Week 4 Review / Week 5 Assignment

Week 4 Review, pages 15-21:

We had a great discussion about Nephi’s faith in class. He was willing to “go and do what the Lord hath commanded” because he had faith that his father received revelation and that “the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them, that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”(1 Ne 3:7)

Nephi and his brothers decided to cast lots to determine who would go ask Laban for the plates. Laman went to Laban and requested the plates; then had to flee for his life.  Next, they all went to Laban offering the family riches for the plates. It is reasonable that Nephi’s brothers would think they’d hit a wall and had done all they could, but it was not faith-filled. Nephi and Sam had no plan for success but had a willingness to continue trying.

We learned that a visit from an angel is not sufficient to turn someone’s heart around, if they aren’t willing. As soon at the angel departed after protecting Nephi and Sam from Laman and Lemuel, the elder brothers began murmuring again. They thought Laban mightier than the Lord.

What did Nephi do that was faith-filled? He went forth, not knowing beforehand the thing which he should do. He felt led by the Spirit and what did he find as he walked about Jerusalem? Laban, all alone, was lying on the ground in a drunken stupor. This was not co-incidence. Nephi was led to him. We can observe from this that when we are in motion (going forth) it is easy for the Spirit to direct us. We further learn that we may question the Spirit when we feel directed to do something contrary to what the scriptures or prophets seem to support. When the truths the Spirit taught Nephi about the importance of the plates sank into his heart he “knew the Lord had delivered Laban into” his hands for this cause and he “obeyed the voice of the Spirit.”

We also discussed Nephi’s faith when he went to the Lord in prayer following Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life. Nephi wanted to understand the vision and had faith that the Lord could and would reveal an understanding to him. Nephi’s brothers wondered about it but didn’t have faith sufficient to go to Heavenly Father for answers. Nephi’s vision of his father’s vision and his question and answer period with the Spirit of the Lord are a great blessing to us.

Week 5 Assignment:

Read pages 22 – 28

Consider and write about or discuss with someone:

·         Who is the founder of the great and abominable church? 1 Nephi 13

·         What did the great and abominable church do to the Bible?

·         Nephi saw that members of the Lord’s Church in the last days would be few compared to the great and abominable church and it’s persecutions, but would be able to overcome the persecution. We would be armed with what? 1 Nephi 14

·         Do you recognize any prophecies from these pages that have been fulfilled in the latter days?