12 This Is the Way
This Is the Way
Book of Mormon Videos https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/videos-and-images/book-of-mormon-videos?lang=eng
2 Nephi
33:15 “For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the
judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen.”
How obedient
are you to Heavenly Father when He asks (or commands) you to do something?
Nephi hearkened to the Lord’s voice, sought understanding, and was obedient. He
courageously obeyed, whether it “meant risking his life to get the brass plates
from Laban, building a boat and crossing the sea, or faithfully teaching the
doctrine of Christ with plainness and power.”
2 Nephi
31:20, 18 (switch verse order)
18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to
eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to
the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy
Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the
promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in
Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.
Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and
endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
The Doctrine of Christ marks the path for us to follow Jesus and
allow Him through His atonement to lead us back to our Heavenly Father. This
path is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism by immersion like
Jesus was, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of
hands; and then staying on the covenant path and enduring to the end.
2 Nephi
31:21 21 “And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and
there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in
the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the
only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
which is one God, without end. Amen.”
Jesus Christ and His doctrine are the only way to
eternal life.
2 Nephi
31
Nephi tells us the Doctrine of Christ in this chapter. Joseph
Smith tells us of the Doctrine of Christ in the 4th Article of
Faith.
2 Nephi
31:18–20 You have been developing Faith
in your Savior your whole life. You have repented more in the years
after you were eight than before. You were baptized by one who had authority,
your Dad, when you were eight, and you also were confirmed a member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by him. At that time you were
commanded to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. You have been
influenced by the power and the gift of the Holy Ghost many times throughout
your life. I believe that it was during the time after Robby was born and
returned to heaven, as the Savior helped me process my sadness, and as I
practiced more faith in Him, that I was baptized with Fire and the Holy Ghost,
and knew that my sins were forgiven me.
How are you doing today on pressing forward along the path, with a
perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and all men?
It seems to me from this verse, that to press forward we must be keeping the
first two commandments especially. Are we keeping God’s commandments? Are we
ministering to those who need us? Are we loving, kind, and forgiving to all?
Press Forward, Saints
This is the hymn Bob chose to have the congregation sing at the beginning of
January.
Following Jesus Christ’s
teachings leads us to eternal life.
Video: “Nephi Teaches the
Doctrine of Christ” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2019-10-0400-nephi-teaches-the-doctrine-of-christ-2-nephi-31-32?lang=eng
For kids:
Jesus Christ taught me how to return to Heavenly Father.
2 Nephi 31
2 Nephi
31:17–20 Read together. Also, read the 4th
Article of Faith.
Draw a path that explains the Doctrine
of Christ. Or, have an activity where the children walk through each step of
this doctrine.
Jesus Christ set the perfect example of obedience when
He was baptized.
2 Nephi
31:4–13
When you were baptized, you entered an eternal covenant to follow
Jesus.
Vs 4-7, 9 Even though Jesus Christ was holy, sinless and without
spot, He was baptized to be obedient to His Father and to fulfill all
righteousness. He was baptized to show us the importance of the path back to
the Father through Him and His atonement for us.
Vs 8 The Holy Ghost descended upon Jesus Christ in the form of a
dove as a witness that what He had done was pleasing to the Father and that
Jesus is His Only Begotten Son.
Vs 10-12 We cannot follow Jesus if we don’t keep our Heavenly
Father’s commandments. Baptism is the gate by which we enter into covenants
with Him and by which we enter into His kingdom. Jesus gives us the promise
that if we are baptized, the Father will give us the Holy Ghost like He did to
Jesus, and He invites us to follow Him by being baptized.
Vs 13 Being baptized is a special and sacred covenant that
shouldn’t be taken lightly. Although this ordinance is available to anyone
eight years old and older, we should enter it because we want to, because we
believe in Jesus Christ, and because we love our Heavenly Father and want to be
obedient to His commandments. We need to be willing to make changes in our
lives in order to confirm to His will for us.
Baptism is the way for us to witness to our Heavenly Father that we are willing
to take upon ourselves Jesus’s name by being baptized as He was. If we do this
with sincerity and an honest heart, we will also receive the Holy Ghost. Then
when we are ready, we will also receive baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
Then can we speak with the tongue of angels and shout praises unto the Holy One
of Israel.
How can we show that we are still committed to following Jesus
Christ?
Think celestial. Stay on the covenant path. Repent and ask for help each week
as you partake of the sacrament? Take the time to express gratitude for the
Gift of the Atonement and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Following His promptings.
For
kids:
When I am baptized, I am following Jesus Christ.
2 Nephi
31:4–13
Show the picture of Jesus
being baptized by John the Baptist and ask the children what they know about
the picture.
Matthew 3:13–17 Read about Jesus’s baptism
together.
Why does Jesus want us to be
baptized like He was?
2 Nephi 31:4–13 Read and discuss. This
could be a very deep lesson for adults as well as children.
“He that endureth to the end, the same shall be
saved.”
2 Nephi
31:15–20
2 Nephi 31:15–20
How can I tell if I am enduring to the end?
I will feel the Spirit with
me daily. I’ll be able to speak with the tongue of angels in testifying of
Jesus Christ. I will be giving thanks to Heavenly Father and credit to Him for
my blessings and progress. I will be following the example of Jesus Christ in
loving my neighbor. I will be diligent in keeping my commitments and my
covenants. I will turn to the Lord for help and not to worldliness.
Lifelong Conversion “Enduring to the end is not
a separate step in the doctrine of Christ—as though we complete the first four
steps and then hunker down, grit our teeth, and wait to die. No, enduring to
the end is actively and intentionally repeating the steps” (Elder Renlund).
The sacrament is
instrumental in helping me to repeat the steps in the Doctrine and Christ and
to endure to the end.
I can feast upon the words of Christ.
2 Nephi 32:3–5
Do
you snack, eat, or feast upon the Savior’s words? How can you make
your interactions with the Savior’s word more like a feast?
Feast upon the words of Christ. There
are many ways to feast on the words of Christ, including praying for inspiration,
asking questions before and during study, defining words, pondering,
cross-referencing, taking notes, looking for gospel truths, and applying the
scriptures to your life (see 1 Nephi
19:23).
How
do you invite the Holy Ghost to be your constant companion?
Receive
the Holy Ghost You can look for Elder Bednar’s three examples in this talk.
Revelation
Read later on
Video: Daily Bread: Pattern: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2013-08-0012-daily-bread-pattern?lang=eng
For kids:
I can feast upon the words of Christ.
2 Nephi 32:3–5
How would you feast on your favorite
food? What is it? When do you enjoy eating it?
Read 2 Nephi 32:3: What else did Nephi say we should fast
upon? How is feasting more than just reading?
Bear testimony of the blessings you’ve
received both from reading, and from feasting.
Sing Search Ponder, Pray. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/text/childrens-songbook/search-ponder-and-pray?lang=eng
I love to read the holy scriptures,
And, ev’ry time I do,
I feel the Spirit start to grow within my heart-
A testimony that they’re true.
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.
So, prayerfully I’ll read the scriptures
Each day my whole life through.
I’ll come to understand.
I’ll heed the Lord’s command
And live as he would have me do.
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.
For kids:
Heavenly Father wants me to pray always.
2 Nephi
32:8–9
Read 2 Nephi
32:8–9
Why doesn’t Satan want us to pray?
Why does Heavenly Father want us to pray?
When, where, and about what can we pray?
How can we pray?
Draw pictures.
You could change phrases in this song to fit answers from the
children.
How does God bless us when we pray always?
Through the words of Christ and
the Holy Ghost, God will show me what to do.
2 Nephi
32; 33:2
2 Nephi
32:1 When we wonder what to do next, we
should remember our covenant relationship with the Lord, and that we have the
Gift and power of the Holy Ghost in our lives. The Lord can make known to us
what is a good next step.
2 Nephi 32:2–9 In order for us to access the gift of
revelation, we should feast upon the words of Christ; we need to ask, we need
to pray to our Father in the name of Jesus Christ.
While
reading in 2 Nephi 32, make a list
of the pattern you can use when you need your Heavenly Father’s guidance in
your life. (See list below in 2 Nephi 32.)
2 Nephi 33:2 Why do some people harden their hearts against the
Holy Ghost and discount anything that comes from the Spirit?
The Book of Mormon persuades us all to believe in Christ.
2 Nephi 33
How does The Book of Mormon: Another Testament
of Jesus Christ persuade us to believe in Him?
In Nephi’s conclusion, he explains again
his purpose in writing this record. From Nephi’s teachings, what has influenced
your faith in Jesus Christ the most?
Video: “Nephi Records His Final
Testimony”: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2019-10-0500-nephi-records-his-final-testimony-2-nephi-33?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/31?lang=eng
Nephi tells why Christ was baptized—Men must follow Christ, be
baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end to be saved—Repentance
and baptism are the gate to the strait and narrow path—Eternal life comes
to those who keep the commandments after baptism. About 559–545 B.C.
Vs 2 This chapter defines the Doctrine
of Christ.
Vs 3 When teaching the gospel of Jesus
Christ, we should teach to the understanding of people and with the Spirit.
Vs 5 Jesus set the example for us to
follow and told us that baptism is necessary. Yes, He atoned for all of us, but
our progress is dependent upon our willingness to believe in Him and follow
Him.
Vs 7 If we are not humble enough to
follow the example and commandment of Jesus, we are not truly His disciples.
Vs 9 Jesus marked the path and led the
way. He set the example Himself for us to follow in being baptized as commanded
by the Father.
Vs 10-12 If we say that we are
followers of Jesus, then we need to show it by keeping the commandments of His
Father. We need baptism. We also need the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
Vs 13 So many promises given to the
humble and faithful follower, who is baptized and receives the Gift of the Holy
Ghost.
Vs 15-16 One time repentance does not
save us. Jesus saves those who are humble along the way, and who endure to the
end; those who keep following Him.
Vs 17-21 Review of the Doctrine of
Jesus Christ:
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;
Repentance of sins; Baptism by immersion; Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost
by the Laying on of Hands, Enduring to the End; Receiving Eternal Life.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/32?lang=eng
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost—Men must pray and gain
knowledge for themselves from the Holy Ghost. About 559–545 B.C.
Vs 3 It means a lot to me to know that
when we feel the Spirit and feel that our loved ones are close or that we understand
a message through them, with the sweetness of the presence of the Holy Ghost,
we can trust in that. I've experienced that. It is through the Holy Ghost that
they are permitted to speak to us, and it is through the Holy Ghost that we can
hear and understand their messages.
It is also through the Holy Ghost that
we can understand the messages that our Father has for us.
Vs 4 If we want to know or understand, we have to ask.
Vs 5-6 If we want to have more direction through the Spirit, we
have to follow the doctrine of Christ, then we will have the Gift of the Holy
Ghost. It's important for us to follow those things that we receive through the
power of the Holy Ghost, if we want to receive more.
Vs 7 We must be believing; we should search knowledge; we should
accept truths and seek understanding when they are given to us plainly.
Vs 8-9 If we want to gain more understanding, we have to show our
desire by putting forth the effort in prayer to ask. The Spirit teaches us to
pray and to have faith that our prayers will be answered. The devil teaches us
that we shouldn't pray and that it won't make any difference. Choose to pray.
Pray for help before you do anything of importance, so that it
will work together for the good of those you serve and for your own welfare.
While reading in 2 Nephi 32, make a list of the pattern you can use
when you need your Heavenly Father’s guidance in your life.
1. Vs 3 Feast upon the words of Christ
2. Vs 4 Ask, knock
3. Vs 5-6 Follow doctrine of Christ: Faith in Him, repentance, baptism,
receiving Gift of Holy Ghost; partaking of the sacrament, enduring.
4. Vs 7 Be believing; search knowledge; accept truths given to you by the
Spirit.
5. Vs 8-9 Put some effort into your prayers and ask of God; pray, and have
faith your prayers will be heard and answered; pray before you perform
anything.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/33?lang=eng
Nephi’s words are true—They testify of Christ—Those who believe in
Christ will believe Nephi’s words, which will stand as a witness before the
judgment bar. About 559–545 B.C.
Vs 1-2 Do not be afraid to speak when the Holy Ghost gives you
utterance. The Lord's power will touch the hearts of others with your
testimony.
Vs 3-4 What kind of effort are you putting into your calling. Pray
more fervently. Believe more intently. And work more diligently.
6 I glory in plainness; I glory
in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from
hell.
Vs 7-9 This charity that Nephi describes is truly loving your
neighbor, but it never takes away agency.
Vs 10-11 Believe in Jesus. Believe in the words of His prophets
who testify of Him and speak His words. Teach others to be believing.
Vs 12 Are you praying for salvation for all God's children?
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