Week 18: Chapter 18 - Alma the Younger Repents

Book of Mormon Stories
Chapter 18: Alma the Younger Repents

This is one of my favourite stories in the Book of Mormon. I guess I have a bit of a soft spot for wayward children, having been one myself. I know that Heavenly Father looked out for me during that difficult period of my life. I can only imagine the pain I put my parents through, but I am so grateful that regardless of what I did, my mum would always be ready with a hug.

So to read of Alma, King Mosiah and the many people who were being persecuted actually praying for those wayward boys just warms my heart. But enough about me... let's talk about:

• Forgiveness
• Repentance
• Prayer and Fasting
• Heavenly Father's Love for ALL His children

All good things to talk about to your toddler as you read this story to him/her. Some activities to go along with these themes include:

• Create flashcards of things Heavenly Father has blessed us with (ie. house, family, etc). As you show each card say "Heavenly Father loves you. He has given you a ..." If possible have your child name what is on the card.
• The lesson from the Nursery Manual "Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Love Me" has some very good activities to reinforce this particular topic.
• Explain that when Alma the Younger repented he said "I'm Sorry". Practice saying "I am Sorry"
• Sing "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" (Children's Songbook pg 228)
• Sing "I Pray in Faith" (Children's Songbook pg 14)

Activities from the Friend

• January 2009 - Make the bookmark provided for the sharing time.

Any suggestions? I have a bad case of vacation brain and would love some help!

Week 13: Chapter 13 - Zeniff

Book of Mormon
Chapter 13: Zeniff



Things I have learned from the Zeniff story:

1. Zeniff was a spy who learned to love the land he had spent so much time in. It seems he had also learned to love the people within that land.
2. Even though we may live in a different land to the majority of saints, the Lord still delights in giving us blessings and protecting us.
3. Fasting and Prayer used in faith can work miracles (eg; you CAN beat the lamanite armies)

Activities that can be used when teaching these lessons from Zeniff:

• Spy on the neighbours
• Go for a walk to find things you wouldn't normally find
• The lesson, "I Can Pray to Heavenly Father", from the new Nursery Manual has a few ideas on teaching your child to pray.
• Learn about different cultures
• Show and talk about the GAK picture 608 - Christ and Children from around the world
• Sing "Children all over the World" - Childrens Songbook, page 16.
• Look at a map of the world and talk about the different people that live on the different continents.
• Move to a different country and fight the natives

Activities from the Friend:

• September 2000 - Sharing Time: Fasting and Prayer
• June 2005 - "For Little Friends" teaches little ones about fast Sunday, fasting and prayer.

My initial reaction when I first read over this chapter was one of despair. I couldn't think what I could do to create lessons from a story about Nephites that moved to a hostile land and fought the Lamanites. But once I delved further into the scriptures associated with the pictures I was able to see why Heavenly Father had wanted this particular story included in the scriptures.

I love doing this blog just for the mini lessons that I learn each week. I am sure that as you study out each lesson before you teach your little one, you too will start to benefit from your toddler's scripture study.

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