Alma 23

They “Never Did Fall Away”

Think about the many forces in the world today that seek to destroy your faith and pull you away from the Lord. What can you do to stand firm and prevent this from happening? We can learn from the examples of thousands of Lamanites who were “converted unto the Lord” and “never did fall away” (Alma 23:6). The purpose of this lesson is to help you desire to be more fully converted to the Lord and identify any obstacles to that conversion.

Encouraging learners to strive to follow Jesus Christ. Help learners understand that as they strive to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, they can become more like the Savior and find increased joy in their discipleship.

Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share what they think it means to be “converted unto the Lord” (Alma 23:6) and why conversion to Him is so important. They could refer to the Guide to the Scriptures under “Conversion, Convert” if they need help.

Possible Learning Activities

Standing strong

This lesson and the lesson on Alma 24 can work together to help students deepen their conversion. This lesson can help students identify obstacles to their conversion; the next lesson is intended to help them overcome those obstacles.

Consider inviting two volunteers to do the following activity. Remind them not to push too hard.

If possible, stand on one foot for 30 seconds. Think about how hard it would be to stay standing if someone pushed you while you were on one foot.

Now stand on both feet and think about how much easier it would be to stay standing if someone pushed you.

At times, the scriptures compare faithfulness to the Lord to standing steadfast (see Mosiah 4:11; Alma 1:25) and turning away from the Lord to falling (see 2 Nephi 18:15; Helaman 5:12).

• What are some reasons people fall away from Jesus Christ and His Church?

You may want to display these questions to allow students to ponder them.

Ponder the following questions:

• If you were to continue living the way you are now, do you feel you would grow closer to the Lord and His Church or begin to fall away? Why?

• What do you know about the Lord and His Church that makes you not want to fall away?

As you study about people who “never did fall away” (Alma 23:6), look for insights and seek guidance for your life through prayer to Heavenly Father and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

Converted unto the Lord

After his conversion, the king of the Lamanites proclaimed religious freedom in the land so the sons of Mosiah could safely preach the gospel.

Read Alma 23:3–5, looking for the effect that preaching had on the people.

Consider asking what phrases stood out to your students.

At times, the scriptures repeat phrases that are important for us to understand. Read Alma 23:6–13, 15, looking for phrases that indicate why these thousands of converts “never did fall away” (verse 6). Consider marking the repeated phrases.

Invite students to share what they found. “Converted unto the Lord” is repeated in Alma 23:6, 8, 13, and “lay down the weapons of their rebellion” and “laid down the weapons of their rebellion” are in Alma 23:7, 13, respectively.

One truth we can learn from these verses is that as we are converted unto the Lord and lay down our weapons of rebellion, we can always stand faithful to Him.

• What does it mean to be “converted unto the Lord”? (Alma 23:6). (If helpful, consider studying “Conversion, Convert” in the Guide to the Scriptures or the Topical Guide).

• Why is it important to be converted “unto the Lord” rather than to a missionary or a particular teaching?

Display a picture of the Savior as you invite students to do the following.

Think about what you know about the Savior and ponder why you want to become and stay converted to Him throughout your life. Consider reading some of the following verses to help you:

• John 14:6

• Omni 1:26

• Helaman 5:12

• Ether 12:27

Invite students to share their thoughts and what they found.

• What has helped you and others you know become more converted unto the Lord?

Laying down our weapons of rebellion

To be truly converted to the Lord and never fall away, we must be willing to lay down our weapons of rebellion. The Lamanites’ weapons of rebellion were both literal and symbolic. But for us, these weapons are likely only symbolic.

Consider writing the following statements on the board.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that our weapons of rebellion could be “selfishness, pride, and disobedience” (“Converted unto the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 108). Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that our weapons could be “personal desires that are contrary to being anchored to the Savior and to following the covenant path” (“Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 22).

The intent of the following activity is to help students identify examples of weapons of rebellion that are relevant to our day. Consider dividing the class into small groups. After sufficient time, invite each group to select a member to come to the board and draw and label a weapon of rebellion while another member briefly presents a few of the group’s responses to the following questions. As they share, look for ways to compliment students on making the scriptures relevant to our day, and thank them for their efforts.

Draw two simple weapons (swords, spears, or other weapons) in your study journal or on a piece of paper. Next to or on each weapon, write a specific and realistic example of an attitude or action contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ that a teenager may have in our day. For example, someone struggling with pride may not listen to his or her parents’ counsel or may feel that prophets are old and out of touch. Or someone else may commit certain sins because he or she thinks God’s commandments are too restrictive.

• How might these attitudes or actions affect this person’s conversion to the Lord?

• How might laying down or leaving behind these attitudes or actions help someone be more converted to the Lord?

Your weapons of rebellion

Consider inviting students to do the following activity in their study journals.

To conclude this lesson, seek Heavenly Father’s help through the Holy Ghost to identify what weapons of rebellion you may have. If you identify one, consider writing it in your study journal and drawing a weapon next to it.

Ponder what you may do to lay down your weapons of rebellion and how that commitment may help you to become converted to the Lord and never fall away.

Consider bearing testimony of the principles taught in this lesson.

Commentary and Background Information

Alma 23:6. What does it mean to be converted unto the Lord?

Watch “Converted unto the Lord” from time code 10:43 to 11:41 to see Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explain.

Watch “Be Ye Converted” from time code 0:48 to 3:21 and “Ye Shall Be Free” from time code 6:43 to 8:52 to see examples of conversion.

What blessings can come as we lay aside our weapons of rebellion?

Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy taught:

We find healing and relief only when we bring ourselves to the feet of the Great Physician, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We must lay down our weapons of rebellion (and we each know what they are). We must lay down our sin, vanity, and pride. We must give up our desires to follow the world and to be respected and lauded by the world. We must cease fighting against God and instead give our whole hearts to Him, holding nothing back. Then He can heal us. Then He can cleanse us from the venomous sting of sin. (Patrick Kearon, “Come unto Me with Full Purpose of Heart, and I Shall Heal You,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 51–52)

What does the name Anti-Nephi-Lehi mean?

The name Anti-Nephi-Lehi could indicate the joining together of the descendants of Nephi and those who followed him with the other posterity of Lehi: “The name ‘Anti’ of ‘Anti-Nephi-Lehi’ may be a reflex of the Egyptian nty ‘he of, the one of.’ Thus, rather than having the sense ‘against,’ it has the meaning ‘the one of Nephi and Lehi’” (Stephen D. Ricks, “Anti-Nephi-Lehi,” in Dennis L. Largey, ed., Book of Mormon Reference Companion [2003], 67).

Supplemental Learning Activities

An alternate beginning

As another way to begin the lesson, share an inspiring story about someone who remained faithful to the Lord and His Church despite opposition, such as the story in “It’s True, Isn’t It?” from time code 0:00 to 1:26. Ask students to ponder what could help them remain true to the Lord and His gospel throughout their lives, despite obstacles.

Conversion

If students would benefit from studying more about what conversion means and what it looks like, consider sharing the video from Elder Bednar as well as one or both of the videos illustrating examples of conversion from the “Commentary and Background Information” section. Invite students to share examples of conversion to the Lord that they are aware of as well. Ask them to determine actions they can take to become more converted unto the Lord themselves.

Religious freedom

Church leaders have emphasized the importance of religious freedom in our day. If students would benefit from studying more about this important topic, consider inviting students to study Alma 23:1–7 and to share what blessings came because religious freedom was extended to the Lamanites. Ask students to share why the Lord would want us to have religious freedom and what that teaches about Him. Consider watching “What is Religious Freedom?” (4:06) or “Preserving Religious Freedom” (8:44), and invite students to think of what they can do to preserve religious freedom in their communities and how this can help the Lord’s work move forward. (See also Ronald A. Rasband, “To Heal the World,” Liahona, May 2022, 91–94.)