02 March 2008

Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Lesson 8: 2 Nephi 6-10

Today I got to teach a lesson on another of the greatest chapters in the Book of Mormon.  For understanding the basics of the atonement and what is necessary to take advantage of it, 2 Nephi 9 can't be beat.

The main theme of this lesson is "O How Great the Goodness of Our God"

Introduction

     •  Now that Nephi and his people have separated themselves from those who followed Laman and Lemuel, he gets into teaching them the gospel

     •  Nephi's brothers, Jacob and Joseph, have been consecrated as teachers for the people

     •  These chapters cover a speech given by Jacob to the Nephites about Christ

2 Nephi 6-8

     •  Mostly contain the writings of Isaiah.  Why?
          •  Nephi asked him to (2 Ne. 6:4)
          •  Isaiah's words apply to all the house of Israel (2 Ne. 6:5)
          •  Isaiah is a witness of Christ (2 Ne. 11:2)

     •  According to these writings of Isaiah, what are some of the things the Savior does for us?
          •  He delivers us (2 Ne. 6:17; 7:2)
          •  He redeems us (2 Ne. 7:2)
          •  He comforts us (2 Ne. 8:3, 12)
          •  He's a light for us (2 Ne. 8:4)
          •  He judges us (2 Ne. 8:4-5)
          •  He saves us (2 Ne. 8:5-6)

     •  He is able to do all of this for us, and much more, because of his atonement


     •  This chapter has three general parts, which model a good way to teach nearly any lesson
          •  Doctrine (2 Ne. 9:4-20)
          •  Application (2 Ne. 9:21-38)
          •  Invitation (practically begging) (2 Ne. 9:39-52)

     •  Our problem (2 Ne. 9:6-9)
          •  Left to ourselves, all of us are hopelessly lost
          •  Our bodies would die and be lost to us forever (2 Ne. 9:7)
          •  Our spirits would be corrupted by the devil and we would become just like him (2 Ne. 9:8-9)
          •  These are natural consequences of living in this fallen world (2 Ne. 9:6)

     •  We are subject to two deaths (2 Ne. 9:10)
          •  Physical death:  The separation of our spirit from our body
          •  Spiritual death (also called hell):  Our separation from God

     •  What the Savior personally did to save us (2 Ne. 9:5, 21)
          •  He came and dwelled with us as one of us
          •  He suffered every pain and affliction of all people of all time
          •  He sacrificed his own life on our behalf

     •  The results of the Savior's atonement (2 Ne. 9:11-16)
          •  All will be resurrected, both physically and spiritually (2 Ne. 9:11-12)
          •  All will be restored to their perfect state (2 Ne. 9:13-14)
          •  All will be brought into God's presence for judgement (2 Ne. 15-16)

     •  These things demonstrate God's character
          •  His wisdom, mercy, and grace (2 Ne. 9:8, 19)
          •  His goodness (2 Ne. 9:10)
          •  His planning (foresight) (2 Ne. 9:13)
          •  His greatness and justice (2 Ne. 9:17)
          •  His holiness and knowledge (2 Ne. 9:20)

     •  Our requirements to be judged righteous
          •  Believe in Christ (2 Ne. 9:18)
          •  Endure the crosses of the world (2 Ne. 9:18)
          •  Hearken to His voice (2 Ne. 9:21)
          •  Repent, be baptized, have faith (2 Ne. 9:23)
          •  Be spiritually minded (2 Ne. 9:39)
          •  Feast upon that which perisheth not (2 Ne. 9:51)
          •  Remember the words of God (2 Ne. 9:52)
          •  Pray continually (2 Ne. 9:52)
          •  None of us can do all of this all of the time, but we should never stop trying

     •  Warnings (2 Ne. 9:27-38)
          •  Don't waste your time on Earth (2 Ne. 9:27)
          •  Don't put learning or riches ahead of God (2 Ne. 9:28-30)
          •  Don't be spiritually blind or deaf (2 Ne. 9:31-32)
          •  Don't be uncircumcised of heart (2 Ne. 9:33)
          •  Don't lie, murder, commit whoredoms, or worship idols (2 Ne. 9:34-37)
          •  Don't die in your sins! (2 Ne. 9:38)


     •  What the atonement does for us as individuals, it also does for Israel as a people
          •  They will reject Christ (sin) (2 Ne. 10:3)
          •  They will suffer and lose the land of their inheritance (death) (2 Ne. 10:6)
          •  They will come to believe in Christ (repentance) (2 Ne. 10:7)
          •  They will be restored to their land (resurrection) (2 Ne. 10:8)

     •  Concluding words (2 Ne. 10:23-24)
          •  Be cheerful
          •  We're free to act for ourselves
          •  Reconcile ourselves to the will of God, not to the will of flesh
          •  It is only in and through the grace of God that we are saved

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