Mormon 1:8-19 The War Begins

Draw a picture of Mormon trying to preach to the people, but his mouth is shut. The Lord will not permit him to preach. How old was he? Why did he want to preach to the people? Why wouldn't the Lord let him?

Mormon 1:1-7 Ammaron Hides the Plates

Activity: Draw a picture of Ammaron hiding the plates OR draw a picture of the buildings that covered the land. What do you think the Nephite buildings and cities looked like? What does it mean that Mormon was a "sober child'? Was the hill where Ammaron hid the plates the same hill where Joseph Smith found them (we know that the names are different, but that doesn't mean it was 2 different hills)?

Mormon 2:1-9 Mormon Leads Nephites to War

Activity: This activity could take several hours. If you have the game Risk, give your children the chance to lead armies like Mormon in a game of Risk. Read these verses as you play a round of the game. If you don't want to play a full game, determine that you will end after a certain number of turns, like 4 or 5. Whoever controls the most land after those turns is the winner. You could also play the game in a location where you can leave it out for several days and take several days to complete the game. If you don't have Risk, get out some cards and play "War". If you're not a game player, just have the kids draw a picture of young Mormon ready for war with sword and shield.
Discussion: How does the game relate to these verses? Does fortifying help in Risk? Why didn't it help the Nephites? Does it help to have a strong leader like Mormon or a good strategy if the Lord is not with you?

Mormon 3:10-16 Mormon Refuses to Lead

Activity: Give the kids a chance to swordfight with toy swords or something not dangerous or wrestle for a few minutes. Then read the verses and discuss these questions:
Why did Mormon refuse to lead the Nephite armies? Why were the Nephites starting to lose to the Lamanites? What does this tell us about prospering in our own lives?

Mormon 4:11-23 War and Carnage Continue

Activity: Continue to draw the map that you started last time.

Who is having the most success in battle? Why?

Mormon 4:1-11 The Beginning of the End

Activity: Draw a map of the battles described. Show each city as a dot and color the sea blue. As you read, mark a green "O" where the Nephites defeated the Lamanites. Mark a red "X" where the Lamanites defeated the Nephites.

What does Mormon say was the downfall of the Nephites?

Mormon 5:13-15

Family Fued: List 3 reasons the Book of Mormon will go to the Jews.

Has this prophecy come to pass yet?

Mormon 6:1-15 The Final Battle

Activity: Play war - divide into two groups. One group should be the Lamanites and one group should be the Nephites. Choose something non-dangerous as weapons - it could be toy swords, a paper towel roll, a peice of cardboard, etc. Do "battle" for about 2 or 3 minutes. By the end of the battle, only the Lamanites should be left standing.

How many Nephites were killed? How many were left alive? What happened to those who were left? Why do you think Mormon not only allowed them to go to battle, but petitioned the Lamanite king for battle?

Mormon 8:23 Search Isaiah

Who was Isaiah? Where can we find his words? Have the older kids find the Book of Isaiah. Show the younger ones where Isaiah is.
Search: Find other scriptures in the Book of Mormon that tell us to search the words of Isaiah. Who told us to search the words of Isaiah? Are the words of Isaiah important? Why?

Mormon 8:17-22 Judge not Rashly

Think of the last time you made a mistake. Have each person share their experience. Did anyone tease you or make fun of you? How would you feel if they did? How should they have treated you?

Think of the last time you saw someone else make a mistake. Have each person share how they responded, and how they should have responded.

Mormon 8:1-5 Moroni Remains Alone

Activity: Give each person a piece of paper and allow 3 minutes for them to put down what they would write if they were the last surviving person in the country. Have the little kids draw a picture.

What would you do if you were the last surviving person in the country? What would you write if you knew some one would later read your words?

Mormon 9:9-10

Tough Questions: If God is an unchanging God, why did Christ do away with animal sacrifices and other things?

Mormon 9:15-20 Miracles

Discussion: What is a miracle?
Activity: Make a list of miracles.
For the older ones: Have each person find an example of a miracle in the scriptures.

Mormon 9:24 These Signs Shall Follow Them

Activity: Family Fued: What are the signs that will follow the believers?

Search: Where else in the scriptures does it talk about the signs that will follow the believers? (Hint: use the footnotes)

Mormon 9:21 Whatsoever he shall ask

Memorize: Commit this verse to memory. Is there anyone that is excluded from this promise? How can the Lord make such a promise? What if someone asks for something bad?

This might be a little bit more difficult with the little ones, but this verse is short enough that they should be able to remember it after a few days.

Mormon 9:27-31 Be Wise

Discussion: Have you ever prayed for something selfish (think carefully) ? What does verse 28 say about that? Share something that would have been better to pray for.

Search: It would be hard to find imperfections in the writings of Mormon and Moroni. Nevertheless, Moroni tells us if we find them, we should use those imperfections to help us to be wiser. How can we be more wise than Mormon and Moroni?