Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 13

Introduction

Begin with video presentation from Seminary video series.

Symbolism in Jacob 5

Symbol	Meaning
Vineyard	The world
Master of the vineyard	Jesus Christ
Tame olive tree (v 3)	The house of Israel, the Lord’s covenant people
Wild olive tree	Gentiles (people not born into the house of Israel)
Branches	Groups of people, families, clans, or tribes
Roots	Nations, or national identity
Servants	Prophets and others called to serve
Fruit	Lives or works of people; immortality and eternal life
Notes about olive trees	The olive leaf is a symbol of abundance, glory and peace. Olive trees tend to grow best in poor rocky soils. Olive trees need frequent pruning.

 

Visits to the Vineyard

Visit One (vs. 3-14)

The tame olive tree begins to decay, so the master nourishes it and grafts in wild branches, scattering tame branches elsewhere in the vineyard.

• Read verse 3. 
• Note that in verses 4-6 the master works w/ the tree, and doesn’t start grafting in the wild branches until verse 7.
• Interesting that in spite of the care the tame tree receives, in verse 6 it is the “top” that begins to perish.
• The nation of Israel has a long tradition of falling away from God, and he has continually pruned out the wild branches” to keep his covenant people tame and productive. 
• Following the Crucifixion, Israel’s apostasy worsens.  God scatters them and brings in new people who have been outside his covenant but will accept his covenants. 
• The in-grafting of the Gentiles appears to begin shortly after Jesus’ resurrection. The gospel is first taken to the Gentiles in Acts 10.

Visit Two (vs. 15-28)

The wild branches grafted in bring forth good fruit (Gentiles accept the gospel), and the tame branches grafted to wild trees also bring good fruit (Covenant people remember their covenants).  The tree in the best spot of ground brings forth mixed fruit (Nephites and Lamanites).

• Verses 21-22 – Sometimes it is the afflictions themselves that help us to grow and be more faithful.

Visit Three (vs. 29-60)

All the trees bring forth bad fruit (Great Apostasy), and even the tree with mixed fruit brings bad fruit (Lamanites destroy the Nephites).

• Verses 41, 46-50 – The Savior truly cares for his people, and does everything he can for us.  What more could he do for us?  There is literally nothing more he could do for us.

Visit Four (vs. 61-77)

Servants (missionaries) are called to gather the natural branches (gathering of Israel).  The bad are cleared away, and the whole vineyard is good (condition in the Millennium).  The next time bad begins to enter the Vineyard, the whole Vineyard will be burned (Final Judgment).

• Verses 61-65 – These verses help us understand why evil is allowed to persist in the world.  Compare D&C 86:6-7 from the footnotes.
• Verses 71-74
• We labor in our might.  This is not easy work!
• In the end, the fruit will all be the same, “like unto one body.”  There is no distinction to identify which tree the fruit came from, as long as it is good.
• Verse 75 – Those who labor with the master are blessed and will have joy with the Savior.

All Visits

Notice that the master is deeply involved in all of the visits to the vineyard.  What does this suggest about his involvement in our lives (both as a group, and as individuals) today?

 

Through the scattering, God fulfilled his promise to Abraham that through his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed.  The grafting of previously wild branches into the tame tree had tamed them too.  When they were grafted back into their “wild” roots, they too brought forth good fruit.

Conclusion

President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “Today Latter-day Saints are going to all parts of the world as servants in the vineyard to gather this fruit and lay it in store for the time of the coming of the Master” (Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., 5 vols. [1957–66], 4:142).  It is our privilege to be invited to work as laborers with the Savior.

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 12

Introduction

We have a peculiar lingo in the church that must sound strange to others who are not of our faith.  We have almost as many acronyms as the military.  We speak of Fast Sunday and the Stake Center, and our Elders are younger than most other churches’ Deacons.  And my personal favorite is the Sunbeams:

 

There was a psychiatrist who was unfamiliar with LDS culture.  He came to Utah for his internship. A new client came into his office, and began telling him of her struggles. It went something like this:

client: The Sunbeams are driving me crazy.
psych: (with raised eyebrows) The sunbeams?
client: They are giving me a headache.
psych: Are you sensitive to the light?
client: No. They keep bouncing off the walls.
psych: Yes?
client: They won’t sit in their seats and they won’t stop talking.
psych (becoming increasingly concerned): The sunbeams talk to you?
client: Constantly!
psych: Have you told anyone else about this?
client: Yes, the Bishop and the President.
psych: You’ve told the Bishop and the President!
client: Of course, they said I would just have to deal with it.
psych: I think we might need to do some tests.

After a pause, the woman looked intently at the psychiatrist and said,
client: You’re not LDS are you?

 

Another unique phrase in Mormondom is our constantly encouraging each other to “magnify our callings.”  What does a magnifying glass do?  (It both enlarges and focuses.)  Consider how we can magnify our callings as we read Jacob 1:17–19.

Nephi and Jacob magnified their callings

How did the Nephites feel about Nephi?  They loved him!  Why? 

      Read Jacob 1:10 – He served them, sacrificed for them, and even risked his life for them.

      How have you felt about those who labor and serve you? 

      What does this suggest about what we should do to increase our influence on those for whom we have responsibility?

 

What are some good examples of people you have seen magnify their callings? 

      Read D&C 58:26–28

      How can we better magnify our callings?

      How have you been blessed as you have done your best to magnify your callings?

 

Elder Ballard spoke about magnifying our callings in October 2006, and suggested several ways we can appropriately magnify our callings:

First, focus on people and programs…

Second, be innovative. As we work to magnify our callings, we should seek the inspiration of the Spirit to solve problems in ways that will best help the people we serve.... To innovate does not necessarily mean to expand; very often it means to simplify…. Because the eternal principle of agency gives us the freedom to choose and think for ourselves, we should become increasingly able to solve problems.

Third, divide the work and delegate responsibility.

Fourth, eliminate guilt.

Fifth, we need to thoughtfully allocate our resources of time, income, and energy. I would like to let you in on a little secret. Some of you have already learned it. If you haven’t, it’s time you knew. No matter what your family needs are or your responsibilities in the Church, there is no such thing as “done.” There will always be more we can do. There is always another family matter that needs attention, another lesson to prepare, another interview to conduct, another meeting to attend. We just need to be wise in protecting our health and in following the counsel that President Hinckley has given often to just do the best that we can.

Jacob warns against pride, unchastity, and the love of riches

As Jacob prepared to speak to the Nephites, I imagine this was the equivalent of his first General Conference address.  It makes me think of President Monson as he prepares to address us for the first time as the Prophet.  How did Jacob feel as he prepared to give this address?  Read Jacob 2:3, 5. 

      What did he mean by the phrase “labor in sin”?

 

Jacob discusses problem #1:

      Read Jacob 2:12–16.  The cause of God’s condemnation is the pride that motivates their actions.  Being rich is not the sin; being proud of your riches is.

      Read Jacob 2:17–21.  Jacob teaches us how to avoid the problems associated with money.

 

Read President Kimball quote:

President Spencer W. Kimball taught:

“The possession of riches does not necessarily constitute sin. But sin may arise in the acquisition and use of wealth. … ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.’ (1 Tim. 6:10–11.)

“Book of Mormon history eloquently reveals the corrosive effect of the passion for wealth. … Had the people used their wealth for good purposes they could have enjoyed a continuing prosperity. But they seemed unable for a sustained period to be simultaneously wealthy and righteous” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 47–48).

Jacob discusses problem #2:

      Read Jacob 2:23–24 – Immorality seems to be a problem in nearly every culture. 

      It appears from Jacob’s sermon that the problem he was dealing with was immorality among the men.  How were they trying to justify their actions?  (David and Solomon did it!)

      What was the consequence?  Read Jacob 2:31, 35.

      In addition the general “wrongness” of immorality, what was the other problem these Nephites faced?  Read Jacob 2:34 – They knew what they were doing was wrong.  Therefore they came under a greater condemnation.

      I’m not interested in understanding the justifications being used today.  They’re not that different from the excuses used anciently, and they aren’t any better now than they were then.  I am concerned with helping those who are victims of sin, both the sinner and those hurt by the actions of the transgressor.

      For those hurt by sin, read Jacob 3:1–2.

      For those struggling with their own sins, President Benson offered this advice:

1.       Flee immediately from any situation you are in that is either causing you to sin or that may cause you to sin.”

2.       Plead with the Lord for the power to overcome.”

3.       Let your priesthood leaders help you resolve the transgression and come back into full fellowship with the Lord.”

4.       Drink from the divine fountain [the scriptures and words of the prophets] and fill your lives with positive sources of power.”

5.       Remember that through proper repentance you can become clean again.”

Jacob testifies of the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Read Jacob 4:4, 7, 11

Conclude with Mosiah 3:17

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 11

The Doctrine of Christ

Baptism

Look for the answers to the following two questions in 2 Nephi 31:5-10

• Why was Jesus baptized?
• To show us and set an example (v 7, 9)
• That he was humble (v 7)
• Witness to the Father (v 7)
• That he would be obedient and keep his commandments (v 7, 9)
• So he could receive the Holy Ghost (v 8)
• Why do we need to be baptized?
• To be humble
• To witness to the Father
• That we will be obedient and keep his commandments
• So we can receive the Holy Ghost
• And follow the example of the Son
• I like the word “witness” in verse 7.  What does it mean to witness?
• Greek term translated as “witness” in the OT and NT is μαρτυς – or martyr.  One of the ways we witness that we are willing to follow Jesus is by symbolically dying and being born again.
• When we witness something, we gain or share first-hand knowledge.  It involves commitment.

 

No Hypocrisy

Nephi encourages his people in verse 13 to act with full purpose of heart, without hypocrisy or guile.  What does that mean?

• Our whole soul is motivated by pleasing God and following his word
• We’re doing it for any reason other than wanting to do what is right.
• How do we put that into practice in our daily lives and actions?

 

Cleansing

Following baptism, we are cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost.  Read verse 17.  Note that the remission of our sins comes after baptism by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

As a kid, I often got splinters in my hands.  Mom would send me to wash my hands, and she would grab a needle and run it through a flame.  Why did she do that?  She was killing the germs.  Here we had water and fire working together to clean something and remove impurities.

 

The Witness of the Holy Ghost

Now that we have been baptized and received the Holy Ghost, we can receive a witness of the Father through the Holy Ghost. 

• Why is this important?
• How does the Holy Ghost witness to us? 
• More importantly, how does the Holy Ghost witness to you?

Endure to the End

Read 2 Nephi 31:19-20

• Imagine we are living in a wonderful kingdom, and you have been invited to an elegant ball at the royal palace.  You don’t come into the front gate and get a few feet in and hang out with the gardeners.  You go all the way to the house and enter to greet the king.  Same with the gospel.  Don’t quit with baptism and say “I’ve arrived.”  That gets you into the Celestial Kingdom, but not into the King’s palace!  Think about that…
• Revisit those verses.  What is it that got us this far?  Jesus Christ.  Look at these words:
• Unshaken faith
• Relying wholly upon the merits of Christ
• Steadfastness in Christ
• We are not saved by faith in our ability to repent, our ability to do better, or our ability to obey the commandments.  We are saved by Christ and our absolute, complete dependence on him.

Time permitting

Read 2 Nephi 32:3-5. 

• Here is the first recorded “show and tell.” 
• Why did that work as a kid?  It got us interested and helped us understand a concept.

Read 2 Nephi 33:15.  Nephi’s last verse summarizes the habit that defines Nephi to me.  “The Lord has commanded, and I must obey.”  How can we become more like that?

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 10

Introduction
President Ezra Taft Benson said: “The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1975, 94–95; or Ensign, May 1975, 64).

He also said, “This sacred volume was written for us—for our day. Its scriptures are to be likened unto ourselves” (See 1 Ne. 19:23).

Nephi saw our day and wrote for us. Chapters 26-30 of 2 Nephi are written especially for us today.

• In chapter 26, Nephi prophesies about the destructions of the Nephites, which we must liken to ourselves if we want to avoid a similar fate.
  
• He testifies in chapters 27 and 29-30 of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and teaches of the blessings that come from faithful obedience to its precepts. This includes very specific prophesies of the Three Witnesses and Martin Harris’ experience showing the characters from the plates to Professor Charles Anthon.
  
• Nephi warns us in chapter 28 of the fraud Satan will try to perpetuate to keep people from hearkening to the word of God as contained in the Book of Mormon.

Preparing for the Savior’s Coming

Remember that the Book of Mormon was written for us in our day. I believe that is why so much of the text of the Book of Mormon relates to the time leading up to the Savior’s appearance among the Nephites. We need to know how they prepared so we can likewise be prepared to meet him when he comes.

• Read 2 Nephi 26:8-9 – Steadiness and hearkening to the words of the prophets are keys to preparing to welcome the Savior when he comes. When we do so, we will be healed by and have peace with Jesus.
  
• Can we enjoy these blessings today, even before his triumphal Second Coming? How?

Pride Leads to Destruction
What brought about the Nephites’ eventual destruction? Read verse 10. President Benson gave a landmark talk called “Beware of Pride” in April 1989. In that prophetic address (remember the key to preparing for the Savior’s coming is to hearken to the prophets!) he said,

The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. (See Hel. 12:6.) They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works.
The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.
Our motives for the things we do are where the sin is manifest.
Pride is ugly. It says, “If you succeed, I am a failure.”
Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves.
God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble. Alma said, “Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble.” (Alma 32:16.)

It does no good to say in the pride of our hearts, “Boy, I’m glad I’m not like those foolish Nephites! I certainly wouldn’t have been as proud as they were! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go wax my car before my favorite TV show comes on…”

• Personal confession – I just picked two examples of pride that don’t relate to me – I never wax my car and don’t have a favorite TV show. See how easy it is to miss the signs of pride in ourselves??
  
• How can we liken this prophetic warning to ourselves?

Pride is one of Satan’s most versatile tools. Nephi spoke directly of our day in 2 Nephi 28:12-15.

• What does it mean in verse 13 to “rob the poor”? I believe it is more than just taking away the physical substance they do have. It includes refusing to share when we can and should.
  
• Note in verse 14 that even the humble followers of Christ are not immune from the effects of pride.
  
• Wisdom, learning, and riches are all godly attributes that we are commanded to seek after. Why does Nephi condemn them so forcefully in verse 15?
  
• Nephi could just as easily said “O the foolish, ignorant and broke who are proud…” We as a society and as individuals have greater opportunities for wisdom, learning and riches than has ever existed on this earth. What are we doing with these blessings?

Avoid spiritual lullabies
Read 2 Nephi 28:21.

• Do you think the inhabitants of Babylon will be talking about all being well in Zion? Of course not! To whom then is Satan whispering that all is well in Zion? US! The citizens of Zion! How might we fall victim to this soothing suggestion?
  
• Nephi points that Satan is a cheater! He doesn’t play fair, and if you’ve ever played with a cheater, you know that you cannot win. So don’t even bother!
  
• What does it mean that Satan leads us “carefully away down to hell”?
  
• How do we stay spiritually awake?

Elder James E. Faust shared the following analogy: “Thomas R. Rowan … said: ‘Author and commentator Malcolm Muggeridge once told a story about some frogs who were killed without resistance by being boiled alive in [a] cauldron of water. Why didn’t they resist? Because when they were put in the cauldron, the water was tepid. Then the temperature was raised ever so slightly, … then a bit warmer still, and on and on and on. The change was so gradual, almost imperceptible, that the frogs accommodated themselves to their new environment—until it was too late. The point that Mr. Muggeridge was making was not about frogs but about us and how we tend to accept evil as long as it is not a shock that is thrust on us abruptly. We are inclined to accept something morally wrong if it is only a shade more wrong than something we are already accepting’ ” (National Press Club Forum).
After sharing this analogy, Elder Faust said, “This gradual process was foretold by ancient prophets” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 40; or Ensign, May 1989, 32).

Come Unto Jesus
Contrast Satan’s careful cheating with the way Jesus draws us near to him. Read 2 Nephi 26:23–27, 33.

• How can we come to Jesus and help others do the same?
  

The Book of Mormon is one way God has given us to stay spiritually alert. Through prayerful reading of it, we can recognize truth and error and stay firmly planted on the straight and narrow path with our hands firmly grasping the iron rod.

Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 9

Introduction
Write the following “headlines” on the board:

• Utah Jazz face Dallas Maveriks at home Monday
  
• Democratic Primaries on Tuesday May Prove Decisive
  
• World Wheat Supplies Reach Critical Low – Prices Continue to Climb
  
  

Of these events that all impact the future, one could be classified as interesting, one as important, and one as critical. While we may debate the order of that ranking, God has always been anxious to tell us those things that are critical.

Read Mosiah 8:17-18. Note that in addition to telling things that are not now known, seers reveal things that otherwise could not be known. We can know the outcome of the three items listed above simply by living long enough. Some critical items can only be known by revelation through a seer.

Isaiah was such a seer. Nephi understood and loved Isaiah’s writings. Today’s lesson touches on some of Isaiah’s prophesies, as well as ways we can understand them.

Why Nephi quoted Isaiah
1 Nephi 19:23 - To “more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord”
2 Nephi 11:2–4 - To provide another witness of Jesus Christ
2 Nephi 11:5–6, 8 - To help us (his readers) rejoice
2 Nephi 25:3 - To reveal God’s judgments

Why are these reasons important to us today? How can understanding Isaiah help us rejoice?

Keys to understand Isaiah
2 Nephi 25:1 – Know … concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews. Investing time to understand Isaiah’s style, imagery, and symbolism will pay big dividends in understanding what he’s talking about.
2 Nephi 25:6 – Know concerning the regions round about [Jerusalem]. Understanding the physical and historical context of Isaiah’s writing helps us understand.
2 Nephi 25:3 – Know the judgments of God. Isaiah foresaw the judgments that eventually came on Israel and Judah because of their wickedness. Because God fulfilled his promises to the wicked, we can also have confidence that he will keep his promises to the righteous. This can strengthen us in our efforts to live righteously.
1 Nephi 19:23 – Liken all scriptures unto us. This is why the scriptures are written. While they are interesting historically, they are valuable to us personally as we learn from and apply these teachings in our lives. How have you been blessed as you have applied the scriptures in your life?
2 Nephi 25:4 – What is the spirit of prophesy? (See Revelation 9:10 – It’s the testimony of Jesus.) Having a testimony of the Savior helps us understand prophesies about him. How can we develop this spirit in our lives?

Isaiah sees the temple
Read 2 Nephi 12:2–3 – The Salt Lake Temple fulfills a portion of this prophesy. Now 136 temples are in operation continuing this work.
Read 2 Nephi 14:6

• It is interesting that physically, the current wheat shortage is being blamed on excessive heat in some areas, and excessive rain in others.
  
• What are some spiritual storms we face? How can the temple provide a refuge against those storms?
  

Blessings come through the temple. Read 2 Nephi 12:3–5. What can we do to help further this?
Warnings against wickedness that is rampant today is found in 2 Nephi 12:7–9. How can we liken this scripture unto ourselves?

An ensign to the nations
Read 2 Nephi 21:10

• We learn in D&C 113:5-6 that this “stem of Jesse” refers to a descendant of Jesse and of Joseph who will hold the keys of the priesthood. At least in part, this seems to refer to the restored Church of Jesus Christ.
  
• An “ensign” is a standard or flag that identifies a ship or group of people. For example, it may be used in battle to signal where the troops are to follow.
  
• The Restored Church is God’s ensign today, showing where God’s people are to gather and whom they are to follow. What does this ensign do?
  D&C 105:39 – Proclaims peace
  D&C 115:4-6 – Set an example of righteousness; gather the righteous; provide safety and protection.
  D&C 64:41-43 – Ultimately be an irresistible force for good. The wicked will tremble because of the power of the Church to bring about God’s will.
  

Isaiah and Nephi testify of Jesus Christ
In 2 Nephi 16 Isaiah described a vision in which he saw the Savior in His glory. When Jesus called for a messenger to teach on earth, Isaiah responded, “Here am I; send me.” What are some situations when we might have an opportunity to respond that way?

In 2 Nephi 22 Isaiah describes the praise we will give Jesus during the millennium. What “excellent things” as referred to in verse 5 has Jesus done for you?

Nephi bears his testimony of Jesus Christ in 2 Nephi 25. Some of my favorite verses are 2 Nephi 25: 20, 23, 26, 29

20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that abrought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should bheal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the cserpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the drock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are etrue, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other fname given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.

Notice that Nephi reminds readers about God’s ability to bring an entire nation out of captivity to a superior force, feed them for 40 years in the desert, and heal them from poisonous serpents. This should have been impossible. Likewise, he can save us spiritually – a feat that is also “impossible” – through faith on Jesus Christ.

23 For we labor diligently to write, to apersuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by bgrace that we are saved, after all we can cdo.

After all we can do – We must do everything we can to follow the example of Jesus Christ. Half-hearted efforts are not acceptable to God. And yet, even with our best efforts, we never earn our way to heaven. Jesus’ mercy comes only by grace – that divine manifestation of love and compassion that comes in spite of our sins.

26 And we atalk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we bprophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our cchildren may know to what source they may look for a dremission of their sins.

29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and aworship him with all your bmight, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.

What can you do this week to “worship him with … your whole soul”?

Conclusion
As we search the words of Isaiah, we can strengthen our testimonies of Jesus and become more valiant in following his example and command. These teachings are true and will help us be happy today and eternally.