Alma 1:19–33

Finding Peace in Christ by Remaining Faithful through Persecution

We believe all people have the right to worship God according to their own conscience (see Articles of Faith 1:11). But what happens if others persecute you for your beliefs? How can you respond and find peace if others criticize you for your faith? In Alma’s day, people “began to persecute those that did belong to the Church of God” (see Alma 1:19). This lesson can help you respond faithfully and feel peace even if you face persecution for being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Help learners develop scripture study skills. Looking for lists in the scriptures can help teachers and students identify key points the writer is emphasizing. Students could also make lists of related thoughts, ideas, or instructions to help them understand what they are learning.

Student preparation: Invite students to think about times in their life when their beliefs were challenged and how they responded.

Possible Learning Activities

Being persecuted for your beliefs

Share the following from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. Or consider inviting students to role-play a scenario where they might be persecuted for their beliefs.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled the youth of the Church. Watch the video “The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship” from time code 0:25 to 2:05, located on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, or read the statement below:

With admiration and encouragement for everyone who will need to remain steadfast in these latter days, I say to all and especially the youth of the Church that if you haven’t already, you will one day find yourself called upon to defend your faith or perhaps even endure some personal abuse simply because you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Such moments will require both courage and courtesy on your part.

For example, a sister missionary recently wrote to me: “My companion and I saw a man sitting on a bench in the town square eating his lunch. As we drew near, he looked up and saw our missionary name tags. With a terrible look in his eye, he jumped up and raised his hand to hit me. I ducked just in time, only to have him spit his food all over me and start swearing the most horrible things at us. We walked away saying nothing. I tried to wipe the food off of my face, only to feel a clump of mashed potato hit me in the back of the head. Sometimes it is hard being a missionary because right then I wanted to go back, grab that little man, and say, ‘EXCUSE ME!’ But I didn’t.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 6)

Help students to consider their own feelings by asking some or all the following questions.

• How might you have responded if you were the missionary in this circumstance?

• Why might it be difficult to respond in a Christlike way?

• When have you been treated poorly or persecuted for your beliefs?

• What could be some situations in the future in which you might be persecuted for your beliefs?

As you study the examples of members of Christ’s Church in the Book of Mormon, look for ways you can remain steadfast and find peace in Jesus Christ during persecution.

Persecution in the Book of Mormon

Alma had many challenges during his time as chief judge. After Nehor was put to death for murdering Gideon, some of the people continued to believe in Nehor’s teachings. Read Alma 1:19–24, looking for challenges the Nephites faced.

• What similarities do you see between what the Nephites faced and your experiences?

• What actions from members of the Church contributed to these challenges (see verse 22)?

You may want to point out to students that the Savior has taught that contention is wrong and of the devil (see 3 Nephi 11:29–30). This includes when what you are teaching is true and right.

Read Alma 1:25–28, looking for what the righteous members of the Church did. To help you organize what you study, make a list of what the people did. You could do this in your study journal, or you could mark what you find in your scriptures.

Students could be taught the scripture-study skill of making lists. They could mark the scriptures in a way that makes sense to them. Some students may want to add a title to the list such as “How to Have Peace When Persecuted” or another title in their scriptures.

Students could be invited to select one item from their list then move around the room and answer the questions below with as many students as they can.

• What were some of the different ways Church members responded to persecution?

Complete the following phrase with something you learned from the Nephites’ example.

• … can help us feel the Savior’s continual peace even when we are persecuted for believing in Him.

• How do you think responding in these ways can help someone feel the Savior’s peace?

• What from these verses or your list do you most want to remember if you ever face persecution for your beliefs? Why?

  If there is time, consider discussing some of the Savior’s teachings on enduring persecution in 3 Nephi 12:10–12, 43–45.

  It might be helpful to invite students to ponder the next question rather than asking them to respond out loud. Doing so can allow the Holy Spirit to guide them personally without making them feel forced to share personal promptings.

• What experiences in your life make you feel a need for the peace Jesus Christ offers?

More than just peace

In addition to experiencing peace, Heavenly Father blessed the faithful Nephites in other ways. Read Alma 1:29–32, looking for Heavenly Father’s blessings to the Nephites as they remained steadfast during difficult times.

• How have you seen Heavenly Father’s blessings as you or others you know have remained faithful during persecutions?

Consider sharing a personal experience of how the Lord has blessed you or someone you know for remaining faithful during persecutions.

Select at least two of the actions the faithful Nephites took to show love and compassion for all people despite persecution (see Alma 1:25–30). Describe how someone in our day could do the same.

Invite students to share their responses.

Share with the students your confidence that the Savior will help them remain steadfast in Him even through persecution. Invite them to consider acting on what they or one of their classmates shared.

Commentary and Background Information

How can I stay steadfast during trials of faith?

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated:

How do you remain “steadfast and immovable” during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others. (Neil L. Andersen, “Trial of Your Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 40)

How should I respond to persecution?

President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) stated:

The great harm that may come from persecution is not from the persecution itself but from the possible effect it may have upon the persecuted who may thereby be deterred in their zeal for the righteousness of their cause. Much of that persecution comes from lack of understanding, for men are prone to oppose that which they do not comprehend. Some of it comes from men intent upon evil. But from whatever cause, persecution seems to be so universal against those engaged in a righteous cause that the Master warns us, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26).

… Remember that warning when you are hissed and scoffed because you refuse to compromise your standards of abstinence, honesty, and morality in order to win the applause of the crowd. If you stand firmly for the right despite the jeers of the crowd or even physical violence, you shall be crowned with the blessedness of eternal joy. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee [2000], 204)

President Dallin H. Oaks stated:

We must never persecute those who do not share our beliefs and commitments. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Two Great Commandments,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 75)

What can I do to obtain the Savior’s peace in my life?

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles identified several ways to obtain peace. Consider reading his talk “Personal Peace in Challenging Times” (Liahona, Nov. 2021, 89–92) to identify five ways to seek personal peace from Heavenly Father and the Savior.

How does contending with others distance us from the Savior?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated:

Contention is spiritually unhealthy for us as individuals. We are robbed of peace, joy, and rest, and our ability to feel the Spirit is compromised. (Dale G. Renlund, “The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 84)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternate scenario for the beginning of the lesson

Consider showing the video “Compelling Witness,” which shows a young woman who is questioned about whether the Book of Mormon is true, from time code 0:00 to 0:37. The video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Seeking personal peace

In the talk “Personal Peace in Challenging Times” (Liahona, Nov. 2021, 89–92), Elder Quentin L. Cook identified five things we can do to increase personal peace through the Savior. Consider printing portions of the talk and inviting groups to read about one of the things Elder Cook mentioned. Students could discuss how acting on what they studied can help them feel the Savior’s peace.