Dare to do right! Dare to be true! You have a work that no other can do; Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well, Angels will hasten the story to tell. Dare, dare, dare to do right; Dare, dare, dare to be true, Dare to be true, dare to be true. Dare to do right! Dare to be true! Other men’s failures can never save you. Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith; Stand like a hero and battle till death. Words: George L. Taylor, b Music: Arr. by A. C. Smyth, 1840–1909 mp3wa v wm a

In ancient times when men went to battle with swords and spears, how did they protect their heads, hearts, stomachs, arms, legs, and feet? (With armor.) (With armor.) We are all in a war against evil. The temptations and the powers of Satan are very real. Heavenly Father does not want us to fight the battle against evil unprotected.

Let’s read Ephesians 6:11, 13–18. Ephesians 6:11, 13–18Ephesians 6:11, 13–18 11 Put on the whole a armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins a girt about with b truth, and having on the c breastplate of d righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of a peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of a faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery b darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of a salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 a Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all b perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Here is our faithful soldier getting ready for battle. His armor isn’t on yet. If he goes into battle do you think he will survive?

Here is our faithful soldier getting ready for battle. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins a girt about with b truth, and having on the c breastplate of d righteousness; Girdle (belt) = Truth Breastplate = Righteousness

Here is our faithful soldier getting ready for battle. 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of a peace; Shoes = Preparation of the gospel of peace

Here is our faithful soldier getting ready for battle. 16 Above all, taking the shield of a faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery b darts of the wicked. Shield = Faith Sword = God’s Spirit (word of God)

Here is our faithful soldier getting ready for battle. 17 And take the helmet of a salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Helmet = Salvation

Now our brave soldier is ready for battle. Just like we will be against Satan when we are armed and ready.

Today’s lesson is about protecting ourselves with the armor of God. We are going to learn about Moroni’s army. They not only put on man- made armor, but also had the stronger protection of the armor of God.

L ESSON 25: C APTAIN M ORONI D EFEATS Z ERAHEMNAH

Zerahemnah, the leader of the Lamanites, wanted them to continue to hate the Nephites and to make slaves of them. Alma 43:5–8

The Nephites wanted their land and their families to remain free, and they wanted to be able to worship according to their desires. Alma 43:9

Captain Moroni was the leader of the Nephite armies. When the Lamanites came to fight, though he did not want to fight, Moroni and his armies met them in the land of Jershon. Alma 43:15–16

Captain Moroni prepared his army with many weapons of war, with shields and armor, and with thick clothing. Alma 43:18–19

The Lamanites had a larger army, but they wore very little clothing. They were afraid when they saw the armor of the Nephites. Alma 43:20–21

The Lamanite army dared not fight Captain Moroni’s army. They fled into the wilderness to attack another Nephite city. Alma 43:22

Moroni sent spies to watch the Lamanites. He also asked Alma to ask the Lord for help. The Lord revealed where the Lamanites would attack. Alma 43:23–24

When Moroni received Alma’s message, he left some soldiers to guard Jershon, then marched the rest of them to meet the Lamanites. Alma 43:25

Captain Moroni’s soldiers hid on both sides of the river Sidon and waited to trap the Lamanite army when it came to the river. Alma 43:27, 31– 35

A battle began, and the Lamanites tried to escape across the river—but more Nephites were on the other side! Alma 43:36, 39–41

Fighting harder than they ever had before, Zerahemnah and his army killed many Nephites. The Nephites cried to the Lord for help. Alma 43:43–44, 49

The Lord gave the Nephite army power. They surrounded the Lamanites, and Moroni ordered the fighting to stop. Alma 43:50–54

Moroni told Zerahemnah that the Nephites did not want to kill the Lamanites or make slaves of them and that the Lord had helped the Nephites. Alma 44:1–3

He said that the Lamanites could not destroy the Nephites’ faith in Jesus Christ, that God would help the Nephites as long as they were faithful. Alma 44:4

Ordering Zerahemnah to give up his weapons, Moroni said that the Lamanites would not be killed if they promised to never fight the Nephites again. Alma 44:5–6

Zerahemnah gave Moroni his weapons but would not promise to never fight again. So Moroni returned the weapons so that they could defend themselves. Alma 44:8, 10

Zerahemnah rushed at Moroni to kill him, but a Nephite soldier hit and broke Zerahemnah’s sword. Alma 44:12

Then the soldier cut off Zerahemnah’s scalp and, while Zerahemnah went back to his army, put it on the tip of his sword and held it out. Alma 44:13

The Lamanites would fall to the earth as the scalp had fallen, he told them, unless they gave up their weapons and promised to be peaceful. Alma 44:14

Many Lamanites threw down their weapons at Moroni’s feet and promised not to fight again. They were allowed to go free. Alma 44:15

Furious, Zerahemnah stirred up the rest of his soldiers to fight again, but Moroni’s soldiers killed many of them. Alma 44:16–18

When Zerahemnah saw that he and all his men would be killed, he begged Moroni to spare them and promised to never fight the Nephites again.Alma 44:19

Moroni stopped the fighting and took the Lamanites’ weapons. After they made a covenant of peace, they left and the Nephites returned home. Alma 44:20, 23

Discussion time

Why did Zerahemnah, the Lamanite commander, appoint Amalekites and Zoramites as chief captains over the Lamanites? (Alma 43:6–7.) Why did the Lamanites want to fight the Nephites? (Alma 43:8, 29.)

Why were the Nephites willing to fight? (Alma 43:45, 47.) Why are our homes, families, liberties, and Church worth fighting for? What do you value enough to fight for?

How did Captain Moroni prepare his army to meet the Lamanites at Jershon? (Alma 43:18–19.) Why did this preparation frighten the Lamanites? (Alma 43:20–21.) In what ways can you put on the spiritual armor of God and be prepared to stand for what is right?

How did Captain Moroni find out where he should send his armies? (Alma 43:23–24.) How do prophets help us today?

Even though the Nephite army wore armor, why did they fear and want to flee from the Lamanites? (Alma 43:48.) How did Moroni inspire them?

What did Captain Moroni’s army do to receive strength and courage to fight? (Alma 43:49–50.) How can prayer help you put on the armor of God? (Ephesians 6:18.)

After Moroni had surrounded the Lamanites, what did he do that showed he was not a man of bloodshed? (Alma 43:54; 44:1–2, 6.)

Why did the Lord deliver the Lamanites into the hands of Moroni’s army? (Alma 44:3.) What promise did the Lord make to the Nephites and to us if we are faithful? (Alma 44:4.) What did Zerahemnah think was protecting the Nephites? (Alma 44:9.)

What happened when the angry Zerahemnah would not make the oath of peace? (Alma 44:12.) What happened to the Lamanites who covenanted not to fight? (Alma 44:15.) Why is it important for us to keep promises and covenants?

In the beginning of today’s lesson we compared a soldier’s armor to the “armor of God” We are going to show you the 6 parts and what they symbolize. Can you match the armor part to the armor of God part? Enr. Act. 1

Girdle (belt) Breastplate Shoes Shield Helmet Sword Salvation Righteousness Faith God’s Spirit Truth Preparation of the gospel of peace Enr. Act. 1

Ask the children what types of things Satan uses today to try to wound or kill us spiritually. Certain movies, television programs, videos, books, or magazines Temptations to break the Word of Wisdom Temptations to not go to church What are you doing to strengthen your spiritual armor? Having personal and family prayers Having personal and family scripture study Having family home evenings Attending church Enr. Act. 3

Let’s look at how Captain Moroni was able to trick the Lamanite Army. Read the verses by the numbers to see how the battle went! Enr. Act. 4

It is important to be protected by the armor of God. When you are protected, it makes it easier to deal with the trouble that Satan can cause you. I testify to you that wearing the armor of God will protect you and help you to develop a stronger testimony and be more in tune with the spirit.

T HE E ND