1 Nephi 1 (9/6)

Reading Assignment: 1 Nephi 1

Questions to ponder: 

1) If you view this chapter as Nephi's journal, what can you learn from him about keeping a journal and what you should write about?

2) What are the tender mercies Nephi talks about in 1 Nephi 1:20?

3) What tender mercies have you experienced in your life or in your family?

4) What did you learn about prophets in 1 Nephi 1?

5) What questions do you have that you can bring to class?

1 Nephi 1:18-20 God calls prophets to denounce sin, warn of its consequences, and testify of Jesus Christ.

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985):

“Those prophets I have known are the most loving of men. It is because of their love and integrity that they cannot modify the Lord’s message merely to make people feel comfortable. They are too kind to be so cruel” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Listen to the Prophets,” Ensign, May 1978, 77).

Elder Holland:

“In addition to teaching, encouraging, and cheering people on (that is the pleasant part of discipleship), from time to time … messengers [of the Lord] are called upon to worry, to warn, and sometimes just to weep (that is the painful part of discipleship). They know full well that the road leading to the promised land ‘flowing with milk and honey’ [Exodus 3:8] of necessity runs by way of Mount Sinai, flowing with ‘thou shalts’ and ‘thou shalt nots’ [see Exodus 20:3–17].

“Unfortunately, messengers of divinely mandated commandments are often no more popular today than they were anciently” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 7).

1 Nephi 1:14. God is merciful

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following about God’s merciful nature:

“Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it.

“… However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Laborers in the Vineyard,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 33).

Want More?
Check out these two great talks from General Conference:
Elder Bednar
President Eyring