DOCTRINES AND PRINCIPLES IN THIS LESSON:

•Trusting in the Lord gives us reason to rejoice (see 2 Nephi 4:15–35).

•The Lord warns us to separate ourselves from wickedness (see 2 Nephi 5:5–7).

•Israel will be restored when they believe in the Messiah (see 2 Nephi 6–8).

Chapter 8 2 Nephi 4-8

Trusting in the Lord gives us reason to rejoice. 2 Nephi 4:15-35

What does Lehi teach his grandchildren in verse 4?

What principle of parenting does Lehi teach in verse 5? What are some things parents can do to bring up their children in the way they should go?

What promise does Lehi give to the children of Laman and Lemuel in verses 7 and 9?

How can parents influence children for good? How can grandparents influence children for good?

How have your family members influenced your life for good?

2 Nephi 4 begins with Lehi counseling some of his grandchildren.

President Henry B. Eyring:

“Our faithful effort to offer to our family the testimony we have of the truth will be multiplied in power and extended in time.

“We have all seen evidence of that in families we have known. I saw it in South America as I looked into the faces of missionaries. Hundreds of them passed by me, shaking my hand and looking deeply into my eyes. I was nearly overwhelmed with the confirmation that these children of Father Lehi and of Sariah were there in the Lord’s service because our Heavenly Father honors His promises to families. To nearly his last breath, Lehi taught and testified and tried to bless his children. Terrible tragedy came among his descendants when they rejected his testimony, the testimonies of other prophets, and of the scriptures. But in the eyes and faces of those missionaries I felt confirmation that God has kept His promises to reach out to Lehi’s covenant children and that He will reach out to ours” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 88; or Ensign, May 1996, 64).

2 Nephi 419 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

-----15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.

16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

Read 2 Nephi 4:15–35

What are some of the results of this trust?

What did Nephi treasure?

How can you tell that he treasured these things?

What can we do to treasure the scriptures and the things of the Lord?How do you think Nephi’s love of the scriptures influenced his trust in God?In what ways has your love of the scriptures influenced your trust in God?

The Psalm of Nephi

Through a careful reading of the psalm of Nephi, we can see what Nephi did to deal with his weaknesses and disappointments. Nephi’s words can guide us as we work through our own weaknesses and disappointments.

The Lord Warns us to separate ourselves from wickedness. 2 Nephi 5:5-7

Why did Lehi’s family need to leave Jerusalem?

Soon after Lehi died, the Lord commanded Nephi and his people to separate themselves again—this time from the wicked members of their group.

Read 2 Nephi 5:1-7

What details do we learn about Nephi’s departure?

Nephi’s life would have been in danger if he had not heeded the Lord’s warning to flee. If we do not heed the Lord’s warnings, our mortal lives may not be threatened, but our spiritual lives will be in danger.

The Lord warned Nephi. The Lord often warns us of dangers.

Nephi was to flee into the wilderness. We have been warned to flee wickedness.

He took all who would go with him. We have been counseled to associate with good friends who believe as we do.

Those who went believed in the warnings and revelations of God. We have been counseled to hearken to the words of our parents, our leaders, and the prophet.

They journeyed many days until they found a new place to live. It sometimes takes significant effort for us to do what we have been prompted to do.

Consider challenges they may face with one or more of the following: friends, parties, free time, work, school, television, movies, the Internet, music, books, and magazines.

How can the principle of fleeing wickedness apply to these challenges?

What did the followers of Laman and Lemuel lose when Nephi separated himself from them?

What do people today lose when they separate themselves from the prophet?

According to Helaman 13:14, what would be another disadvantage for the wicked when all of the righteous leave a community?

Elder Richard G. Scott shared how we can protect ourselves:

“God has provided a way to live in this world and not be contaminated by the degrading pressures evil agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive, righteous life by following the plan of protection created by your Father in Heaven: His plan of happiness. It is contained in the scriptures and in the inspired declarations of His prophets. …

“Avoid worldly wickedness. Know that God is in control. In time, Satan will completely fail and be punished for his perverse evil. God has a specific plan for your life. He will reveal parts of that plan to you as you look for it with faith and consistent obedience. His Son has made you free—not from the consequences of your acts, but free to make choices. God’s eternal purpose is for you to be successful in this mortal life. No matter how wicked the world becomes, you can earn that blessing. Seek and be attentive to the personal guidance given to you through the Holy Spirit. Continue to be worthy to receive it. Reach out to others who stumble and are perplexed, not certain of what path to follow” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2004, 103–4, 106; or Ensign, May 2004, 100, 102).

Israel will be restored when they believe in the Messiah.

2 Nephi 6-8In 2 Nephi 6–8, Nephi’s brother, Jacob, teaches from the writings of Isaiah. 2 Nephi 6

4 And now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you the words of Isaiah. And they are the words which my brother has desired that I should speak unto you. And I speak unto you for your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your God.

5 And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel.

What periods of time did Jacob say he would teach about?

According to Jacob, why were the teachings of Isaiah important for the people?

Teachers often use “bookends” to teach a lesson.

These bookends are the lesson’s

introduction and summary.

Jacob’s summary bookend

2 Nephi 91 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—

2 That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.

3 Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children.

Jacob’s teachings can be organized into these two categories:

Jewish History and Destiny&

Principles of the Gathering of Israel

Jewish History and Destiny

2 Nephi 6

587 B.C.—Capture of Jerusalem (verse 8)

537 B.C.—Decree of Cyrus for the return of the Jews (verse 9)

A.D. 30–33—Mortal ministry of Jesus Christ (verse 9)

A.D. 33—Crucifixion of Jesus Christ (verse 9)

A.D. 70—Siege and capture of Jerusalem, leading to another scattering of the Jews (verses 10–11)

2 Nephi 6:11 Wherefore, after they are driven to and fro, for thus saith the angel, many shall be afflicted in the flesh, and shall not be suffered to perish, because of the prayers of the faithful; they shall be scattered, and smitten, and hated; nevertheless, the Lord will be merciful unto them, that when they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer, they shall be gathered together again to the elands of their inheritance.

What will lead to the gathering of the house of Israel?

Principles of the Gathering of Israel

ACTIVITYGROUP 1

2 Nephi 8:1–2, 7–8, 12, 24–25

GROUP 2

2 Nephi 8:3–6, 11

How can the Lord’s counsel in these verses help us be among those who are gathered in the last days?

How can remembering these promised blessings help us remain faithful during times of temptation?

What is the relationship between missionary work and the gathering of Israel?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Why was Israel scattered? … Our Israelite forebears were scattered because they rejected the gospel, defiled the priesthood, forsook the church, and departed from the kingdom. They were scattered because they turned from the Lord, worshipped false gods, and walked in all the ways of the heathen nations. They were scattered because they forsook the Abrahamic covenant, trampled under their feet the holy ordinances, and rejected the Lord Jehovah, who is the Lord Jesus, of whom all their prophets testified. Israel was scattered for apostasy. The Lord in his wrath, because of their wickedness and rebellion, scattered them among the heathen in all the nations of the earth.

“What, then, is involved in the gathering of Israel? The gathering of Israel consists in believing and accepting and living in harmony with all that the Lord once offered his ancient chosen people. It consists of having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, of repenting, of being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and of keeping the commandments of God. It consists of believing the gospel, joining the Church, and coming into the kingdom. It consists of receiving the holy priesthood, being endowed in holy places with power from on high, and receiving all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through the ordinance of celestial marriage” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 515).