Jarom 1

“Jarom 1,” Book of Mormon Teacher Resource Manual (2004), 93

Introduction

The book of Jarom offers promises of blessing for the righteous and suffering for the wicked. “Be it said of the book of Jarom that its language is plain, its spirit strong, and its message universal” (Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon: Volume II—Jacob through Mosiah [1988], 105).

Some Important Gospel Principles to Look For

  • God is patient and merciful, offering the wicked opportunities to repent and return to Him (see Jarom 1:3).

  • The Holy Ghost communes with those who are humble and exercise faith (see Jarom 1:4).

  • The righteous are blessed spiritually and often temporally, while the wicked suffer and are eventually destroyed (see Jarom 1:3–12).

Additional Resources

  • Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121 and 122, p. 51.

Suggestions for Teaching

Jarom 1:3–12. The righteous are blessed spiritually and often temporally, while the wicked suffer and are eventually destroyed.

(10–15 minutes)

Draw two doors on the board. Label one door Happiness and Eternal Life and the other Suffering and Destruction. Show students the doors and ask:

  • Would you be interested in a key that would allow you to enter the door to happiness and eternal life? Why?

  • Who decides what door you will go through?

  • What would you be willing to do to receive the key?

Divide the class into two groups. Invite one group to read Jarom 1:4–12 and look for what people do that leads to happiness and eternal life. Have the other group read the same verses and look for what people do that leads to suffering and destruction. Have them write what they find on the board beneath the appropriate door.

Another option would be to read Jarom 1:4–12 with the students, asking the following questions as you read:

  • What did the Nephites do to keep the Lord’s commandments? (see v. 5).

  • According to verse 7, what part did their leaders play in their strength?

  • What effect did the Nephites’ righteousness have on their strength? (see v. 9).

  • What does “threaten … according to the word of God” mean in verse 10?

  • How could the Nephites’ belief in the coming of Christ help them? (see v. 11).

  • In what ways do latter-day prophets and apostles “continually stir [us] up unto repentance”? (v. 12).

  • What blessing resulted from the Nephites’ repentance?

  • What blessing can it bring us?

Consider asking students why they think people sometimes choose evil even when they know the consequences that accompany that choice.

  Listen