Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 8

Jesus saves us from death
Jacob teaches that Jesus will save us from two types of death. What are they? How would you explain these two deaths?

2 Nephi 9:6-11 – Jacob uses the words death, death of the body, and grave to describe physical death. It is the separation of our spirits from our bodies.

2 Nephi 9:9-12, 29 – To describe spiritual death, Jacob uses the words shut out from the presence of our God (verse 9), the death of the spirit (verse 10), spiritual death (verse 12), hell (verse 12), and death (verse 39).

What do we know about these two different deaths?

Temporal (read 2 Nephi 9:4-11)

• This death is necessary to fulfill the merciful plan of our great Creator. How is physical death merciful?
  
• The Savior overcame physical death through his atonement and resurrection.
  All men will be literally, physically resurrected.
  
• Without the Atonement, physical death would be permanent. We would only have our bodies during this relatively short time here in mortality. For the rest of eternity we would be unembodied spirits, like Satan is and will be.
  

How does this knowledge affect us today in what we do? It should not only matter to us when we die or when others we love die.

Spiritual (read 2 Nephi 9:12-16)

• The effects of spiritual death are also overcome because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ
  We will have a perfect knowledge of our guilt – we will comprehend our uncleanness.
  
• The effects of spiritual death will be overcome at least long enough to see if we have availed ourselves of the Atonement. We will all stand before Jesus Christ in judgment. If we have repented and are righteous, we will overcome spiritual death permanently; otherwise, the effects of spiritual death return and we are filthy still.
  
• Note that the filthy “go away.” I like this phrase – rather than being thrown out or cast off, implying that this is something that is imposed upon them, those who are unclean go away, implying that they choose to leave. Compare Mormon 9:4 – as miserable as hell is, the wicked would rather be there with people they are like, than to dwell with God in their filthy state.
  
• Sister Gardner told of raising pigs, and that the smell of pig manure permeates everything and is absolutely vile. Now imagine that you have been warned about this, but choose to sit in the pigpen and make mud pies. Suddenly you find yourself transported from there to the celestial room in the temple. You are still covered with mud and worse, dripping from your clothes, your hair, and leaving tacks everywhere you stand or sit. Everyone within 200 yards can smell you. The Savior is there; the Prophet is there; your loved ones are there, and they are all clean, bright, and smell nice. How do you feel? Does Jesus still love you? Of course he does! But do you want to stay and give him a hug? No, and that is your choice.
  

Overcoming physical death

All we have to do to overcome physical death is to die. Jesus does the rest.

Overcoming spiritual death

Ask assigned class members to read the following verses on section at a time, discussing what Jacob teaches: 2 Nephi 9:18, 21, 23–24, 39, 41, 50–52

• Believe in Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel, and come unto Him (2 Nephi 9:18, 23–24, 41). Why is faith in Jesus Christ essential in order to receive all the blessings of His Atonement?
  
• Endure the crosses of the world and despise the shame of the world (2 Nephi 9:18). What does it mean to endure the crosses of the world? (See Matthew 16:24, footnote 24d; 3 Nephi 12:29–30.) It means to deny ourselves of all ungodliness. In spite of how much we want to play in the pigsty, we stay out. What does it mean to despise the shame of the world? (See 2 Nephi 9:49.) It means that we aren’t ashamed to follow Jesus. We ignore those who laugh at us for staying out of the pigsty.
  
• Hearken to the voice of the Lord (2 Nephi 9:21). How can we hear the voice of the Lord?
  Repent, be baptized, and endure to the end (2 Nephi 9:23–24).
  
• Be spiritually minded (2 Nephi 9:39; see also Romans 8:5–8). What does it mean to you to be spiritually minded? What does it mean to be carnally minded? What can we do to become more spiritually minded?
  
• “Feast upon that which perisheth not” (2 Nephi 9:50–51). What are some things that never perish? How can we “feast” on these things? (Cross reference D&C 88:66)
  
• Remember the words of God (2 Nephi 9:52). How does remembering God’s words help us receive all the blessings of the Atonement? (See 3 Nephi 15:1.)
  
• Pray continually and give thanks (2 Nephi 9:52). How has praying and expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father helped you draw nearer to Him and His Son?
  

What prevents us from receiving the blessings of the Atonement?

• 2 Nephi 9:27 – Procrastinating our repentance and wasting the gifts we have. “I don’t want to get out of the pigpen; I am happy here!”
  
• 2 Nephi 9:28-30, 37 – “This manure is desirable! It will make me happy, especially if I have more of it than you do! I love these mud pies more than anything.”
  
• 2 Nephi 9:31-32 – Spiritual blindness and deafness. Intentionally ignoring signs that we are playing in the muck.
  
• 2 Nephi 9:33 – Being “uncircumcised of heart.” This means that we intentionally choose to break our covenants; we don’t love or honor the promises we have made, or we don’t value God’s promises in return.
  
• 2 Nephi 9:34-36 – Lying, murdering, and committing whoredoms. Those are pretty obvious!
  

The Lord remembers his covenants

The Lord promised to gather the Jews when they repented of their sins and accepted Jesus as the Messiah. These same promises apply to us as individuals. Conclude with 2 Nephi 10:23-25.

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 7

Introduction

Play I Love the Lord as class members come to class.

Lehi’s descendants are to be blessed by the Book of Mormon
Speaking to his son Joseph, Lehi explains some of the blessings that were promised to the posterity of Joseph in Egypt. These promises are referred to in 2 Nephi 3, and explained in great detail in JST Genesis 50:24-38.

In 2 Nephi 3:12, the Lord is speaking to Joseph in Egypt. He is telling Joseph of the scriptures that will be recorded in the future, and some purposes of these writings. Read this verse, watching for what the scriptures will do.

• Confound false doctrines – Are there false doctrines today that could use a little confounding?
  
• Lay down contentions – We don’t have to look far to see contentions!
  
• Establishing peace – Thank you!
  
• Bringing them (readers in our day) to the knowledge of their fathers
  
• Bringing them (us) to a knowledge of the covenants of the Lord
  
• How does the Book of Mormon help you remember the Lord’s covenants with us, and your covenants with the Lord?
  

Nephi’s Psalm

This is one of my very favorite chapters in all our scriptures. Verses 15-35 of 2 Nephi 4 are often called the Psalm of Nephi. Read these verses, looking for answers to the following questions:

• What made Nephi rejoice?
  
• What made him mourn?
  
• How has the Lord blessed Nephi?
  
• What does Nephi promise to do?
  
• What personal application do you find in these scriptures?
  

Read quote by President Benson:
President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 106; or Ensign, May 1987, 85).

Living after the manner of happiness

Shortly after Lehi dies, Laman and Lemuel try again to kill Nephi. This is the last straw, and the Lord commands Nephi to take all who will follow him and leave his brothers. Those who are left behind are the real losers.

In spite of the sorrow that must have accompanied this family split, Nephi refuses to be a victim. Read 2 Nephi 5:27. How many of us would like to “live after the manner of happiness”? Elder Marlin K. Jensen gave a talk entitled Keys to Happiness at a BYU devotional in 1995 in which he identifies nine keys to living after the manner of happiness, all taken from this chapter.

1. 6 – Family
   
2. 10 – Obey the Lord’s commandments
   
3. 11 – Grow a garden
   
4. 11 – Have pets
   a. Maybe these two go together describing self-reliance?
   
5. 12 – Study the scriptures
   
6. 14 – Be prepared for bad times
   
7. 15 and 17 – Work hard and develop skills
   
8. 16 – Worship in the temple
   
9. 26 – Serve in the church

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 6

Introduction

Today we’re going back to physics class! Remember Newton’s Three Laws of Motion? Lehi taught principles relating to each of these laws to his sons.

1. Law of Inertia
   
2. Law of Acceleration
   
3. Law of Reciprocal Actions
   

Repent, Obey, and Put on the Armor of Righteousness

Lehi asks his sons to overcome Newton’s First Law of Motion: A body at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by another force. Unless they choose to get up, they’re just going to continue to sit there.

Read 1 Nephi 1:14, 21, 23.

Dust – I believe there are two different ways we can understand this.

Lehi encourages his sons to get up and quit wallowing on the ground. Don’t be lazy, and quit doing nothing but gathering dust. Be actively engaged in doing good!

Adam and Eve were created of the dust of the earth, and when we die, our bodies return to the dust. A second meaning in Lehi’s words may be a call to lift their thoughts and actions above the things just related to this world. “Stop being so concerned with worldly things, and start paying attention to your eternal welfare.”

Armor – How can righteousness be like armor and protect us?

Chains – What do chains do? We rejoice in the fact that through the priesthood we can be sealed in families forever, providing a “welding link” as Joseph Smith referred to it to bring the whole human family back to God. But how can wickedness “seal” us out?

Also in these verses, Lehi encourages his sons to be men. What did Lehi mean? His sons are all adults at this point, but only Nephi is a man.

V 24 – Keep the commandments

V 25 – Seek the glory of God and to bless His children

V 26-27 – Do what God requires, even when it’s not convenient or pleasant

How can we follow Nephi’s example and choose to be men too? How can we help others do the same?

Lehi teaches of the Atonement

Newton’s Law of Acceleration says that when force is exerted on a body, the resulting change in momentum is proportional to the amount of force exerted and in the same direction.

Lehi gives some bad news.

Read 1 Nephi 2:5 – We have the law, we know the law, and we break the law. By the law, no flesh is justified. We all become miserable forever.

Where is the “good news” in that? It’s in the next verses! Read 1 Nephi 2:6-7.

What are the “ends of the law”? This refers to the consequences of the Fall.

Good ends are exaltation, forgiveness, eternal life. These are only available to us because of the Atonement.

Bad ends are punishment, guilt, and eternal damnation. We are protected from these because of the Atonement.

Read Alma 34:13-16

What is redemption?

Salvation from sin – This comes through Jesus Christ

The recovery, for a fee, of a pawned article – I love this image. We pawn ourselves for far less than we are worth to satisfy short-term desires.

Rescue upon payment of a ransom – Ransom is only paid for those we love.

The “good news” is that we don’t have to do it alone! As Elder Holland said yesterday in the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, we should not insist on doing everything on our own. Let God help us!

Read 2 Nephi 25:23 – Even after all we can do, it is only by grace that we are saved. Just as faith without works is dead, works without faith is dead too. It takes both principles in application in our lives to bring about salvation.

How does all this relate to Newton’s Second Law of Acceleration? Jesus has infinite power, and his force always lifts us toward God. If we will let him, he can accelerate our progress toward perfection.

Dealing with Opposition

This leads us right into the idea of “opposition in all things.” Read 2 Nephi 2:6-11. While reading this, pay attention to the central role that Jesus plays. His perfection, mercy and grace are in perfect opposition to our sinfulness.

How are we blessed in our lives by opposition?

On a physical sense, imagine if Newton’s Third Law of Motion did not exist. “For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction.” How could you walk if there were no friction? You couldn’t even sit on a chair, because there would be no reactive force pushing you up as you sat down!

Okay, I came up with the physical. You suggest the spiritual.
Consider the blessing Lehi gave Jacob in verses 1-2 of this chapter.

Read verses 12-13 and consider the logic Lehi uses

• No law: no sin – Satan and the wicked are great with that!
  
• No sin: no righteousness – Again, the wicked are comfortable with this.
  
• No righteousness: no happiness – Here the wicked insist that we stop. “Of course there is happiness!” they insist. “Look at me; I’m happy!” What does Lehi mean? He refers not to pleasure or momentary gratification. He means ongoing, lasting, eternal happiness. That can only be found by living righteously.
  
• No righteousness and happiness: no punishment or misery – If we accept the previous premise, then this naturally follows. The wicked like the idea of no punishment or misery!
  
• None of the above: there is no God – The wicked would be happy to have no God. Then they are not accountable.
  
• No God: no creation, no earth, no us – Well that’s just preposterous. Here we are, here the earth is. As for a creation, the wicked are content to insist that in the infinite immensity of space, it is not unreasonable to have random chance create one habitable world, and we are on it.
  

Lehi testifies there IS a God, and he created us and this world for his purposes. But, this cannot be convinced by logic. That testimony and conviction come only by the workings of the Holy Ghost.

Conclusion

Finish by reading 2 Nephi 2:24-28.

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 5

Introduction

Write the following on the board:

I don’t want to ♦ I’ll think about it ♦ I’ll try ♦ I WILL

Consider these phrases, and the attitude they convey. When I was in the Deacon’s quorum presidency, we regularly invited less active members of the quorum to our meetings and activities. They would often respond that they “would try” to come. Our quorum advisor shared his belief that this meant “I’ll come if I can’t find anything better to do.”

What would have happened if Nephi had written, “I will try to the things that the Lord has commanded, as long as it is convenient and it isn’t Super Bowl Sunday.”

Guidance comes through faith and obedience

The Liahona

After spending time in the valley of Lemuel, God told Lehi that it was time to get moving. The next morning he is astonished to find the Liahona sitting outside his tent door. What do we know about the Liahona? Read 1 Nephi 16:10, 28-29

Physically

• Round
  
• Made of brass
  
• Had two spindles, one of which pointed the way to go
  
• Had writing that changed from time to time

Spiritually

• Worked according to the faith and diligence given to it
  
• The writing gave clear understanding of the ways of the Lord
  
• Nephi considered the ball itself to be curious, but a “small thing”
  
  

Show a compass. How easy is it to follow a compass? Have you ever tried? Read Alma 37:38-44

• 38-39 – The Lord prepared the Liahona. Man cannot create it. The Holy Ghost is sent from God, and man cannot duplicate it.
  
• 40 – Faith comes before the miracle of receiving guidance.
  
• 41-42 – The miracles are conditioned on small things. And when the small miracles cease, it’s easy not to notice until you’re way off course.
  
• 43-44 – How do you get good at following a compass? How do we get good at recognizing and following the Holy Ghost?
  o Practice, patience, and being shown by someone who knows how to use one well.
  o Concentrating on what you’re doing; not being distracted.
  o Setting small goals on the way to your ultimate destination.
  
• What are some personal Liahonas we can have in our lives?
  

The broken bow

Read 1 Nephi 16:18-20. What attitudes do we see?

• Nephi takes responsibility for this misfortune. The bow “didn’t break;” instead Nephi says “I broke my bow.”
  
• Laman and Lemuel complain (predictably)
  
• Lehi complains. Now before we start judging Lehi, consider what he has gone through. He’s living in a tent in the wilderness. He sleeps on the ground and has sand on his pillow. He eats raw meat. And Laman and Lemuel probably ask “Are we there yet?” every couple of hours.
  

Rather than complaining or waiting for the Lord to solve the problem, Nephi takes the initiative. Read 1 Nephi 16:23

• Nephi makes a new bow and ONE arrow. (That shows his confidence!)
  
• He asks his father where he should go. Rather than assuming leadership following his father’s momentary slip, he continues to sustain his priesthood leader, and is blessed as a result.
  

Lehi shows true repentance in verse 25 – He was truly sorrowful, and sought the Lord. In verse 27 he fears and trembles, not out of fear of the Lord (I believe), but for fear of committing sin again.

Nephi demonstrates unwavering faith by fulfilling the Lord’s command to build a ship
The point of this story is not that Nephi built a ship; it is that he had absolute confidence in the Lord, and was unhesitating in his obedience to what Laman and Lemuel considered a foolish commandment.

Summarize the main points of this story, then read Elder Perry quote:

Elder L. Tom Perry said: “This is one of the more interesting stories we have in the scriptures because it tells of an instance in which the Lord provided help but then stepped aside to allow one of His sons to exercise his own initiative. I have sometimes wondered what would have happened if Nephi had asked the Lord for tools instead of a place to find the ore to make the tools. I doubt the Lord would have honored Nephi’s request. You see, the Lord knew that Nephi could make the tools, and it is seldom the Lord will do something for us that we can do for ourselves” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 87–88; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 64).

As Laman and Lemuel revert to their habit of complaining, Nephi rebuked them. He specifically points out one consequence their murmuring in 1 Nephi 17:45. Read President Packer quote:
Elder Boyd K. Packer taught: “The Holy Ghost communicates with the spirit through the mind more than through the physical senses. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings, through impressions and promptings. It is not always easy to describe inspiration. The scriptures teach us that we may ‘feel’ the words of spiritual communication more than hear them, and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes (see 1 Nephi 17:45)” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1989, 16; or Ensign, Nov. 1989, 14).

Conclusion

Please consider how you can apply these scriptures in your life.

• How skilled are you at following your spiritual compass? What do you need to do to become a better spiritual orienteer? Will you do it this week?
  
• What challenges do you currently face in your life? How do you respond to them? You’re probably not like Laman and Lemuel (they never went to Sunday School!) but may be like Lehi – faithful, obedient, and trying to lead your family righteously, but occasionally slipping. REJOICE! The Lord loved Lehi, forgave him, and helped him through his trials. He loves you, will forgive you, and help you through your trials too.

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 4

Introduction

Draw a simple timeline on the board, and place the following events on that timeline:

• The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ (A.D. 33)
  
• The Great Apostasy (approximately A.D. 100 through A.D. 1800)
  
• The final battle between the Lamanites and the Nephites (about A.D. 385)
  
• The discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus (A.D. 1492)
  
• The Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ (A.D. 1820–present)
  

From his vantage point at approximately 600 B.C. Nephi saw all of these events and how they relate to each other. Today we are going to discuss how we relate to these events, and how these can be a blessing to us. In all we read today, remember the reason the Book of Mormon prophets wrote:
1 Nephi 19:23 – Nephi likened all scriptures unto himself
2 Nephi 25:26 – All scripture is intended to bring us to Christ so that we may receive a remission of our sins

Nephi sees the future of his posterity

Read 1 Nephi 12:1-6 – Nephi describes the circumstances among the Nephites before the first coming of Jesus Christ. Re-read those same verses considering how appropriate that same description is for our day as the second coming of Jesus Christ approaches. Compare JS-M 1:27-31, 37.

After a time of righteousness and peace, the Nephites are destroyed. The principal reason for their fall is recorded in 1 Nephi 12:19. How can we avoid pride in our personal lives?

Great and abominable church

Read 1 Nephi 13:4-6, then read Elder McConkie quote:

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify all churches or organizations of whatever name or nature—whether political, philosophical, educational, economic, social, fraternal, civic, or religious—which are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and thus from salvation in the kingdom of God” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 137–38).

Read 1 Nephi 13:7-9. What are the attributes of the Great and Abominable church? Where can we see these attributes today? Where can we see them in our own lives?

Discovery of America

Read 1 Nephi 13:12-13. These Gentiles began with Christopher Columbus and continued through the framers of the Constitution. Read and compare D&C 101:77-80. Note that the Lord seems to be primarily concerned with preserving our agency and allowing us to choose righteously.

Apostasy

In 1 Nephi 13:20-23 Nephi sees the Bible and is taught what it contains. Read verses 25-29 – The G&A church removes the most precious parts for their own purposes (remember the gold, silks, glory of the world, etc?)

Restoration

In response to Satan’s efforts to destroy the gospel, the Lord prepared the Book of Mormon. Read 1 Nephi 13:38-42. Note the purpose of the Book of Mormon:

• Convince everyone that the Bible is true
  
• Restore the “plain and precious” parts of the gospel
  
• Testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ
  
• Persuade everyone to come to Christ as the scriptures testify
  

Compare Mormon 7:8-9; D&C 20:8-12

Promises to the Gentiles

Read 1 Nephi 14:1-2, 5, 7. God describes the blessings promised to us if we are faithful. This is a personal choice we each need to make each day.

Read 1 Nephi 14:14 – With what are the righteous armed? Righteousness and God’s power.

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 3

Introduction

God often uses symbolic dreams in the scriptures to communicate with his children, to warn them of the consequences of sin or alert them to what is coming. Briefly discuss some examples:

• King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the image and the stone rolling forth to fill the whole earth. (Revelation of the future of the Kingdom of God.)
  
• Pharaoh’s dream of the 7 healthy cattle and 7 sick cattle. (Revelation of warning to prepare for the coming famine.)
  
• Peter’s vision of the sheet with unclean animals that he was commanded to eat. (Revelation specific to Peter regarding the duty to preach the gospel to the gentiles.)
  
• Others?
  

Lehi’s Dream
Read the following verses of 1 Nephi 8 and identify the symbols Lehi saw:

1. 2, 10-12 – Tree and fruit that is desirable to make you happy.

2. 13 – River of water.

3. 19-20 – The rod of iron next to a path that leads to the tree.

4. 23 – Mists of darkness

5. 26-27 – Great and spacious building

Revelation to Nephi

After Nephi finishes listening to Lehi’s FHE lesson, he wants to receive this same revelation. Read 1 Nephi 10:17-19.

• Note that Lehi taught by the power of the Holy Ghost.
  
• Nephi specifically wanted to be taught by that same power. See D&C 50:17-22.
  

Note also Nephi’s recognition of time. God answered prayers of people in the past, he will answer prayers in the future, and he does so “in these times.” Nephi was living in the present “these times” just as much as we are. He didn’t live in the past any more than we do. And Nephi’s present wasn’t any easier than ours is, and God was just as anxious to answer the prayers of the faithful in Nephi’s present as He is in ours.

Tree and fruit

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught that the tree of life is a symbol of Jesus Christ. He said: “The images of Christ and the tree [are] inextricably linked. … At the very outset of the Book of Mormon, … Christ is portrayed as the source of eternal life and joy, the living evidence of divine love, and the means whereby God will fulfill his covenant with the house of Israel and indeed the entire family of man, returning them all to their eternal promises” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 160, 162).

How can we more fully recognize God’s love for us?

• Get close to the tree so you can recognize it, enjoy the fragrance and fruit, the shade, and so on.
  
• So how do we do that in practice?
  

What does the fruit represent?

• 1 Nephi 15:36. What is the “greatest of all the gifts of God”? Eternal life! See D&C 14:7.
  
• It is appropriate that eternal life is the fruit or product of God’s love.
  

How do Lehi and Nephi describe the fruit? Precious, sweet, joyous, desirable… pick your superlative!

Rod of iron and strait and narrow path

Nephi sees the iron rod, and describes its twofold purpose:

1. 1 Nephi 11:25 – To the righteous (represented here by Nephi), the word leads to God’s love.
   
2. 1 Nephi 15:23-24 – To the wicked (represented so well by Laman and Lemuel) it offers protection from the temptations and power of the devil.
   

How can we use the scriptures and words of the prophets to better accomplish these two purposes in our lives?

Mist of darkness

Read 1 Nephi 8:23-24. It is not just the wicked who end up in the mists of darkness. Satan’s temptations are simply a part of life; our yielding to them is not. The key to getting through without straying is firmly keeping of and following God’s word.

Filthy water

Read 1 Nephi 15:26-29 - Note that Lehi didn’t realize that this was filthy. He was too concerned with finding his family and sharing with them the joy of the fruit. The river represents two things:

• Wickedness – These are the choices that separate us from God, the tree of life, eternal life, etc.
  
• Hell – This is what we have to cross through to get back to God if we have sinned.
  Note that the rod of iron runs along the bank, in between the path leading to God and the river of filthy water. The word of God protects us from Satan’s temptations and the pains of hell. The key is our keeping the word of God solidly between us and sin.
  

The great and spacious building

Read 1 Nephi 8:26-28; 11:36. Lehi again demonstrates his purity in that he didn’t even recognize that others were mocking. This represents the pride of the world, and has no foundation. That seems appropriate; after all, what do we have to be proud of that didn’t come from God in the first place? What should our foundation be?

People in Lehi’s vision
Identify the following four groups shown to Lehi and Nephi:

1. 1 Nephi 8:21–23. (Those who start on the path but then become lost in the mist of darkness.)
   
2. 1 Nephi 8:24–28. (Those who hold to the rod of iron until they reach the tree and partake of the fruit, but then become ashamed and fall away.)
   
3. 1 Nephi 8:30. (Those who hold to the rod of iron until they reach the tree and partake of the fruit, and who then remain faithful.)
   
4. 1 Nephi 8:31–33. (Those who never start on the path but instead go directly toward the great and spacious building.)
   

How do we strengthen our commitment to be in the faithful group that never strays? How can we help others become stronger? What can you do today?

Personal question – Which group are you in? How committed to that group are you? How do the answers to those questions make you feel?

Conclusion

Nephi points out the “Four C’s” that are key to our obtaining the precious fruit we all want:

1. Commence (1 Nephi 8:22)
   
2. Catch hold (1 Nephi 8:24)
   
3. Cling (1 Nephi 8:24)
   
4. Continually (1 Nephi 8:30
   

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 2

Introduction
Imagine scientists have found a comet on a collision course with earth, and it looks like it’s going to hit Utah County. How would you feel? What would you do?

Now imagine that it’s not scientists that make the announcement, but the prophet. What changes? How is your personal reaction different? Is that good or bad? What does that tell you about yourself?

Lehi and his family leave Jerusalem

Jerusalem has grown increasingly wicked, and God is sending multiple prophets to warn the people. Jeremiah has been imprisoned and Lehi is not going to be well received either.

1 Nephi 1:19-20 – Lehi delivers two basic messages, and gets two basic responses:

• “You’re being wicked” – The people mock him
  
• “The Messiah will come” – The people become angry and try to kill him
  

Why are the wicked so intolerant of prophecies of the Savior?

Nephi describes the “tender mercies of the Lord.” In what way was the Lord tenderly merciful to Lehi and his family? How about in your life?

Nephi gains a testimony of Lehi’s message. Of course Nephi’s attitude is completely different from the wicked inhabitants of Jerusalem, but look for the keys to his testimony in 1 Nephi 2:16, 19:

• Cry unto the Lord
  
• Exercised faith
  
• Sought diligently
  
• Was humble/lowly in heart
  
• The Lord visited him and softened his heart

If I want a testimony like Nephi’s, it is not up to me to work hard enough, study hard enough, pray long enough and I will build my testimony. After all I can do, a testimony still comes as a gift of the Spirit. See 2 Nephi 25:23.

God introduces the “temporal theme” of the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 2:20. These promises were literally and repeatedly fulfilled with the Jaredites, Nephites and Lamanites.

• What do these promises mean for our society?
  
• What do they mean for us individually?
  

Lehi was a thankful person. Read 1 Nephi 2:6-7. He gave thanks again after Nephi returned with the plates, and after Ishmael’s family joined them.

• What was Lehi thankful for?
  
• How can we develop gratitude even when things are hard?
  

Nephi returns to Jerusalem for the Brass Plates

Briefly summarize the trip to Jerusalem to get the Plates, and discuss what happened. What were the keys to Nephi’s success?

• 1 Nephi 3:15-16 – He was determined to be faithful
  
• 1 Nephi 4:6-7 – He kept trying even after he was out of ideas that made any sense
  

Just as Nephi’s (and our) testimonies come from the Spirit after all we can do, so Nephi’s success in getting the plates were not the result of good planning on Nephi’s part. His diligence allowed God to prepare the way for him, but ultimately he was successful because of God’s intervention.

Read 1 Nephi 3:7. God prepares a way for people to accomplish his will, but it may not be the way we would prefer.

Read 1 Nephi 5:8. Notice that Sariah says “Now I know…” Even prophets’ wives need to build their testimonies.

Read 1 Nephi 5:13 – How do you suppose the words of Jeremiah got in the brass plates? It doesn’t seem likely that Laban wrote them! This suggests another reason Zoram came with Lehi’s family – he appears to have been righteous and faithful.

Read 1 Nephi 5:21 – The value in the scriptures was not in having them, it was in using them. Some things have value because they are collectible, and you don’t want them to get damaged or used up. The scriptures and knowledge of truth only have value if they are used righteously.

Qualities of Nephi and Laman
1 Nephi 1:1 Knew he had “goodly parents” NEPHI
1 Nephi 2:11 Murmured against their father L&L

1 Nephi 2:16 Believed all the words spoken by his father NEPHI
1 Nephi 2:13 Did not believe all Lehi’s words L&L

1 Nephi 2:16, 19 Went to the Lord for understanding NEPHI
1 Nephi 2:12 “Knew not the dealings of … God” L&L

1 Nephi 3:7 Was willing to go and do what the Lord commanded NEPHI
1 Nephi 3:5 Complained that the Lord had asked “a hard thing” L&L

1 Nephi 3:15 Refused to return without records NEPHI
1 Nephi 3:14 Wanted to give up after one try L&L

1 Nephi 4:1, 3 Knew that the Lord was “mightier than Laban” NEPHI
1 Nephi 3:31 Doubted that the Lord could deliver Laban to them L&L

As I reviewed this list, I began to wonder if I am more like Laman and Lemuel than I may like to admit:

• “I love Dad, but boy, he sure doesn’t get it.”
  
• “Is that passage of scripture literal or figurative? Did the prophet really mean me?”
  
• I don’t recognize what God is doing in my life, and I’m not as familiar with his dealings in the scriptures, particularly the Old Testament
  
• “I’ve been called to do what?”
  
• “I tried, but it’s too hard to (fill in the blank). I’m just not a good (fill in the blank).”
  
• “How is my paying tithing/living the Word of Wisdom/attending church going to help?”

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 1

Introduction

Draw an arch with a keystone on the board, emphasizing the keystone as a more prominent stone. Explain that a keystone is often larger than the other stones to serve an aesthetic purpose. It is the most visible and attractive stone, adding to the beauty of the building. It is also structurally important, and keystones figuratively represent the central feature on which everything depends.

The Book of Mormon is the Keystone of our Religion

Read the sixth paragraph of the Introduction to the Book of Mormon. As we discussed in sacrament meeting last week, the way we draw nearer to God is not by reading the Book of Mormon, but by abiding by its teachings.

Read President Benson quote:
“Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the Church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6).

Why does the Church stand or fall with the Book of Mormon? (Fall is easy – if the Book is not true, Joseph Smith was a sham, the Church is a hoax, and we are all wasting our time.) But what if it’s true…?

Another President Benson quote:
“There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 5).

Witness of Christ

Moroni explained the purpose of the Book of Mormon on the Title Page: “And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL God, manifesting himself unto all nations…”

Read 1 Nephi 13:38-41

• 38 – Refers to the Bible.
  
• 39-40 – The BoM and other latter-day scripture are to convince everyone that the Bible is true! We are sometimes accused of discounting the value of the Bible. A true understanding means that Mormons value the Bible more than any other people on earth! And, we’re lucky enough to have other sacred witnesses too!
  
• 40 – All men must come to Christ to be saved. And the way to come to him is explained in verse 41. It is by understanding and following the words of scripture.
  How has the BoM strengthened your testimony of Jesus Christ? What have you learned?
  

Doctrine

President Benson stated: “The Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the ‘fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ’ (D&C 20:9). That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed. Rather, it means that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6).

What are your favorite doctrines taught in the BoM?

• God’s mercy and justice – Alma 42
  
• Doctrines of baptism – 2 Nephi 31:4-14
  
• The Atonement of Jesus Christ – 2 Nephi 9:4-14; Alma 34:8-17
  
• Reality of the resurrection – Alma 40:23
  

Testimony

Why is the BoM fundamental to a testimony of the restored gospel? How can we strengthen our testimonies of the BoM?

Written for our day

President Benson taught: “The Book of Mormon … was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. … Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations. … If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?’ ” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6).

Conclusion

“The moment you begin a serious study of [the Book of Mormon, you] will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. … When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 6; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7).

No matter where your testimony is now, please commit to become converted this year as we search, ponder, and pray about this sacred scripture. Let the power of the Holy Ghost change your life.