“Alma 37–38: ‘Learn in Thy Youth,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Alma 37–38,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
Alma 37–38
“Learn in Thy Youth”
What are some lessons you have learned from your parents or Church leaders? What are some things you hope to teach your children someday? Alma understood that parents have a sacred responsibility to teach their children. Following his mission to the Zoramites, Alma gathered his sons to teach and encourage them. He counseled them to keep the commandments of God. This lesson can help you learn that living the commandments now will bless you throughout your life.
Guide learners to act on personal revelation. Rather than telling students what they should do, consider asking yourself, “What can I invite students to do that will encourage them to seek the help of the Holy Ghost as they learn for themselves?” or “What can I invite students to do to act on the promptings they are receiving?”
Student preparation: Invite students to read or memorize Alma 37:35 and to come to class prepared to share why they think it is important to “learn in [their] youth to keep the commandments of God.”
Possible Learning Activities
Advice from a parent
Share the following story, or share an example more relevant to your students of counsel a youth received from a parent or Church leader.
President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) shared the following story:
In an interview published in a national magazine, well-known American NCAA basketball player Jabari Parker, a member of the Church, was asked to share the best advice he had received from his father. Replied Jabari, “[My father] said, Just be the same person you are in the dark that you are in the light.” Important advice … for all of us. (Thomas S. Monson, “Be Strong and of a Good Courage,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 68)
Consider inviting students to ponder the following questions. After sufficient time, put students in pairs or small groups and invite them to share their answers to the questions.
Imagine you are being interviewed and the interviewer asks you the following questions:
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What is the best advice you have received from a parent or Church leader?
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How has this advice blessed you?
Alma 36–42 records counsel Alma gave to his sons after completing a mission to the Zoramites. You have already studied much of what he taught his son Helaman (Alma 36–37). In this lesson you will study the remainder of his counsel to Helaman, plus the principles he taught his son Shiblon (Alma 38). As you study Alma 37–38, look for advice from Alma that you could use in your life or share with other youth.
“Learn wisdom in thy youth”
Read Alma 37:35, looking for what Alma wanted Helaman to learn as a youth. Consider marking what you find.
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What did Alma want Helaman to know and do?
As students answer, you may want to write this on the board: We should learn in our youth to keep the commandments of God.
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Why do you think it is better to “learn in [your] youth to keep the commandments of God” instead of waiting until you are older?
President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) shared the following experience about planting a tree:
I put [the tree] in a place at the corner where the wind from the canyon to the east blew the hardest. I dug a hole, put in the bare root, put soil around it, poured on water, and largely forgot it. It was only a wisp of a tree, perhaps three-quarters of an inch in diameter. It was so supple that I could bend it with ease in any direction. I paid little attention to it as the years passed.
Then one winter day … I noticed that it was leaning to the west, misshapen and out of balance. … I went out and braced myself against it as if to push it upright. But the trunk was now nearly a foot in diameter. My strength was as nothing against it. I took from my toolshed a block and tackle. Attaching one end to the tree and another to a well-set post, I pulled the rope. The pulleys moved a little, and the trunk of the tree trembled slightly. But that was all. …
Finally in desperation I took my saw and cut off the great heavy branch on the west side. The saw left an ugly scar, more than eight inches across. I stepped back and surveyed what I had done. I had cut off the major part of the tree, leaving only one branch growing skyward. …
When it was first planted, a piece of string would have held it in place against the forces of the wind. I could have and should have supplied that string with ever so little effort. But I did not, and it bent to the forces that came against it. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Bring Up a Child in the Way He Should Go,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 59)
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How might keeping the commandments be like supporting a young tree so it grows straight and strong despite the wind?
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How can ignoring the commandments until later in life affect us?
To help students better understand the truth taught in Alma 37:35, consider placing them in small groups and inviting them to create two realistic scenarios: one in which someone strives to keep the commandments of God in their youth and one in which someone does not. Students may include how the people strive to live or not live certain commandments like loving God, studying the scriptures, or obeying the Word of Wisdom. Have them include how these two people might be different after five to 10 years. Invite students to share their scenarios and what they learned.
Consider reminding students about Alma’s experiences as a young man. Ask, “Why do you think Alma gave this counsel to his son?”
Consider watching the video “Standing by Our Promises and Covenants,” from time code 7:29 to 8:35, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares how he decided to keep God’s commandments in his youth.
Take a few minutes to write in your journal what you are learning about keeping the commandments of God. Prayerfully seek to know how you have been blessed for the ways you keep the commandments.
Ask if any students would like to volunteer to share their thoughts and feelings. Consider sharing your own as well.
Consider making a goal of one way you would like to improve your obedience to the Lord’s commandments now while in your youth. Seek guidance from the Holy Ghost as you make this goal.
Counsel for youth
Alma gave additional counsel to his sons that can be helpful to us.
Study the following scripture passages. Consider marking the counsel that you feel would be helpful for youth today, including yourself. Prepare your answers to the questions below.
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Alma 37:33–37 (“meek and lowly” = humble, teachable, righteous)
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Alma 38:1–5 (“cut off from his presence” = physically or spiritually separated from God)
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Alma 38:6–9 (“born of God”= the Spirit of the Lord causing a mighty change in a person’s heart)
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Alma 38:10–15 (“temperate” = showing moderation or self-control; “overbearance” = domineering behavior; “bridle” = control)
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What is one thing Alma wanted his sons to do or know? In which verse did you find it?
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How can knowing or following this principle help a youth better follow Jesus Christ?
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How might this teaching be applied in a youth’s life? Can you think of any examples when you have seen it applied in your life? (Please do not share anything too personal.)
After students have answered the questions, consider asking them to sit in a circle so they can see each other as they discuss Alma’s counsel as a class. Invite as many students as possible to share what they found. Encourage all students to listen carefully and learn from each other. Consider pausing occasionally to ask students what they are learning from their peers.
Spend a moment pondering, and record any thoughts or impressions about additional ways you could apply the counsel you learned today. For example, you might think of something a parent or Church leader recently encouraged you to start or stop doing. Or you may want to counsel with the Lord and seek His direction.