Book of Mormon FHE Lesson – Abinadi and Standing for Truth

Abinadi was a single man testifying for God against an entire angry court. Though his words were rejected, his testimony of Jesus Christ helped convert thousands. Today, we can learn from Abinadi about standing for the truth even when it is hard. 

Scripture

Mosiah 17:10

Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day.

Hymn

Who’s on the Lord’s Side | Hymn #260

1. Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
Now is the time to show.
We ask it fearlessly:
Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
We wage no common war,
Cope with no common foe.
The enemy’s awake;
Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
[Chorus]

Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
Now is the time to show.

We ask it fearlessly:
Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?

2. We serve the living God,
And want his foes to know
That, if but few, we’re great;
Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
We’re going on to win;
No fear must blanch the brow.
The Lord of Hosts is ours;
Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?

3. The stone cut without hands
To fill the earth must grow.
Who’ll help to roll it on?
Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
Our ensign to the world
Is floating proudly now.
No coward bears our flag;
Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?

4. The pow’rs of earth and hell
In rage direct the blow
That’s aimed to crush the work;
Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?
Truth, life, and liberty,
Freedom from death and woe,
Are stakes we’re fighting for;
Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?

Lesson

FOR CHILDREN

Begin the lesson with the following activity. Pick one person to speak a truthful statement. Choose a simple fact, such as grass is green or humans have bones. You can gather many such statements and give everyone a turn. After speaking their statement, everyone else in the room has to try and persuade them otherwise. They can lie and make up any reason they’d like. The goal of the activity is for each person not to waver from their statement or to help others understand why it is true.

Read aloud: In the scriptures, there are many examples of prophets not being believed or listened to. One example is in the Book of Mormon. Abinadi was called by God to tell the wicked King Noah and his people to repent.

Have the children share as much of the story of Abinadi as they know. Review the basics of the story together to fill any gaps.

Read aloud: Abinadi was in a scary situation. He was surrounded by people who didn’t want to listen to him. In the end, he was killed for standing for the truth. Even though we aren’t asked to give up our lives like Abinadi, we have been asked to stand for truth.

Ask: What are some ways we stand for truth? Why is it hard to stand for truth sometimes?

Share any relevant personal experiences. Finish the lesson with your testimony.

FOR TEENS & ADULTS

Begin the lesson by watching the following video. Before pressing play, ask everyone to think about a time in their life when they had to stand alone like President Monson.

Invite everyone to share their personal experiences. Be prepared to share one of your own.

Read aloud: One of the greatest examples of a man standing alone for truth until the very end was Abinadi. Abinadi was only one man testifying against a powerful king and his court. His words were rejected for the most part, and he was sentenced to death. Yet, because of his testimony, Alma was converted and became a great prophet. Thousands would come to know Jesus Christ.

Ask: Why do you think Abinadi was able to “suffer even until death” for the cause of Christ?

Read aloud: In our own lives, it’s rarely easy to stand for truth. We live in a world that often mocks or belittles people of faith. There is also a lot of skepticism about God and doubt filling the hearts of men.

Ask: How can we build our testimonies of Jesus Christ so they can withstand the pressures of the world and share them with others?

Finish the lesson with your testimony.

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Treat

Watermelon Lime Sorbet

Ingredients: 

5 heaping cups cubed watermelon (about 750 grams)
3 tablespoons lime juice
pinch of sea salt (optional)

Directions:

1. Place cubed watermelon on a parchment lined baking sheet or plastic cutting board and freeze for 5 hours, or until frozen.
2. Place lime juice, frozen watermelon*, and sea salt (if using) in a high powered blender or food processor. Blend until watermelon is broken down into shaved ice type consistency.
3. Enjoy!

(Courtesy of eatthegains.com)