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?”