Book of Mormon Teaching Ideas & Helps
"The Book of Mormon Will Change Your Life" Challenge
For years now, each time I start a new year of teaching The Book of Mormon, I have given a special challenge to the class. Ezra Taft Benson has declared, “The Book of Mormon will change your life.” So each year I give the class the challenge to see if the book will change their lives.
The bookmark (see below) and poster almost explain it all. I have read the associated quotes with the class (on the back of the bookmark) and then ask, “What would a person need to do, to see if the Book of Mormon will really change their life?” and then the class will list things like, “Study it”, “Pray”. Then I talk about how they will probably never have a better opportunity to study the Book of Mormon in detail like they will this year in class. Then I give them the challenge found on the book mark (read through it). For all those that want to take this challenge, I ask them to sign their names, cut it off on the dotted line, and give that commitment paper to me.
Then I ask them, “What kind of changes would the Book of Mormon make in someone’s life?” To answer that I list the following verses on the board and break them into groups of 4. Each group member has the responsibility of one of the references to share with the rest of the group, what change the Book of Mormon could have in their lives, according to the verses.
· Mosiah 5:2
· Alma 5:11-14
· Alma 5:26
· Mosiah 27:25
The poster looking graphic is simply something I have up in the classroom as a reminder of this commitment. Hope this is helpful. I think it has really helped students with their personal reading, testimonies, and engagement in class.
The bookmark (see below) and poster almost explain it all. I have read the associated quotes with the class (on the back of the bookmark) and then ask, “What would a person need to do, to see if the Book of Mormon will really change their life?” and then the class will list things like, “Study it”, “Pray”. Then I talk about how they will probably never have a better opportunity to study the Book of Mormon in detail like they will this year in class. Then I give them the challenge found on the book mark (read through it). For all those that want to take this challenge, I ask them to sign their names, cut it off on the dotted line, and give that commitment paper to me.
Then I ask them, “What kind of changes would the Book of Mormon make in someone’s life?” To answer that I list the following verses on the board and break them into groups of 4. Each group member has the responsibility of one of the references to share with the rest of the group, what change the Book of Mormon could have in their lives, according to the verses.
· Mosiah 5:2
· Alma 5:11-14
· Alma 5:26
· Mosiah 27:25
The poster looking graphic is simply something I have up in the classroom as a reminder of this commitment. Hope this is helpful. I think it has really helped students with their personal reading, testimonies, and engagement in class.
the_book_of_mormon_change.pptx | |
File Size: | 1352 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
the_bom_challenge_bookmark.docx | |
File Size: | 168 kb |
File Type: | docx |
The Golden Plates -1st Nephi 9 & Words of Mormon
Here is a glue-in that can be helpful in teaching many places in the Book of Mormon (Intro, 1 Nephi 9, Words of Mormon…) The glue-in helps your students understand how the plates that were given to Joseph Smith were organized. Page 577 in The Book of Mormon Seminary Teacher Manual also explains the sources of where those plates came from, as well as the video for this year. But the glue-in is a simplistic version. Hope this helps.
plate_compilation_gluein.docx | |
File Size: | 99 kb |
File Type: | docx |
1 Nephi 18 Worksheet
Here is a simple work sheet that can work with 1 Nephi 18. The first page is what you would give the students, and the second page is a key for the first two columns. The worksheet helps them discover the story line, and then apply it to their lives.
1_nephi_18_repentance_worksheet.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
2 Nephi 2 Glue-ins
Here is also a glue-in for 2 Nephi 2:25 and 27. Notice that this is a Double Glue-in meaning that you can go to the copy machine in the library, and set it for double sided and it should line up so there is the powerful quotes for both sides of the glue in. Be careful lining it up when you cut them out.
2_nephi_2_gluein.docx | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
"Psalm of Nephi" 2 Nephi 4 Writing Activity
One of my favorite places in the Book of Mormon is “The Psalm of Nephi” in 2 Nephi 4:15-35. And one of my favorite activities of the year is letting the students be inspired by Nephi’s words, and then having them write their own psalm of praise. I have always been impressed with the students’ inspired words.
Have them read the assignment on the handout, and then give them time to compose their psalms on the back. Then read them to the class according to their wishes as check on the front of the assignment. I promise you will be impressed.
Have them read the assignment on the handout, and then give them time to compose their psalms on the back. Then read them to the class according to their wishes as check on the front of the assignment. I promise you will be impressed.
2nephi_4_psalm_of_nephi.doc | |
File Size: | 25 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Jacob 1 & 2 Worksheet
As teachers, we are to help our students learn to identify doctrines and principles in the scriptures. This can be difficult because most of our students haven’t really learned what doctrines and principle are. This Jacob 1&2 worksheet helps them in the initial step of seeing what well written statements of doctrine and principle look like. It is also a spring board to teach those powerful doctrines and principle to your class. After they have gone through the worksheet with their partner, have different groups read the verses and ask the class what they picked and why. Ask why that is an important doctrine or principle to know for life.
Later you will want to help your class learn to construct their own statements of principle. The following link is a great lesson idea of how to do that and it can be used with most any block of scripture. http://nwseminaryshare.weebly.com/1/post/2013/04/scripture-study-skills-lesson-3-fishing-for-principles.html
Later you will want to help your class learn to construct their own statements of principle. The following link is a great lesson idea of how to do that and it can be used with most any block of scripture. http://nwseminaryshare.weebly.com/1/post/2013/04/scripture-study-skills-lesson-3-fishing-for-principles.html
jacob_1-2_worksheet.doc | |
File Size: | 37 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Jacob 5 Class Activity & Glue-in
You can have an extra amount of fun with this if you are able to use a gym or big room without chairs and stuff in it. With the gym you can have your students act out large portions of Jacob 5. You will need some of the follow (modify depending on how many students you have):
· A loud reader
· 6 students to be trees (1 Original, 1, Gentile tree, 4 scattered trees)
· 12 Small branches (they can easily hold one on a hand)
· Servants to prune, graft, gather, etc.
Then you will have the one read the verses and the students act out the parts. I think it will be easiest if you have the CHART printed out in front of you so you can have the reader read the right verses, and you see the whole picture. Before class, act it out several times in your head with the chart in hand so that you don’t get confused. When fruit is good, have them hold the branches pointing up, and when the fruit is bad, have the branches pointing down. You can also label areas where you want trees (students) to stand like:
· Land of Israel
· Land of the Gentiles
· Poor Ground
· Poorest Ground
· Good Ground
The chart will really help with all of this.
Here is also a glue-in to help. Notice this is a double sided glue-in so you can print and then have your ward copy machine make it double sided. Great information on both sides. Make sure at one point you have them cover the right side and guess what each of the elements represent; or do this on the board before hand. It is a good review activity the second day. Don’t forget to use the video also. Make sure they come away with the big principles mentioned in the manual.
· A loud reader
· 6 students to be trees (1 Original, 1, Gentile tree, 4 scattered trees)
· 12 Small branches (they can easily hold one on a hand)
· Servants to prune, graft, gather, etc.
Then you will have the one read the verses and the students act out the parts. I think it will be easiest if you have the CHART printed out in front of you so you can have the reader read the right verses, and you see the whole picture. Before class, act it out several times in your head with the chart in hand so that you don’t get confused. When fruit is good, have them hold the branches pointing up, and when the fruit is bad, have the branches pointing down. You can also label areas where you want trees (students) to stand like:
· Land of Israel
· Land of the Gentiles
· Poor Ground
· Poorest Ground
· Good Ground
The chart will really help with all of this.
Here is also a glue-in to help. Notice this is a double sided glue-in so you can print and then have your ward copy machine make it double sided. Great information on both sides. Make sure at one point you have them cover the right side and guess what each of the elements represent; or do this on the board before hand. It is a good review activity the second day. Don’t forget to use the video also. Make sure they come away with the big principles mentioned in the manual.
jacob_5_class_activity.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
jacob_5_glue-in.doc | |
File Size: | 103 kb |
File Type: | doc |
jacob_5_chart.pdf | |
File Size: | 337 kb |
File Type: |
Mosiah 13 -The Ten Commandments
This is something I gave out the Old Testament year to help students memorize the Ten Commandments and what order they are in. By the end you could be able to mention a commandment “Honor Father and Mother” and they could be able to say which one it is, “That’s the 5th commandment”.
The document also has it small to make handouts for the students.
Here is a short explanation
1. Looks like when someone is saying “We’re #1”. But who is really #1? (God). Thus “Thou shalt have no other God’s before me.”
2. Looks like a snake. “Thou shalt not make… any graven image” Like making a serpent and worshiping it.
3. A 3 on its side bends in the middle just like the top lip. This is the commandment we break with our lips –“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord…in vain”.
4. A four upside-down looks like a chair could be in church. Keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. The number 5 is square at the top part (fathers are square), and round at the bottom (mothers are more shapely). “Honor thy father and thy mother”.
6. The number 6 on its side almost looks like a gun. “Thou shalt not kill.”
7. The number 7 on its side could look like a bed frame. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. When you steal they put you in handcuffs and handcuffs put together almost look like the number 8. “Thou shalt not steal.”
9. The 9 is made to look like a bear. “Thou shalt not bear false witness.”
10. If you bend the 1 in 10, it almost looks like a CO. “Thou shalt not COvet…”
Make sure you quiz them often by throwing out a number and they give the commandment, or vice versa.
Here is also a document to quiz their knowledge by applying it to situations.
The document also has it small to make handouts for the students.
Here is a short explanation
1. Looks like when someone is saying “We’re #1”. But who is really #1? (God). Thus “Thou shalt have no other God’s before me.”
2. Looks like a snake. “Thou shalt not make… any graven image” Like making a serpent and worshiping it.
3. A 3 on its side bends in the middle just like the top lip. This is the commandment we break with our lips –“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord…in vain”.
4. A four upside-down looks like a chair could be in church. Keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. The number 5 is square at the top part (fathers are square), and round at the bottom (mothers are more shapely). “Honor thy father and thy mother”.
6. The number 6 on its side almost looks like a gun. “Thou shalt not kill.”
7. The number 7 on its side could look like a bed frame. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. When you steal they put you in handcuffs and handcuffs put together almost look like the number 8. “Thou shalt not steal.”
9. The 9 is made to look like a bear. “Thou shalt not bear false witness.”
10. If you bend the 1 in 10, it almost looks like a CO. “Thou shalt not COvet…”
Make sure you quiz them often by throwing out a number and they give the commandment, or vice versa.
Here is also a document to quiz their knowledge by applying it to situations.
the_10_commandments.pptx | |
File Size: | 216 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
the_ten_commandments_quiz.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Alma 5 Cardiogram Worksheets
Here are a couple of worksheets I have used to teach Alma 5. They work well because they direct the students through almost the whole chapter.
A great way I like to start Alma 5 is by going to Alma 4:19. I bring a bottle of Italian dressing to class (not shaken up) and ask them what the ingredients are (Oil, vinegar, and spices). Then I ask it they would put it on their salad as it is (not shaken and separated). Then I ask questions like, “What does the dressing have to do with Alma 4:19? What has to happen for the dressing to be good? How are people like that? What shakes or stirs people up to be good?” The point is that Alma’s people had settled down into their comfortable, easy places with the Gospel. Alma 5 was to wake them up and “stir” them up spiritually. Alma 5 will do the same with us.
A great way I like to start Alma 5 is by going to Alma 4:19. I bring a bottle of Italian dressing to class (not shaken up) and ask them what the ingredients are (Oil, vinegar, and spices). Then I ask it they would put it on their salad as it is (not shaken and separated). Then I ask questions like, “What does the dressing have to do with Alma 4:19? What has to happen for the dressing to be good? How are people like that? What shakes or stirs people up to be good?” The point is that Alma’s people had settled down into their comfortable, easy places with the Gospel. Alma 5 was to wake them up and “stir” them up spiritually. Alma 5 will do the same with us.
alma_5_worksheets.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Alma 36 Chiasma Glue-in
As the glue-in explains, a chiasma is an ancient Hebrew literary form in which the author paralleles the ideas and words he used previously in reverse order. It was considered an artistic form of writing in the Bible. This literary form was not discoverd in ancient records until the late 1920s (after the day of Joseph Smith) and is thus a proof of the Book of Mormon.
Show your class how the words are repeated in the verses. Also show how the apex points to verses 17-18 and what this teaches.
Show your class how the words are repeated in the verses. Also show how the apex points to verses 17-18 and what this teaches.
alma_36_chiasmas.docx | |
File Size: | 209 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Alma 43-52 Lessons in Spiritual Warfare
Here are some ideas for teaching the War Chapters. While giving lesson ideas, I wanted to demonstrate how quickly you could go to some key verses, give a good “Look for”, follow up with good questions, and then have the students come up with good “Take Aways” that you hope would stick with them. The text in Red is what I might invite them to write in their own scriptures. Short and sweet. Remember the key to teaching the War Chapters is after talking about their literal warfare, ask what it teaches about our "spiritual warfare" we are engaged in each day.
Hope this is helpful. Also, there is nothing here which would require you to use a PowerPoint or projector. I just used this in the Inservice so we would not spend so much time turning to the key sets of verses.
Hope this is helpful. Also, there is nothing here which would require you to use a PowerPoint or projector. I just used this in the Inservice so we would not spend so much time turning to the key sets of verses.
alma_43-62_war_chapters_c.pptx | |
File Size: | 296 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Helaman 3-7 Pride Cycle Glue-in
Here is a simple glue-in to teach about the pride cycle in Helaman and 3rd Nephi. Often when teaching the storyline in Helaman, I would stop them and point to the Pride Cycle and ask, “Where does it seem like the Nephites are on the cycle right now? Where are the Lamanites on the cycle?”. It is also good to ask them were the country is right now. Then go personally and have them think to themselves where they currently are on the cycle and what will likely happen next. I also have it so you can print it out and stick it to the chalk board. See if they can put together the cycle.
pride_cycle.pptx | |
File Size: | 184 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
3 Nephi 12 Worksheet "But I Say Unto You..."
In 3rd Nephi we have the Savior teaching one of the greatest sermons ever given, which He also gave to the people in Israel. In 3 Nephi 12:21-48 we have the Savior giving the Higher Law and contrasts it to the Law of Moses. Have your students write in the middle column what the law was under Moses, and then summarize the Higher Law in the right column. In the left column they will need to speculate what the World’s law is in the matter.
3_nephi_12.docx | |
File Size: | 32 kb |
File Type: | docx |
3 Nephi 27:27 WWJD? Worksheet
3 Nephi 27:27 was a Scripture Mastery 4 years ago, and is naturally still a wonderful scripture. As members of the Church we are to strive to follow Jesus Christ in word and deed. Each Sunday we take upon us the name of Christ which means to try to do as he would do. This worksheet has your students ask WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?) in various modern circumstances. After they have had some time to do the worksheet with a partner, give time to share about what they decided. Make sure you challenge them to ask themselves WWJD? and then go and do likewise.
By the way, many have wondered where the whole WWJD? thing came from. It comes from a book called In His Steps. It is a best-selling book written by Charles Monroe Sheldon. First published in 1897, the book has sold more than 30,000,000 copies, and ranks as one of the best-selling books of all time. For me, it is one of the top 10 books I have ever read. You can get a e-book or Kindle of it for practically free (if not free). It is a life changing book. President Ezra Taft Benson also thought very highly of the book and referred to it in speeches he gave and a book he wrote.
By the way, many have wondered where the whole WWJD? thing came from. It comes from a book called In His Steps. It is a best-selling book written by Charles Monroe Sheldon. First published in 1897, the book has sold more than 30,000,000 copies, and ranks as one of the best-selling books of all time. For me, it is one of the top 10 books I have ever read. You can get a e-book or Kindle of it for practically free (if not free). It is a life changing book. President Ezra Taft Benson also thought very highly of the book and referred to it in speeches he gave and a book he wrote.
3_nephi_27_27_worksheet.docx | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
The Life of Mormon Glue-in & Worksheet
This glue-in is a worksheet that helps your students get to know the great prophet Mormon and the ages when these events happened. It also helps you hit the main principles taught through his life, so it can help cover many chapters quickly if you need that. I usually don’t include a KEY with worksheets I give out, but I have made an exception here and it is on the second page.
the_life_of_mormon_glue_in.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Ether 12 Worksheet Matching Principles
Here is a worksheet to help your class catch all the wonderful principles in Ether 12. It also helps them in learning to recognize principles. It might be best to have them work in pairs matching the principles of the verses. Then go over the worksheet as a class and help the principles go down deep into their hearts. To the winning pair, you can have them win something, but I usually say that by wining, they get the warm feeling inside that the others won’t get to the same degree. :-)
ether_12_matching_principles.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Helps for Moroni 4, 6, & 10
Here are some helps for teaching Moroni 4, Moroni 6, and Moroni 10.
For Moroni 4 I like to start out by asking them what verse of scripture they have probably heard more than any other in their life time. After some responses, hint towards one they hear weekly, said word for word… till they come up with the sacrament prayer. Then have them calculate how much a person, born in the church, may have heard it. Then say that since they have heard it so often, they probably really know it and hand out the fill in the blank for the prayer. To me, the main goal is that they walk out of class knowing what the 3 promises they commit to, by taking the sacrament bread, and they commit to themselves to think of those three promises each time they take the sacrament.
For Moroni 6, this anonymous survey is just to help them consider where their heart is with these areas that qualify them for Baptism. Although the outward baptism happened perhaps long ago, the inward aspect is something we should often recommit ourselves to.
For Moroni 10, this is a nice way to go over Moroni 10:3-5 and also sharing some favorites, as they look back on having studied the Book of Mormon this year. Have them share their favorites.
For Moroni 4 I like to start out by asking them what verse of scripture they have probably heard more than any other in their life time. After some responses, hint towards one they hear weekly, said word for word… till they come up with the sacrament prayer. Then have them calculate how much a person, born in the church, may have heard it. Then say that since they have heard it so often, they probably really know it and hand out the fill in the blank for the prayer. To me, the main goal is that they walk out of class knowing what the 3 promises they commit to, by taking the sacrament bread, and they commit to themselves to think of those three promises each time they take the sacrament.
For Moroni 6, this anonymous survey is just to help them consider where their heart is with these areas that qualify them for Baptism. Although the outward baptism happened perhaps long ago, the inward aspect is something we should often recommit ourselves to.
For Moroni 10, this is a nice way to go over Moroni 10:3-5 and also sharing some favorites, as they look back on having studied the Book of Mormon this year. Have them share their favorites.
moroni_10_survey.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
moroni_6_quiz.docx | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
sacrament.doc | |
File Size: | 27 kb |
File Type: | doc |