1 Nephi 17-18 9/25
Reading Assignment for class on Tuesday 9/26: 1 Nephi 17-18
There is extra to read this week. I recommend you get a head-start today using the following as a guide:
Sunday: 1 Nephi 17-18
Monday:1 Nephi 19
Tuesday: 1 Nephi 20-22
Wednesday: 2 Nephi 1
Points to Ponder:
1. What trials did Lehi and his family experience?
2. Why would building a boat be difficult for Nephi? What "boats" has the Lord asked you to build? How will you prepare for times when he asks you to do hard things?
3. What do you need to do to make sure you can always feel the Spirit and you don't cause your Liahona to quite working?
4. Ponder some of the following quotes as you read.
1 Nephi 17:45 "they could not feel"
Pres. Benson :“We hear the words of the Lord most often by a feeling. If we are humble and sensitive, the Lord will prompt us through our feelings” (Ezra Taft Benson, “Seek the Spirit of the Lord,” Ensign, Apr. 1988, 4).
Pres. Faust:
“Occasionally … we find dead spots where the signal coming to a cell phone fails. This can happen when the cell phone user is in a tunnel or a canyon or when there is other interference.
“So it is with divine communication. … We often put ourselves in spiritual dead spots—places and situations that block out divine messages. Some of these dead spots include anger, pornography, transgression, selfishness, and other situations that offend the Spirit” (James E. Faust, “Did You Get the Right Message?” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 67).
Pres. Eyring:
“A … requirement for frequent companionship and direction from the Holy Ghost is to be clean. The Spirit must withdraw from those who are not clean. …
“… If you have difficulty in feeling the Holy Ghost, you might wisely ponder whether there is anything for which you need to repent and receive forgiveness.
“If you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost today, you may take it as evidence that the Atonement is working in your life. For that reason and many others, you would do well to put yourself in places and in tasks that invite the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost works both ways: the Holy Ghost only dwells in a clean temple, and the reception of the Holy Ghost cleanses us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. You can pray with faith to know what to do to be cleansed and thus qualified for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and the service of the Lord. And with that companionship you will be strengthened against temptation and empowered to detect deception” (Henry B. Eyring, “Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times,” Ensign, June 2007, 23).
1 Nephi 18:10
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:“To respond in a Christlike way cannot be scripted or based on a formula. The Savior responded differently in every situation. When He was confronted by wicked King Herod, He remained silent. When He stood before Pilate, He bore a simple and powerful testimony of His divinity and purpose. Facing the moneychangers who were defiling the temple, He exercised His divine responsibility to preserve and protect that which was sacred. Lifted up upon a cross, He uttered the incomparable Christian response: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34). …
“As we respond to others, each circumstance will be different. … As true disciples seek guidance from the Spirit, they receive inspiration tailored to each encounter. And in every encounter, true disciples respond in ways that invite the Spirit of the Lord” (Robert D. Hales, “Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 72–73).
1 Nephi 18:16
Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Seventy. Ask the class to listen for what Elder Clayton counseled us to do when we face trials.Elder L. Whitney Clayton
“No matter the burdens we face in life as a consequence of natural conditions, the misconduct of others, or our own mistakes and shortcomings, we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father, who sent us to earth as part of His eternal plan for our growth and progress. Our unique individual experiences can help us prepare to return to Him. … We must do everything we can to bear our burdens ‘well’ [see D&C 121:7–8]. …
“… I know that as we keep the commandments of God and our covenants, He helps us with our burdens. He strengthens us. When we repent, He forgives us and blesses us with peace of conscience and joy” (L. Whitney Clayton, “That Your Burdens May Be Light,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 13–14).