Mormon 1-4

Reading Assignment for Tuesday: Mormon 1-4

Learning Activities:

Here are a few quotes from modern prophets to enhance your study:

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008):

“While I sometimes regret that people do not call this church by its proper name, I am happy that the nickname they use is one of great honor made so by a remarkable man and a book which gives an unmatched testimony concerning the Redeemer of the world.

“Anyone who comes to know the man Mormon, through the reading and pondering of his words, … will come to know that Mormon is not a word of disrepute, but that it represents the greatest good—that good which is of God” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Mormon Should Mean ‘More Good,’” Ensign, Nov. 1990, 52–53).

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“When we are quick to observe, we promptly look or notice and obey. Both of these fundamental elements—looking and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe. And the prophet Mormon is an impressive example of this gift in action” (David A. Bednar, “Quick to Observe,” Ensign, Dec. 2006, 32).

Mormon 2:13–15. Sorrowing unto repentance

Mormon mourned for his people, seeing that “their sorrowing was not unto repentance” and knowing that “the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin” (Mormon 2:13). As President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) observed, “Without repentance there can be no forgiveness, and without forgiveness all the blessings of eternity hang in jeopardy” (The Miracle of Forgiveness[1969], 117).

While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Bruce D. Porter (1952–2016) taught of the importance of feeling sorrow unto repentance:

“A broken heart and a contrite spirit mean to experience ‘godly sorrow [that] worketh repentance’ (2 Corinthians 7:10). This comes when our desire to be cleansed from sin is so consuming that our hearts ache with sorrow and we yearn to feel at peace with our Father in Heaven. Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment. We cease doing things our way and learn to do them God’s way instead. In such a condition of submissiveness, the Atonement can take effect and true repentance can occur. The penitent will then experience the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost, which will fill them with peace of conscience and the joy of reconciliation with God” (Bruce D. Porter, “A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 32).

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Ask the class to listen for what can help us prepare to stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ.

“If you have made covenants, keep them. If you haven’t made them, make them. If you have made them and broken them, repent and repair them. It is never too late so long as the Master … says there is time. Please listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit telling you right now, this very moment, that you should accept the atoning gift of the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the fellowship of His labor. Don’t delay. It’s getting late” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Laborers in the Vineyard,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 33).

Mormon 3:9–10. Swearing an oath

Mormon said that the Nephites swore “by the heavens, and also by the throne of God” that they would seek revenge on the Lamanites (see Mormon 3:9–10). The following statement by Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains the significance of swearing an oath in Book of Mormon times, thus giving us an understanding of the blasphemous nature of the Nephites’ attempt to involve God in their vengeance.

“This matter of swearing with an oath in ancient days was far more significant than many of us have realized.

“For instance: Nephi and his brethren were seeking to obtain the brass plates from Laban. Their lives were in peril. Yet Nephi swore this oath: ‘As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us.’ (1 Ne. 3:15.)

“Thus Nephi made God his partner. If he failed to get the plates, it meant God had failed. And because God does not fail, it was incumbent upon Nephi to get the plates or lay down his life in the attempt” (Bruce R. McConkie, “The Doctrine of the Priesthood,” Ensign, May 1982, 33).

Mormon 4:5. “The judgments of God will overtake the wicked”

To illustrate that negative consequences will follow those who sin, Pres Monson told this story:

“In a business law class at the university I attended, I remember that one particular classmate never prepared for the class discussions. I thought to myself, ‘How is he going to pass the final examination?’

“I discovered the answer when he came to the classroom for the final exam on a winter’s day wearing on his bare feet only a pair of sandals. I was surprised and watched him as the class began. All of our books had been placed upon the floor, as per the instruction. He slipped the sandals from his feet; and then, with toes that he had trained and had prepared with glycerin, he skillfully turned the pages of one of the books which he had placed on the floor, thereby viewing the answers to the examination questions.

“He received one of the highest grades in that course on business law. But the day of reckoning came. Later, as he prepared to take his comprehensive exam, for the first time the dean of his particular discipline said, ‘This year I will depart from tradition and will conduct an oral, rather than a written, test.’ Our favorite trained-toe expert found that he had his foot in his mouth on that occasion and failed the exam” (Thomas S. Monson, “Preparation Brings Blessings,”Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 65).