When someone we love has made a serious mistake, it can be hard to know how to respond. Part of what makes Alma 39–42 so valuable is that it reveals how Alma—a disciple of Christ who once had his own grievous sins to repent of—handled such a situation. Alma’s son Corianton had committed sexual sin, and Alma, as he had learned to do in his ministry, trusted the power of true doctrine to give his son an eternal perspective and encourage repentance (see Alma 4:19; 31:5). In these chapters, we observe Alma’s boldness in condemning sin and his tenderness and love for Corianton. And ultimately, we sense Alma’s confidence that the Savior “shall come to take away the sins of the world [and] declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people” (Alma 39:15). The fact that Corianton repented and eventually returned to the work of the ministry (see Alma 49:30) can give us hope for forgiveness and redemption when we are troubled about our own sins or the sins of someone we love (see Alma 42:29).
See also “Alma Counsels His Sons” (video), Gospel Library.
Alma’s counsel to his son Corianton in Alma 39 provides a great opportunity to learn about the devastating effects of sexual sin, including pornography. Perhaps more important, it can also help you understand the Savior’s offer of forgiveness and healing to people who repent. These questions and activities may help:
What mistakes led Corianton to break the law of chastity? (see Alma 39:2–4, 8–9). What were the consequences of his actions? (see verses 5–13). What evidence do we have that Corianton repented? (see Alma 42:31; 49:30; 48:18). What do you learn about the Savior from this experience?
Read pages 19–20 of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices. Then write your own explanation of what pornography is, why it is dangerous, and what you will do when you encounter it. (See also Matthew 5:27–28 and Doctrine and Covenants 63:16.)
How would you explain to a friend why you choose to avoid pornography and live the law of chastity? What insights could you share from “Your Body Is Sacred” in For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (pages 22–29)?
Consider watching the video “To Look Upon” (Gospel Library). Pause the video each time that David could have made a different choice. How are David’s choices similar to choices you might face?
Pause to ponder. When watching a video, whether you are teaching or studying on your own, pause the video occasionally to ask, “What am I learning?” This can invite insights from the Holy Ghost.
Corianton had some questions about what happens after death. His concerns led Alma to teach the principles found in Alma 40–41. As you study, make a list of the truths you find about things like the spirit world, resurrection, and judgment. Consider reading these chapters from the perspective of someone who, like Corianton, needs to repent—after all, that’s true for all of us.
I can seek answers to my questions with faith in Jesus Christ.
Sometimes we might think that prophets know the answer to every gospel question. But notice the unanswered questions Alma had in chapter 40. What did he do to find answers? What did he do when he didn’t have answers? How can Alma’s example help you?
The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes redemption possible.
Corianton believed that punishment for sins was not fair (see Alma 42:1). In Alma 42, how did Alma address his concern? You might organize passages in this chapter in two groups: “God is just” and “God is merciful.” How does the Savior’s Atonement make both justice and mercy possible? Look for additional insights in the video “The Mediator” (Gospel Library).
Alma’s counsel to Corianton can help your children understand the importance of being a good example. Consider reading together Alma 39:1. How was Corianton’s brother Shiblon a good example? Your children could find additional answers to this question in Alma 38:2–4.
You could also play a game in which you and your children take turns following or imitating each other. Use this game to illustrate how our actions could help others make good choices. Sing together “I Am like a Star” (Children’s Songbook, 163), and help your children think of ways they can be a good example.
With a flashlight or a picture of the sun, you could compare light to the power of a good example. You and your children could also look at pictures of Jesus doing good things and talk about the example He set for us. The videos “Shine Your Light So Others May See” and “Lessons I Learned as a Boy” can help your children discuss how their example can lead people to Christ.
Because of Jesus Christ, I can repent when I make mistakes.
Without going into detail about the nature of his sins, explain that Corianton made a wrong choice. What could we say to help him? Consider reading Alma 39:9 to your children, and help them understand what repent and forsake mean. Testify that repentance is possible through Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
Here’s an object lesson to illustrate the joy of repentance: Give a child something heavy to hold while you tell a story about someone who did something wrong and felt bad. Tell your children that the object is like the bad feelings we may have when we make a mistake. Take the heavy object from the child as you testify that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can take away the heavy, bad feelings and help us be better as we repent.
After we die, our spirits go to the spirit world until the Resurrection and Judgment.
It’s natural to wonder what happens to us after we die. What can you do to help your children find inspired answers? You could write death, spirit world (paradise and spirit prison), resurrection, and judgment on separate pieces of paper. Help your children understand what these words mean. As you read together Alma 40:6–7, 11–14, 21–23, your children could place the words in the order in which they occur in these verses.
Older children may benefit from finding answers to questions by searching Alma 40:6–7, 11–14, 21–23. Consider asking your children questions that can be answered in these verses, such as “What will my body be like when I am resurrected?” Invite them to search for answers in the appropriate verses.
Do your children know someone who has died? Maybe you could talk briefly about that person. Bear your testimony that someday they—and everyone else—will be resurrected because of Jesus Christ. If needed, use this week’s activity page to explain what it means to be resurrected.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
