Teenage Challenge Questions – Alma 47

Things aren't always as they appear. There is so much to be learned in discussing the following story. There are hundreds of questions you could ask with every chapter you read. Ask as many questions as you can, and then dig deeper and find more questions to ask. In this process you'll find your greatest treasures. Teenagers and young adults love such things.

Questions for Discussion

Why did Amalickiah's small group have to flee into the wilderness? Why was Moroni able to see through Amalickiah's subtle plans? How did Moroni respond when he heard what Amalickiah was doing? How were Amalickiah's plans received by the Nephites? (See Moroni 46)

Have you ever been stirred up to anger? How? Have you ever stirred others up to anger? What was your motive? What were Amalickiah's motives in going up against the Nephites to battle? What did Amalickiah say and do to persuade the king to go to battle with the Nephites? What did the king think he was going to gain from this battle? How did Amalickiah use anger to control the Lamanites and get them to carry out his plan?

1 Now we will return in our record to Amalickiah and those who had fled with him into the wilderness; for, behold, he had taken those who went with him, and went up in the land of Nephi among the Lamanites, and did stir up the Lamanites to anger against the people of Nephi, insomuch that the king of the Lamanites sent a proclamation throughout all his land, among all his people, that they should gather themselves together again to go to battle against the Nephites.

Who usually starts a battle? What are the motives of leaders who declare war? What are wars fought over? Do the ones on the battle field want to be there? Why did the Lamanites fear to displease the king? Why did they fear to go against the Nephites to battle? What would you have done? Did they have to obey the king? Can you be forced to fight and go to war?

2 And it came to pass that when the proclamation had gone forth among them they were exceedingly afraid; yea, they feared to displease the king, and they also feared to go to battle against the Nephites lest they should lose their lives. And it came to pass that they would not, or the more part of them would not, obey the commandments of the king.

Before Amalickiah came into their land, did the king have a desire to go to war? How did Amalickiah control the king? Why did the king listen to and follow Amalickiah? How did Amalickiah gain control of the army? Is the king even listening to his people? How well does force and control work? How would you feel if you were compelled to go to battle?

3 And now it came to pass that the king was wroth because of their disobedience; therefore he gave Amalickiah the command of that part of his army which was obedient unto his commands, and commanded him that he should go forth and compel them to arms.

What was Amalickiah's plan? How did Amalickiah get the king to go along with his plan? What does it mean to lay a plan in your heart? Can you lay a good plan in your heart? Which has more power: a plan in your heart or a plan in your mind? What was clouding the king's vision so that he could not see through Amalickiah's plan? Definition of Subtle: making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something. How was Amalickiah's plan subtle?

4 Now behold, this was the desire of Amalickiah; for he being a very subtle man to do evil therefore he laid the plan in his heart to dethrone the king of the Lamanites.

How did Amalickiah gain favor with the king and the Lamanites? Did he use flattery? (see Alma 46:10) Why were the Lamanites so open to Amalickiah's suggestions? Why did Amalickiah choose to gain favor with both armies instead of compelling them to arms? Since the rebel army won't be forced to go to battle, can Amalickiah accomplish his plan through flattery and appealing to lusts of the flesh?

5 And now he had got the command of those parts of the Lamanites who were in favor of the king; and he sought to gain favor of those who were not obedient; therefore he went forward to the place which was called Onidah, for thither had all the Lamanites fled; for they discovered the army coming, and, supposing that they were coming to destroy them, therefore they fled to Onidah, to the place of arms.

If these Lamanites were fixed in their minds with a determined resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites, how come Amalickiah succeeded in getting them to go to battle against the Nephites? (see Alma 48:1-3) Why did Amalickiah need to keep his real plan from these people? Did they even know they were being manipulated?

6 And they had appointed a man to be a king and a leader over them, being fixed in their minds with a determined resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites.

Why would these Lamanites rather fight the Lamanites than fight the Nephites? Were they on the offensive or the defensive when they were on top of Mount Antipas?

7 And it came to pass that they had gathered themselves together upon the top of the mount which was called Antipas, in preparation to battle.

How is Amalickiah's subtlety shifting the Lamanites' perception? Would you have seen through Amalickiah's hypocrisy? Explain. Was Amalickiah ever loyal to the king? Why did everyone trust this newcomer?

8 Now it was not Amalickiah’s intention to give them battle according to the commandments of the king; but behold, it was his intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he might place himself at their head and dethrone the king and take possession of the kingdom.

Why is Amalickiah having his army pitch their tents so near the rebellious Lamanites?

9 And behold, it came to pass that he caused his army to pitch their tents in the valley which was near the mount Antipas.

What was the purpose of this secret embassy? Why did Amalickiah want to speak with Lehonti?

10 And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with him.

Did Lehonti trust Amalickiah? Did he have a reason to distrust Amalickiah? Why wouldn't Lehonti go down to talk with Amalickiah?

11 And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent again the third time.

Was it Amalickiah's plan to harm Lehonti while Lehonti still had suspicions of him?

12 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti’s camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him.

How is Amalickiah abusing his position over the king's army? What did Amalickiah do to gain favor with Lehonti? When Amalickiah offered Lehonti command of the whole army, did he gain Lehonti's trust? Why would Lehonti trust a man who would betray his own army? How did Lehonti's lust for power cloud his vision? Why was Amalickiah okay with being a second leader?

13 And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti’s hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army.

Why did Lehonti go along with Amalickiah's plan? Had he even considered Amalickiah's motives? Why was the king's army unaware of Amalickiah's betrayal?

14 And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his men and surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehonti.

How did Amalikiah get the king's army to want to surrender to Lehonti's army? What were they afraid of? How is fear used to motivate both armies? How did Amalickiah know what to do and say to get the Lamanites to move in the direction he wanted them to go?

15 And it came to pass that when they saw that they were surrounded, they pled with Amalickiah that he would suffer them to fall in with their brethren, that they might not be destroyed. Now this was the very thing which Amalickiah desired.

How are the king, the king's army, Lehonti, and Lehonti's army being used as pawns in the hands of Amalickiah? What was Amalickiah's end goal? Why was it so easy for Amalickiah to gain the trust of the Lamanites?

16 And it came to pass that he delivered his men, contrary to the commands of the king. Now this was the thing that Amalickiah desired, that he might accomplish his designs in dethroning the king.

If this was the custom among the Lamanites, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader, why wasn't Lehonti suspicious of Amalickiah's plan?

17 Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader.

Why did Amalickiah choose to have poison administered by degrees to Lehonti? Would the Lamanites be suspicious if Lehonti was murdered in another way?

18 And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died.

When there is an automatic line of succession, can mischief go undetected?

19 Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander.

Are any of the Lamanites noticing how Amalickiah is gaining his desires?

20 And it came to pass that Amalickiah marched with his armies (for he had gained his desires) to the land of Nephi, to the city of Nephi, which was the chief city.

Why did the king suppose that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands?

21 And the king came out to meet him with his guards, for he supposed that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands, and that Amalickiah had gathered together so great an army to go against the Nephites to battle.

How are the servants of Amalickiah using a false pretense to approach the king? Does the king expect people to reverence him because of his greatness?

22 But behold, as the king came out to meet him Amalickiah caused that his servants should go forth to meet the king. And they went and bowed themselves before the king, as if to reverence him because of his greatness.

Where did the Nephites get this token of peace? What does the stretching forth of the hand token mean?

23 And it came to pass that the king put forth his hand to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites.

How close was the army to Amalickiah's servants and the king? Did anyone from the army witness what happened?

24 And it came to pass that when he had raised the first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and he fell to the earth.

Why did the servants of the king flee? What would have happened if they had stayed? Why did the servants of Amalickiah immediately blame the servants of the king? Is it even reasonable that the king's servants would kill him right in front of so many people? They are with him every day. If they were going to kill him, wouldn't they have chosen a more private location? Did anyone see the obvious?

25 Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants of Amalickiah raised a cry, saying:

26 Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and see.

Why did Amalickiah have the army march forth to see the dead king? Did this make his story more believable? How did Amalickiah use his pretended anger to deceive the Lamanites? How did Amalickiah use an emotional appeal to automatically try and convict the king's guards of murdering the king? Was it insinuated that the army would be guilty of not loving the king if they did not pursue the king's servants? How is Amalickiah manipulating the army with his words? Were the Lamanites acting or being acted upon? (see Free to Act . . . Obtaining Peace)

27 And it came to pass that Amalickiah commanded that his armies should march forth and see what had happened to the king; and when they had come to the spot, and found the king lying in his gore, Amalickiah pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever loved the king, let him go forth, and pursue his servants that they may be slain.

Why did those who loved the king pursue the king's servants? Did they even know what was going on? Do we ever fall into such traps? “If you love the Lord you'll do . . . If you are righteous you'll do . . . If you have good desires you'll do . . . etc.” Do we stop an evaluate each claim or do blindly rush forward doing what we're told? How was revenge used to cloud their vision?

28 And it came to pass that all they who loved the king, when they heard these words, came forth and pursued after the servants of the king.

What would have happened if the servants of the king weren't frightened? How is fear used to control us? Why does the Lord give us this commandment, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”? D&C 6:36 If we don't trust in the Lord, is our only other alternative to fear men?

29 Now when the servants of the king saw an army pursuing after them, they were frightened again, and fled into the wilderness, and came over into the land of Zarahemla and joined the people of Ammon.

Amalickiah not only gained control of the Army, but he gained the hearts of the people. How was he able to gain their hearts? Does this mean they loved and trusted him? How was this accomplished?

30 And the army which pursued after them returned, having pursued after them in vain; and thus Amalickiah, by his fraud, gained the hearts of the people.

Why would the Lamanite army come and take possession of their own city?

31 And it came to pass on the morrow he entered the city Nephi with his armies, and took possession of the city.

Because Amalickiah was the one responsible for informing the queen, did this make him more believable? Why did he only inform her with the information he wanted her to hear? How did Amalickiah show the queen that he had acted responsibly to take vengeance on those who killed the king? How did these communications add to the credibility of Amalickiah's story?

32 And now it came to pass that the queen, when she had heard that the king was slain—for Amalickiah had sent an embassy to the queen informing her that the king had been slain by his servants, that he had pursued them with his army, but it was in vain, and they had made their escape—

Why did the queen need to ask Amalickiah to spare the people of the city? Why did the queen want witnesses of the king's murder brought to her? Just because someone is a witness, does it follow that they are telling the truth? Do witnesses ever have ulterior motives?

33 Therefore, when the queen had received this message she sent unto Amalickiah, desiring him that he would spare the people of the city; and she also desired him that he should come in unto her; and she also desired him that he should bring witnesses with him to testify concerning the death of the king.

What secret combination did Amalickiah have with his servants that held them loyal to each other to accomplish this evil plan? What motive did Amalickiah's servants have to lie to the queen? How was the queen to know the truth? What was the king's guards motive for fleeing? Can a story be twisted to make it appear different than what happened?

34 And it came to pass that Amalickiah took the same servant that slew the king, and all them who were with him, and went in unto the queen, unto the place where she sat; and they all testified unto her that the king was slain by his own servants; and they said also: They have fled; does not this testify against them? And thus they satisfied the queen concerning the death of the king.

How do you suppose Amalickiah gained the favor of the queen? How come all these people are giving their hearts to Amalickiah? Is he charming? Witty? Charismatic? Believable? Pleasant to be with? How did Moroni see through Amalickiah's subtle plans yet the Lamanites do not? Did Amalickiah immediately become king of the Lamanites or did the queen need to fall in love with him first? Did he come in the front door with force, or did he use flattery to get these Lamanites to follow him?

35 And it came to pass that Amalickiah sought the favor of the queen, and took her unto him to wife; and thus by his fraud, and by the assistance of his cunning servants, he obtained the kingdom; yea, he was acknowledged king throughout all the land, among all the people of the Lamanites, who were composed of the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites, and all the dissenters of the Nephites, from the reign of Nephi down to the present time.

Does instruction and information change hearts? What must be the condition of our hearts to be able to understand the Lord? When we turn away from the light we have received, do we go back to our previous state or do we become worse than we were in the first place? Why do people forget the Lord their God?

36 Now these dissenters, having the same instruction and the same information of the Nephites, yea, having been instructed in the same knowledge of the Lord, nevertheless, it is strange to relate, not long after their dissensions they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites—drinking in with the traditions of the Lamanites; giving way to indolence, and all manner of lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God.

How does the devil use anger, fear, jealousy, flattery, revenge, lust for power and control, etc. to blind you and move you around like a pawn on his chest board?

Children Reenactment of Amalickiah Uses Treachery, Murder, and Intrigue to Become King of the Lamanites

Each month we invite friends over to our home to enjoy a potluck dinner and join us in a gospel discussion. It has worked well to plan something for the children while the adults have their discussion. Last month the children had a great time Reenacting Ammon Protects Lamoni's Flocks. This month we decided to learn another exciting story.

First we told them the story found in Alma 47 where Amalickiah uses treachery, murder, and intrigue to become King of the Lamanites. None of the children knew the story when we started.

Gratefully we had a lot of children show up on Sunday. We needed Amalickiah, the king and queen, Lehonti, Amalickiah's servants, the king's guards, an obedient Lamanite army, and a rebel Lamanite army. After hearing the story, everyone decided which role they wanted to play.

We read a few verses out of the scriptures and then filmed the children while they acted out the story. It works well to read the scripture while they are acting so we have enough footage for the video. We only film a small section at a time. Most of the footage is their first run through. The idea is to have a lot of fun and learn the story. We have children of all ages, so keeping it fast paced helps keep everyone's attention. It's fun to see how the little ones follow along as the older ones lead out in the show.

This is proving to be a successful means of teaching the scriptures to young children. They learn the story, act out the story, and watch the story over and over because children love watching themselves. We included the original text from the Book of Mormon, so they learn the scriptures while watching the video.

Enjoy the show!

Picture Scripture Chase – Alma 47

If each week you introduce one new Picture Scripture Chase and practice the ones you've already introduced, in less than five years, your children will have mastered the basic stories of the Book of Mormon and know where those stories can be found in scripture. If it takes you a little longer because you're Memorizing a Passage from each chapter, answering all the Book of Mormon Trivia
 and/or Teenage Challenge Questions, doing the activities, and pursuing the Scripture Chains, you might only introduce two new pictures a month. At this pace, it will take less than 10 years to thoroughly study the Book of Mormon with your children; and in their adult years, they will have a solid foundation upon which to build.

This is the third picture scripture chase we've added to our Book of Mormon Scrapbook. Read a verse off the back of one of the three scripture chase pictures. Have your children show you the picture that goes along with the verse you read. You can start your scripture study each day with a couple minutes of scripture picture chase. Kids love doing this.

Print the words from Alma 47 on the back of this picture. Change the margins and font size so all the words fit on the back side of the picture. Have your children color the picture before putting it in their Book of Mormon scrapbook.

Alma 47 Picture

Words From Alma 47

Now we will return in our record to Amalickiah and those who had fled with him into the wilderness; for, behold, he had taken those who went with him, and went up in the land of Nephi among the Lamanites, and did stir up the Lamanites to anger against the people of Nephi, insomuch that the king of the Lamanites sent a proclamation throughout all his land, among all his people, that they should gather themselves together again to go to battle against the Nephites. And it came to pass that when the proclamation had gone forth among them they were exceedingly afraid; yea, they feared to displease the king, and they also feared to go to battle against the Nephites lest they should lose their lives. And it came to pass that they would not, or the more part of them would not, obey the commandments of the king.

And now it came to pass that the king was wroth because of their disobedience; therefore he gave Amalickiah the command of that part of his army which was obedient unto his commands, and commanded him that he should go forth and compel them to arms. Now behold, this was the desire of Amalickiah; for he being a very subtle man to do evil therefore he laid the plan in his heart to dethrone the king of the Lamanites. And now he had got the command of those parts of the Lamanites who were in favor of the king; and he sought to gain favor of those who were not obedient; therefore he went forward to the place which was called Onidah, for thither had all the Lamanites fled; for they discovered the army coming, and, supposing that they were coming to destroy them, therefore they fled to Onidah, to the place of arms. And they had appointed a man to be a king and a leader over them, being fixed in their minds with a determined resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites. And it came to pass that they had gathered themselves together upon the top of the mount which was called Antipas, in preparation to battle.

Now it was not Amalickiah’s intention to give them battle according to the commandments of the king; but behold, it was his intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he might place himself at their head and dethrone the king and take possession of the kingdom. And behold, it came to pass that he caused his army to pitch their tents in the valley which was near the mount Antipas. And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with him. And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent again the third time.And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti’s camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him. And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti’s hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army.

And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his men and surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehonti. And it came to pass that when they saw that they were surrounded, they pled with Amalickiah that he would suffer them to fall in with their brethren, that they might not be destroyed. Now this was the very thing which Amalickiah desired. And it came to pass that he delivered his men, contrary to the commands of the king. Now this was the thing that Amalickiah desired, that he might accomplish his designs in dethroning the king. Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader. And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died. Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander.

And it came to pass that Amalickiah marched with his armies (for he had gained his desires) to the land of Nephi, to the city of Nephi, which was the chief city. And the king came out to meet him with his guards, for he supposed that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands, and that Amalickiah had gathered together so great an army to go against the Nephites to battle. But behold, as the king came out to meet him Amalickiah caused that his servants should go forth to meet the king. And they went and bowed themselves before the king, as if to reverence him because of his greatness. And it came to pass that the king put forth his hand to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites. And it came to pass that when he had raised the first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and he fell to the earth.

Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants of Amalickiah raised a cry, saying: Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and see. And it came to pass that Amalickiah commanded that his armies should march forth and see what had happened to the king; and when they had come to the spot, and found the king lying in his gore, Amalickiah pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever loved the king, let him go forth, and pursue his servants that they may be slain. And it came to pass that all they who loved the king, when they heard these words, came forth and pursued after the servants of the king. Now when the servants of the king saw an army pursuing after them, they were frightened again, and fled into the wilderness, and came over into the land of Zarahemla and joined the people of Ammon. And the army which pursued after them returned, having pursued after them in vain; and thus Amalickiah, by his fraud, gained the hearts of the people.

And it came to pass on the morrow he entered the city Nephi with his armies, and took possession of the city. And now it came to pass that the queen, when she had heard that the king was slain—for Amalickiah had sent an embassy to the queen informing her that the king had been slain by his servants, that he had pursued them with his army, but it was in vain, and they had made their escape—Therefore, when the queen had received this message she sent unto Amalickiah, desiring him that he would spare the people of the city; and she also desired him that he should come in unto her; and she also desired him that he should bring witnesses with him to testify concerning the death of the king. And it came to pass that Amalickiah took the same servant that slew the king, and all them who were with him, and went in unto the queen, unto the place where she sat; and they all testified unto her that the king was slain by his own servants; and they said also: They have fled; does not this testify against them? And thus they satisfied the queen concerning the death of the king.

And it came to pass that Amalickiah sought the favor of the queen, and took her unto him to wife; and thus by his fraud, and by the assistance of his cunning servants, he obtained the kingdom; yea, he was acknowledged king throughout all the land, among all the people of the Lamanites, who were composed of the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites, and all the dissenters of the Nephites, from the reign of Nephi down to the present time. Now these dissenters, having the same instruction and the same information of the Nephites, yea, having been instructed in the same knowledge of the Lord, nevertheless, it is strange to relate, not long after their dissensions they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites—drinking in with the traditions of the Lamanites; giving way to indolence, and all manner of lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God.

Scripture Mastery – Alma 47:22-28

Things aren't always as they appear. The following scripture was chosen because it demonstrates part of Amalickiah's subtlety in becoming king of the Lamanites. How can you distinguish between truth and fraud?

Read scripture in context:

Amalickiah seeks to be king over all the land. This chapter shows how he uses treachery, murder, and intrigue to become king of the Lamanites. Having failed to obtain his desires among the Nephites, he fled with a small number of his men, before the armies of Moroni, and came over to the Land of Nephi. He stirred up the Lamanites to anger against the people of Nephi until the king of the Lamanites desired to go to battle against the Nephites. Most of the Lamanites would not obey the king because they feared for their lives to go to battle with the Nephites. They fled to Onidah and gathered together on the top of mount Antipas. At the king's command, Amalickiah took the obedient part of the king's army to compel the rebels to arms. But instead of obeying the king, he laid a plan to dethrone the king. Amalickiah persuades Lehonti to agree to come down and surround the king's army during the night. Lehonti is given command over the entire army. Amalickiah is placed under Lehonti and is second in command. Amalickiah's servant poisons Lehonti, kills the king, and blames it on the king's guards. Amalickiah marries the queen and becomes king of the Lamanites.

Scripture to Memorize:

But behold, as the king came out to meet him Amalickiah caused that his servants should go forth to meet the king. And they went and bowed themselves before the king, as if to reverence him because of his greatness. And it came to pass that the king put forth his hand to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites. And it came to pass that when he had raised the first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and he fell to the earth. Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants of Amalickiah raised a cry, saying: Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and see. And it came to pass that Amalickiah commanded that his armies should march forth and see what had happened to the king; and when they had come to the spot, and found the king lying in his gore, Amalickiah pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever loved the king, let him go forth, and pursue his servants that they may be slain. And it came to pass that all they who loved the king, when they heard these words, came forth and pursued after the servants of the king. Alma 47:22-28

The Meaning of Words:

reverence: regard or treat with deep respect

greatness: High rank or place; elevation; dignity; distinction; eminence; power; command.

token: A sign; something intended to represent or indicate another thing or an event.

cry: To utter a loud voice; to speak, call or exclaim with vehemence; in a very general sense; To proclaim: to utter a loud voice, in giving public notice.

gore: Blood; but generally, thick or clotted blood; blood that after effusion becomes inspissated.

Questions to Discuss:

Can you see the The Law of the Boomerang working in this chapter? Did Amalickiah trust his servants? Why might he not be able to totally trust his servants? If the king had not allowed himself to be stirred up to anger by Amalickiah, would have Amalickiah been able to dethrone him as king? How did Amalickiah use anger to his advantage? Why wasn't the king content to be king of the Lamanites? Why did he also need to rule over Nephites? How did Amalickiah uses lust for control and power to his advantage? Why did the Lamanites choose to adopt this custom of peace from the Nephites and not other customs? After the king was killed, why did the king's guards run with fear? How did Amalickiah use fear to his advantage? Why did the army believe the king's servants/guards were the ones who killed the king? Is this reasonable? The guards are with the king most of the time, if it was their intention to kill the king, wouldn't they have done it in more private setting? Would you have been able to see the obvious? How does hypocrisy and the pretense of leaders fool most people? When the army chased and pursued the king's guards, did they become more invested in Amalickiah's story? Did all of the army love the king? How did Amalickiah use revenge and love of the king to his advantage? How does anger, lust for control and power, revenge, and fear cloud our thinking? What governs your actions? 

Marking the Scripture:

You can use a different color to mark each item.

1. Circle each “And it came to pass that”.
2. Remember behold means to look and see. Circle each “behold”. The first “behold” has a “but” before it.
3. How many times do you see “Amalickiah”? Underline each “Amalickiah” followed by Amalickiah's action: Amalickiah caused, Amalickiah raised, Amalickiah commanded, Amalickiah pretended.
4. Underline each phrase that has “king” in it: as the king came out to meet him, that his servants should go forth to meet the king, And they went and bowed themselves before the king, the king put forth his hand to raise them, he stabbed the king to the heart, Now the servants of the king fled, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and see what had happened to the king, and found the king lying in his gore, Whosoever loved the king, all they who loved the king, came forth and pursued after the servants of the king.
5. Circle all “servants”.

Scrapbook Copy of Scripture:

After the children memorize the verse, they can put this colored copy in their Book of Mormon Scrapbook

Here is a smaller section to memorize that comes from this same passage. My younger children do better memorizing a smaller passage.

If you want to memorize it for life, you can use the chart at the end of the Memorize For Life post.  

Other Helpful Hints are posted at the end of - Remember and Hear God's Voice

Book of Mormon Trivia – Alma 47

In addition to making movies and creating picture books, we play Book of Mormon Trivia to help our children become familiar with the stories in the Book of Mormon. We've been playing Book of Mormon Beanbag Toss and Book of Mormon Puzzler using these questions.

Have the children read the verse aloud from the scriptures. This will help them in their ability to read scriptures. Then have them answer the questions. They get game privileges for reading the verse and for answering questions. Help them understand the question and/or verse if they need help.

We usually do this before school with three of our children who are five, seven, and nine. This is Emma's (age 5) first week joining us for scripture game time.

Alma Chapter 47 Questions

Verse 1

Who is this chapter about?

Why did Amalickiah flee into the wilderness? (Alma 46:29-33)

Where did Amalickiah and his small group go after leaving the Nephites?

What did Amalickiah do when he came to live among the Lamanites?

What did the king send throughout all his land?

Why did the king want to go to battle against the Nephites?

Verse 2

How did the Lamanites feel about the proclamation of the king?

What are the two things they were afraid of?

Why didn't the Lamanites want to go to battle against the Nephites?

Did most of them choose to displease the king or go to battle?

Verse 3

How did the king feel about the Lamanites disobedience?

What did the king command Amalickiah to accomplish with the obedient Lamanites?

Verse 4

Who gave the king the idea to use the obedient part of the army to compel the disobedient Lamanites to arms?

What was Amalickiah's plan?

Verse 5

After gaining command of the king's obedient army, what did Amalickiah plan to do with those who weren't obedient to the king?

Where did the disobedient Lamanites flee to?

Why did the disobedient Lamanites flee to Onidah?

What was another name for Onidah?

Verse 6

Who was led the Lamanites who would not fight?

What was their determined resolution?

Verse 7

Where did the disobedient Lamanite armies go to escape the king wrath?

What were these Lamanites prepared to do?

Verse 8

Did Amalickiah plan to obey the commands of the king?

What did Amalickiah want to gain with the armies of the Lamanites?

Why did Amalickiah want to gain favor with the armies?

What did Amalickiah plan to do with the king?

Verse 9

Which mount did the rebel Lamanites flee to?

Where did Amalickiah have the army pitch their tents?

Verse 10

During the night, who did Amalickiah send into the mount?

What was the name of the leader of disobedient Lamanites?

What did Amalickiah want Lehonit to do?

Verse 11

When Lehonti received Amalickiah's message, did he go down the mount to meet Amalickiah?

How many times did Amalickiah send a message to Lehonti asking him to come down to the foot of the mount to speak to him?

Verse 12

What did Amalickiah do when he found that he could not get Lehonit to come down from off the mount?

Where did Amalickiah go?

How many total times did Amalickiah send for Lehonti?

Who did Amalickiah tell Lehonti to bring with him so he felt safe?

Verse 13

Did Lehonti finally come down to speak with Amalickiah?

What did Amalickiah want to tell Lehonti?

What did Amalickiah give Lehonti?

What position did Amalickiah want?

Verse 14

What did Lehonti and his men do in the night while Amalickiah's army slept?

Verse 15

What did the king's army do when they saw that they were surrounded?

What did they plead with Amalickiah to do?

What were they afraid of?

How did Amalickiah feel about this situation?

Verse 16

What did Amalickiah do with the obedient part of the king's army?

What did the king want Amalickiah to do with the obedient army?

Why did Amalickiah want to deliver up the obedient part of the king's army to Lehonti?

What was Amalickiah's plan?

Verse 17

If the chief leader was killed, who became the new chief leader?

Why do you think Amalickiah wanted to be the second leader over the armies?

Verse 18

Who killed Lehonti?

How did Amalickiah's servant kill Lehonti?

Verse 19

Who did the Lamanites appoint as their leader and chief commander after Lehonti died?

Verse 20

Was Amalickiah's plan working for him?

What did Amalickiah do after he became the leader of the Lamanite armies?

What was the name of the chief city of the Lamanites?

What was the name of the land of the Lamanites?

Verse 21

Who did the king bring with him when he went out to meet Amalickiah?

When the king saw Amalickiah and the armies, what did he suppose?

Did the king have any reason not to trust Amalickiah? Explain

What was the king planning to do with so great an army?

Verse 22

Who did Amalickiah send forth to meet the king?

What did the servants do when they came before the king?

Why did the servants bow before the king?

Verse 23

Why did the king put forth his hand?

Where did the Lamanites get this custom?

What did this gesture mean?

Verse 24

What happened when the king raised Amalickiah's servant from the ground?

What happened to the king?

Verse 25

What did the king's servants do after the king was killed?

Verse 26

What did Amalickiah do after the king was killed?

Who did Amalickiah blame for the death of the king?

Verse 27

What did Amalickiah have the army do after the king was killed?

What did the armies see?

What did Amalickiah pretend?

What did Amalickiah say to the army after they saw the king lying dead?

What did Amalickiah want the army to do with the kings' servants?

Verse 28

When those who loved the king heard Amalickiah, what did they do?

Why were they pursuing the servants of the king?

Verse 29

What did the king's servants do when they saw the army pursuing them?

Where did they go?

Verse 30

Did the armies catch the king's guards?

Why did the Lamanites trust Amalickiah?

Verse 31

After Amalickiah had the king killed, what did he do?

What does it mean to take possession of the city?

Verse 32

Who told the Queen that the king was dead?

What lies did Amalickiah tell the Queen about the king's death?

Verse 33

When the queen received the message from Amalickiah,what did she do?

Why was the queen asking Amalickiah to spare the people of the city?

What three things did the queen desire of Amalickiah?

Why did the queen want Amalickiah to bring witnesses with him?

Verse 34

Who did Amalickiah take as his witnesses?

What did these witnesses tell the queen?

How did these witnesses use the king's servants escape into the wilderness to witness against them?

Did the queen think everyone was telling the truth?

Verse 35

What did Amalickiah do with the queen?

How did Amalickiah obtain the kingdom of the Lamanites?

Which peoples are considered part of the Lamanites?

Verse 36

What did the Nephite dissenters have that the Lamanites did not?

After the Nephite dissenters left the Nephites, how did their wickedness compare with the Lamanite's wickedness?

What happens when someone forgets the Lord after having knowledge of the Lord?

How are the Nephite dissenters described in this verse?

Teenage Challenge Questions – Ether 3

We have a separate devotional for our older children before the younger ones wake up in the morning. We ask a lot of questions and are constantly discovering new things. It's amazing how much we miss when we read the Book of Mormon without stopping to ask questions, examining the meaning of words, and looking deeper into what is being communicated. A careful study of the Book of Mormon is really quite exciting. We are enjoying our early morning study time.

There are hundreds of questions you could ask with every chapter you read. Here's over a hundred questions to consider. Many more questions could still be asked.

Questions for Discussion

What is the significance of the number eight? Eight is new beginning. For example, on the eighth day a new week begins. Where else do you see the number eight in scripture? How many souls were on Noah's ark? What age can we be baptized? What day was John the Baptist circumcised? How many witnesses did Joseph Smith show the gold plates to? Can you think of other examples? What did the brother of Jared do to make 16 clear small stones? Who came up with the idea? How much effort did he put into the preparations? Is there any significance of getting the rock from the same mount where he prayed to the Lord? Have you ever cried unto the Lord?

1 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared, (now the number of the vessels which had been prepared was eight) went forth unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of its exceeding height, and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lord, saying:

Why did the brother of Jared think the Lord might be angry with him because of his weakness? See Genesis 11:1-9 and Ether 1:33. Has the brother of Jared seen what happens to those who experience the anger of the Lord? What is the brother of Jared concerned about? In Ether 2:14-15 he was chastened for not calling upon the name of the Lord for his brethren, how does his prayer in these verses show he has repented? Why did the brother of Jared reference the commandment of the Lord when crying unto the Lord? When we come to Jesus with His words are praying in the name of Jesus? How is fulfilling the commandments of the Lord show forth faith? How does the brother of Jared see himself when compared to Jesus?

2 O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness before thee; for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires.

Why were the Jaredites smitten? Why were they driven forth? Yet, what did the Brother of Jared say about how the Lord has been toward them? In your troubles, do you see the Lord's merciful hand in your life? Can you imagine how the brother of Jared must have felt as he asked Jesus to look at the stones in his hands? This was his best work. He did carefully molten each one of those small stones out of rock.

3 Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock.

How does the brother of Jared know the Lord has all power? Do we have the belief or faith to come before Jesus with confidence in the Lord's power?

4 And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.

Why does the Lord's great power, look small unto the understanding of men?

5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.

Was the brother of Jared still holding the stones in his hands when the Lord touched them? Do you think he could he feel the pressure on his hand as each stone was touched? Could he feel each stone being touch before he saw the Lord's finger? Why did the Lord touch each stone one by one instead of speaking and giving light to the stones? How could Jesus come in flesh and blood long before He is born? What is this veil which covers our eyes? Why was the brother of Jared struck with fear?

6 And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear.

What would you do if you knew Jesus was standing right in front of you, but you couldn't see Him? What was the significance of Jesus telling the brother of Jared to arise? Why did Jesus ask him why he had fallen? Why did he think the Lord would smite him? What are your beliefs about Jesus that are not correct? After the brother of Jared saw the Lord's flesh and blood why did he think the Lord would smite him?

7 And the Lord saw that the brother of Jared had fallen to the earth; and the Lord said unto him: Arise, why hast thou fallen?

8 And he saith unto the Lord: I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood.

Faith is a principle of action based on a true belief. What were the brother of Jared's beliefs? What were his actions? What was the result of his faith? Why couldn't he have seen the finger of the Lord without faith? What was the Lord's purpose in asking the brother of Jared if he saw more than his finger? Is this question answer session essential so that we come to the Lord at our pace instead of the Lord setting the pace?

9 And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this?

10 And he answered: Nay; Lord, show thyself unto me.

Why is Jesus asking the brother of Jared if he believes the words which he is going to speak? Did he have to hear the words of Jesus before he could determine whether they were true or not? How did he come to know the Lord is a God of truth?

11 And the Lord said unto him: Believest thou the words which I shall speak?

12 And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.

Can you pick out the essential elements in the brother of Jared's walk back into the presence of the Lord? Can you be redeemed from the fall without being brought back into the Lord's presence? What does the brother of Jared now know?

13 And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.

How was Jesus prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem his people? Who will Jesus redeem? How is Jesus Christ both the Father and the Son? What does it mean to believe on His name? What is eternal life? How come we can't have life eternally without believing on the name of Jesus Christ? When do we become Jesus Christ's sons and daughters? What happens to all who don't become Jesus Christ's sons and daughters?

14 Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.

How did Jesus show Himself unto the brother of Jared differently than the prophets who came before him? Enoch lived before the brother of Jared. Didn't Enoch and his people walk and talk with God (Moses 7:69)? Before this time did the brother of Jared know he was created after the image of God?

15 And never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own image? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning after mine own image.

Did Jesus touch the stones with His spirit body or His flesh and blood body? What does it mean “man have I created after the body of my spirit”? What is the difference between a spirit body and a flesh body?

16 Behold, this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear unto thee to be in the spirit will I appear unto my people in the flesh.

Why couldn't Moroni make a full account of these things? In what manner did Jesus show himself unto the Nephites? What body did Jesus show unto the Nephites? Did the brother of Jared touch the wounds in Jesus' hands, feet, and side as the Nephites did?

17 And now, as I, Moroni, said I could not make a full account of these things which are written, therefore it sufficeth me to say that Jesus showed himself unto this man in the spirit, even after the manner and in the likeness of the same body even as he showed himself unto the Nephites.

How were the Nephites ministered unto? When you come into the presence of Jesus will He minister to you in like manner? Why did the brother of Jared need to be ministered to in this manner to know Jesus was God? Why did Jesus show him many great works? How did Moses tell the difference between God and Satan (Moses 1)?

18 And he ministered unto him even as he ministered unto the Nephites; and all this, that this man might know that he was God, because of the many great works which the Lord had showed unto him.

How did the brother of Jared get knowledge? How did knowledge give him access to see inside the veil? What is the veil? What is it to see inside the veil? Why did he fall with fear when he saw Jesus' finger? What does it mean to know without a shadow of a doubt?

19 And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting.

Why couldn't he be kept from within the veil after receiving a perfect knowledge of God? What happens when you see Jesus? What is covering Jesus from our view? What is this veil?

20 Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.

Why didn't the Lord want these things to go forth unto the world until the time when He glorfied His name in the flesh? Is going forth unto the world the same thing as going forth to other believers (Mosiah 28:7)? This record was found before Jesus Christ came in the flesh (Mosiah 8, Ether 4:1)? Was the brother of Jared allowed to tell anyone about what he saw and heard? What does it mean to treasure up? What kind of treasures do we seek?

21 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: Behold, thou shalt not suffer these things which ye have seen and heard to go forth unto the world, until the time cometh that I shall glorify my name in the flesh; wherefore, ye shall treasure up the things which ye have seen and heard, and show it to no man.

Did the brother of Jared continue to come unto Jesus after this manifestation? What did he do with all manifestations of Jesus? Did the brother of Jared have the sealing power? How did the brother of Jared seal up the record? In what language did the brother of Jared write these things?

22 And behold, when ye shall come unto me, ye shall write them and shall seal them up, that no one can interpret them; for ye shall write them in a language that they cannot be read.

Why were two stones sealed up with the record?

23 And behold, these two stones will I give unto thee, and ye shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write.

Was this language the same language which was confounded at the tower of babel? If so, was the language confounded for the brother of Jared? How would stones magnify to eyes of men these things?

24 For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore I will cause in my own due time that these stones shall magnify to the eyes of men these things which ye shall write.

Why is showing the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth an important part of God's ministry? How did this ministry give the brother knowledge that Jesus was God? How is the spirit of prophecy connected with receiving the testimony of Jesus?

25 And when the Lord had said these words, he showed unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, and also all that would be; and he withheld them not from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth.

When had Jesus told the brother of Jared that IF he would believe in him that he could show him all things? How seriously and literally did the brother of Jared take Jesus' words? How did he know not merely believe the Lord could show him all things?

26 For he had said unto him in times before, that if he would believe in him that he could show unto him all things—it should be shown unto him; therefore the Lord could not withhold anything from him, for he knew that the Lord could show him all things.

Who would show these things unto the children of men? When?

27 And the Lord said unto him: Write these things and seal them up; and I will show them in mine own due time unto the children of men.

Did you notice the Lord repeats His instructions more than once? What is the purpose for this repetition? How many times does the Lord command him to seal up the record and show them not to the children of men (see also Ether 4:1)? Were these the two stones Joseph Smith used (JSH 1:52)?

28 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that he should seal up the two stones which he had received, and show them not, until the Lord should show them unto the children of men.

Book of Mormon Puzzler

The children love playing Book of Mormon Beanbag Toss, but we wanted to play another game to change things up a bit.

We love putting puzzles together. It's a relaxing pass time you can do with others or by yourself. We get most of our puzzles from the Dollar Store. They usually have a large selection of puzzles and they're only a dollar.

Materials: Book of Mormon, Book of Mormon Trivia Questions, & a 24 piece puzzle (We have several different puzzles the children can choose from.)

Object: Put the complete puzzle together

How to Play: Have a child read a verse from a Book of Mormon Trivia Chapter

Ask another child a Book of Mormon Trivia Question.

Alternate back and forth between children until all the questions have been answered for that verse.

Now its time for everyone to pick out puzzle pieces. The child reading the verse gets to reach their hand into the puzzle box and randomly pick out two pieces. For every question they answer correctly, they get two more puzzle pieces. If they ask for help with their question, they still get their two puzzle pieces. Anyone helping to answer a question also gets two pieces.

Have them lay their pieces out in from of them. They can start using their pieces to put the puzzle together.

Have another child read the next verse and continue playing the game until the puzzle is finished.

Variation #1: Using a 24 piece puzzle, lay out all the pieces before starting the game. The children get to choose which puzzle pieces they want. It is not a random selection.

Variation #2: Using a 100 piece puzzle, lay out all the pieces before starting the game. The children get to choose which puzzle pieces they want. It is not a random selection. Instead of giving them 2 pieces for reading a verse or answering a question, give them 4-8 pieces.

Scripture game time for this age is 15-30 minutes.