Alma and Amulek in Prison

Purpose

To help the children develop faith in Jesus Christ so they will stand for the right.

Preparation

Prayerfully study Alma 14:1–16:10. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account. (See “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)
Additional reading: Alma 60:13.
Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
Materials needed:
1. A Book of Mormon for each child.
2. An umbrella.
3. Pictures 4-28, Alma and Amulek in Ammonihah, and 4-29, Alma and Amulek Walk out of the Fallen Prison.

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Show the children an umbrella (or pretend to have an umbrella) and a Book of Mormon. Ask how the two items might be similar. Help the children understand that an umbrella will not protect us from rain unless we open it and stand under it. Similarly, the Book of Mormon cannot increase our faith in Jesus Christ until we open it, prayerfully study it, and live its teachings.

Invite the children to open their copies of the Book of Mormon and learn how two missionaries had enough faith to cause the walls of a prison to tumble to the ground.

Scripture Account

Teach the account of Alma and Amulek in prison from Alma 14:1–16:10. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Use the pictures at appropriate times.

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

Briefly review the story of Zeezrom from the last lesson. How did Zeezrom feel when he realized he had blinded the minds of the people? (Alma 14:6.)
How did Zeezrom show he was sorry for his sins? (Alma 14:7.) How did the people treat him? Why do people sometimes persecute those who believe in Heavenly Father?
What did the people of Ammonihah do to Zeezrom and those who believed Alma and Amulek? (Alma 14:7, 9.) How would you feel if this happened to you?
As the sorrowing Alma and Amulek watched the scriptures and the innocent wives and children burning, what did the Holy Ghost tell Alma? (Alma 14:11.) Why didn’t Heavenly Father allow Alma to save the people from the fire?
What happens to righteous people who die in defense of the truth? (Alma 60:13.) Help the children understand that sometimes righteous people have died for defending the truth.
Why do you think Alma and Amulek were able to endure their awful persecutions? What can you do to try to gain the faith in Jesus Christ that Alma and Amulek had? How does standing for the right take courage?
While Alma and Amulek were in prison, what were they given the power to do? (Alma 14:25–28.) Who gave them this power? Why do you think the people of the city ran away from Alma and Amulek? (Alma 14:29.)
Why was Zeezrom sick with a burning fever? (Alma 15:3.) What made it possible for Zeezrom to be healed both physically and spiritually? (Alma 15:6–8.) How have you felt when you have done something wrong? How have you felt when you have repented? (Be careful not to discuss matters that may embarrass the children.)
After he was healed and baptized, what did Zeezrom do? (Alma 15:12.) What are you doing now to share the gospel with others? How can you prepare to serve a full-time mission? What happened to Amulek because he was a missionary? (Alma 15:16.) What sacrifices do missionaries make today to go on a mission?
What did Alma prophesy would happen to the people of Ammonihah if they refused to repent? (Alma 9:18.) How was this prophecy fulfilled? (Alma 15:15; 16:2–3, 9–10.)
What have you learned from the story of Alma and Amulek that will help you have faith in Jesus Christ and stand for the right?

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

Make copies of the Stand for the Right chart at the end of the lesson, and give one to each child. Have the children draw lines that will connect each word on the left to a word on the right to make a statement that takes courage to do. Ask the children to stand when they are finished. When everyone is standing, ask them to sit down and choose a statement that they are willing to take a stand for. Give each child the opportunity to come to the front of the room and repeat their goal out loud while opening the umbrella and standing under it. Example: “I will take a stand to never cheat!” (It is all right for several children to choose the same goal.) Explain that the umbrella represents the teachings of Jesus Christ, which will protect us from Satan if we stand under them.

Stand for the Right

Choose

Prayers

Tell

Property

Never

Kind

Obey

Cheat

Respect

Truth

Be

Swearing

Avoid

Right

Say

Commandments

Follow

Scriptures

Study

Jesus
With the children, make a list on the chalkboard of things children can do to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. Ask each child to choose from the list one thing to do during the coming week. Have the children close their eyes and imagine themselves accomplishing their goals. Invite the children to tell you next week how well they succeeded.
Read the fourth article of faith, and ask the children to identify how Zeezrom went through each of the steps listed.
Sing or read the words to “Stand for the Right” (Children’s Songbook, p. 159). Have the children stand when they sing the last phrase, “And stand for the right.”

Conclusion

Testimony

Testify that as we obey the commandments as Alma and Amulek did, our own faith in Jesus Christ will increase and we will have courage to stand for the right.

Suggested Family Sharing

Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”

Choose	Prayers
Tell	Property
Never	Kind
Obey	Cheat
Respect	Truth
Be	Swearing
Avoid	Right
Say	Commandments
Follow	Scriptures
Study	Jesus