Ether 12–15

Overview

As Moroni continued abridging the book of Ether, he feared the Gentiles would mock his work because of his weakness in writing. The Lord responded that as we come unto Him in humility and faith, He can turn our weaknesses into strengths. After learning of the destruction of the Jaredites and witnessing the destruction of the Nephites, Moroni pled with all his readers to seek Jesus Christ and the blessings He has to offer.

Prepare to Teach

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

Ether 12:23–27

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students come unto Jesus Christ to overcome weaknesses through His grace.

Student preparation: Invite students to read Ether 12:27 and to think of a weakness in their life that they want to overcome with the Savior’s help.
Materials: A sheet of paper for each student

Doctrinal Mastery: Ether 12:27

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for Ether 12:27, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in real-life situations.

Student preparation: Invite students to try to memorize Ether 12:27.
Content to display: The section of the lesson under the heading “Youth spend too much time on their phones”
Videoconference teaching suggestion: Invite students to see how many times they can type the scripture reference and key scripture phrase in the chat in 60 seconds. Make sure they know that they need to retype it each time rather than just copying and pasting. Then invite them to see if they can recite it aloud from memory.

Ether 12:28–41

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students feel a greater desire to seek Jesus Christ in their own lives.

Student preparation: Consider providing students with a copy of Elder Melvin J. Ballard’s experience that is included in this lesson. Invite them to come prepared to share what they learned and felt about Jesus Christ through reading Elder Ballard’s experience.
Image: A fountain
Video: “Jesus Forgives Sins and Heals a Man Stricken with Palsy” (2:57)
Content to display: The statement from Elder Melvin J. Ballard

Ether 13–15

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students overcome the temptation to act in anger throughout their lives.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to ponder what it means that Jesus Christ is the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and what it means for us to be followers of Him.
Content to display: The instructions for option A, option B, or both (if allowing students to choose between them)
Videoconference teaching suggestion: If you allow students to choose between option A and option B, consider using breakout rooms for the two options. Provide instructions via email or in the chat before students enter their breakout rooms.

Assess Your Learning 9

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students remember and evaluate how their experiences with Mormon 7–Ether 15 have helped them grow spiritually.

Student preparation: Invite students to review what they have learned by finishing the following statement: “One lesson from Mormon 7–Ether 15 that I would want to share with a friend is …”
Image: Tree rings
Materials: Strips of paper with the names of places where students might be called to serve as missionaries
Object lesson: A loaf of bread; a mixing bowl and ingredients needed to make bread
Videoconference teaching suggestion: In the section of the lesson under the heading “Reflect on plans to exercise faith in Jesus Christ,” consider letting students watch you combine ingredients to make a loaf of bread. In addition, if students live close to you, you could invite them to come to your home later in the day to get a slice of the bread after it is done baking. You could ask them to talk about what they learned in the lesson as they eat their slice of bread.