10 We Rejoice in Christ
We Rejoice in Christ
Book of Mormon Videos https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/videos-and-images/book-of-mormon-videos?lang=eng
2 Nephi 11:8 8 And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men.
Look for things that cause you to feel joy as you read the words of Isaiah.
2 Nephi 21:12 Isaiah writes about the gathering of Israel, the coming of the Messiah, and the peace promised to the righteous. You can rejoice to live in the prophesied day when the Lord has “set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel”.
There’s a wonderful blessing to those who search after righteousness:
2 Nephi 22:3 “ Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
2 Nephi
25:26 Rejoice in Christ!
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach
of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our
prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look
for a remission of their sins.
I can find peace in Jesus
Christ.
How does family contention destroy peace and well-being?
2 Nephi 21–22 Consider the prophecies in these chapters and how the Savior is fulfilling these prophecies.
2 Nephi 21:6 Is it figurative that the wolf will lie down with the lion, or will we see that? What else can this scripture mean to the many people in this world?
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
How can you be a peacemaker?
The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity
For kids:
Jesus Christ will judge in
righteousness.
See the picture in the lesson of a branch growing out a tree stump.
2 Nephi
21:1 The Branch represents Jesus Christ.
1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
verses 2–5 What do we learn about Jesus from these verses? Jesus Christ is fair and righteous.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
For kids:
Jesus Christ brings peace
and joy.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone in the world believed in Jesus
Christ and worshiped the Father in His name? How would the world be different
if everyone loved Heavenly Father and Jesus, and if all the people in the world
loved each other? What would happen?
What if everyone was kind and thoughtful and no one wanted to harm or hurt
anyone else? What if there were no more wars and no more robberies, or murders,
or fights between brothers and sisters?
2 Nephi 21:6–9 These
verses tell us what would happen if everyone followed Jesus.
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the
leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and
fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed;
their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the
ox.
8 And the sucking child shall play on the
hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’s
den.
9 They shall not hurt
nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be
full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
(The king shall play and work with the peasant. No more homeless,
etc.)
Which type of animal would you like to pet and be friends with if all people
and all animals got along? When Jesus comes again, the world will be like this.
The Lord is gathering His
people.
Both the scattering and the gathering were prophesied.
2 Nephi 25:10 Lehi’s family left Jerusalem right before all the people were scattered. Some were killed, and the others were carried captive into Babylon.
2 Nephi
21:12 How are you and how can you be part of (and take part in) the
gathering?
12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and
shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together
the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
BUILDING UP ZION!
2 Nephi 21:9–12 How can you help fulfill the prophecies found in these verses?
Vs 9 I can share my testimony, serve and minister to others, share the gospel and do temple work.
Vs 10 I can value my membership in the Church and remember that it is Jesus’s Church. I can invite others to come to Christ and find safety in the stakes of Zion.
Vs 11 I can pray for the missionaries and offer support to them. I can teach with the missionaries. I can feel the missionaries.
Vs 12 I can be true to my covenants and continue to go to the temple so that I can be endowed with power from on high and offer that blessing to others.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be glorious.
11 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
How have you seen God gathering His people physically and spiritually?
What attracts people to the Lord and to His Church?
What do you feel inspired to do to help gather God’s people?
For kids:
The Lord is gathering His
people.
2 Nephi 21:11–12 What kind of ensign has the Lord set up to gather His people? What is an ensign? Is the restored gospel an ensign? Is the Church an ensign? Our our covenants an ensign? Is the temple an ensign?
An ensign is like a flag, or like a standard. It is something that people can see and rally around. It invites others to come see what it is too.
Design a flag. There could be pictures, words, or symbols that represent reasons why we should come unto Christ and become members of His church.
How can we be inviting? How can we lift up an ensign to invite others to be participants in the gathering? How do you and how can you invite others to come unto Christ?
2 Nephi 22:4–5 What wonderful things has the Lord done for you?
4 And in that day shall ye say: Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth.
How can you praise the Lord? When can you pray? How can you thank Him? Can you let your friends know how great Jesus is and the marvelous gift that He and His Father have given for all of us? Do you reverence His name and cherish it? Do you sing hymns of praise to the Lord? Do you thank Him for all He’s done for you?
How would you finish this sentence: “I believe in Christ; He___________________.”
He is my Friend.
How can we help other people know about what the Savior has done for us?
The worldliness of Babylon
will fall.
Babylon is a representation of worldliness and sin.
Pay attention to the warnings in 2 Nephi 23-24. Are you enticed by Babylon’s riches and power? (See 23:6–9, 11, 19–22; 24:10–19). (See chapter notes below)
Are you enticed by riches and power? Much of the leadership of the world today is. Do you put your hopes fears and trust in the wrong place? Be a follower of Jesus Christ and stand out as a leader on His behalf.
2 Nephi
23:3 How can I rejoice in the Lord’s highness? Why should I rejoice in Him?
3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called
my mighty ones, for mine anger is not upon them that rejoice in my
highness.
It is important to live with thanksgiving daily, and we need to express that to the Lord. We can praise Him in word, in prayer, and in song. We can defend Him before Babylon. We can cleave to Him and not to the vain things of the world that are distractions and mists of darkness. We can prefer the Light!
“We talk of Christ … we
rejoice in Christ.”
How open are you to sharing your beliefs, especially your testimony of Jesus Christ?
How can we persuade our children and grandchildren to believe in Jesus Christ and to be reconciled to God?
23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
What other things can we do besides writing?
verses 12–13, 16 We need to understand and declare that Jesus came and dwelt among men as prophesied. He did many great miracles. He was rejected and crucified. He rose again. It the latter day, the children of Israel will accept Him as their Messiah and no longer look for another. Salvation is through Jesus Christ.
verses 19–29 How did Nephi try to persuade people to believe in Jesus? (See notes in chapter below)
Which passages in this chapter persuade you to believe in and follow Jesus Christ? (See notes in chapter below)
2 Nephi 25:23–26 Why do you rejoice in Christ?
We Talk of Christ How can we all speak more openly of Jesus Christ in different settings?
The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles
Pray for desire, opportunities, and ways to testify of Jesus Christ. Follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Inviting All to Receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/search?lang=eng&facet=all&page=1&query=Inviting+All+to+Receive+the+Gospel+of+Jesus+Christ+
For kids:
“We rejoice in Christ.”
Help your children and grandchildren to rejoice in Jesus Christ!
What did (does) Jesus do to bring joy to others?
Videos:
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-10-0066-jesus-heals-a-man-born-blind?lang=eng
Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-10-0064-suffer-the-little-children-to-come-unto-me?lang=eng
When Someone
Cares (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/text/other/when-someone-cares?lang=eng)
Whom shall I serve?
What
inner strength have I to give?
To
others is the way I live and evidence that I care?
A
pillar of light,
Young
Joseph in a grove of trees
Found
out when he was in his knees his Father in Heaven cared.
And
with God nothing is impossible,
but
you must reach and take his hand.
With
him nothing is impossible.
Those
who have ears to hear will understand.
The
blind could see,
The
lame man could walk away,
And
lives still change from night to day when they know that someone cares
They
know that someone cares, when they know that someone cares.
Text: Gwen Moore Cundick
Music: Gwen
Moore Cundick
Let the Little
Children Come (https://singpraises.net/texts/2658/let-the-little-children-come)
1. Favored little ones were
they;
Who towards him Jesus drew!
Who within his arms he took
Just as loving parents do;
Christ the Lord “Our living head.”
This of little children said.
“Such shall of my kingdom be,
Suffer them to come to me.”
Listen to the Savior’s plea,“
Let the children come to me;
Let the little children come,
Come to me,Come to me,
Let the little children come,
Come to me,Come to me.”
2. Jesus claims the children’s
love;
Jesus loves them as of old!
Jesus calls from heav’n above,
“Feed my lambs and guard the fold;”
When the little children pray;
Jesus is not far away!
Jesus wants the children near,
Listen to his words so clear.
Listen to the Savior’s plea,
“Let the children come to me;
Let the little children come,
Come to me,Come to me,
Let the little chilren come,
Come to me,Come to me.”
Lyrics: Emily H. Woodmansee
Why do you rejoice in Jesus
Christ?
26 And we talk of
Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of
Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may
know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
Testify of Christ. Don’t assume your family knows how you
feel about the Savior. Tell them, and let your feelings about the Savior
influence the way you interact with them.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/20?lang=eng
The destruction of Assyria is a type of the
destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming—Few people will be left after
the Lord comes again—The remnant of Jacob will return in that day—Compare Isaiah
10. About 559–545 B.C.
Vs 1-2 It is wrong to point people in the wrong way and lead them away from Jesus.
Pure religion and undefiled is to take care of the widows and the fatherless.
Vs 4 For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Vs 13-16 The Lord is angry with the rich who control governments and steal from the people; leaving those who they should protect without means to support themselves and their families.
Those who are usurpers and who take that which doesn't belong to them and who take glory in themselves will have their cumupance.
Vs 20-23 I think it's sad that it takes us so long to turn to the Lord. We are Israel today. Our Country is being led to destruction and captivity by her leaders. We need to put our trust and our stay in the Lord. He's going to save us if we do.
After the terrible scourges throughout the earth are over, a remnant of Israel shall remain. And they will be blessed of the Lord. There will be righteousness in the land.
Vs 27 Our covenants and our temple blessings will
cause the Lord to save us.
We will be able to overcome our addictions and our bondages which yoke us as we
make and keep sacred covenants and always remember Him.
Vs 33 The Lord will put a stop to the unfairness and the terror caused by the unrighteous.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/21?lang=eng
The stem of Jesse (Christ)
will judge in righteousness—The knowledge of God will cover the earth in the
Millennium—The Lord will raise an ensign and gather Israel—Compare Isaiah
11. About 559–545 B.C.
Vs 1-5 Jesus is a descendent of Jesse. He is righteous. He has all understanding,
wisdom, knowledge, counsel and might. He will judge rigtheously and make things
right for the poor, meek, and oppressed (who come unto Him).
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Vs 6-9 The millennium time will be wonderful.
Vs 10 Heavenly Father and Jesus called upon Joseph to lift up the standard of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to invite all nations to come unto Jesus and be saved.
Vs 11-12 The restoration has been an ongoing process, from the Reformers to Joseph Smith, and from him to us. The Lord is the Leader of the restoration. Be His follower and invite others to join in.
The restoration will continue even after the Second Coming.
Vs 16 he Lord will take His righteous people to safety.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/22?lang=eng
In the millennial day all men
will praise the Lord—He will dwell among them—Compare Isaiah
12. About 559–545 B.C.
The Millennial Day will be the most beautiful time. I feel to praise the Lord even now for that approaching great day. He has done marvelous things for us already, and we are going to witness the arm of the Lord being revealed.
This is a chapter worthy of memorization.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/23?lang=eng
The destruction of Babylon is
a type of the destruction at the Second Coming—It will be a day of wrath and
vengeance—Babylon (the world) will fall forever—Compare Isaiah
13. About 559–545 B.C.
Vs 2 How can I lift up a banner on a high mountain? We need to invite
others to be prepared for the coming of the Lord?
Vs 3 If I rejoice in the Lord's highness, He will be pleased with me
and bless me. I need to be thankful every day.
Vs 4-5 We need not fear if we are on the Lord's side. Even in the great and last battle, there will be more on the Lord's side that the world's; because He will bring with Him the hosts of heaven.
Pay attention to the warnings in 2 Nephi 23. Are you enticed by riches and power? (See 23:6–9, 11, 19–22)
Warnings:
Vs 6 Howl ye. Don't get lax and comfortable in doing and desiring the vain
things of this world. The day of the Lord is at hand.
Vs 7-8 We will NOT find strength in doing wrong.
Vs 9 It is a sure thing that the day of the Lord is coming, and He will destroy the sinners.
Vs 10 Will the stars and constellations and the sun and moon refuse to shine, to hide their faces from the wickedness on earth?
Vs 11 Arrogancy, haughtiness and pride are condemning sins. Be humble and teachable, so that you will be blessed.
Vs 15 The proud and wicked will not survive.
Vs 19-22 All the worldiness and evil that is among the
nations will be destroyed. God compares this to when He overthrew Sodom and
Gomorrah, because people have again chosen dark works and turned away from Him.
But he will be merciful to His people, even though the wicked will perish.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/24?lang=eng
Israel will be gathered and
will enjoy millennial rest—Lucifer was cast out of heaven for rebellion—Israel
will triumph over Babylon (the world)—Compare Isaiah
14. About 559–545 B.C.
Vs 1 Won't it be wonderful for Israel when the strangers that join them
shall cleave to the house of Jacob. Certainly, the Lord is merciful. I look
forward to that day.
Vs 3 If we
are faithful, the Lord will help us overcome worldliness. We won't be in
bondage any more.
The
Millennial Day will be so restful, and there will be so much work of salvation
going on.
Vs 4-6 Satan will have no more power over the nations and rulers of the world. He will be bound.
7 “The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth into singing.”
Vs 7 I want to be there for that! I want to be singing to the Lord. Start learning that new song now.
Pay attention to the warnings in 2 Nephi 24. Are you enticed by riches and power? (See 24:10–19).
Vs 12-15 Satan was seeking to take God's identity as his own. He did not want to be a humble obedient child, which is what we need to do to become the sons and daughters of God and inherit His glory along with Him.
His pride, jealousy, and arrogance cost him the very blessing he might have received, if he knew and understood his place.
Be thankful for Heavenly Father's plan. He loves us all, and His desire is for us to be able to return to Him and become like Him; but, there are no shortcuts. Because of His love, He sent His Son, as a sacrfice for us, as the only One that could lead us back to the Father. Also, be true to your Heavenly Parents and to the Son of God, who has redeemed you and offered you hope of Eternal Life through faith in Him.
Vs 24-27 The Lord's purposes will all be fulfilled.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/25?lang=eng
Nephi glories in
plainness—Isaiah’s prophecies will be understood in the last days—The Jews will
return from Babylon, crucify the Messiah, and be scattered and scourged—They
will be restored when they believe in the Messiah—He will first come six
hundred years after Lehi left Jerusalem—The Nephites keep the law of Moses and
believe in Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel. About 559–545 B.C.
Vs 4 Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel,
Nephi glories in plainness. The Spirit can help us with things we don't
understand and make them plain.
Vs 12-14 I'm pretty sure that this isn't just from the meridian of time, but that it can relate to now. Are we accepting the Savior. Or do our actions and disbelief make us reject Him and agree to His crucifixion? We need to develop Faith in Jesus Christ. We need that.
Vs 16 Be persuaded every day to believe in Jesus and to keep your
covenant to always remember Him. Worship the Father in His name with a pure
heart and clean hands. Don't seek salvation or escape from any another source.
Believe in your Redeemer and trust in Him.
Vs 17-18 The restoration is ongoing. We are part of the Father's plan
to gather Israel so that they can have their blessings restored. The Book of
Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is essential to the convincing of
both Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ and His doctrine is the one and
only true doctrine from the Father.
verses 19–29 How did Nephi try to persuade people to believe in Jesus?
Vs 19 The people of Israel knew when the Messiah was supposed to come into the world and what His name would be; at least Lehi's family new that because of the records that they had.
Vs 20 Just as Moses' life was true and the recorded events of Jewish history are, it is also true that Jesus Christ is the only name given by which man can be saved. Powerful.
23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled.
Vs 23 We do NOT believe that there are any works that can save us. The grace of God and His Son will save us. But we need to follow Their commandments, and we need to be striving to become like them.
I believe that it is by grace that we save even before all that we can do. His grace is here to help us through the journey.
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
Vs 26 It's so important that our children know their relationship to their Savior and to our Father.
29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.
Vs 29 The right way is to believe in Christ. Hold to the rod.
Which passages in this chapter persuade you to believe in and follow Jesus Christ? 16, 17-18, 19, 23, 26,29
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