“Moroni 7:20–43: Finding Hope in Christ,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“Moroni 7:20–43,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
Moroni 7:20–43
Finding Hope in Christ
Have you ever needed to feel more hope in your life? Moroni, who wandered alone for many years after his people were destroyed, recorded his father’s words about the hope we can have in Christ of greater things to come. This lesson can help you feel increased hope through Jesus Christ.
Help students recognize the Savior’s influence in their lives. Look for opportunities to emphasize the Savior’s uplifting power and mercy as recorded in the scriptures. Invite students to ponder how Jesus Christ has lightened their burdens and helped them endure difficulties. Encourage them to turn to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with faith.
Student preparation: Consider inviting students to read 1 Peter 3:15 and to ponder how Jesus Christ gives them hope.
Possible Learning Activities
Lay hold on every good thing
If possible, prepare a table with items that students would likely want and items that students would not want (for example, there could be some tasty treats on the table as well as old vegetables and empty candy wrappers). Begin by inviting students to come and “lay hold” on one item of their choice. Ask them why they chose what they did and if they would categorize it as a “good thing.”
In Moroni 7, Mormon said that he wanted to help his people know how they could “lay hold on every good thing” (verse 21).
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When Mormon used the phrase “good thing,” what do you think he was referring to?
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What are some spiritual and eternal “good things” that you would like to lay hold of, or receive, in this life or the next?
You may remember that in Moroni 7:12–19, Mormon taught that all good things come from Jesus Christ. Read Moroni 7:20–26, looking for what Mormon taught about how to receive these good things from Christ.
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What did you find?
If needed, explain that Mormon emphasized we need to have faith in Jesus Christ. Mormon taught that to help us have faith in Christ, Heavenly Father sent angels to teach about His Son.
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What accounts can you think of in which Heavenly Father sent angels to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world?
Some answers could include the angels that came to Adam and Eve (Moses 5:6–9), King Benjamin (Mosiah 3:1–11), and the shepherds (Luke 2:10–12).
The meaning of hope
To help you prepare to learn more about Mormon’s teachings regarding hope, read this account from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
Before I reached my 12th birthday, our family had been forced twice to flee our home and start over amid the chaos, fear, and uncertainties caused by war and political division. It was an anxious time for me. …
This time of bleakness after World War II left its mark upon the world. It left its mark upon me.
Back then, in the solitude of my loneliest hours, I often wondered, “Is there any hope left in the world?” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “God among Us,” Liahona, May 2021, 8)
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What are some reasons people feel a lack of hope today?
Consider writing students’ answers on the board.
Elder Uchtdorf recalled that “while the world was drowning in cynicism, bitterness, hatred, and fear,” he found something that “filled [him] with hope” (“God among Us,” Liahona, May 2021, 8).
Are you experiencing a lack of hope in your life? Think about what brings you hope in even the most difficult circumstances. As you continue studying this lesson, look for truths that can help you be filled with hope.
Mormon teaches about hope
Read Moroni 7:40–44, looking for how our faith in Jesus Christ is related to hope.
As part of this discussion, you may want to point out that Mormon also teaches that charity is necessary to lay hold on all good things that come from Christ. Charity will be addressed in the next lesson.
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How would you summarize verse 41 in your own words?
A truth from Mormon’s teachings
One truth we can learn from Mormon is if we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, we can have hope through His Atonement to be raised to eternal life.
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What do you think it means to have hope in Jesus Christ?
As students respond, help them understand that this kind of hope is not worldly wishing. Hope in Jesus Christ is to be filled with assurance that we will eventually qualify for eternal life.
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Why might we need to be humble, or “meek, and lowly of heart” (Moroni 7:43), to exercise faith in Jesus Christ and have hope?
To see an example of someone who found hope through faith in Jesus Christ, review one of the following accounts. As you do, look for how the person experienced hope through Jesus Christ.
Select one of the following accounts to share with the class, or have all the accounts ready and allow students to choose which account they would like to read or watch.
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Read Alma 22:12–18, the story of King Lamoni’s father.
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Read Alma 36:12–21, or watch “Alma Testifies to His Son Helaman,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 1:30 to 2:32.
7:9Alma Testifies to His Son Helaman | Alma 36–37
Alma the younger explains his conversion to his son Helaman. Alma promises that if Helaman keeps the commandments of God, he will prosper. Alma asks Helaman to continue keeping the sacred records of the people.
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Watch “Finding Hope through the Resurrection of Christ” (4:41), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
4:41Finding Hope Through the Resurrection of Christ
Jesus Christ is central to our Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. Through our Savior’s atonement and resurrection, He made it possible for us to live again with our loved ones for eternity.
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Watch “The Master Healer,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 8:49 to 11:53.
13:0The Master Healer
Sister Stephens testifies of the Savior’s power to heal us from our sins, from the unrighteous actions of others, and from difficulties of mortality.
Invite students to share a time when they experienced hope through exercising faith in Jesus Christ and how the situation may have been different without that hope.
It is important to note that even as we show faith in Jesus Christ and have hope for the blessings He offers, we may still have difficult and trying moments in our lives. But as we continue to exercise faith in the Savior and focus on Him and the eternal life that He makes available to us, we will gain the hope we seek.
For the following activity, consider inviting students to work together in small groups to complete the handout.
Finding Hope in Jesus Christ
Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)—“Moroni 7:20–43: Finding Hope in Christ”
To help you think about how having hope because of Christ can affect our lives in different circumstances, select one of the following scenarios (or come up with one on your own):
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James has fallen back into sinful habits that he thought he had left behind.
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Becca’s father has stopped coming to church and has declared that he no longer believes in God.
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Analise is struggling to keep up with all of her obligations at school, work, and home.
Finish these two phrases, stating how the person might look at his or her situation differently:
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Without hope in Jesus Christ,
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With hope in Jesus Christ,
Discuss the following questions:
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How could this person exercise faith in Jesus Christ? See if you can find a scripture to include in your response.
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How might exercising faith in this way help this person have more hope through Jesus Christ?
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What might you say to this person if he or she asked you why you have hope in Jesus Christ? (See 1 Peter 3:15.)
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After the groups have completed the activity, invite them to have a spokesperson share one of the things they talked about that they think would be most helpful.
Share your testimony about having hope in the Savior. Keep in mind that some of your students may be searching for more hope in their lives. Your testimony and the testimonies of their peers can be a great blessing to them and inspire them with more hope.