1 Nephi 16-18

One of the common statements I hear about the Book of Mormon is "the Book of Mormon doesn't teach about marriage".  While it is true that the Book of Mormon doesn't expound on the doctrine of eternal marriage, it has messages about family that pack quite a punch!  Let's start off with an examination of some of the teachings which the Book of Mormon offers on marriage and the family.


Marriage is a central topic to 1Ne 7:1, 16:7-8; 2Ne 5:6 and Jacob 2:27.  My basic understanding from these verses?  Marriage is commanded by God.

Parenting is a topic found in 1Ne 1:1; Mosiah 1:2-8, 4:14-15.  There is a wealth of information here, and as I read these verses in particular I am reminded of the Family Proclamantion.

Interestingly, the Book of Mormon is very direct about Fatherhood. Some significant scriptures on fatherhood in the Book of Mormon include Alma 43:45, 47, 44:5 and 3Ne 18:21. I love the positive, supportive, enabling responsibilities outlined in these verses.

My favorite Book of Mormon passage about Mothers is Alma 56:47.  Families in general seem to be the core of 1Ne 8:12, 1Ne 17:55 and Jacob 3:5,7. 

Journal Card to record your experiences of "Quick to Observe"  

Another feature of these chapters that stands out to me is Nephi's characteristic of being "quick to observe".  This spiritual gift is one that perhaps requires more attention as, in Elder Bednar's talk, we see it is a kind of "spiritual gatekeeper" to other gifts.  The class shared some wonderful observations of others who were "quick to observe". Our challenge for this week is to assess and improve our own ability to be "quick to observe"!

David A Bednar : Quick to Observe
http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1456

Why we are studying the Book of Mormon this year ...

To come to know the Saviour ...

To Prepare for His return ...

To put off the natural man ...

To receive revelation ...

To broaden our perspective ...

To apply what we learn ...

To understand what we read ...

For fellowship!





David A Bednar :  Seek Learning by Faith
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2007/09/seek-learning-by-faith?lang=eng

John Welch : Study, Faith and the Book of Mormon
http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1286

1 Nephi 1 - 5

http://jackieleasommers.com/category/narnia/

This quote provides an interesting perspective on 1 Nephi 1:1, where Nephi states that he was “highly favored of the Lord,” had “seen many afflictions,” and “had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God.” How can we reconcile these seemingly contradictory statements ... how do they relate to one another?  I find that 2Ne 2:2 and Doctrine and Covenants 90:24, 122:7-8 help to add some perspective to the matter. 

In 1Ne 1:20 we come across the concept of "tender mercies".  This is a concept that I find difficult to pin down or define accurately as demonstrations of "tender mercies" are so individual to each of us.  The best way I have to describe tender mercies" is that these are those moments when we see Gods hand in our lives ... and in saying that I guess that the timing of those two things - the event in which God is present and the time when we see how He was present - are not always the same?

Another topic that is raised in these chapters is murmuring.  I appreciate Elder Workmans' insights from October 2001 General Conference: 

“Murmuring consists of three steps, each leading to the next in a descending path to disobedience.” First, when people murmur they begin to question. They question “first in their own minds and then [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.” ...


“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”

Many questions - happy journalling!

David A Bednar : Tender Mercies of the Lord
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/the-tender-mercies-of-the-lord?lang=eng

1 Nephi 6 - 11

Our discussion this week centered around Lehi's Vision.  In order to work within the nature of the vision, we isolated some of the elements and studied them more closely.  Here are our contributions!

Some of the elements which represent the Love of God in our lives ...

... the river, full of illusion, containing rips and tides and currents which can pull us under ...

a wonderful rod of iron, protecting us from fiery darts and also ensuring that our hearts are kept safe ... 

our multi-dimensional mist of darkness, with some of the things which entice and lure ...

(and which I couldn't resist photographing at a low angle)

and finally a great and spacious building with all of its voices ...

"If you hold to the rod, you can feel your way forward with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go. You may think that Lehi’s dream or vision has no special meaning for you, but it does. You are in it; all of us are in it." (Pres Boyd K. Packer)

How would you depict Lehi's dream?  Which images are significant to you - as you ponder and journal, here are some additional resources to consider:

David A. Bednar : Lehi's Dream : Holding Fast to the Rod
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/10/lehis-dream-holding-fast-to-the-rod?lang=eng

Boyd K Packer : Finding Ourselves in Lehi's Dream
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/08/finding-ourselves-in-lehis-dream?lang=eng

1 Nephi 12-15

Welcome to Zina, who taught our lesson on Thursday and left us with the important question "and then ... what happened next?", reminding us to contemplate how our lives continue after we have had significant spiritual experiences ... 

I often wonder about 1Ne 14:7 - "the marvelous work and a wonder".  It occurs to me as I re-read this section that this work has everlasting consequences; and that the effect of this work which is done will be to convince us to peace or to "deliver" us to the hardness of our hearts and blindness of our minds both temporally and spiritually.  Those are extreme positions.  What is it that we can do, what is the "and then" that helps us to remain on the side of peace, as it were?  How do we know when our hearts are hard?  How can we respond when our hearts are heard so as to not be delivered up to our own heard hearts? How can we overcome the blindness of our minds?

Much to ponder - "what happens next"?