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