Alma 24

“We Will Bury Them Deep in the Earth”

Sometimes we find ourselves giving in to the same sin and developing a bad habit or even an addiction. Overcoming these sins can be very difficult. Many of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies had developed sinful practices before their conversion to the Lord. When they experienced the Savior’s forgiveness, they were inspired to avoid returning to those sins. This lesson can help you overcome sin and bad habits with the Savior’s help.

Help learners seek conversion. Conversion is more than a change of behavior; it is a change of heart brought about by the Holy Ghost. As students learn and take effective, righteous action, encourage them to pray to Heavenly Father for His guidance through the Spirit.

Student preparation: Invite students to read Alma 24:7–16 and come prepared to share what they learn from the Anti-Nephi-Lehies about the Savior, repentance, and forgiveness.

Possible Learning Activities

Overcoming sin with the Savior’s help

Note that this lesson is designed to be taught after the lesson on Alma 23.

Read the following scenario:

Samantha has struggled with a particular sin for years. As she became more converted to the Lord, she made great efforts to repent and turn to the Savior for strength to overcome her problem. She felt the Lord’s forgiveness and love. However, in moments of weakness, she sometimes falls back into that sin.

• How might Samantha feel in this situation?

When students have opportunities to self-assess, it can help them feel more engaged in the lesson and eager to learn what they don’t yet know. Inviting student to silently reflect on the following is one way you could help students do this.

Ponder how well you feel you could help Samantha and what you might still need to know and understand to better help her. Also, think of issues you feel the Lord could help you overcome. As you study, seek for truths that, when applied, could invite the Savior to help Samantha and you to overcome sin.

The people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi

The people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi were Lamanites who had previously used their swords to kill others. However, after they “were converted unto the Lord,” they “did lay down the weapons of their rebellion” (Alma 23:6–7).

Read Alma 24:1–4 to see how some of the other Lamanites responded. Note that arms are weapons.

• If you were one of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, what thoughts and feelings might you have had at this time? Why?

Ammon and his brothers held a council with King Lamoni and his brother, the king of the people who were named Anti-Nephi-Lehi (see Alma 24:5). Then the king spoke to his people.

If you feel it would add to the spirit in class, consider inviting a student to respectfully read the following verses as if he or she were the leader of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Invite students to imagine hearing this speech as one of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and to ponder the thoughts and feelings they might have had.

Read the king’s speech in Alma 24:7–16. Look for and consider marking words or phrases that describe the following:

1. What God had done for these people

2. What the people had done to repent

3. What the king advised them to do to forsake their sins

Remind students of their preparation for class. Discuss the words and phrases students marked in the previous activity. Ask students to explain what the words and phrases mean and invite the class to work together to better understand them. Consider pointing out phrases that seem important and discussing those as well.

• What thoughts and feelings might you have had if you were there listening to this speech? Why?

• What words or phrases would have motivated you to strive to never return to your sins?

Burying their weapons of war

Read Alma 24:17–19 and mark how the people responded after this speech and why.

• How do you think the Anti-Nephi-Lehies’ experience might relate to us?

One truth we can identify from this account is that our love for and commitment to Jesus Christ can help us forsake our sins.

Take a moment to ponder why this principle is true.

• When seeking to forsake sin, why might it help to remember the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and what They have done for us? (It may be helpful to ponder phrases like “he hath forgiven us” [Alma 24:10], “the great God has had mercy on us” [Alma 24:14], and “he loveth our souls” [Alma 24:14].)

• How did burying their swords “deep in the earth” (Alma 24:17) help these people forsake their sins?

Notice the following phrases in verse 18 (emphasis added):

• “Rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives.”

• “Rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him.”

• “Rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.”

In essence, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies did not just bury their weapons of war; they also replaced their previous sins with positive actions.

• How can doing this help us forsake sin?

• What are some ways we can do this today?

To see an example, watch the video “The Power of the Book of Mormon in Conversion” from time code 6:11 to 8:12, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

The commitment of the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi

Read Alma 24:20–27 to see how the Anti-Nephi-Lehies lived their commitment to forsake sin. While you read, imagine being there. Ponder the sights, sounds, and feelings you may have experienced as you bowed in prayer, knowing that you had nothing to defend yourself with and that you were completely in the Lord’s hands.

• What impresses you about their commitment?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described how the sacrifices of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies can relate to us today.

Completely bury your weapons of rebellion with no handles sticking out. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, making covenants with a real intent to reliably honor them will bless your life forever. You will become more like the Savior as you always remember Him, follow Him, and adore Him. I testify that He is the firm foundation. He is dependable, and His promises are sure. (Dale G. Renlund, “Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 25)

Elder Renlund also shared a powerful example of the commitment of the Saints in Congo. Consider sharing with students the video “Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ“ from time code 0:00 to 1:39, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

How to forsake sin

Consider inviting students to do the following activity in small groups so they can apply what they have learned to a real-life situation.

Recall the scenario with Samantha at the beginning of the lesson. Explain how you would recommend she apply the principles you studied today. Include the following:

• ways she can remember the Lord’s love for her

• specific actions she can take to avoid falling back into her previous sins

Invite several students to share their ideas. As students listen to each other, invite them to ponder how implementing these plans can help them overcome their sins.

Forsaking your sins

In your study journal, write how you might apply what you learned today to your own life. Write steps you can take to remember the Lord’s love. Include practical steps to forsake sin and guard against returning to it.

As you strive to follow your plan, trust that the Savior loves you and will help you as you strive to avoid circumstances that can lead you to sin.

Testify of the Lord’s love for each student and that He will help them when they strive to be more like Him, even though they sometimes fall short in their efforts.

Commentary and Background Information

Why must we guard against returning to sin?

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

[Our] past choices [can expose us] to a carnal appetite that could again become a point of vulnerability that Satan would attempt to exploit.

Satan will try to use our memory of any previous guilt to lure us back into his influence. We must be ever vigilant to avoid his enticements. (Richard G. Scott, “Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 83)

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

Forsaking a sin means we will never repeat it—never return to it—not in action or in word or even in our mind. Forsaking means that the sin is totally in our past. To forsake a sin will mean more than just feeling the remorse and sadness it has brought to us and others we have hurt; it will mean being certain that we don’t put ourselves into the same position that brought the sin before. It will mean associating with trusted friends and family who will help us in moving forward. For some, it may mean changing friends, perhaps changing our employment or what we do with our time. It will mean being very open and honest with trusted companions as we go forward. We never want to return to the sins of our past. (Neil L. Andersen, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness [2019], 207–8)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Scenarios

Consider using the following scenarios if students would benefit from practicing application using scenarios with more details.

• Kona consistently breaks the Word of Wisdom.

• Audrey constantly fights with her siblings.

• Taft spends time on his phone instead of participating in church lessons, family study, and service opportunities.

• Lia views pornography when she feels alone or upset.

Avoiding circumstances that lead to sin

Consider using the following activity at an appropriate place in the lesson. Invite students to imagine a garden filled with weeds and then to imagine that same garden after it is weeded. Then invite students to respond to the following questions:

• What needs to be done to make sure this garden stays free of weeds?

• How does this relate to what we need to do after we are forgiven of sin?

Alma 24:20–27. As we keep our covenants, we can help others become converted

Invite students to read Alma 24:20–27, looking for what happened as the Lamanites attacked the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Help students identify and discuss the following principle: As we keep our covenants, we can help others become converted.

Consider asking questions like “What are some opportunities you have to set an example for others by keeping your covenants?” or “How might keeping your covenants in these situations help others become converted?”