LESSON: Alma Counsels His Son Corianton

Today has been a good day so far for the following reasons:

• I ate breakfast with the girls
• We talked about how the day’s going to be
• Chloe spilled her cereal and I didn’t get mad at her
• I went out and played baseball with Caleb (who’s getting really good for a 7 year old)
• I’ve got a lot of things done on my list of to-do’s (mostly last night)
• I’m ready to get most things done today

I also plan to do the following for personal goals:

1. Read an article from General Conference
2. Text my home teaching families to try to come over to see them
3. Say a morning prayer for strength to not waste time today on Facebook or anywhere else
4. Act as if today is my last day to be my best
5. Look over my lesson for Sunday and text Jarin’s dad about what it covers (since he has asked to help teach)

I’m grateful for the gospel and the perspective it gives me.

I’m grateful for repentance and that each day is a new one to be better.

Becky went to the doctor the other day and it looks like July 3rd is the day our new little boy will be born… CRAZY!

Now to the study…

First a review of my lesson:

Purpose

To help the children understand that there are good and bad consequences depending on our choices.

Before I review the lesson, here are a few things that come to mind about consequences:

• It’s better to get positive consequences than negative ones.
• Positive consequences motivate us to do even more of what’s right.
• Recognizing and being thankful for positive consequences can be the challenge – especially recognizing that all blessings come from Heavenly Father.

…in life we have many difficult choices to make, but Heavenly Father has given us commandments to help us.

The attention activity is interesting. If you could only keep two things as you were stranded in a raft on the ocean, which two things would you keep and why:

• Life jacket
• First aid kit
• Chest filled with gold
• Fishing pole, fishing tackle, and bait
• Case of one dozen bottles of fresh water
• Two-way radio
• Box of emergency flares
• Large can of shark repellent

That’s a tough question and there isn’t really a right answer, but it makes you think. Kind of like, “If today was my last day, what are specific things I’d do?”

Reminds me of this scripture:

32 For behold, this ^alife is the time for men to ^bprepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of ^cthis life is the day for men to perform their ^dlabors.

33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many ^awitnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not ^bprocrastinate the day of your ^crepentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the ^dnight of ^edarkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful ^acrisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth ^bpossess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

Amulek goes on to say:

36 And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in ^aunholy temples, but in the ^bhearts of the ^crighteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the ^dblood of the Lamb.

37 And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should ^aworkout your salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ;

38 That ye ^acontend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the ^bname of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and ^cworship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in ^dthanksgiving daily, for the many ^emercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

Interesting note in the lesson manual:

Note: Do not teach the specific content of Alma 39:3–6. Simply summarize it by explaining that Corianton committed a very serious sin while on a mission among the Zoramites. If the children ask about the nature of Corianton’s sin, suggest that they discuss it with their parents.

Corianton’s Main Problem

…thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom.

He didn’t put his trust in God and thought he could handle temptations on his own. This is Pride in all its power.

Why was Alma reminding his son of his sins?

7 And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been ^aguiltyof so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good.8 But behold, ye cannot ^ahide your crimes from God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day.

9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the ^alusts of your eyes, but ^bcross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and ^ccross yourself in these things.

Why should we work with others who have more experience than we do? (like a sponsor)

10 And I command you to take it upon you to counsel with your elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers. And give heed to their counsel.

What was one of the consequences of Corianton’s actions?

11 …Behold, O my son, how great ^ainiquity ye brought upon the ^bZoramites; for when they saw your ^cconduct they would not believe in my words.

What did Alma suggest Corianton do to overcome this problem?

13 That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and ^aacknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done.

Submitting my will to God is the opposite of pride.

“…turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength…” – what does this mean?

To me, it means to fear God, to submit to Him in times of trial and difficulty, actually in ALL times. When it’s tough, seek His help; when things are going great, thank Him for His blessings.

Why did Alma teach his son to not see for riches?

14 ^aSeek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.

More on this topic:

Jacob 2: 18-19:

18  But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
19  And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.

Matt. 6:32-34:

32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

D&C 6:7

7  Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.

D&C 68:31

31  Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness.

To me, this is all about priorities. IF I seek first the kingdom of God and His will, THEN all other things will be added to me as needed.

IF I want to serve missions, I’ll need the financial means to be able to do that.

IF I want to help my Chilean friends who need help, THEN I’ll need the opportunities to do that as well.

BUT, if I seek after the financial blessings as my top priority, I won’t necessarily be blessed with the wisdom to make the right choices for myself and my family.

I’m grateful for this reminder.

Lesson Activity

Consider the consequences (positive and negative) of these decisions:

• The language they use
• Keeping the Sabbath day holy
• The clothes they wear
• Obeying their parents
• The music they listen to
• Stealing
• The movies, videos, and television shows they watch
• Telling the truth
• The books and magazines they read

Additional Activity

Discuss the eleventh article of faith and how each person is responsible for his or her choices.

• Why should we not try to force someone to believe the gospel?
• Why should we expect others to let us worship God as we desire?

Help the children memorize the eleventh article of faith.

I just texted Josh W. so Jarin could help with the lesson. I feel that’s a great opportunity for the boys to help with the lessons so they can learn how to teach, how to think about the gospel as it applies to them, and how to study the words of truth.

I’m grateful for my calling.

I’m grateful for my testimony.

I feel I can always repent.

I feel I can always be better in a variety of ways.

I’m grateful for the time I’ve made this morning to do important things: be with my kids and study the gospel.

Now it’s time to make money to support my family. I know God will bless me as I do all I can do and do not idle away my time.

Hasta manana!

Nate