Lesson 11: Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ

Purpose:
To help class members understand the doctrine of Christ and have an increased desire to press forward, feasting on His words.

Reading Assignment:

• 2 Nephi 31-33

Additional Reading:

• How to Press Forward - Neil L. Andersen

Questions to Ponder:

• Why was Jesus baptized? (See 2 Nephi 31:5.) How did He “fulfill all righteousness” by being baptized? (See 2 Nephi 31:6–7.)
• According to 2 Nephi 31:9, for what other reason was Jesus baptized? Why do we need baptism? (See 2 Nephi 31:13, 17 and Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 71–74)
• What do you think it means to act without hypocrisy or deception before God? How can following the Son “with full purpose of heart” help us avoid hypocrisy and deception? (See 2 Nephi 31:13).
• What gift will we receive when we show our willingness “to follow [the] Savior down into the water” through baptism? (2 Nephi 31:13). What does it mean to “speak with the tongue of angels”? (See 2 Nephi 32:2–3.) In what situations might we be blessed to speak with the “tongue of angels”?
• Nephi also taught that after baptism we receive a remission of sins “by fire and by the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 31:17). Why do you think Nephi used the word “fire” in describing this process?
• Nephi taught that the Holy Ghost “witnesses of the Father and the Son” (2 Nephi 31:18). Why is it essential for us to receive a testimony of the Father and the Son through the Holy Ghost?
• In what ways can a witness from the Holy Ghost come to us? (See D&C 8:2 and the following quotation.) Why is it important to understand how the Holy Ghost speaks to us? (See 2 Nephi 32:5.)President Boyd K. Packer taught: “The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear. It is described as a ‘still small voice’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 77; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 60).
• What question did Nephi ask in 2 Nephi 31:19? What is the answer to this question? (See 2 Nephi 31:19–20.) What do you think it means to “press forward”? (See How to Press Forward - Neil L. Andersen)  What are some things that might distract us from pressing forward? Why is pressing forward an important part of enduring to the end?
• What does it mean to have “a steadfastness in Christ”? (2 Nephi 31:20). How can following Christ help us have a “perfect brightness of hope”? What are some ways we can help one another in our efforts to press forward? What can we do to help new members of the Church as they begin their journeys along the path?President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “With the ever increasing number of converts, we must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way. Every one of them needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with ‘the good word of God’ (Moroni 6:4). It is our duty and opportunity to provide these things” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 66; or Ensign, May 1997, 47).
• Based on Nephi’s teachings in 2 Nephi 31, how would you define “the doctrine of Christ”? (See 2 Nephi 31:13, 15; see also 3 Nephi 11:31–40. 
• In 2 Nephi 32, Nephi gave additional instructions about what we must do after we have entered in the path to eternal life (2 Nephi 32:1–3). What specific instruction is given in verse three? What sources do we have for receiving the words of Christ?
• What do you think it means to feast on these words? (See the quotation below.) How is “feasting” different from reading or even studying? How can we help others feast? Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “We need to feast upon the words of Christ in the scriptures and as these words come to us from living prophets. Just nibbling occasionally will not do. (See 2 Nephi 31:20 and 32:3.) Feasting means partaking with relish and delight and savoring—not gorging episodically in heedless hunger, but partaking gratefully, dining with delight, at a sumptuous spread carefully and lovingly prepared … over the centuries” (Wherefore Ye Must Press Forward [1977], 28).
• What promise did Nephi give regarding the words of Christ? (See 2 Nephi 32:3.) How have you found this to be true?
• Nephi taught that the Spirit teaches, or encourages, a person to pray (2 Nephi 32:8). Why is it important that we pray before we perform “any thing unto the Lord”? (2 Nephi 32:9). How have you been blessed as you have followed this counsel?
• Why are Nephi’s words “of great worth”? (See 2 Nephi 33:3–5.) How can we learn of the worth of these words? How can we know that the words of Nephi are true? (See 2 Nephi 33:10; see also Moroni 7:13–17.)
• Nephi said that we will meet him “face to face” at the judgment bar (2 Nephi 33:11). How could Nephi’s words “condemn [us] at the last day”? (See 2 Nephi 33:14. If we choose to reject these words or disobey the principles they teach, we will be cut off from the presence of the Lord.)
• Among Nephi’s last written words is the declaration “For thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey” (2 Nephi 33:15). Why is this a fitting end to Nephi’s writings? What have you learned from Nephi’s example that can help you as you strive to be more obedient?