Ether 6–11

Overview

Although their journey was long and difficult, the Jaredites recognized that the Lord was helping them along the way. After they arrived at the promised land, the people wanted to choose a king, which the brother of Jared warned would lead to captivity. The people did not hearken to this warning, and it resulted in serious consequences for many generations. Secret combinations emerged among them and eventually led to their destruction.

Note: This week of seminary will include lessons for the first half of Ether 12. There will be lessons for the second half of Ether 12 in the next week of seminary.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson.

Ether 6

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students liken the scriptures to learn truths that can help them during their life’s journey.

• Student preparation:Invite students to read “Secret Combinations” in Guide to the Scriptures at scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

• Content to display: The four steps for likening the scriptures

• Videoconference teaching suggestion: After students have had time to practice likening the scriptures to themselves on their own, consider placing them in breakout rooms to share what they learned with a few classmates.

Ether 7–11

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students feel the importance of following the Lord’s prophets.

• Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share some of the prophetic counsel or warnings we have received in our day. They could find examples in For the Strength of Youth (booklet, 2022) or from recent general conference addresses.

• Image: A person in a prison cell

• Materials: Copies of the For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (booklet, 2022) and recent general conference editions of the Liahona for students who do not have digital access to them

• Video: “The Immediate Goodness of God” (11:39; watch from time code 3:37 to 6:33)

• Videoconference teaching suggestion: As students compile a list of modern prophetic warnings that can help us avoid captivity, consider using the whiteboard feature to allow them to record their answers to the questions. Consider inviting them to explain why they answered the way they did and how these warnings show God’s love and desires for us.

Ether 8

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students understand the need to reject secret combinations by following Jesus Christ.

• Student preparation: Invite students to familiarize themselves with the definition of secret combinations by studying the summary under the heading “Ether 8:7–26: The Lord does not work in Darkness” in the study outline “Ether 6–11: ‘That Evil May Be Done Away’” in Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024.

Ether 12:1–22

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students exercise faith to receive a spiritual witness of truth.

• Student preparation: Invite students to think of examples from the scriptures in which faithful actions led to spiritual witnesses, blessings, or answers from God.

• Videos: “Do What Mattereth Most” (10:45; watch from time code 1:56 to 2:34 and from time code 2:34 to 3:10); “The Sustaining Power of Faith in Times of Uncertainty and Testing” (15:54; watch from time code 5:08 to 5:53); “Pure and Simple Faith” (5:21)

• Videoconference teaching suggestion: Before class, ask one or more students to prepare to share experiences in which they or others received a spiritual witness as a result of living the Savior’s gospel.

Doctrinal Mastery: Ether 12:6

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for Ether 12:6, explain the doctrine taught in this passage, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in real-life situations.

• Student preparation: Invite students to search for scripture passages that could help someone exercise faith in Jesus Christ. They could search the topic of “Faith” in Guide to the Scriptures or the Topical Guide to find scriptures.

• Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider placing students in small groups in breakout rooms to discuss the scenario. If you choose this option, be sure to display the discussion questions in the chat so students can refer to them.