Mosiah 29:37-44 Thus Commenced the Reign of the Judges

Hold a "mock trial". Pick an item of contention from today. If your family is anything like mine, this shouldn't be difficult. Somebody took someone's toy. Someone didn't get their homework done when they were supposed to. Someone hit someone else, etc.

Choose a judge, witnesses, and a defendant. Older children or adults who can present the case well can act as prosecuting and defense attorneys. Take 5-10 minutes to present the case, question the witnesses, and have the judge make a decision. If found guilty, the defendant could be "sentenced" to do something fun like fix a treat for everyone or put the scriptures away. But don't require him or her to do anything difficult or embarrassing. Then discuss the experience.

Was the judge fair? Why or why not? What happens if anyone in the court is dishonest? In a court system, what can a defendant do if he doesn't like the ruling? What does it mean to appeal? Why are judges more fair than a king?

Mosiah 29:25,29-32 Thus Commenced the Reign of the Judges

Take a few minutes to explain your government to the kids. If you are in the United States, you could draw a diagram of the 3 branches of government.

How are the Nephite judges similar to your government? How are they different?

Mosiah 29:26-27 Voice of the People

Can you think of a case in the scriptures where the voice of the people desired something that was incorrect? Can you think of a case in world history? You could discuss issues such as slavery, naziism, fascism, or racism. What happened?

Why is it rare that the voice of the people desire something that is incorrect?

Mosiah 29:13-24 When is it ok to Have a King?

Together, write down 5 bad kings from the scriptures. What was it that made them bad kings?

Now list 5 good kings from the scriptures. What was it that made them good kings?

Mosiah 29:1-9 Aaron Refuses to be King

Find a "crown" and a "sceptre" - any hat and staff-like item will do. Let the kids each have opportunity to be king for a minute or two. Have everyone bow to them and let them issue commands. Explain to them that it might be fun to tell people what to do, but leadership is more responsibility than fun. Good leaders were good followers before they were good leaders.

Why would Aaron and the other sons of Mosiah refuse to be king? What does it mean to be king? Why do the people even need a king or a government for that matter?

Mosiah 28:11-20 Mosiah Translates the Records

Do your own "translating". Choose a word or short phrase from these verses. Scramble the letters or create a code (every letter off 1 - A=B, B=C, C=D, etc). Have other family members work together to figure it out. If you have some more time, or if they really enjoy this activity during tomorrow's study, allow family members to make up the secret code by substituting letters or scramble letters and write a message from the Book of Mormon so other family members can decipher the code and translate the message together.

Those who can't yet read can draw a picture and let everyone try to guess what it is. Just for fun, you could do your writing/drawing on aluminum foil to simulate metal plates.

What record did Mosiah translate? Who else in the scriptures used these seer stones? (see JS-H)

Mosiah 28:1-8

Memorize: Commit verse 3 to memory.

Have you ever wanted something so much that it caused you to quake and tremble? How do you feel when you think that someone might endure endless torment?

Why do you think they asked for their father's permission rather than going to the Lamanites on their own? Do you think they were old enough to make decisions like that on their own?

Mosiah 27:23-26,32-37 Alma Born Again

Search: Find a definition of being "born again" in the scriptures. What does it mean to be born again? What does it mean to "publish peace?" How can you "publish peace?"

Mosiah 27:19-22 Alma Lies Dumb

Draw a picture of Alma laying with his father Alma kneeling to pray at his side.

Why would Alma the Elder rejoice that his son was laying dumb? Have you ever fasted and prayed for 2 days and 2 nights? If someone really close to you was in a coma like Alma, would you? Why or why not? What was Alma the Younger thinking while he was laying there? If no one knows, tell them we'll find out next time.

Mosiah 27:8-18 Alma Sees an Angel

As you read, have everyone draw a picture of Alma and the sons of Mosiah being visited by an angel.

What did the angel say to them? Why did the angel visit them? Who had been praying for them? Could Alma have chosen not to listen to the angel? If you pray for a friend or family member who needs help, will Heavenly Father help them? Why or why not?

Mosiah 26:29-39 Repentance and Forgiveness

Learn the R's of repentance:

• Recognize to yourself and to God that you have sinned - confess
  
• (feel) Remorse - Godly sorrow
  
• Request forgiveness - from God and from those you have wronged, including yourself
  
• (make) Restitution as far as possible
  
• Refrain from repeating the sin
• Repeat the repentance process if you sin again
• Receive forgiveness
  

Give everyone a small piece of paper and have them write down something that they did wrong that day. Give them a few minutes to think about it. Some days they may not be able to think of anything - more likely just because they can't remember than they really have done nothing wrong that day. If that's the case, they can think of something in the past week or the past month. You may want to share some things you have done wrong to give them some ideas. Kids are usually pretty good at pointing out what their brothers and sisters have done wrong, so if someone still can't think of anything, you could ask everyone to help them think of something. You can also help them think of something by asking questions. "Have your brothers/sisters cried today because of something you did?" etc. If you have everyone share what they wrote to encourage discussion, it would not be wise to force anyone to share. The important part of this exercise is repentance, not mistakes.

After everyone has something written, explain that repentance means feeling sorry for what you've done. You will want to fix what you have done wrong and do the right thing instead of doing that wrong thing again. Ask each person to write down these steps if necessary, then go through the steps to complete the repentance process.

How many times will the Savior forgive our trespasses?

Mosiah 25:1-6,21-24 Nephites and Mulekites Unite

Big Kids Search: Find out more about the Mulekites using the footnotes, Topical Guide, online scripture search, or some other resource. Who were they? Where did they come from?

Little ones draw: Draw a picture of what you think the city of Zarahemla looked like at this time. Who lived there first? Who joined them in these verses?

Why were there 7 churches? Isn't there only 1 true church?