Lesson 45: Never Has Man Believed in Me As Thou Hast

Purpose:

To help class members understand from the example of the brother of Jared how faith can enable us to enter the presence of the Lord eternally.

Reading:

• Ether 1-6

Additional reading: 

• The Brother of Jared: An Expert at Learning - Elder Henry B. Eyring
• "Always Have His Spirit" - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Questions to Ponder:

1. The Lord grants the requests of the brother of Jared.

• When the people were scattered and their language was confounded, Jared asked his brother to go to the Lord. What kind of person was the brother of Jared? (See Ether 1:34.)
   
• In response to requests from Jared, the brother of Jared "did cry unto the Lord" (Ether 1:34–39). What is the difference between "crying unto the Lord" and merely saying prayers? What can we do to make our prayers more effective? (See Alma 34:17–28.)
   
• Each time the brother of Jared prayed, the Lord "had compassion" on him and his people (Ether 1:35, 37, 40). How have you felt the Lord's compassion in response to your prayers?
   
• What preparations did the Lord instruct the people to make? (See Ether 1:41–42.) What was the reason the Lord promised to guide the Jaredites to a promised land? (See Ether 1:43) What can we learn from this example about the power of prayer?

2. The Jaredites begin their journey to the promised land.

• The Lord promised to lead the Jaredites to "the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands" (Ether 2:7). For whom had the Lord preserved that choice land? (See Ether 2:7.) What warning did the Lord give the brother of Jared regarding the promised land? (See Ether 2:8.)
   
• What did Moroni say about the decrees of God pertaining to the land of promise? (See Ether 2:9–12)
   
• When they arrived at the seashore, the Jaredites pitched their tents and stayed there for four years (Ether 2:13). At the end of the four years, the Lord spoke with the brother of Jared. Why did the Lord chasten him? (See Ether 2:14.) Why might we sometimes neglect to call upon the Lord?
   
• The brother of Jared repented and began building barges to cross the sea (Ether 2:15–17). What problems did the brother of Jared encounter after the barges were built? (See Ether 2:19.) What did the Lord instruct the brother of Jared to do to have air to breathe in the barges? (See Ether 2:20.)
   
• What was the Lord's response when the brother of Jared asked how to light the barges? (See Ether 2:23–25.) What can we learn from the Lord's response? (See the quotation below.) Why is it important to do all we can in addition to asking the Lord for help?Elder Russell M. Nelson said that he has often heard President Gordon B. Hinckley say, "I don't know how to get anything done except getting on my knees and pleading for help and then getting on my feet and going to work" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 18; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 16).
• How do you think the challenge to light the barges helped the brother of Jared grow? How can challenges in our lives help us?

3. The brother of Jared sees Jesus Christ.

• How did the brother of Jared propose to solve the problem of lighting the barges? (See Ether 3:1–5.) How did this show his humility and faith?
   
• When the brother of Jared had finished speaking, the Lord touched the stones one by one with His finger (Ether 3:6). Why was the brother of Jared so frightened when he saw the finger of the Lord? (See Ether 3:6–8) What did the Lord say about the faith of the brother of Jared? (See Ether 3:9.)
   
• What question did the Lord ask before showing Himself to the brother of Jared? (See Ether 3:11.) How did the brother of Jared's response demonstrate the depth of his faith? (See Ether 3:12) What can we do to follow his example?
   
• How did the Lord describe Himself to the brother of Jared? (See Ether 3:13–14) What was necessary for the brother of Jared to be in the Lord's presence? What is necessary for us to be in the Lord's presence eternally?
   
• What did the Lord show the brother of Jared? (See Ether 3:15–18, 25–26) What did the Lord instruct the brother of Jared to do after he had seen these things? (See Ether 3:21–24, 27–28; 4:1)

4. Moroni seals up the writings of the brother of Jared.

• How did Moroni describe the vision of the brother of Jared? (See Ether 4:4.) What did the Lord command Moroni to do with the brother of Jared's record and the interpreters? (See Ether 4:3, 5.) When will we be able to receive these records? (See Ether 4:6–7)
   
• What did the Lord teach about those who deny His words at the last day? (See Ether 4:8, 10, 12.) What blessings will come to those who believe the Lord's words? (See Ether 4:11.) In what ways does the Holy Ghost help you know that the Lord's words are true?
   
• The Lord exhorted the Gentiles and the house of Israel to come unto Him and receive great blessings and knowledge (Ether 4:13–14). What did He say we must do to come unto Him? (See Ether 4:15, 18.) What blessings did He promise to those who do these things? (See Ether 4:15–19.)

5. The Jaredites travel to the promised land.

• The Lord caused the stones in the barges "to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children" (Ether 6:3). What "lights" has the Lord provided for us as we journey through life?
   
• What did the Jaredites do after they had prepared all they could for their journey? (See Ether 6:4) How can we show this same kind of trust in the Lord?
   
• As the winds blew and the Jaredites were driven forth, what did the Jaredites do throughout the day and night? (See Ether 6:8–9.) What are some ways we can give praise to the Lord?
   
• What did the Jaredites do when they had arrived in the promised land? (See Ether 6:12.) In what ways might this be similar to our return to our Father in Heaven?

Lesson 44: “I Speak unto You As If Ye Were Present”

Purpose:

To help class members understand the warnings and counsel given by Mormon and Moroni to people living in the latter days.

Reading:

Mormon 7,8 & 9

Additional reading: 

Bible Dictionary, “Miracles”

Title page of the Book of Mormon

Beware of Pride - April 1989 General Conference - Ezra Taft Benson

Come, Join with Us -  October 2013 General Conference - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Overview:

a. Mormon 7. Mormon exhorts the latter-day descendants of Lehi to repent, believe in Christ, and be baptized.

b. Mormon 8. Moroni prophesies that the Book of Mormon will come forth in a day of great wickedness.

c. Mormon 9. Moroni calls on people in the latter days to believe in Christ. He proclaims that the Lord is a God of miracles.

Questions to Ponder:

a. Mormon exhorts the latter-day descendants of Lehi to repent, believe in Christ, and be baptized.

• Why is it important for the descendants of Lehi to know that they are “of the house of Israel”? 
• What blessings has the Lord promised to righteous members of the house of Israel? (See Abraham 2:8–11.)
• What instructions did Mormon give the latter-day descendants of Lehi? 
• a. Repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Mormon 7:3, 5, 8, 10).
• b. Lay down weapons of war unless God commands differently (Mormon 7:4).
• c. Come to the knowledge of their ancestors (Mormon 7:5). 
• Why is it important for the latter-day descendants of Lehi to gain a knowledge of their ancestors? (See Mormon 7:9 and the title page of the Book of Mormon.) 
• How can we all benefit from a knowledge of God’s works among our ancestors?
• d. Believe in Jesus Christ and His Atonement (Mormon 7:5–7, 10).
• e. Study the gospel in the Bible and the Book of Mormon (Mormon 7:8–9). 
• How does the Book of Mormon help people believe the Bible? (See Mormon 7:9; see also 1 Nephi 13:38–40; 2 Nephi 3:11–12.)
• In this dispensation the Lord has said that “the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose” (D&C 49:24). 
• How is this prophecy being fulfilled today?

b. Moroni prophesies that the Book of Mormon will come forth in a day of great wickedness.

• What emotions do you sense from Moroni as you read Mormon 8:1–5? 
• What can we learn from Moroni’s diligence despite being so alone?
• Moroni prophesied of Joseph Smith, saying, “Blessed be he that shall bring this thing [the Book of Mormon] to light” (Mormon 8:16; see also verses 14–15). 
• What role did Moroni play in Joseph Smith’s bringing the Book of Mormon “out of darkness unto light”? (See Mormon 8:14; Joseph Smith—History 1:30–35, 46, 59.) 
• What can we do so the Book of Mormon will continue to be “brought out of darkness unto light”?
• President Ezra Taft Benson said: “I commend you faithful Saints who are striving to flood the earth and your lives with the Book of Mormon. Not only must we move forward in a monumental manner more copies of the Book of Mormon, but we must move boldly forward into our own lives and throughout the earth more of its marvelous messages” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 3; or Ensign, May 1989, 4).
• How can Moroni’s words in Mormon 8:22 strengthen us as we labor in the Lord’s cause?
• What did Moroni prophesy about conditions in the world when the Book of Mormon would come forth? (Mormon 8:26–33).
• How are the conditions described in these verses evident today?
• Why was Moroni able to prophesy so clearly concerning the last days? (See Mormon 8:34–35.)
• Moroni said that he would speak to those of us in the last days “as if [we] were present” (Mormon 8:35). 
• Then he said, “I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts” (Mormon 8:36). 
• What did Moroni say about pride in the last days? (See Mormon 8:36–41.)
• How does pride affect people’s attitudes toward the needy? (See Mormon 8:37, 39.)
• Why might some people be “ashamed to take upon [themselves] the name of Christ”? 
• Why might it help us to remember that “endless happiness” has more value than “the praise of the world”? (Mormon 8:38).
• What should be our response to Moroni’s prophecies about pride?
• President Ezra Taft Benson said:
• “The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness (see Alma 7:23). It is the broken heart and contrite spirit (see 3 Nephi 9:20; 12:19; D&C 20:37; 59:8; Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 57:15; 66:2). … “God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble. …
• “Let us choose to be humble” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 6; or Ensign, May 1989, 6).

c. Moroni exhorts people in the last days to believe in Christ.

• Mormon 9 begins with Moroni’s words to people in the latter days who do not believe in Christ (Mormon 9:1). 
• Why would such people be “more miserable to dwell with … God [than] to dwell with the damned souls in hell”? (See Mormon 9:3–5.) 
• What does Mormon 9:6 teach about what we must do so we can dwell in God’s presence? (See also D&C 121:45.)
• What did Moroni say to people who do not believe in the gifts of the Spirit? (See Mormon 9:8–10.)
• To those who believe that God no longer performs miracles, Moroni said, “I will show unto you a God of miracles” (Mormon 9:11). 
• What did he teach to show that the Lord is a God of miracles? (See Mormon 9:11–17).
• a. The creation of the heavens, the earth, and mankind (Mormon 9:11–12, 17).
• b. The Fall (Mormon 9:12).
• c. Redemption through Jesus Christ (Mormon 9:12–13).
• d. The resurrection of all people (Mormon 9:13).
• e. The return of all people to the Lord’s presence to be judged (Mormon 9:13–14).
• Moroni referred to the “many mighty miracles” performed by Jesus and His Apostles (Mormon 9:18). 
• What are some miracles performed by Jesus and His Apostles that have inspired you?
• What causes miracles to cease for some people? (See Mormon 9:20.) 
• What signs will continue to follow those who believe in Christ? (See Mormon 9:21–25.)
• If someone were to tell you that the Lord is not a God of miracles, how would you respond? 
• What experiences could you appropriately share to bear witness that the Lord is a God of miracles?
• Moroni exhorted us to “doubt not, but be believing” (Mormon 9:27). 
• In this dispensation, the Prophet Joseph Smith declared, “Where doubt is, there faith has no power” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 46). 
• What can we do to overcome our doubts?
• Joseph Smith taught: “Those who know their weakness and liability to sin would be in constant doubt of salvation if it were not for the idea which they have of the excellency of God, that he is slow to anger and long-suffering, and of a forgiving disposition, and does forgive iniquity, transgression, and sin. An idea of these facts does away doubt, and makes faith exceedingly strong” (Lectures on Faith, 42).

Lesson 43: How Could Ye Have Departed from the Ways of the Lord?

Purpose:

To help class members see the importance of living according to gospel principles despite the increasing wickedness in the world.

Reading:

• Mormon 1-6

Additional reading: 

• A Mighty Change of Heart - Pres. Ezra Taft Benson
• With All the Feeling of a Tender Parent: A Message of Hope to Families - Elder Robert D. Hales
• “Behold, the Enemy Is Combined” (D&C 38:12) - Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Overview:

1. Mormon is given responsibility for the sacred records.

• How old was Mormon when he was given responsibility for the sacred records? (See Mormon 1:2–3;) What did Ammaron instruct Mormon to do with the plates? (See Mormon 1:3–4.) What characteristics did young Mormon possess that prepared him for his role in preserving and abridging the sacred records?
• When Mormon was 15 years old, he “was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus” (Mormon 1:15). How can we come to know of the goodness of Jesus?
• Why did the Lord forbid Mormon to preach to the Nephites? (See Mormon 1:16–17.) What other losses did the Nephites experience because of the hardness of their hearts? (See Mormon 1:13–18 & 3 Nephi 28:1–9.) What losses might we experience if we harden our hearts against the Lord and His servants?

2. Mormon becomes the leader of the Nephite armies. The Nephites suffer in battle because of their wickedness.

• What conditions existed in Nephite society during Mormon’s lifetime? (See Mormon 1:19; 2:1, 8, 10, 18.) How did these conditions fulfill the words of earlier prophets? (See Mormon 1:19; Mosiah 12:4–8; Helaman 13:5–10.) Even though we, like Mormon, live in a time of much wickedness, what can we do to maintain our faith and personal righteousness? (see Alma 17:2–3; Helaman 3:35; D&C 121:45–46.)
• Why did Mormon rejoice when he saw the people mourning? (See Mormon 2:10–12.) Why was his rejoicing in vain? (See Mormon 2:13–14.) What is the difference between “sorrowing … unto repentance” and “the sorrowing of the damned?” (See 2 Corinthians 7:9–10.)
• What does it mean to “come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits”? (Mormon 2:14; see also 3 Nephi 9:20; D&C 59:8).
• What gave Mormon hope and peace even when he viewed the wickedness of his people? (See Mormon 2:19.) How can we maintain hope and peace amid the wickedness of the world today?
• Mormon said that when his people defeated the Lamanites in battle, “they did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them” (Mormon 3:3). Why is it important that we recognize that the blessings we receive are from the Lord?
• After more than 30 years of leading the Nephite armies, Mormon refused to lead them because of their wickedness and their desire to seek revenge (Mormon 3:9–13). The Lord had commanded them not to seek revenge, and He declared, “Vengeance is mine” (Mormon 3:14–15). What are the consequences when people seek vengeance? How can we overcome feelings of vengeance if they arise in our hearts?
• What can we learn from Mormon about responding to people who are hard-hearted? (See Mormon 3:12.) How can we develop greater love for such people? Why is it important to continue to pray for the hard-hearted?

3. Mormon explains the purposes for the records he has abridged and written.

• For whom was Mormon’s record intended? (See Mormon 3:17–19; 5:9–10, 14)
• For what purposes was the record kept and preserved? (See Mormon 3:20–22; 5:14–15) How have Mormon’s writings helped fulfill these purposes in your life?
  1. “That ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ … to be judged of your works” (Mormon 3:20).
  2. “That ye may believe the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Mormon 3:21; see also Mormon 5:15).
  3. To provide a witness “that Jesus [is] the very Christ and the very God” (Mormon 3:21; see also Mormon 5:14).
  4. To “persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent” (Mormon 3:22).

4. In a final great battle, all but 24 of the Nephites are killed.

• In commenting on the Nephites’ losses against the Lamanites, Mormon explained that “it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished” (Mormon 4:5). What do you think this means? How do you see this happening in the world today?
• How did Mormon feel when he agreed to lead the armies again? (See Mormon 5:2.) What did Mormon understand about who could bring the Nephites victory in battle? How did this differ from the Nephites’ belief about how they could be victorious? (See Mormon 5:1.)
• Why did Mormon take the plates from the Hill Shim? (See Mormon 4:23; see also Mormon 1:3–4.) Why did he hide them in the Hill Cumorah? (See Mormon 6:6.) Why was it important to protect the plates?
• What was the result of the final battle at Cumorah? (See Mormon 6:7–15.)
• After the battle of Cumorah, the Lamanites hunted down the remaining 24 Nephites and killed all but Moroni (Mormon 8:2–3). The Nephite nation was thus completely destroyed. Why did such “great calamity” come upon the Nephites? (See Mormon 1:13, 16; 2:26–27; 3:2–3; 4:12; 5:2, 16–19; Moroni 9:3–5, 18–20.)
• We also live among much wickedness. How can individual righteousness make a difference in an unrighteous society?Elder Neal A. Maxwell warned: “Only reform and self-restraint, institutional and individual, can finally rescue society! Only a sufficient number of sin-resistant souls can change the marketplace. As Church members we should be part of that sin-resistant counterculture” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1993, 96; or Ensign, May 1993, 77).

Lesson 42: "This is My Gospel"

Reading:
3 Nephi 27 & 28
4 Nephi 1

Additional reading: 
Doctrine and Covenants 39:1–6
The Gospel of Jesus Christ - April 2008 General Conference - L. Tom Perry
Handbook 2 - 1.2.1  The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Articles of Faith - Particularly 1-4 and 13

Overview:
a. 3 Nephi 27. The Savior commands His twelve Nephite disciples to call the Church after His name. He expounds His gospel.
b. 3 Nephi 28. One by one, the Savior grants His twelve Nephite disciples the desires of their hearts. Three of the disciples desire and are given power to remain on earth to preach the gospel until the Savior returns in His glory.
c. 4 Nephi 1. All the people are converted, and they establish a society of perfect peace. Many years later, the majority of the people dwindle in unbelief and reject the gospel.

Questions to Ponder:
a. The Savior commands His Nephite disciples to call the Church after His name. He expounds His gospel. 3 Nephi 27.

• Jesus’ Nephite disciples were “united in mighty prayer and fasting” when Jesus came to them and asked, “What will ye that I shall give unto you?” (3 Nephi 27:1–2). 
  • What did the disciples ask of Him? (See 3 Nephi 27:3.) 
  • What was His answer to their question? (See 3 Nephi 27:4–9.)
• The Lord has commanded that His restored Church, like His Church among the Nephites, be called after His name (D&C 115:4). 
  • Why is it important for us to remember that the Church is called after the name of Jesus Christ?
• Jesus said, “Whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name” (3 Nephi 27:7). 
  • What are some things we do in the name of Christ? 
    • President Boyd K. Packer said:
    • “Every prayer we offer is in His name. Every ordinance performed is in His name. Every baptism, confirmation, blessing, ordination, every sermon, every testimony is concluded with the invocation of His sacred name. It is in His name that we heal the sick and perform other miracles of which we do not, cannot, speak.
    • “In the sacrament we take upon ourselves the name of Christ. We covenant to remember Him and keep His commandments. He is present in all that we believe” (“The Peaceable Followers of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 1998, 64).
• Jesus taught that in addition to being called after His name, His Church must be “built upon [His] gospel.” He said, “If it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it” (3 Nephi 27:10). 
  • What are the works of the Father? (See 3 Nephi 21:1–9, 24–29; Moses 1:39.) 
  • How have you seen these works in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
  • When we as Latter-day Saints bear testimony, we often say that they know the gospel is true. 
    • How they would respond if, after saying “I know the gospel is true,” you were asked, “What is the gospel?”
  • After Jesus said that His Church must be built on His gospel, He gave His disciples a concise, complete definition of His gospel. (See 3 Nephi 27:13–22).
• What did the Savior promise to those who live according to His gospel? (See 3 Nephi 27:21–22.)
• Jesus asked His disciples, “What manner of men ought ye to be?” 
  • What was the answer to this question? (See 3 Nephi 27:27).
  • What can you do to be more like the Savior.

b. The Savior grants the desires of His twelve disciples. 3 Nephi 28

• Nine asked that their ministries might end when they reached a certain age and that they might then go speedily to Him in His kingdom. 
• The last three Nephite disciples wanted to remain on earth and bring souls to Christ until the end of the world. 
  • Jesus said that these disciples were “more blessed” because of their desire (3 Nephi 28:7). 
  • What can we learn from this statement? (See D&C 15:6; 16:6; 18:10–16.)
• In response to their request, the three disciples were transfigured, meaning that their bodies were changed so they “could behold the things of God” (3 Nephi 28:13–15). Then they were translated. 
  • What does the account in 3 Nephi 28 teach about translated beings? (See 3 Nephi 28:7–40). 

   a. Translated beings never taste of death or endure the pains of death (3 Nephi 28:7–8, 38).
b. When the Savior comes in His glory, they will be “changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality” (3 Nephi 28:8).
c. Except for the sorrow they feel for the sins of the world, they do not experience pain or sorrow (3 Nephi 28:9, 38).
d. They help people become converted to the Lord (3 Nephi 28:9, 18, 23, 29–30).
e. They cannot be killed or harmed in any way (3 Nephi 28:19–22).
f. Satan cannot tempt them or have any power over them (3 Nephi 28:39).
g. They remain in a translated state until the Judgment Day, when they will be resurrected and received into the kingdom of God (3 Nephi 28:40).
c. After many years of peace, the majority of the people dwindle in unbelief and reject the gospel.  4 Nephi 1

• According to verses from 4 Nephi 1:1–18 what are some of the characteristics of the people described in these verses?
• For many years after Jesus’ visit, there was no contention among the people (4 Nephi 1:2, 4, 13, 15–18). 
  • Why was there no contention? (See 4 Nephi 1:15.) 
  • How can we become like the righteous people described in 4 Nephi? 
  • What can we do so that the love of God will dwell in our hearts?
    • President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “If the world is to be improved, the process of love must make a change in [our] hearts. … It can do so when we look beyond self to give our love to God and others, and do so with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind” (“And the Greatest of These Is Love,” Ensign, Mar. 1984, 5).
• During this period of peace, there was not “any manner of -ites” (4 Nephi 1:17). 
  • What does this mean? (See 4 Nephi 1:2–3, 15–17.) 
  • What problems exist today because of distinctions between groups of people? 
  • In what ways can the gospel help us become united, despite our differences?
• What contributed to the end of this long era of peace? (See 4 Nephi 1:20–46.)

a. Division and the creation of classes (4 Nephi 1:20, 26, 35)
b. Pride and greed because of riches (4 Nephi 1:23–25, 41, 43; see also 3 Nephi 27:32)
c. Churches that professed to know Christ but denied most of His gospel (4 Nephi 1:26–29, 34)
d. Churches built up to help people get gain (4 Nephi 1:26–29, 41)
e. Hard-heartedness (4 Nephi 1:31)
f. Persecution of Christ’s followers (4 Nephi 1:29–34)
g. Parents teaching children not to believe in Christ (4 Nephi 1:38)
h. Parents teaching children to hate (4 Nephi 1:39)
i. Secret combinations (4 Nephi 1:42, 46)

• The attitudes and actions described in 4 Nephi 1:40–46 led to the Nephites’ destruction. 
  • Why is it important for us to examine this account?