“Alma 31:1–11: ‘The Virtue of the Word of God,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Alma 31:1–11,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
Alma 31:1–11
“The Virtue of the Word of God”
What kinds of things might cause you to feel distant from the Savior? What helps you feel closer to Him? After hearing that the Zoramites had “fallen into great errors” (Alma 31:9), Alma made plans to use the power of the word of God to invite them to return to Jesus Christ. This lesson can help you rely on the power of the word of God to remain faithful to Jesus Christ.
Helping learners see how they can take effective righteous action. Students can benefit from discovering a variety of ways they could apply gospel principles to life situations. After they ponder or discuss different options, invite students to act on the one they feel would best help them in their current circumstances.
Student preparation: Invite students to talk to someone about how the word of God has helped them remain faithful in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Possible Learning Activities
Drift
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared research findings about how difficult it is to walk in a straight line when we have no visible landmarks. While many individuals in the research test thought they were successful, results showed that “without reliable landmarks, we drift off course” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Daily Restoration,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 77). You might want to watch the video “Daily Restoration” from time code 1:40 to 3:25, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, thinking about how this might spiritually relate to our lives.
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How might this relate to us spiritually?
In Alma 31–35 you will learn about the Zoramites who had once believed in Jesus Christ but had drifted from their faith. Before you begin your study in Alma 31, reflect on how your faith in Jesus Christ has grown.
You could display the following question for students to respond to in their study journals for their personal reflection. Do not ask students to share their answers to this question.
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If you were to stay on your current course, would you be heading toward Christ or away from Him?
Alma’s goal
In Alma 31:1–11 we learn about the Zoramites and Alma’s efforts to invite them to return to the Lord. The following graphic can help you understand how Alma attempted to reclaim the Zoramites.
Consider providing students with a copy of the following handout. This can then help students prepare to set their own goal later in the lesson.
Alma’s plan to teach the Zoramites
Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—“Alma 31:1–11: ‘The Virtue of the Word of God’”
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Read Alma 31:1–4, 8–11, looking for how and why the Zoramites had begun to drift. Record what you find in the “Problem” section.
Consider using questions such as the following to help students understand the drift of the Zoramites and how it affected them. Help students see similarities in our day. For example, if people fail to keep the commandments, attend church, participate in ordinances like the sacrament, and pray, they will drift from the Lord.
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In what ways had the Zoramites drifted? What problems did this cause?
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What similar actions could cause people to drift today?
Read Alma 31:34, looking for Alma’s goal and hopes for the Zoramites. Consider writing this in the “Goal” section.
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Thinking about Alma’s goal and his feelings that you read about in Alma 31:1–2, what do you think motivated Alma? Why might this matter?
Read Alma 31:5–7, 11, marking words or phrases that describe Alma’s plan to accomplish his goal. You may want to note by verse 5 that the word virtue comes from the Latin word virtus, which means strength or power (see Gospel Topics, “Virtue”), and the word try in this context means to test or experiment.
To prepare students to fill out the “How to accomplish the goal” section of the handout, you may want to ask some of the following questions.
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What do you think it means to “try the virtue of the word of God”? Where can you find the word of God? (Consider reading and cross-referencing Doctrine and Covenants 18:2–4, 34–36; 68:4.)
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What is a truth we can learn from Alma’s goal and plan to accomplish it?
One truth you may have identified is that God’s word has power to lead people to Jesus Christ.
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What do you know about God that makes His word powerful or strong to you? Why do you think it is more powerful “than the sword, or anything else”? (Alma 31:5).
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In what way can the word of God help us share the gospel, correct false ideas, or lead others to Jesus Christ?
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How has the word of God impacted your life?
Using what you have learned from Alma and your insights from the previous questions, fill out the “How to accomplish the goal” section.
The word of God in my life
Think about how what you are learning from Alma and the Zoramites relates to your life.
The following questions are intended to help students relate this account to their own lives. Consider asking similar questions or others you may come up with.
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What are some things that cause youth to drift from Jesus Christ?
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How might relying on the word of God prevent our drift from Jesus Christ or help us come back to Him?
You may consider inviting students to share and list on the board scriptures that have led them to the Lord. They could also find scriptures that address some of the causes of drift from the Lord.
Think about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Is there anything causing you to drift from Him? Do you want a stronger relationship with Him? Prayerfully set a personalized goal to help you strengthen your relationship with Him. This goal could relate to or be added to your Children and Youth goals.
Consider giving students another handout to use to write their own goal. As needed, discuss various ways students can rely on the virtue of the word of God. For example, studying the scriptures daily, searching for answers or guidance in the scriptures, attending seminary, or other ideas. The following suggestions can help students personalize how they fill out the chart for their own goal.
Write your own goal in the “Goal” section.
You could also write any obstacles to your goal in the “Problem” section.
In the “How to accomplish the goal section” write down how you can rely on the virtue of the word of God. Include how this will help you accomplish your goal.
The following questions can help.
Some students may feel comfortable sharing their goals. You could use the following questions to help them share and facilitate a discussion.
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Why is this goal something you feel you need in your life? How will achieving it influence your relationship with Jesus Christ?
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What specific actions can you take to help you rely on the power in the word of God? How can this help you accomplish your goal?
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What scriptures or statements from Church leaders could motivate you to work on this goal?
Consider concluding by inviting students to share their experiences studying Alma 31:1–11 and any personal thoughts or impressions. Share testimony of the virtue of the word of God and the importance of doing those things that will draw us closer to Jesus Christ.