29th Floor Sunday School
by Ben James
A weekly dive into the content of the Come Follow Me curriculum. From his office on the 29th floor in Central Hong Kong, host Ben James leads listeners through a detailed review of the week’s lesson, providing helpful historical background, cultural context and doctrinal explanations to make the lesson more meaningful and relevant. It’s like having Sunday School taught every week by a teacher that is really well prepared and thoughtful...while you are in your pajamas!
Episodes
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Come Follow Me for Dec 14-20 - Moroni 10
Final chapter of The Book of Mormon. Moroni gives us 8 exhortations, starting with exhorting us to remember how merciful God is to us and culminating with the exhortation to come unto Christ. The Book of Mormon is a record of God’s mercy to a small group of wanderers somewhere in the American...
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Come Follow Me for Dec 7-13 - Moroni 7-9
Moroni shares the teachings of his father, Mormon, including a sermon he gave to the Nephite church and letters he wrote to Moroni. His sermon teaches the importance of doing the right thing for the right reason, which is the only way the we can attain personal growth and progress. Through the...
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Come Follow Me for Nov 30-Dec 6 - Moroni 1-6
Moroni, finding himself still alive, gives guidance to members of the future Church of Jesus Christ about a few critical aspects of a church, choosing to focus on the power to give the gift of the Holy Ghost, ordaining and calling teachers, the sacrament, baptism, and meeting together. In a world...
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Come Follow Me for Nov 23-29 - Ether 12-15
Moroni finishes his account of Ether, the great prophet and rightful heir to the Jaredite throne. Ether teaches to believe in God, repent, and hope for a better world. Moroni then discourses on faith and hope, and how both are necessary in order to receive the “heavenly gift,” which is returning…
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Come Follow Me for Nov 16-22 - Ether 6-11
Moroni recounts nearly 2,000 years of Jaredite history, beginning with the journey across the ocean in eight barges by the light of 16 small stones touched by the hand of God. Discussion of the meaning of this journey to us 4,000 years removed and its importance to the Jaredites going forward....
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Come Follow Me for Nov 9-15 - Ether 1-5
Discussion of the beginning of Ether. Moroni condensed the Jaredite record to focus on two main events: their coming to the promised land and their destruction. The former teaches us about Christ, the temple and the Plan of Salvation, while the former is a warning to everyone that has entered…
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Come Follow Me for Nov 2-8 - Mormon 7-9
Mormon finishes his record by pleading with the Lamanites to come to the knowledge that their fathers had of the plan of salvation and their covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. Moroni takes charge of the Nephite records and prepares to close up his account by testifying that The Book of…
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Come Follow Me for Oct 26-Nov 1 - Mormon 1-6
Mormon details the fall and destruction of the Nephites. He was given charge over the Nephite records when he was very young because he was “sober” and “quick to observe,” and so his account is intended to be a spiritual record of the Nephites, recording his spiritual observations and…
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Come Follow Me for Oct 19-25 - 3 Nephi 27-4 Nephi
The Savior teaches the importance of taking upon ourselves His name and building upon His Gospel, and if we do this then we are His disciples and members of His church. He teaches the Gospel, which is that He came to be lifted up so that when we are lifted up to judged, we are judged by Christ...
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Come Follow Me for Oct 12-18 - 3 Nephi 20-26
The Savior concludes his teaching to the Nephite masses by administering the sacrament through His apostles and teaching about the gathering of Israel. He makes sure their scriptures include important events and teachings that they had failed to record, including evidence of His ability to…
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Come Follow Me for Sept 28-Oct 11 - 3 Nephi 17-19
Christ continues to teach the descendants of Lehi in the ancient Americas. He heals their sick and afflicted and blesses their children, giving the Savior a fullness of joy. He administers the sacrament to the 12 and then commands them to give it to the multitudes. He ascends back to heaven,...
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Come Follow Me for Sept 21-27 - 3 Nephi 12-16
Study of the sermon taught to the Nephites at the temple, parts of which are nearly identical to the King James version of the Sermon on the Mount. We discuss reasons as to why that might be the case and closely look at some of the differences. We then consider ways in which the teachings that...
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Come Follow Me for Sept 14-20 - 3 Nephi 8-11
In the midst of Nephite infighting an incredible storm arrives that destroys cities and kills thousands. The three hours of constant destruction are followed by thick darkness. In the midst of the darkness, they hear a voice testifying that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Not long after…
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Come Follow Me for Sept 7-13 - 3 Nephi 1-7
Nephite society goes from wickedness, to righteousness, and then back to wickedness. The sign of Christ’s birth causes them to believe for a time, but before long they forget and the Gadianton robbers gain power. The Nephites are forced to come together to protect themselves from the robbers, and...
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Come Follow Me for August 31-September 6 - Helaman 13-16
Samuel the Lamanite prophet warns the Nephites that they must repent because Christ is coming and he is going to turn their world upside down. They won’t even to be able to count upon the sun going down at the end of the day, let alone the riches and accumulated wealth that they currently rely…
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Come Follow Me for August 24-30 - Helaman 7-12
In this lesson we learn more about Nephi, the son of Helaman, and his struggles to help his people repent and come unto Christ. Like all prophets, he testifies of Christ, and he does so in a dramatic way by miraculously informing the people that their chief judge has been murdered. The message is...
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Come Follow Me for August 17-23 - Helaman 1-6
Nephites suffer from political strife, secret combinations, internal dissentions, and attacks from the Lamanites. Despite these challenges, the solution remains the same: repenting and calling upon the name of Jesus Christ. Helaman counsels his sons, Lehi and Nephi, to build their lives upon the...
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Come Follow Me for August 10-16 - Alma 53-63
Study of the end of the Book of Alma and the second half of the war chapters. We focus on the 2,000 young Ammonite soldiers that entered into a covenant to protect their families, who earlier had entered into a covenant that they would not engage in battle. In some ways, these faithful young men...
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Come Follow Me for August 3-9 - Alma 43-52
Discussion of the first part of the war chapters in the Book of Alma. In this lesson we search themes that Mormon may have wanted us to pick up on and that we can apply to our lives, of which I find eight: (1) the Nephites were motivated by a better cause, (2) the Nephites were prepared for...
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Come Follow Me for July 27-August 2 - Alma 39-42
Alma counsels his son Corianton, who was struggling with keeping the commandments and had a few basic questions about the Plan of Salvation. Corianton was likely guilty of two sins: violating the law of chastity and preventing others from accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ, one of which ranks…
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Come Follow Me for July 20-26 - Alma 36-38
Alma teaches his sons Helaman and Shiblon about faith in Jesus Christ by sharing his conversion story. His journey to Christ tells of him recognizing his sinful and fallen state and learning that the only way he can be saved is through the grace and mercy of Christ. The means in which he recounts...
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Come Follow Me for July 13-19 - Alma 32-35
Alma and Amulek teach the Gospel to the poor Zoramites. Because of their humility, they are ready to give place in their hearts for the word of God. Alma warns that faith cannot flourish where the desire for knowledge leaves no room, and challenges us to set aside the natural desire to trust only...
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Come Follow Me for July 6-12 - Alma 30-31
Study of the teachings of Korihor and the Zoramites, both of whom are anti-Christ. Christ represents the idea that God will come down to this earth, take upon Himself a body of flesh and blood, redeem us from our sins and be resurrected, and both of these apostate philosophies are against these...
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Come Follow Me for June 29-July 5 - Alma 23-29
The converted Lamanites give themselves a new name and bury their weapons of war so that they won’t be tempted to return to their previous sins. By so doing, they demonstrate their commitment to God and covenant that they have moved on from their prior lives, in much the same way that we do when…
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Come Follow Me for June 22-28 - Alma 17-22
The sons of Mosiah take the message to the Lamanites. Two Lamanite kings realize that the foundations upon which they had built their lives are not solid and they are courageous and faithful enough to make the necessary changes after hearing the message of the plan of redemption. In addition to…
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Come Follow Me for June 15-21 - Alma 13-16
Alma complete his sermon to the people of Ammonihah by teaching about the order (or priesthood) of God, which is that men and women that have already come unto Christ are to lead others to Christ through ordinances and covenants, so that Christ can lead all to enjoy the rest of God. Alma invites...
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Come Follow Me for June 8-14 - Alma 8-12
Alma preaches and is rejected in Ammonihah. Following angelic instruction, he returns and is greeted by Amulek who welcomes Alma into his home, which is a tender mercy of the Lord to let him know that he is on the right track. Alma teaches about the promise of a redeeming Christ, but this holds...
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Come Follow Me for June 1-7 - Alma 5-7
Alma records his own sermons to members of the churches in Zerahemla, where they are suffering from pride and contentions within the church, and in Gideon, where things are going better. In Zerahemla, Alma focuses his message on helping the members have a “mighty change of heart,” which is to...
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Come Follow Me for May 25-31 - Mosiah 29-Alma 4
King Mosiah implements a system of judges to rule his people after his passing, and explains why this system will better secure their liberty. However, as we begin the Book of Alma right away Nephite society is confronted with a number of challenges, first from Nehor, an antichrist who taught…
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Come Follow Me for May 18-24 - Mosiah 25-28
Discussion of the role of Alma in establishing a church in the Land of Zerahemla. Prior to this time religion had been something that was more cultural, and one of Alma’s great contributions to Nephite history was setting up a church structure that was separate from the government. Having...
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Come Follow Me for May 11-17 - Mosiah 18-24
This lesson recounts the stories of two different people that are each brought into captivity by the Lamanites and eventually delivered by the Lord. The people of Alma had welcomed Christ into their lives, even covenanting with Him and each other that they would bear one another’s burdens and…
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Come Follow Me for May 4-10 - Mosiah 11-17
Discussion of Abinadi’s teaching to King Noah and his priests. They question Abinadi calling them to repentance, to which he tells he teaches them of Jesus Christ and the truth that salvation only comes through Him and not the Law of Moses (which they weren’t keeping anyway). Abinadi teaches that...
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Come Follow Me for April 27-May 3 - Mosiah 7-10
Discussion of Ammon taking his men to look for the descendants of Zeniff, whom they find to be led by Limhi and in bondage to the Lamanites. Discussion of the symbolism connecting Ammon’s mission to deliver the people of Limhi to Christ’s mission to deliver us. Limhi delivers a sermon to his…
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Come Follow Me for April 20-26 - Mosiah 4-6
Discussion of the second half of King Benjamin’s speech to his people. He helps them to realize the enormous gap between them and God and that we are unable by ourselves to bridge that gap. We thus all must rely upon the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, which we learn purifies our hearts through…
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Come Follow Me for April 13-19 - Mosiah 1-3
Discussion of the beginning of King Benjamin’s beautiful sermon, starting with the background of King Benjamin and the troubles he had in uniting his people. The service Benjamin provided to his people is a type of the service Jesus Christ gave, and he challenges us all to serve others in the way...
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Come Follow Me for Mar 23-29 - Enos, Jarom, Omni, Words of Mormon
Discussion of Enos’s wrestle before God and how we can apply his experience to our own lives as we confront challenges and questions that cause us to do the same. Interestingly, the answer that Enos received was a remission of his sins, which expanded his soul and brought his will in line with...
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Come Follow Me for Mar 16-22 - Jacob 5-7
Discussion of the Prophet Zenos’s Allegory of the Olive Tree and how it is a clear witness of Jesus Christ and His love for us. On the contrary, Sherem who is anti-Christ, is deceived into denying Christ and experience death as a result of it. In addition to the covered chapters, this lesson also...
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Come Follow Me for Mar 9 to 15 - Jacob 1-4
Discussion of the first half of the Book of Jacob, covering the death of Nephi and its impact upon the Nephites. Jacob calls his people to repentance because they are seeking riches for unrighteous purposes and violating the law of chastity and not treating their wives and children with the love...
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Come Follow Me for Mar 2 to 8 - 2 Nephi 31-33
Discussion of Nephi’s teachings on the doctrine of Christ, which is that “there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 31:21). Nephi teaches that Christ was baptized and covenanted with God the Father that He would keep all of His...
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Come Follow Me for Feb 24 to Mar 1 - 2 Nephi 26-30
Discussion of the teachings and prophecies of Nephi concerning the fate of his people as well as the latter-days. In the latter-days many people will deny that God is a God of miracles, but The Book of Mormon will come forth as evidence that God continues to perform miracles. Satan works to…
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Come Follow Me for Feb 17 to 23 - 2 Nephi 11-25
Discussion of Second Nephi’s Isaiah chapters! Nephi sets the scene for Isaiah’s teachings in chapter 11, in which he testifies of Christ, teaching that all things are the “typifying” of Christ, Christ makes possible the Plan of Salvation, and if there is no Christ there is no God. In the 13...
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Come Follow Me for Feb 10 to 16 - 2 Nephi 6-10
Discussion of the teachings of Jacob, the fifth son of Lehi. He begins by reminding the Nephites that they are part of the House of Israel and thus the Lord’s covenant people and eligible to receive great blessings. The greatest blessing we can receive is salvation in the Kingdom of God, which is...
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Come Follow Me for Feb 3 to 9 - 2 Nephi 1-5
Lehi’s discussion of agency and our choice as to which law we wish to be subject to. On our own, we are all subject to natural law, which is without life or progression or meaning, and inevitably leads to separation from God and misery. In opposition to natural law, Christ put in operation the…
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Come Follow Me for Jan 27 to Feb 2 - 1 Nephi 16-22
Lehi and is family are instructed to leave the Valley of Lemuel, but on the morning of their departure the Lord give them the Liahona, which as long as they are faithful and diligent will lead them in the more fertile parts of the land. Nephi breaks his bow but due to his faithfulness and…
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Come Follow Me for Jan 20 to 26 - 1 Nephi 11-15
Discussion of Nephi’s account of the vision of the Tree of Life, including connections between his vision, the temple and Christmas trees. The meaning of other symbolism in the vision is also discussed, including the two “churches,” or competing philosophies. We are each responsible to inquire of...
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Come Follow Me for Jan 13 to 19 - 1 Nephi 8-10
Discussion of Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life, which symbolizes the spiritual journey each of us must travel along. This tree, which represents the love of God available in His presence, is the same tree that was in the Garden of Eden and which Adam and Eve were prevented from eating after they...
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Come Follow Me for Jan 6 to 12 - 1 Nephi 1-7
Discussion of the first seven chapters of 1st Nephi, including background of the situation in Jerusalem at the time. The first chapter in the book is an ideal way to start The Book of Mormon, in part because of the parallels between the experiences of Lehi and the Prophet Joseph Smith. We review...
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Come Follow Me for Dec 30 to Jan 5 - Introduction to The Book of Mormon
Discussion of the introductory passages of The Book of Mormon. I provide some high level thoughts as to how we as Latter-day Saints should approach The Book of Mormon by focusing on thoughts presented in the introduction passages themselves. We highlight the two histories that we must consider in...
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Come Follow me for December 23-29 - Revelation 12-22
Discussion of the second half of the Book of Revelation, in which I go through each chapter discussing generally what is described, what the main symbolism is understood to mean and how these chapters all tie together. I also include some high-level take-aways from John’s vision, what it means to...
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Come Follow Me for December 9-15 - Revelation 1-11
Discussion of the first half of the Book of Revelation. In this lesson we go through details of the recorded events and discuss some of their potential interpretations. The purpose is to become familiar with the story as it is laid out, discuss some common interpretations and develop enough of an...
About this show
A weekly dive into the content of the Come Follow Me curriculum. From his office on the 29th floor in Central Hong Kong, host Ben James leads listeners through a detailed review of the week’s lesson, providing helpful historical background, cultural context and doctrinal explanations to make the lesson more meaningful and relevant. It’s like having Sunday School taught every week by a teacher that is really well prepared and thoughtful...while you are in your pajamas!
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