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.