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.