Lesson 9 - My Soul Delighteth in the Words of Isaiah

Purpose:
To inspire class members to read the prophecies of Isaiah and to help them understand how these prophecies apply in their lives.

Reading Assignment:

• 2 Nephi 11-25

Additional Reading:

• D&C 133:7–14
• D&C 20:29–31
• 2 Nephi 10:24–25
• Moroni 7:12–17
   
• How can I understand Isaiah? - Ryan S. Gardner
  (This article was intended for seminary students but I found it really helpful. If you are an Isaiah expert, you can skip this one. If you are a novice like me, give it a read.)
   
• The Gift of Grace - Dieter F. Uchtdorf
   
• Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy - in Good Times and Bad Times - Elder Quentin L. Cook

Questions to Ponder:

• What are the keys to understanding Isaiah, as taught by Nephi?
  • 1 Nephi 19:23
  • 2 Nephi 11:2, 8
  • 2 Nephi 15:26
  • 2 Nephi 25:1
  • 2 Nephi 12:1–3
  • 2 Nephi 25:3
  • 2 Nephi 25:6
  • 2 Nephi 20:28–34
  • 2 Nephi 25:4
  • Revelation 19:10
• What can we learn from Isaiah's writings about the latter-day temple and gathering of Israel?
  • 2 Nephi 12:1–12
  • 2 Nephi 14:6
  • 2 Nephi 12:3–5
  • D&C 133:7–14
• Isaiah exhorted the house of Jacob to “walk in the light of the Lord” instead of “all [going] astray, every one to his wicked ways” (2 Nephi 12:5).
  • What are some of the specific sins mentioned in (2 Nephi 12:7–12)?
    • How are these sins still prevalent today?
    • How can we avoid these pitfalls and “walk in the light”?
• What can we learn from Isaiah's prophesies about "lifting up an ensign to the nations"?
  • 2 Nephi 15:26–29; 21:12
• What do we learn from the testimonies of Isaiah and Nephi about Jesus Christ's redeeming power? (2 Nephi 16; 22;25:19–30)
  • Nephi teaches "it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." What does this statement teach about the relationship between the grace of Jesus Christ and our works? (2 Nephi 25:23)
• What might you do in your life to comply more fully with the exhortation to worship the Lord "with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul"?
  • 2 Nephi 25:29
• I what ways might we, like ancient Israel, make the mistake of calling "evil good, and good evil"? (2 Nephi 15:20)
  • How can we be sure that we recognize good and evil for what they really are?
    • Moroni 7:12–17

Lesson 8 - “O How Great the Goodness of Our God”

Purpose:

To help class members understand their need for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to teach them how to receive all the blessings of the Atonement.

Reading Assignment:

• 2 Nephi 6-10

Additional Reading:

• His Grace Is Sufficient - BYU Speeches - Brad Wilcox
• Have You Been Saved? - Dallin H. Oaks
• No Other Gods - Dallin H. Oaks

Questions to Ponder:

• What did the Savior do to overcome temporal death and spiritual death? (See 2 Nephi 9:5–7, 12, 21–22; see also Luke 22:44; Mosiah 3:7; D&C 19:16–19).
   
• Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected—saved from temporal death (2 Nephi 9:12–13, 22). What would happen to us without the power of Christ’s Resurrection? (See 2 Nephi 9:6–9).
   
• Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be restored to God’s presence to be judged (2 Nephi 2:10; 9:15). However, not all people will be “saved in the kingdom of God,” or permitted to dwell in God’s presence forever (2 Nephi 9:23; Mormon 7:7). 
   
  • What are some of the things we must do to be “saved in the kingdom of God”? (See 2 Nephi 9:18, 21, 23–24, 39, 41, 50–52).
     
• What does it mean to endure the crosses of the world and despise the shame of the world (2 Nephi 9:18).
   
• What does it mean to you to be spiritually minded? How does being spiritually minded lead to “life eternal”? What does it mean to be carnally minded? How does being carnally minded lead to spiritual death? What can we do to become more spiritually minded? (See 2 Nephi 9:39; see also Romans 8:5–8).
   
• What are some things that never perish? How can we “feast” on these things? (See 2 Nephi 9:50–51).
   
• What are some attitudes and actions that prevent us from receiving all the blessings of the Atonement? (See 2 Nephi 9:27–38).
   
• In what ways do we choose either the way of everlasting death or the way of everlasting life? (See 2 Nephi 2:26–27).
   
• Why is it important to remember that “it is only through the grace of God that [we] are saved”? 

Lesson 7: “I Know in Whom I Have Trusted”

Purpose:

To help class members strengthen their testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith and to encourage them to find happiness through trusting in the Lord and keeping His commandments.

Reading Assignment:

• 2 Nephi 3, 4, 5
   
• Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 50:24–38
   
• Bible Dictionary “Joseph, Son of Rachel,”

Additional Reading:

• The Prophet Joseph Smith - Lawrence E. Corbridge
   
• Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times - Quentin L. Cook
   
• Joseph Smith History Verses 1–20

Questions to Ponder

• Lehi taught his son Joseph about a prophecy made by Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel who was “carried captive into Egypt” (2 Nephi 3:4; see also Genesis 30:22–24; 37:1–3, 23–28). 
  • Why were the covenants that Joseph of Egypt made with the Lord important to Lehi’s family? (See2 Nephi 3:4–5; Jacob 2:25; see also Genesis 45:7.)
     
• Who was the “choice seer” whom Joseph of Egypt saw in vision? (See 2 Nephi 3:6–15. The Prophet Joseph Smith.) 
  • How did Joseph Smith “bring forth [the Lord’s] word”? (See 2 Nephi 3:11 and the quotation below.) How have you been blessed because of the word of God brought forth by Joseph Smith?Elder LeGrand Richards said: “The Prophet Joseph Smith brought us the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and many other writings. As far as our records show, he has given us more revealed truth than any prophet who has ever lived upon the face of the earth” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1981, 43; or Ensign, May 1981, 33). See also (The Prophet Joseph Smith - Lawrence E. Corbridge)
     
• The Lord told Joseph of Egypt about the Bible, which would contain words written by descendants of Judah, and the Book of Mormon, which would contain words written by descendants of Joseph (2 Nephi 3:12). 
  • How have the Bible and the Book of Mormon “grow[n] together”? 
  • What blessings did the Lord say would come because the Bible and the Book of Mormon would “grow together”? (See 2 Nephi 3:12.)
     
• The Lord promised that “a righteous branch” of the descendants of Joseph of Egypt would be “broken off” but would be “remembered in the covenants of the Lord” (2 Nephi 3:5). 
  • What are the roles of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon in the fulfillment of these covenants? (See2 Nephi 3:12–13, 18–21; 30:3–6.) 
  • How is this promise being fulfilled today? (See The Prophet Joseph Smith - Lawrence E. Corbridge)
  • How does the Book of Mormon help you remember and keep your covenants with the Lord?
     
• What connects Joseph of Egypt, Lehi’s son Joseph, and Joseph Smith, in addition to their name? (See 2 Nephi 3:4–7, 11–12, 18–21. Answers may include lineage, covenants, and the Book of Mormon.)
   
• Nephi said, “My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth [them] continually” (2 Nephi 4:16). 
  • What specific things did Nephi delight in? (See2 Nephi 4:15–16.) 
  • What does it mean to ponder? 
  • What can we do to make time to ponder the things of the Lord? 
  • How can pondering the things of the Lord help us?
     
• What words would you use to describe Nephi? (Answers may include righteous, obedient, and humble.) 
  • Why would Nephi say that he was a “wretched man” whose “soul grieveth because of [his] iniquities”? (See 2 Nephi 4:17, 27; see also 1 Nephi 10:6.) 
  • Why is it important to recognize our fallen nature before God?
    • 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).
       
• How did Nephi find hope despite feeling “encompassed about” by temptation and sin? (See 2 Nephi 4:18–19.) 
  • How had the Lord helped Nephi in the past? (See2 Nephi 4:20–25)
     
• Nephi asked himself why he yielded to sorrow and sin in spite of the things that he had seen and the things that he knew (2 Nephi 4:26–27). 
  • Why do we sometimes struggle with sorrow and temptation despite our knowledge of the gospel? 
  • What can Nephi’s psalm teach us about overcoming sorrow and temptation? (See 2 Nephi 4:28–30.)
     
• In the first part of his psalm, Nephi’s words were directed toward himself (2 Nephi 4:15–30). The conclusion of the psalm was a prayer (2 Nephi 4:30–35). 
  • What did Nephi ask of Heavenly Father in this prayer? (See 2 Nephi 4:31–33. 
  • What parts of Nephi’s prayer that are especially meaningful to you.
    • How does the Lord “deliver [us] out of the hands of [our] enemies”? (See 2 Nephi 4:31, 33.)
    • What does it mean to “shake at the appearance of sin”? (See 2 Nephi 4:31;Mosiah 5:2; Alma 13:12.)
    • What do you think it means to “walk in the path of the low valley” and “be strict in the plain road”? (2 Nephi 4:32).
    • What do you think it means for the Lord to “encircle [us] around in the robe of [His] righteousness”? (2 Nephi 4:33).
       
• In his prayer, what did Nephi promise to do? (See 2 Nephi 4:30, 34–35.)
  • What did Nephi mean when he said, “I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh”? (See 2 Nephi 4:34;28:31.) 
  • What are some ways that people “trust in the arm of flesh”? 
  • What are the dangers of this? 
  • What can we do to increase our trust in the Lord?
     
• Why were Laman and Lemuel angry toward Nephi? (See2 Nephi 4:13; 5:3.) 
  • What did Laman and Lemuel seek to do as a result of their increasing anger? (See 2 Nephi 5:2, 4.) 
    • Compare their anger with Nephi’s efforts to control his anger, as recorded in 2 Nephi 4:27–29.) 
  • What are some dangers of increasing anger? 
  • What can we do to be peacemakers in the home, the community, and the Church?
    • President Howard W. Hunter taught: “We need a more peaceful world, growing out of more peaceful families and neighborhoods and communities. To secure and cultivate such peace, ‘we must love others, even our enemies as well as our friends.’ … We need to extend the hand of friendship. We need to be kinder, more gentle, more forgiving, and slower to anger. We need to love one another with the pure love of Christ. May this be our course and our desire” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 87; or Ensign, May 1992, 63).
       
• Because of the anger of his brothers, Nephi prayed for help (2 Nephi 5:1). 
  • How did the Lord answer his prayers? (See 2 Nephi 5:5.)
     
• When Nephi and his people had departed, they “lived after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27). 
  • What did they do that contributed to their happiness? (See 2 Nephi 5:10–17.)
  • How can the Nephites’ example help us as we strive to live “after the manner of happiness”?
  • What did Elder Quentin L. Cook teach us about living after the manner of happiness? (See Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times)
  • How are happiness and righteousness interconnected?
  • What do the parables of the foolish virgins and talents teach us about happiness?
  • In addition to being temple worthy, what other principles contribute to righteousness.

Lesson 6 - Free to Choose Liberty and Eternal Life

Purpose:

To help class members have a greater desire to “choose liberty and eternal life” through Jesus Christ, “the great Mediator of all men"

Reading Assignment:

• 2 Nephi 1-2

Related Scripture References:

• James 2:10
• 1 Nephi 10:21
• Alma 34:13-16
• D&C 19:15-19
• D&C 45:3-5
• Romans 10:4
• Moses 6:48
• Moses 5:10-12
• Moses 7:32
• 2 Nephi 10:23
• Helaman 14:30-31

Additional Reading:

• Choosing Liberty and Eternal Life - Elder Craig A. Cardon
• Joy and Mercy - Dallin H. Oaks
• To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency - Robert D. Hales
• Joy Cometh in the Morning - Russell M. Nelson

Questions to Ponder:

• According to 2 Nephi 2:24–28, what does our Father in Heaven want for us? (Joy, liberty, and eternal life.) How did He provide a way for us to receive these blessings? (See 2 Nephi 2:26–27; see also John 14:6.)
• Lehi declares, "Men are that they might have joy." What is the difference between the joy/happiness spoken of in the scriptures and the pleasure/happiness sought by the world?  
• Sometimes we may feel that the commandments restrict our freedom. How can obedience to the commandments increase our liberty? 
• Lehi called his sons to repentance by commanding them to “awake … from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which [they were] bound” (2 Nephi 1:13; see also verses 2 Nephi 1:14, 21, 23). How is sinfulness like being in a deep sleep? How is sinfulness like being bound by chains? 
• What parts of the atonement are free? How must we live so we can be justified through Christ’s suffering for our sins? (See 2 Nephi 2:7; see also Romans 10:4; D&C 19:15–16; Articles of Faith 1:3) 
• Lehi told his children that “it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11; 2 Nephi 2:15). How have you seen that it is important to have opposition in our daily lives? (2 Nephi 2:11–13) How can opposition help us progress? 
• 2 Nephi 2 contains the doctrines of the Creation (2 Nephi 2:14–15), the Fall (2 Nephi 2:4–5, 8, 18–25), and the Atonement (2 Nephi 2:3–4, 6–10, 26–27). How are these three doctrines central to Heavenly Father’s plan of redemption?

Lesson 5: “Hearken to the Truth, and Give Heed unto It”

Purpose:

To inspire class members to follow Nephi's example of faith and willing obedience.

Scriptures:

• 1 Nephi 16-22
• Alma 37:38–46

Additional Reading:

• The Holy Ghost as Your Companion - Henry B. Eyring
• Turn to Him and Answers Will Come - James B. Martino

Questions to Ponder:

• Nephi and his family were blessed as they traveled to the promised land because Nephi continued to have an "I will" attitude—he did not hesitate to obey the Lord's commandments. (1 Nephi 3:7)
• Consider the following attitudes:
• I don't want to
• I'll think about it
• I'll try
• I will
• How might these different attitudes bring out different outcomes in our individual lives?
• How might these different attitudes bring affect the Lord's ability to bless us?
• How might these different attitudes bless the lives of those you care about?
• What are some guides in our lives that, like the Liahona, work according to our faith and diligence? (Alma 37:38–46).
• What gifts has the Lord give us that acts like the Liahona?
• How can we obtain guidance from the Lord in our daily lives?
• (The Holy Ghost as Your Companion - Henry B. Eyring)
• (Turn to Him and Answers Will Come - James B. Martino).
• What are some of the blessing of the companionship of the Holy Ghost? (The Holy Ghost as Your Companion - Henry B. Eyring)
• Nephi told Laman and Lemuel that they "were past feeling, that [they] could not feel [the Lord's] words" (1 Nephi 17:45).
• What does it mean to feel the words of the Lord?
• What causes people to become "past feeling"?
• How can we prepare ourselves to feel the words of the Lord? (The Holy Ghost as Your Companion - Henry B. Eyring)
• How can Obedience, Scripture Study, Prayer and Fasting invite Revelation? (Turn to Him and Answers Will Come - James B. Martino).
• As the people traveled through the wilderness and across the sea, what circumstances led many of them to murmur? (1 Nephi 16:18–20, 34–36; 17:6; 17:21.)
• What was Nephi's attitude during these difficult times? (1 Nephi 18:16.)
• Consider the contrast: (Turn to Him and Answers Will Come - James B. Martino). 
• Those who murmured allowed circumstances to rule over them. 
• Nephi was strengthened by the experiences.

Lesson #3 & 4 - The Vision of the Tree of Life

Purpose:

To help class members understand the symbols in the vision of the tree of life and the application of these symbols in their lives.

Scriptures:

• 1 Nephi 8-15

Additional Reading:

• A Reservoir of Living Water - David A. Bednar
• Hold Fast to the Words of the Prophets - Neil L. Andersen
• Cairns on the Path of Mortality - J. Kelly Flanagan
• Lehi's Dream and You - Boyd K. Packer

Questions to Ponder:

• What do the tree and fruit in Lehi's dream represent?
• How does the love of God (the tree) produce eternal life (the fruit)?
• How can we “partake” of the Atonement?
• How has the Savior’s Atonement brought happiness and joy to your life?
• What is the difference between "clinging to the rod of iron" (1 Nephi 8:24) and "holding fast to the iron rod." (1 Nephi 8:30)?
• What does the river of filthy water represent in your life? (1 Nephi 12:16 15:26-29)
• What does the mist of darkness represent in your life? (1 Nephi 12:17) 
• What are the effects of the mist of darkness in your life? (1 Nephi 8:23 12:17)
• In what ways does Satan try to blind our eyes from the tree in our day?
• What does the great and spacious building represent in your life? (1 Nephi 11:34-36 12:18.) 
• Why is it significant that the building “stood … in the air”? (1 Nephi 8:26.) 
• How does pride keep a person from receiving eternal life?
• Some people in the vision tasted of the fruit but were ashamed because the people in the great and spacious building reviled them (1 Nephi 8:26-28). How can we receive strength to stand with conviction when the Church's policies or God's commandments are unpopular?
• What are the four categories of people described in the vision? (1 Nephi 8:21-33)
  • How are these categories manifest in the world today?
• What are some of the “forbidden,” “strange,” or “broad” roads that we might be tempted to take in our day?
  • How can we return to the strait and narrow path?
• In what ways did Laman and Lemuel’s response to their father’s vision differ from Nephi’s response? (1 Nephi 15:1-2.) 
• Why were Laman and Lemuel unable to understand the truths Lehi had taught them? (1 Nephi 15:3, 8-11.)

Lesson #2 - "All Things According to His Will"

Purpose:

To help class members see, through the examples of Lehi and Nephi, that safety and salvation come through obedience to the Lord.

Scriptures:

• 1 Nephi 1-7
• Mosiah 1:3–7
• Alma 3:11–12

Additional Reading:

• Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God - Elder Von G. Keetch of the Seventy

Questions to Ponder:

• What can we learn from Nephi about how to make our hearts more receptive to the teachings of the prophets? 1 Nephi 2:16, 19
• How did Nephi respond to the commandment to return to Jerusalem? 1 Nephi 3:7
• How does knowing the will of the Lord make difficult things easier? 1 Nephi 3:5
• How can we know the will of the Lord?
• What are some situations in which we might need to be “led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which [we] should do”? (1 Nephi 4:6).
• What can we learn from Nephi’s words: “Nevertheless I went forth”? (1 Nephi 4:7).
• How are the commandments of God like the barriers on the reef in Elder Keetch’s talk?
• What are some of the barriers that protect us from spiritual predators and the gaping jaws of sin?
• Elder Dallin H. Oaks has taught us: “It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to Become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”
• Compare and contrast Nephi & Sam V Laman & Lemuel
• Elder Keetch defined True obedience, as giving ourselves entirely to Him and allowing Him to chart our course both in calm waters and in troubled ones, understanding that He can make more of us than we could ever make of ourselves.
• How does this definition of obedience influence your ability to be obedient in the future?
• How does this definition help you to endure trials and difficulties in this life?
• Who did King Benjamin would be blessed and happy in all things, both temporal and spiritual? Mosiah 2:41

Lesson #1 - "The Keystone of Our Religion"

Purpose:

Understand how the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion and how abiding by its precepts helps us draw nearer to God.

Scriptures:

• Title Page
• Introduction
• Testimony of Three Witnesses
• Testimony of Eight Witnesses
• Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith
• 1 Nephi 13:38-41
• 1 Nephi 19:23
• 2 Nephi 3:12
• 2 Nephi 25:21-23,26
• 2 Nephi 27:22
• 2 Nephi 29:6-11
• 2 Nephi 33:10-11
• Mormon 8:26-41
• Ether 5:2-4
• Moroni 1:4
• Moroni 10:3-5
• D&C 10:45-46
• D&C 20:8-16
• D&C 42:12
• D&C 84:54-58

Additional Reading:

• “The Book of Mormon Keystone of Our Religion” - Ezra Taft Benson
• “The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ - Plain and Precious Things” - Boyd K Packer 
• “Safety for the Soul” - Jeffrey R. Holland 
• “The Book of Mormon - a Book from God” - Tad R. Callister

Questions to Ponder:

• Why did Joseph Smith call the Book of Mormon the Keystone of Our Religion? 
• How Can Having a Testimony of the Book of Mormon Protect Us from Doubt? 
• How Did You Gain Your Testimony of The Book of Mormon?
• How Can We Apply Moroni's Promise to Deepen Our Faith When We Already Have a Testimony? 
• What Experiences Have Strengthened Your Testimony of The Book of Mormon?
• What Blessings Have Your Received from Your Testimony and Following The Teachings of the BOM? 
• What is the Meaning and Significance of Witnesses in The Gospel?
• How Does One Become a Witness in Our Day? 
• How Does Knowing the Book of Mormon was Written for Our Day Influence How We Study It?
• What Lessons Do We Learn from This to Help Us in Our Day?