1 Nephi 1-2The Book of Mormon

Joseph Smith, Introduction to the Book of Mormon

 “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by ___________________, than by any other book.”

Joseph Smith, Introduction to the Book of Mormon

 “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

Let’s look at a few precepts (rule for action) in 1 Nephi 1-2

1 Nephi 1-2: IntroductionRead 1 Nephi 1:1• “Highly favored of the Lord” even though “many afflictions”?

1 Nephi 1-2: The Pattern of Prophets

• vs. 5 prayed to God• vs. 8 had a vision• vs. 10 heavenly messengers come• vs. 11 he is given him a book• vs. 16 he keeps a record• vs. 18 he tell of his experience• vs. 19 he is mocked for his experience• vs.20 they seek his life

1 Nephi 1-2: Semitic Writing

1 Nephi 1:5-20 How many sentences begin with “AND?” Was Joseph Smith a poor writer? Look at Genesis 1 - how many begin with AND?  

1 Nephi 1-2: Tender Mercies

Lehi is rejected and then Nephi records 1 Nephi 1:20

• “The Lord’s Tender Mercies” • After the video, I’d like to have a few of your please share a tender mercy with us.

1 Nephi 1-2: Tender Mercies

“The Tender Mercies of the Lord” (Elder David A. Bendar, April 2005).

I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the

Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us.

1 Nephi 1-2: Tender Mercies

What examples of the Lord’s tender mercies have you seen extended to you or someone you know?

“The Lord’s tender mercies are:Individualized blessings

StrengthProtectionAssurancesGuidance

Loving-kindnessesConsolation

SupportSpiritual gifts 

….which we receive from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Nephi 1-2: Keep a Journal•Who keeps a personal history?

1 Nephi 1-2: Keep a Journal“I came home late from a Church assignment. It was after dark. My father-in-law, who lived near us, surprised me as I walked toward the front door of my house. He was carrying a load of pipes over his shoulder, walking very fast and dressed in his work clothes.  “He smiled, spoke softly, and then rushed past me into the darkness to go on with his work. I took a few steps toward the house, thinking of what he was doing for us, and just as I got to the door, I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: ‘I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.’

1 Nephi 1-2: Keep a Journal“I went inside. I didn’t go to bed. Although I was tired, I took out some paper and began to write. And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind. I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family. …“I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: ‘Have I seen the hand of God reaching out today?’ As I kept at it, something began to happen. I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day” (“O Remember, Remember,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 66–67).

1 Nephi 2:11-13– What do you think “stiffneckedness”

means? What would be a translation for this word into today’s language?

– What were Laman & Lemuel’s real problems (that had nothing to do with his “visions”)?

– What did Laman and Lemuel do about their feelings toward Lehi’s “visions”?

1 Nephi 2:11-14

Murmuring consists of three steps, each leading to the next in a descending path to disobedience.First, people begin to question. They question first in their own minds, and then they plant questions in the minds of others.Second, those who murmur begin to rationalize and excuse themselves from doing what they [have] been instructed to do. … Thus, they [make] an excuse for disobedience.Their excuses lead to the third step: Slothfulness in following the commandment of the Master.

Elder H. Ross Workman, Oct. 2001 General Conference

1 Nephi 2:11-14

I invite you to focus on the commandment from living prophets that bothers you the most. Do you question whether the commandment is applicable to you? Do you find ready excuses why you cannot now comply with the commandment? Do you feel frustrated or irritated with those who remind you of the commandment? Are you slothful in keeping it? Beware of the deception of the adversary. Beware of murmuring. Elder H. Ross Workman, Oct. 2001 General

Conference

1 Nephi 2:15… So what?

• 1 Nephi 2:16–20 Why did they bring Laman and Lemuel? Why not leave them behind??? • Family! The Book of Mormon starts with a family going to the promised land. The book ends with a lone man on a battlefield. Satan destroyed the Nephites by destroying the family. Don’t let Satan destroy your family!

1 Nephi 1-2: Family“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

Which precept was just for you today?Tender Mercies?Journals?Prophets are called of God?Semitic Writing?The Blessings of Obedience?Lehi dwelling in a tent?Family First?

1 Nephi 1-2The Book of Mormon