I couldn't have picked a better place to begin teaching this class. 2 Nephi is so chalked full of wonderful teachings, I just wish we had more than only 40 minutes a week to talk about them. At least on this blog I don't have the time constraints as I do in class.
The main theme of this lesson is "I Know in Whom I Have Trusted"
Introduction
• Lehi's party has now completed their journey to the new world and established their new home there, called "the Land of First Inheritance".
• Lehi is near death and is giving his final words of counsel and admonishment to his children and grandchildren
• Lehi now addresses his youngest son, Joseph
• This chapter talks about four men named Joseph whose lives span some 3500 years
• Joseph of Egypt
• Joseph, son of Lehi
• Joseph Smith, Sr.
• Joseph Smith, Jr.
• Why do you think Lehi thought it was so important to spend so much time talking about Joseph in Egypt?
• "Great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph." (2 Ne. 3:4)
• "He truly prophesied concerning all his seed." (2 Ne. 4:2)
• Great example of how the Lord takes care of those but their trust in him
• Demonstrates how the Lord is always in control and guides his work throughout history
• What were some of the promises made by Joseph of old?
• A righteous branch to come from him, but not the Messiah (2Ne. 3:5)
• As seer will be raised up from the fruit of his loins (2 Ne. 3:6-8)
• The knowledge of God's covenants will be restored (2 Ne. 3:7)
• The power to convince others of the Lord's word (2 Ne. 3:11)
• Book of Mormon (2 Ne. 3:12)
• Confounds false doctrines
• Lays down contention
• Establishes peace
• Brings the knowledge of the fathers to the latter days
• Brings the knowledge of the covenants
• The seer will be named Joseph, and have the same name as his father (2 Ne. 3:15)
• All of these great promises will be realized through faith (2 Ne. 3:21)
• Children of Laman and Lemuel promised that the Lord won't forget their descendants, but will in time restore them to the truth (2 Ne. 4:3-9)
• Lehi dies (2 Ne. 4:12)
• "Psalm of Nephi" (2 Ne. 4:15-35) [A beautiful musical rendition of these scriptures can be found here (Lyrics: John Tanner, Music: Sibelius, Arrangement: Ronald Staheli)]
• Probably gives the best insight to the heart and mind of a righteous man of all scripture
• Provides a four step process to continually draw nearer to the Lord
• Step 1 - Learn God's commandments (2 Ne. 4:15-16)
• Scriptures
• Words of the living prophets (D&C 1:38)
• Whisperings of the Holy Ghost (D&C 68:4)
• Step 2 - Recognize your inability to live up to your knowledge (2 Ne. 4:17-19)
• The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matt. 26:41)
• Step 3 - Maintain trust and hope in the Lord (2 Ne. 4:19-29)
• This is a critical juncture, the other option is to fall into misery and despair
• Remember all that the Lord has already done for you (D&C 6:22-23)
• Step 4 - Depend on the Lord's strength, not your own (2 Ne. 4:30-35)
• "Nephi's Prayer"
• You must do what you can do, but depend on the Lord to make up for what you can't do (due to weak flesh or otherwise)
• While Nephi's anger caused his heart to turn to the Lord for forgiveness and strength, Laman's and Lemuel's anger caused their hearts to turn to murder (2 Ne. 5:2-3)
• The Lord warned Nephi to leave with those who would go with him (2 Ne. 5:5-6)
• Because of Nephi's trust and faithfulness in the Lord his people were given the chance to live "after the manner of happiness" (2 Ne. 5:27)
Conclusion
• The Lord is faithful to those who follow him, and we can put our full faith and confidence in him
• The examples of Joseph of Egypt and on through Joseph Smith, Jr. demonstrate how the Lord's promises will always be fulfilled
• "Nephi's Psalm" shows us how we can always trust in the Lord's help and forgiveness despite our own failings and weaknesses
• As we are faithful to the Lord, we can trust that He will also protect and guide us in our temporal, as well as spiritual, well being
2 comments:
Thank you
I had problems with my first husband
And, now I am trying to make a spiritual experience out of what my daughter is going through
(Have you noticed the price for rehab? $6,000 and up for a month-I know a parent that paid this and her daughter walked out. Because she was 18. I just want to reach hearts that are going through the same thing)
I meant to give you another comment...
Thanks for writing back.
Happy blogging
kelly miller
Clean Hands and A Pure Heart
During His three day ministry,
Our Savior of the world
Called and authorized disciples,
in His doctrines they were schooled.
He healed the sick, and blessed children,
as He prayed for His people.
He then succinctly summarized
principles of His gospel.
“Unto Me, come,” the Savior taught.
Come and make sacred covenants.
And, renunciate all your sins,
unto baptismal ord'nance.
In His own time and His own way
and according to His will.
We can come to know Him,
as those in the land of Bountiful.
Once repentant, we are baptized,
our hearts turn towards our God.
And the Holy Ghost prepares us
to stand Holy without spot.
Through Christ's merits, mercy and grace,
our commitment does not drift.
He's our Light, which does guide us,
our faith in Him, His gift.
There is purpose in our journey,
we walk in newness of life.
When we yield our hearts unto God,
we obtain the mind of Christ.
Where once carnal, we're cleansed and healed.
As with fire we're refined.
And the Holy Ghost sanctifies,
and the soul is purified.
When we've no more disposition
to do that which is evil-
Our hands are clean and we reach out.
We become His Disciple.
We should avoid and overcome.
And, repent, be cleansed from sin.
The Lord helps us do and be good
and change our hearts from within.
With clean hands and with a pure heart,
We ascend unto the hills
Where the sick and poor are now fed.
And there's faith, which God instills
May we offer our Lord pure hearts,
with clean hands as we were meant.
May we apply the atonement.
And, do as we are now sent.
He raised the dead.
He healed the sick.
He cleansed leprosy.
He knows my heart.
He knows my hands.
And, I know He loves me.
He prayed for them.
And blessed children.
And, He called "Come and see".
He knew their heart.
They saw His hands
And, they wrote words for me.
Posted by kelly miller at 4:58 PM
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