“Mosiah 26: ‘If He Confess His Sins … and Repenteth,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Mosiah 26,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
Mosiah 26
“If He Confess His Sins … and Repenteth”
How can repentance help us in our daily life? Why do we need to confess our sins as part of our repentance? As the high priest in the Savior’s Church, Alma wanted to help those who had committed serious sins. The Lord gave him clear direction as to what he should do. This lesson is intended to help you understand the loving and forgiving nature of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and why we should repent of our sins.
Love those you teach. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, we can be filled with the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Pray that you can be filled with this love for your students and look for opportunities to express your love in appropriate ways as you teach.
Student preparation: Invite students to contemplate questions they have about repentance. Encourage them to read Mosiah 26, looking for answers to these questions.
Possible Learning Activities
What would you do?
Imagine that you heard someone mention the following questions and concerns about repentance:
Consider writing the following statements and questions on the board before class.
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I’m not sure it’s worth it to repent.
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Why would I have to confess my sins? Why do some sins need to be confessed to a priesthood leader?
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I’ve sinned too much for the Lord to forgive me.
Help students to reflect on how they feel about repentance. The following activity is one way to do this.
Think for a moment if you know anyone who might relate to any of these concerns.
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What other questions or concerns might someone have about repentance?
Consider adding on the board any questions or concerns students mention.
Ponder which one or two of these questions or concerns would be most meaningful for you to focus on as you study this lesson. Seek guidance from Heavenly Father to help you find answers and increase your understanding of repentance.
Problems in the Church
After the Lord delivered Alma and his people from bondage, they joined the Nephites and the people of Limhi in Zarahemla. There, King Mosiah appointed Alma as leader of the Church. Some people under Alma’s direction were committing serious sins and not repenting (see Mosiah 26:1–6). They were brought before Alma, but Alma struggled to know how to respond.
Read Mosiah 26:13–15, 19–24, 28–31 and look for the guidance the Lord gave Alma.
Encourage several students to share what they learned. If they mention true principles, write them on the board. If useful, consider asking some or all the following questions:
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What did the Lord say the people must do to be received and forgiven by Him?
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According to verse 23, why is the Savior qualified to determine who can be forgiven and receive eternal life?
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What else about the Lord did you learn from these verses?
If we repent
You may have identified principles like the following: If we confess our sins and repent in the sincerity of our hearts, the Lord will forgive us. As often as we repent, the Lord will forgive us.
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What does it mean to confess our sins?
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What do you think it means to “[repent] in the sincerity of [your] heart” (Mosiah 26:29)?
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How does knowing the Lord’s forgiving nature affect your attitude toward repenting?
These principles can help with the questions and concerns about repentance from the beginning of the lesson.
Consider whether it is best to address all four concerns or focus on one or two that may be the most relevant to your students. It could also be effective to divide students into small groups and put them in charge of preparing to respond to different concerns.
You could also invite your current bishop or branch president to visit class to answer questions about repentance and forgiveness.
Concerns about Repentance
Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—“Mosiah 26: ‘If He Confess His Sins … and Repenteth’”
Concern A
I’m not sure it’s worth it to repent.
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What scriptures and principles from Mosiah 26, or other scriptures, might you share that may help with this concern?
If useful, consider inviting students to review Mosiah 26:23, 29–30, as well as reading some of the following verses: 2 Nephi 9:23; 3 Nephi 9:22; 3 Nephi 27:19–20; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–12; 19:15–20; 58:42–43.
Recall that Alma himself had committed serious sins earlier in his life and had repented and received forgiveness through the Savior Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 11:5–7; 18:1–3; 26:15, 20).
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What do you think Alma might share with someone who has this concern?
Ponder what you or those you know have experienced when you have turned to the Savior Jesus Christ through repentance.
Concern B
Why would I have to confess my sins? Why do some sins need to be confessed to a priesthood leader?
The Lord told Alma that those who had sinned would need to “confess his sins before thee [Alma, their priesthood leader] and me [the Lord]” (Mosiah 26:29).
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Since the Lord already knows our sins, why is it important that we confess them to Him? How will it bless our lives?
Some ideas might include that it helps us to be accountable for our actions, increases our humility, and strengthens personal relationships with the Lord as we ask for and receive forgiveness.
Read the following statements from For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (booklet, 2022) and Elder C. Scott Grow, emeritus General Authority Seventy, and look for insights about when and why we should confess to a bishop or branch president.
Your bishop holds priesthood keys and spiritual gifts to help you repent. You can seek his help and counsel at any time. If you have made serious mistakes, such as breaking the law of chastity, meet with your bishop. He won’t condemn you. He is a representative of Jesus Christ and will help you know how to fully repent and receive the Savior’s healing and strengthening power. (For the Strength of Youth, 8)
The bishop is entitled to revelation from the Holy Ghost regarding the members of his ward, including you. … [He] can help you through the repentance process in ways your parents or other leaders are unable to provide. …
[If we do not confess, we] carry the burden of sin alone, instead of letting the Savior take away the burden. (C. Scott Grow, “Why and What Do I Need to Confess to My Bishop?” New Era, Oct. 2013, 28–29)
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How might this statement help someone with concerns about confessing to their priesthood leader?
Concern C
I’ve sinned too much for the Lord to forgive me.
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How might the Lord’s words in Mosiah 26:29–30 help with this concern? (You could also consider studying 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 1:9; or Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–12; 58:42–43.)
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What scriptural accounts about the Savior illustrate His feelings about those who strive to repent and His willingness to forgive?
Some examples might include the woman who bathed the Savior’s feet with her tears (see Luke 7:36–50), the parable of the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11–32), and the Lord’s forgiveness of Paul (see 1 Timothy 1:15–16).
Concern D
Your choice
Think about another realistic concern or question someone may have about repentance. Study “Repentance” or “Confession” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org), looking for truths that may help. You may also review scriptures related to “Repentance” or “Confession” in the Topical Guide. It may also be helpful to study “Jesus Christ Will Help You” in the For the Strength of Youth booklet and ponder what you know about the Lord that may help.
Invite students to share what they learned and how it might help someone with that question or concern. Look for ways to emphasize the Lord’s love and desire to forgive us as we repent.
What happened?
Read Mosiah 26:34–37, looking for what happened as Alma followed the Lord’s instructions.
Write in your study journal what you may want to remember or do because of this lesson. This reflection could include how you want to remember the Lord’s willingness to forgive or how you may want to strive to confess and repent of your own sins.
Consider bearing testimony of the principles taught in this lesson.