Post # 210 -- Come, Follow Me -- Week # 19 -- May 11–17 -- Mosiah 18–24 -- We Have Entered into a Covenant with Him
Dear Family and Friends
I pray that this post finds each one of you in good health and
well being:) This month is going to be a busy one. In fact for
the next three months our family will be busy with birthdays
and summer activities. I am so grateful that we all live so
close together:)
My youngest sister just had her birthday and her anniversary.
One of my granddaughters had her 16th birthday today.
Happy Birthday if you are reading this post. Happy birthday to
any of you out there in cyberspace who have a birthday in May!
Hope you each have a great birthday.
Well, i made some progress -- Yeah me!!! I almost have my
classroom clean. I do still have probably one more car load
before I will say that it is done, but I made good progress.
Look around and find something that you have accomplished
this week and give yourself a shout out!!
The next thing I need to get done is to clean out my
basement and find a place to put everything:) you have never
had this problem right? Having to combine work and home
in the same place and still be organized in both places enough
to keep it together and make continued progress in both
places???
My ex husband said that years ago before I had my strokes
that everything in our home had its place and before bed time
everything was in its place! Well, that woman left with the
strokes and the memories that the strokes took from me.
I was in my early 20’s when I had those strokes and a lot
has happened in my life since that time. I really have tried
to do better and to be better. I will continue to try to do
better and to be better and I challenge each one of you to
do the same.
Having said this, I pray that you will each remember that
you must work on your spiritual well being and good health
as well as your physical well being and health! I know that
we must work on both, but I firmly believe if you had to
choose, which to work on, I would choose to work on your
spiritual health first!!
Since I have challenged you to work on your spiritual
development, what do you say we get to our lesson for
this week? We will begin with this quote from President
Monson’s teachings which comes to you directly from the
Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families:
President Thomas S. Monson taught, “As we read and ponder
the scriptures, we will experience the sweet whisperings of
iahona, Nov. 2013, 122).
Create a Note
You could continue this lesson with your family study
group by asking your family and friends to share some
of the statements of truth or some principles which
they found during their study of this week’s readings
As you and your family members and friends continue
to study this week’s lesson you will find some principles
listed in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me for
Individuals and Families. What experiences have you
and your family members had with these truths and
principles.
Mosiah 18:8 Book of Mormon
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are
the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as
his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that
they may be light;
When they were baptized, they made a covenant with God to
Mosiah 18:10 Book of Mormon
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts,
with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments,
that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
While this was an intensely personal commitment, it also had
to do with how they treated one another. Yes, the journey
back to Heavenly Father is personal and individual, and
no one can keep our covenants for us, but that doesn’t
mean we are alone. We need each other. As members of
Christ’s Church, we covenant to serve God by helping and
serving one another along the way, “bear[ing] one another’s
Mosiah 18:8–10 Book of Mormon
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are
the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as
his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that
they may be light;
comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as
witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places
that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of
ye may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts,
Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a
covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his
commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more
abundantly upon you?
Alma’s people definitely had burdens to bear, just as we
all do. And one way the Lord helps us “bear up [our]
community of Saints who have promised to mourn with
us and comfort us, just as we have promised to do for
them.
Mosiah 24:15 Book of Mormon
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were
laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the
burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and
Baptism includes a covenant to serve God and stand
as a witness of Him.
For those of you Who are members of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, you and your family members
and friends should think about your baptismal covenants
and with your family members and friends make a list of
your baptismal covenants on your poster board in a T diagram.
On one side write your baptismal covenants and on the other
side write down as many words and phrases that you can
remember from reading in Alma chapter 18 from Alma’s
description of the baptismal covenants. Once you have done
this you can compare the two lists and see how you have
done so far.
If you are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints you should begin here with you and your
family members and friends either reading together or
separately and then coming back together for your
discussion of the following verses.
As you and your family members come together to discuss
the list you have made of the baptismal covenants this will
also give you and your family study group a good overview
of what you will covenant or promise to do once you are
baptized:)
Now you should read together with your family members
and friends in Mosiah Chapter 18 verses 8 -10. After you
have finished reading through these verses you can fill in
on the lists anything that you find that is missing from
your lists.
It could be helpful for you and your family members and
friends to add words and phrases to your list from the
following scripture passages as well: Doctrine and
Covenants 20:37, 77, and 79.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 77, 79 Doctrine and Covenants
37 And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the
and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and
contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly
repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the
received by baptism into his church.
77 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son,
those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the
that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and
Amen.
79 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son,
who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of
thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee,
O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that
they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
It could also be very helpful to ask you family members and
friends the following questions:
Ask them what each phrase means and what they can do to
keep that part of the baptismal covenant. How does the Lord
bless us as we strive to keep our part of the covenant?
When we are baptized, we covenant to serve God and others.
As Alma taught his people or his followers when they were
preparing for their baptisms that “coming into the fold of
God” would require that they make some changes.
And they would be required to make covenants or promises
with God and look out for the needs of all of His children her
on the earth as you will find in Mosiah chapter 18 verses 8-9.
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the
waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are
and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as
witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that
ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and
eternal life—
I know that my entire family has been blessed since I made
the decision to be baptized and become a member of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Maybe you and your family members and friends could share
with one another any experiences you have had when there
was someone that you know who has been blessed because
of someone else’s baptism into the Church of Latter-day
Saints by fulfilling the baptismal covenant which is
described in Mosiah chapter 18 verses 8 -10.
I know one year when we first moved here we had had all of
our christmas gifts, decorations, and even our tree was stolen.
Then on Christmas Eve we had several anonymous visitors
during the night, the first being a Christmas tree and
decorations.
There was another year when my children needed beds
and dressers and the Lord provided for us again through
other members of His restored Church here on the earth.
If your family and friends have any experiences similar to
these maybe you could share them with one another.
You do not need to be a member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints to be blessed by one who is a
member of the Church. You may have had these
experiences and not even known that they were performed
by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.
When has someone comforted or helped you or your
family members and friends to bear your/their burdens?
How have these experiences inspired us as members of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to keep
your covenant?
It could also be beneficial for you to remind your family
members and friends about just how Abinadi stood “as
[a witness] of God at all times and in all things, and in
family members and friends learn from Abinadi’s example
as your family study group seeks to fulfill this part of our
baptismal covenant?
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
Baptism includes a covenant to serve God and
stand as a witness of Him.
Mosiah 18:8–10 contains Alma’s teachings about the baptismal covenant,
or the promise we make to God at baptism. As you read these verses,
ponder the following questions:
- What do you learn from these verses about the promises you made
- at baptism? What does God promise you?
- What are you doing to keep your promises?
- How does keeping your baptismal covenant help you be
- help you keep your covenant?
This account also reveals the proper mode of baptism. What do you
God’s people are united.
Within this next scripture passage you will find the commandments that Alma gave to his people. These verses describe these commandments which he gave to help his people to become united as members of Christ’s Church.
With your family members and friends read together through
of scripture, think about how these commandments apply to
you and your family members and friends.
Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that
whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God
was added to his church.
ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number
concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
save it were the things which he had taught, and which had
been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.
nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who
had redeemed his people.
in unity and in love one towards another.
22 And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they
23 And he commanded them that they should observe the
sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should
give thanks to the Lord their God.
24 And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had
labor with their own hands for their support.
to worship the Lord their God, and also, as often as it was in their
26 And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their
God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.
27 And again Alma commanded that the people of the church
which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart
more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little
should be required; and to him that had not should be given.
own free will and good desires towards God, and to those
priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked
soul.
29 And this he said unto them, having been commanded of
one another both temporally and spiritually according to
their needs and their wants.
30 And now it came to pass that all this was done in
was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon,
the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful
are they to the eyes of them who there came to the
knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are
that they might not come to the knowledge of the king.
You may want to consider making another list on your poster
board. This list would be of the commandments that you find
in these verses.
Once you have made your list you might want to ask the
following questions
How could following these commandments help ward
members feel more united? Are there any goals that you and
your family members and friends could make individually or
as a group to follow the example of Alma’s people?
You realize that there are some people who wonder if or why
we really need a church? How would you and your family
members and friends respond to this question?
At this point you may want to draw an outline of a Church
building on your poster board. Then write this question on
the poster board under the Church building you have drawn.
Now it is time to conduct a search with your family
members and friends.
You and your family members and friends will be searching
You and your family members and friends may also find
answers in the following excerpt from a talk given by Elder
Christofferson as found below:
Why do we need the Church?
Elder D. Todd Christofferson said: “I realize that there are those
who consider themselves religious or spiritual and yet reject
participation in a church or even the need for such an institution.
Religious practice is for them purely personal. Yet the Church is
the creation of Him in whom our spirituality is centered—Jesus
Christ. It is worth pausing to consider why He chooses to use a
church, His Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, to carry out His and His Father’s work.”
Elder Christofferson then shared reasons the Lord has organized
108–11):
- “To preach the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and
- administer the ordinances of salvation—in other words, to
- bring people to Christ.”
- “To create a community of Saints that will sustain one another
- in the ‘strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life’
- another and strive to approach the full measure of discipleship.”
- To “offer a weekly gathering of respite and renewal, a time
- and place to leave the world behind—the Sabbath.”
- “To achieve needful things that cannot be accomplished by
- individuals or smaller groups [including] dealing with poverty,
- … [taking] the gospel to all the world … [building and
- operating] temples, houses of the Lord, where vital ordinances
- and covenants may be administered.”
- To make available priesthood keys, with which “the Church’s
- priesthood officers preserve the purity of the Savior’s doctrine
- and the integrity of His saving ordinances, … help prepare those
- who wish to receive them, judge the qualification and worthiness
- of those who apply, and then perform them … [and] identify
- both truth and falsehood.”
You and your family members and friends might want to
role-play just how you and or they would respond to a
friend you or they have or a person you or they know
who doesn’t believe can organized church is necessary at all.
They may say something like: “I don't need to go to church
to believe in God!” or “ :I can talk to God when i am fishing
so why do i need to go to church?” Why are we as members
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints grateful to
belong to the Church?
If you are not a member of our Church, but you belong to
another church and attend your church regularly, you could
answer the same question except tell why you and your
family members and friends are grateful to belong to your
church?
What can you learn from the following scripture passage
Mosiah 18:17–31 from the people of Alma that can help
your and your family members and friends to help create
a place where all people feel like they belong at the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Because as you know not everyone does feel comfortable
or welcome at our church or any other church for that
matter, if you are not a member of our Church, what
could you and your family members and friends do to
help people feel more comfortable and welcome at your
church?
Ideas For Personal Scripture Study
God’s people should be united.
As Alma and his people discovered, following Jesus Christ
sometimes means leaving a familiar way of life for something
new and different.
But Alma’s people drew strength from each other as part of
Church? What can you do to help your ward or branch members
Liahona, Nov. 2008, 68–71.https://www.churchofjesuschrist.
The words of the prophets will be fulfilled.
Abinadi made some specific prophecies about what would
happen to King Noah and his people if they refused to repent.
However, to some these prophecies seemed unbelievable
had successfully defended themselves against the Lamanites
words of the prophets will all be fulfilled—in our day as
much as in Abinadi’s.
to declare that Abinadi’s prophecies had been fulfilled?
faith in the warnings and counsel of God’s prophets and
your commitment to follow their words? When have you
seen a prophet’s words fulfilled in our day?
The Lord can make our burdens light.
As you know from our study of the Book of Mormon
so far, you remember that both Alma and Limhi and
their people were in captivity. And during their
captivity they had their burdens to bear.
You and your family members and friends also carry
your own burdens and they are most likely not like
those that the people of Limhi or Alma carried.
But the messages which the Lord has preserved in
their accounts for us can apply to anyone who feels
overwhelmed by their difficult circumstances or their
present circumstances and difficulties with the
adversary or temptations which the adversary lures
you into.
then share with your family members and friends
what you and or they have learned from these
chapters about just how your Heavenly Father can
help you and or them in the middle of our trials
and crisis.
You could also find a brief summary of these accounts
in the following article by L. Tom Perry, “The Power of
Deliverance,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 94–97.
You and your family members and friends could also
share times when you and or they, like Alma’s people,
and have experienced the fulfillment of God’s promise
that He would ease their burdens and visit them in their
Mosiah 24:14 Book of Mormon
shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs,
even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may
a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their
At this time it may be very beneficial for you and your
family members and friends to get out your poster
board (unless you wanted to do this individually)and
take some time to think about what burdens your and
or they may be facing at this time.
After you have had some time to ponder on these things
you could write them on your poster board and discuss
together ways that the Lord helps your and or them
carry yours and or their burdens. Answer the following
questions with your family members and friends:
and or them to turn to the Lord during adversity? How
does the Lord’s promise to Alma’s people in Mosiah
24:14 relate to the covenant we make with the Lord at
If you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints you could answer that last question as
if you were preparing for your baptism.
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
God can make my burdens light.
Limhi’s people and Alma’s people both fell into bondage,
although for different reasons and in different circumstances.
What can you learn by comparing the accounts of Limhi’s
You could note how each of these groups responded to
captivity or how each was eventually delivered. As you do,
look for messages that apply to your life. For example,
what do you learn from these accounts that will help you
carry your burdens?
I can trust the Lord.
Even though they had repented of their sins, Alma and his
people still found themselves in bondage. Their experience
shows that trusting the Lord and living our covenants
doesn’t always prevent difficulties, but it does help us
24:8–17, note words and phrases that can help you learn
to trust in God, regardless of your circumstances.
See also Thomas S. Monson, “I Will Not Fail Thee, nor
Forsake Thee,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 85–87.
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.
Mosiah 18:1–4
There is a saying that you can count the seeds in an apple,
but you can’t count the apples that come from one seed.
Only one person was receptive to Abinadi’s testimony, but
that one person—Alma—influenced generations of Nephites.
Perhaps you could use a fruit with seeds to demonstrate this
principle. How does this message apply to our family? What
can we do to share our testimonies with others?
Mosiah 18:8–10
What can we learn about our baptismal covenant from these
are we doing to prepare for or keep our baptismal covenant?
Mosiah 18:30
What places have special meaning to us because of the spiritual
experiences we had there?
Mosiah 21:11–16; 24:10–15
What do we learn by comparing the captivity of Alma’s people
and Limhi’s people?
Mosiah 21:15; 24:11–15
What do these verses teach us about some of the ways the Lord
answers prayers?
in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Improving Personal Study
Find a time that works for you. It is often easiest to learn when you
can study the scriptures without being interrupted. Find a time that
works for you, and do your best to consistently study at that time
each day.
For next week I want you to think about someone who has
strayed from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now as you read
remember that you may find some insights on how to help
the person whom you have thought of to return to living
the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Enjoy your reading for next week. Be sure to review this
week's lesson with your family. Please remember who you
are!!! Stay safe and keep healthy and doing well. Continue
praying ans studying your scriptures and studying the Book
of Mormon with me. Until my next post, make it a great
week!!
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