beautiful day, with words of encouragement from my loving Heavenly Father!

A Neat Suggestion

Emily from Productive Parenting sent me an email with a fantastic idea for reading and memorising scriptures:

"One idea I’ve done with my kids is to make a ‘heart chart.’ With a big piece of construction paper I cut the shape of a heart then we glued 8-10 envelopes to it and in each envelope we put a scripture passage. Each week one of the children picks a new verse from an envelope on the heart chart for us to focus on for the week. By the end of the week it is memorized simply by focusing on the verse and applying it to different situations that arise throughout the week! "

Not only did she come up with this great suggestion, Emily also has a website www.productiveparenting.com. I have signed up for the daily emails that give me activity suggestions specific to LQ's age. I love it! I think you would too if you had a look!