“June 22–28. Alma 17–22: ‘I Will Make an Instrument of Thee,’” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 (2020)
“June 22–28. Alma 17–22,” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: 2020
Ammon and King Lamoni, by Scott M. Snow
June 22–28
Alma 17–22
“I Will Make an Instrument of Thee”
As you read Alma 17–22, record impressions that come to you and act on them. Doing so will show the Lord your willingness to receive more personal revelation.
Record Your Impressions
Think of all of the reasons people might give for not sharing the gospel: “I don’t know enough” or “I’m not sure they would be interested” or maybe “What if I offend them?” Maybe you’ve found yourself thinking similar things at times. The Nephites had an additional reason for not sharing the gospel with the Lamanites: they were “a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites” (Alma 17:14; see also Alma 26:23–25). But the sons of Mosiah had an even stronger reason why they felt they must share the gospel with the Lamanites: “They were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish” (Mosiah 28:3). This love that inspired Ammon and his brothers can also inspire you to share the gospel with your family, friends, and acquaintances—even those who may not seem likely to accept it.
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
As I strengthen my own faith, I can more effectively share the gospel.
Have you ever been reunited with old friends and felt the way Alma did—overjoyed that they had stayed strong in the faith? (see Alma 17:1–2). What do you learn from the sons of Mosiah about how to keep your faith in the gospel and commitment to it strong? As you ponder the spiritual strength of the sons of Mosiah, what do you feel inspired to do?
How did the spiritual preparation of the sons of Mosiah affect their work with the Lamanites? Perhaps you could use this opportunity to evaluate your efforts to teach the gospel “with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:3).
I can be an instrument in God’s hands to bring salvation to His children.
President Thomas S. Monson said, “I always want the Lord to know that if He needs an errand run, Tom Monson will run that errand for Him” (“On the Lord’s Errand: The Life of Thomas S. Monson,” video, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). As you read Alma 17:6–12, look for what the sons of Mosiah did so they could be instruments in God’s hands. How can you be an instrument in God’s hands to bless others? What do you learn from their example that gives you courage to do what the Lord needs you to do?
See also Dallin H. Oaks, “Sharing the Restored Gospel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 57–60.
I can help others prepare to receive the gospel.
Lamoni was the leader of “a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people” (Alma 17:14), yet he overcame years of tradition and accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ. As you read about Ammon’s interactions with Lamoni, notice what Ammon did that might have helped Lamoni be more receptive to his message. If thoughts come to you about what you can do to share the gospel with others, write down these promptings.
It may also be helpful to mark or write down the truths that Ammon taught Lamoni (see Alma 18:24–39) and the truths that Aaron taught Lamoni’s father (see Alma 22:1–16). What do these verses suggest to you about the truths you can share with others to help them seek a testimony of the gospel?
Minerva K. Teichert (1888–1976), Ammon Saves the King’s Flocks, 1935–1945, oil on masonite, 35 x 48 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art.
My testimony can have a far-reaching influence.
Though the accounts of conversion we read about in the scriptures often involve dramatic events, at their core we usually find individuals who had the courage to speak up and share their witness with others. One way to study the events in Alma 18–22 is to look for the far-reaching effects of one person bearing his or her testimony. Maybe you could record what you find in a diagram like this one:
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Ammon shared the gospel with , who shared the gospel with , and the result was . |
The Lord’s arm is extended to me when I repent.
At the conclusion of the account of Lamoni’s conversion, Mormon taught something important about the Lord’s character. What does Alma 19:36 suggest to you about the Lord’s character? When have you felt the Lord’s arm extended toward you? How can you help those you love feel His mercy?
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening
As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family. Here are some ideas.
Alma 17–19
How can you make the accounts in these chapters come to life for your family? You could act out the story of Ammon protecting the sheep or the story of Abish gathering the multitude to witness the power of God. Perhaps family members could draw pictures of different parts of the story and use the pictures to tell the story. What will your family do to follow the examples of Ammon and Abish?
Alma 18:24–39
Perhaps your family members could read Alma 18:24–39 together and identify the truths that Ammon taught Lamoni. Why do we think that Ammon taught Lamoni these truths first? Why is it important for us to have a testimony of these truths?
Alma 20:8–15
What can we learn from how Lamoni responded to his father? How can we follow Lamoni’s example in standing up for what is right? (For some examples, see the video “Dare to Stand Alone” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)
Alma 22:15–18
Review Alma 20:23 to see what Lamoni’s father was willing to give up in order to save his life. Then review Alma 22:15 to see what he was willing to give up in order to receive the joy of the gospel. What was he willing to give up in order to know God? (see verse 18). Perhaps family members could each write a plan to give up something in order to know God more fully.
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Improving Personal Study
Identify and apply principles. Though the details of scripture stories may not seem to apply to you, the principles in these accounts often do. As you read about Ammon and Aaron, what principles about sharing the gospel do you find?
The wife of King Lamoni rose from the ground, praising Jesus. Oh, Blessed Jesus, by Walter Rane