Book of Mormon Lesson Plan 43

Introduction

Ask class members:

• If you were sailing a boat, what equipment would you want it to have?

Accept all answers, and then explain that Mormon compared his people, the Nephites, to a boat that was lacking some essential pieces of equipment. Have a class member read Mormon 5:17–18 aloud.

• In what ways are people who do not follow the Savior “as a vessel without sail or anchor”?

Point out that unlike the rest of the Nephites, Mormon used the gospel as both a sail and an anchor in his life. He lived righteously even when it seemed that everyone around him was wicked. This lesson will discuss what happened to Mormon and his people and how we can use the gospel as a sail and an anchor in our lives.

Mormon as a young man

Ways we are or can be like Mormon

Mormon 1:2 – We can pursue good learning, be sober, and quick to observe

Mormon 1:4 – We have the records of Nephi, but other records have not been given to us yet

Mormon 1:7 – We also live in a time when there are many people and buildings

Mormon 1:15 – As we are “sober” in mind, we can know of the goodness of Jesus

Sober - in character; moderate; realistic; serious; not playful; not passionate; cool; self-controlled

Ways our circumstances are different from Mormon

Mormon 1:13-14 – Notice that miracles had ceased among the Nephites, and that no one received the Holy Ghost.  Mormon understood these consequences of wickedness, and taught us about them in Moroni 7:35-37.

Mormon 1:16-17 – Why was Mormon forbidden to preach?  Because the Nephites knew better!  Compare to 2 Nephi 28:30.  Speaking from the dungeon in Liberty Jail, the Prophet Joseph counseled Church members regarding their responsibility to stand for what is right and help others understand the truth.  Read D&C 123:11-12, 17.  What things lie in our power?

What can we do to more valiantly stand for truth and righteousness in our homes, in our ward, and in our country?

Mormon leads the Nephite armies and speaks to us

Mormon described the society in which he lived using the following phrases (see Mormon 2:1, 8, 10, 18):

…there began to be a war…

…the land was filled with robbers…

…no man could keep that which was his own…

…a continual scene of wickedness and abominations has been before mine eyes…

Although our society could be described similarly, we are commanded to be filled with hope.  What can we do to maintain our faith and personal righteousness?  Read Alma 17:2–3; Helaman 3:35; D&C 121:45–46

In verses 10-11, why does Mormon begins to rejoice when he sees the sorrow of the Nephites?  See verse 12.  Sadly, his rejoicing is short lived.  Read verses 13-14. 

• What is the difference between “sorrowing … unto repentance” and “the sorrowing of the damned?” (See also 2 Corinthians 7:9–10.)
• How can we cultivate godly sorrow in our lives?

After the Nephites won a great victory over the Lamanites, they bragged that they would destroy the Lamanites and seek revenge.  Mormon refused to lead the Nephites following this colossally bad decision, and spoke directly to us.

Read Mormon 3:20-22 and Mormon 5:14, 21-24.  The role of Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten of the Father, and the fact that we will all be brought to stand before his Judgment Seat feature prominently in these teachings.

Conclusion: the Nephites are destroyed and we are invited to come unto Christ

In the final terrible battle, all the Nephites (numbering at least 240,000) were killed.  Twenty-four individuals survived this battle, including Mormon and Moroni.  Eventually, even these people were hunted and killed by the Lamanites, and Lamanite society descended into a dark, filthy, and loathsome state.

Consider the brutal juxtaposition Mormon endured.  He had tasted of the goodness of Jesus.  He had access to all the sacred records kept by the Nephites, including those parts that have not yet been given to us.  He was also surrounded by deplorable wickedness.  Although he worked tirelessly to love and serve the Nephites, it was without faith because he knew their sin was willful.  Beholding this terrible slaughter, Mormon lamented in Mormon 6:16-22.

And he worked tirelessly and with great love to preserve the Book of Mormon for us.  “Therefore, [let us] repent … and humble [ourselves] before him” that we “might [be] clasped in the arms of Jesus” (see Mormon 5:11, 24).