Post # 166 Come, Follow Me – Week # 5 --January 27–February 2. 1 Nephi 16–22: “I Will Prepare the Way before You”

Dear Family and Friends

When you and your family and friends are studying  1 Nephi 16–22, be sure to think about how Nephi’s example of facing challenges might be helpful to you and your family members and friends. 

Also, you may want to have everyone in your family study group look for some passages that stand out to you or them or impress you or them😊

You may want to consider having your family members and friends to think about how you / and or they will mark the verses that impressed you or stood out to you or them, also think about just how you plan to record those impressions – in a notebook, a journal, a scrap book …?

Remember that it is important that you record your impressions and it could be helpful to you as well to write down the verses either with your impressions or on a notecard to put somewhere so that you can see it every day and maybe memorize the verse. 

You will never be sorry for memorizing a hymn, a primary song or a verse of scripture, I promise it will be very worth your very effort in the long run of your life😊

Or you may choose to do both😊 I have learned that when we take the time to write down the impressions we receive, in doing so we show our Heavenly Father that we are listening and acting on the messages that He sends to us through the Holy Ghost 😊

In doing this we show Him we are ready for more inspiration from Him through the Holy Ghost – so important!!!!

In this week’s lesson we are going to go with Lehi and his family to the promised land and learn of their struggles and also how the Lord provides a way for them to do all that He has asked or commanded them to do.

Our Heavenly Father will never ask or command us to do something without preparing a way for us to accomplish the things that He asks us to do😊 This next part comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual: 

 As Lehi’s family journeyed toward the promised land, the Lord made them this promise: “I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments” (1 Nephi 17:13).

Clearly, that promise did not mean that the journey would be easy—family members still disagreed, bows broke, and people struggled and died, and they still had to build a ship from raw materials.

However, when the family faced adversity or seemingly impossible tasks, Nephi recognized that the Lord was never far away. He knew that God “doth nourish [the faithful], and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them” (1 Nephi 17:3).

If you ever wonder why bad things happen to good people like Nephi and his family, you may find insights in these chapters. But perhaps more important, you will see what good people do when bad things happen.

The records that Nephi and his brothers went back to Jerusalem to get contained the word of God. In those records God tells him to liken the scriptures unto himself 1 Nephi 19:23 .

This is exactly what Nephi did because he knew that it was important, and he knew there was much value in him doing it. 

You may choose to share this with your family and friends and ask them each to share with you and the rest of your family study group any principles that you and / or they have learned while studying in  the account of Nephi’s journey to the promised land😊 Be sure to share the good parts as well as the not so good parts ☹ with your family members and friends.

1 Nephi 16:10–16, 23–31; 18:10–13, 20–22

God uses small means to accomplish great things.

In this section we are learning about how the Lord uses small means to accomplish great things😊 do you think that you and your family members and friends can think of something very small that can be used to bring about something great??? If you read in  1 Nephi 16:29 it will tell you this principle.

1 Nephi 19:23             Book of Mormon

23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

 

 So, what did you think of that is very small that could be used to bring about something great?

My very first thought when I typed the words on the page to you was a simple P-38, which is a very small can opener that they have used in the military for years. This little can opener, can open cans of every size big or small😊 I guess I automatically thought of the physical things first☹

The second thought I had was choosing to believe that the Book of Mormon is true. Third thought was having faith in our Heavenly Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Personally, I think that having faith is very important, but I also think that it is a small thing – even if you have faith the size of a mustard seed what amazing things could and probably would happen😊

 

We learned about this last year as we studied the New Testament and is found in Matthew 17:14-20, Another thought came to my mind, and that was of a car jack, which are now a days rather small and compact and they can lift a car. 

The last thought and maybe the most important one I had was that of trusting in our Heavenly Father when He tells us that we need to do something😊

And of course, us acting immediately upon what He tells us to do! Well you guys, that is enough from me let us move on. Something that you may want to consider doing next with your family and friends is a bit more studying😊

 

You may want to find a video or videos that will help out with this lesson:

Book of Mormon Videos.

Find videos depicting events from 1 Nephi 16–22 in the Book of Mormon Videos collection on ChurchofJesusChrist.org or the Gospel Library app.

You can divide your family and friends into pairs and ask them to read the following verses: 1 Nephi 16:25–31; Alma 37:3–8; and Doctrine and Covenants 64:33; 123:12–17.

When you and your family members and friends have finished reading through all of the verses then you can share with one another what you /they have learned, or you can do it all together😊

 

Looking up each reference and discussing what you find together😊 about this principle. Talk together about what you have learned about this principle when you are finished with the readings. 

Another question for you: How has God used small means to accomplish great things in our lives? 

Now it is time for another discussion with your family and friends about how Heavenly Father directs our paths. Do you remember reading about the Liahona in our readings for this week? 

Okay, do you remember what made the Liahona work? Look up the following passages: 1 Nephi 16:10–16, 23–31; 18:10–13, 20–22; see also Alma 37:38–47,  to read more about the principles that made the Liahona work😊

 

And it’s time for more questions😊 How might these principles be considered “small means”? you and your family  members and friends could make a list on  a piece of paper or poster board of the  things that God has provided to guide us. Just as He provided the Liahona for Lehi and his family, He has also provided various things to guide us through our mortal sojourn😊

 

A few of those things that Heavenly Father has provided to guide us through this life are our scriptures, living prophets who give us messages during general conference that can give us guidance for our lives. 

He has given us the gift of the Holy Ghost after our baptism into His Church. He has given us church leaders, our parents, teachers and advisors in the church. 

He has given us our patriarchal blessings – which are direct personal revelation just for each of us individually. You and your family members and friends may want to consider reading through the following for some ideas:

Our “Liahonas.”

Elder David A. Bednar taught: “The Holy Ghost operates in our lives precisely as the Liahona did for Lehi and his family, according to our faith and diligence and heed” (“That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 31).

In the October 2005 general conference, Elder Lowell M. Snow of the Seventy said: “This very general conference is a modern Liahona, a time and place to receive inspired guidance and direction that prospers us” (“Compass of the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 97).

 

President Thomas S. Monson taught: “The same Lord who provided a Liahona for Lehi provides for you and for me today a rare and valuable gift to give direction to our lives. … The gift to which I refer is known as your patriarchal blessing” (Thomas S. Monson, “Your Patriarchal Blessing: A Liahona of Light,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 65).

What small actions can we each take to receive God’s guidance? 

Ask your family members and friends this question as well? 

What small actions can we individually and as a family take to receive God’s guidance? 

This next part comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

1 Nephi 16–18

When I keep the commandments, God will help me face challenges.

Chapters 16–18 of 1 Nephi describe several challenges that Nephi’s family faced, including dealing with a broken bow (see 1 Nephi 16:17–32), the death of Ishmael (see 1 Nephi 16:34–39), building a ship (see 1 Nephi 17:7–16; 18:1–4), and family discord (see 1 Nephi 18:9–22). 

How did Nephi’s responses to these challenges differ from the responses of some of his family members? What were the consequences of these responses?
It might help to record what you find in a table with headings like these: “Challenge,” “Nephi’s Response,” “Others’ Responses,” and “Results.” 






Why do you think Nephi was able to remain so faithful when others did not? Reflect on how the example of Nephi and his family can help you with your challenges.

See also related videos in the Book of Mormon Videos collection on ChurchofJesusChrist.org or the Gospel Library app.

1 Nephi 16:18–32; 17:7–16; 18:1–4

When we keep the commandments, God will help us face challenges.

It is most probably no exaggeration that you and / or your family members and friends could most likely be facing tasks and challenges that seem impossible for you and / or them. 

How can you / they use Nephi’s experience with his own seemingly impossible tasks—feeding his family in the wilderness and building a ship—to help them? 

Maybe you and your family members and friends could read the following passages together: 1 Nephi 16:18–32; 17:7–16; and 18:1–4. As you are reading through these passages together, be looking for principles that can help you and / or them when you / they face a challenging hardship.  

This example in 1 Nephi 16:24–26 teaches us that prayer and humility are what  allow us to receive inspiration and direction from God. 

It may be helpful of you start by giving them an example of a principle that you found in these verses. 

Then, if they are old enough as they share what they found, they might also want and choose to share one or more related personal experiences. 

1 Nephi 16:18–32; 17:7–22

Faith leads to action.

In studying the experiences of Lehi and his family in the wilderness you and your family members and friends will find that their experiences will illustrate the power of faith and the consequences of unbelief. 

Then you could write out these questions – yes there are more questions😊 on a poster board: How did Nephi act on his faith? How was he blessed as a result? What were the consequences of Laman and Lemuel’s unbelief?

 

Doing this might help you and your family members and friends to  discover these truths together😊 after you have written out the questions and read them aloud you may want to divide your family members and friends into pairs.

Then  ask them to search for answers to these questions in 1 Nephi 16:18–32 or 17:7–22 and share what they find. This next part comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

1 Nephi 16:10–16, 23–31; 18:11–22

The Lord guides me through small and simple means.

When God led Lehi’s family into the wilderness, He did not provide them with a detailed travel plan to the promised land. But He did give Lehi the Liahona to guide his family daily toward their destination. 

What has Heavenly Father given you to provide guidance and direction? What do you think it means that “by small means the Lord can bring about great things”? (1 Nephi 16:29).

As you read 1 Nephi 16:10–16, 23–31 and 18:11–22, consider making a list of principles that illustrate how God guides His children (for example, 1 Nephi 16:10 can teach that God sometimes guides us in unexpected ways). 

What experiences have you had with these principles?
See also Alma 37:7, 38–47; Doctrine and Covenants 64:33–34.

1 Nephi 19:22–24

We can liken the scriptures to ourselves.

One thing that might  help your family members and friends learn how to liken the scriptures to themselves, you could read together some examples of how Nephi did it in his life😊  

Some examples can be found in the following passages: 1 Nephi 4:1–3 and 17:23–32, 41–45, what principles did Nephi teach by likening the scriptures to his family’s situation? Then read the following account by Elder Robert D. Hale to learn more:  

Likening the scriptures to ourselves.

Elder Robert D. Hales taught:

“Several years ago I was teaching our young son about the life and experiences of the brother of Jared. Although the story was very interesting, he was not engaged. I then asked what the story meant to him personally.

 It means so much when we ask our children, ‘What does it mean to you?’ He said, ‘You know, it’s not that different from what Joseph Smith did in the grove when he prayed and got an answer.’

“I said, ‘You’re about Joseph’s age. Do you think a prayer like his would be helpful to you?’ Suddenly, we weren’t talking about a long-ago story in a faraway land. We were talking about our son—about his life, his needs, and the way prayer could help him.

“As parents, we have the responsibility to help our children to ‘liken all scriptures [indeed, every part of the gospel of Jesus Christ] unto us [and unto our children], … for [the] profit and learning [of our families]’” (“With All the Feeling of a Tender Parent: A Message of Hope to Families,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 90).

These inspired words from Elder Hales illustrates how likening the scriptures to ourselves can bless us. Here is where you and your family members and friends may want to identify some of the challenges facing you and especially your children and /or your friends, either them or their family members.

 And then find scriptural accounts that could give them insights and some help for those situations. Now according to 1 Nephi 19:22–24, how can likening the scriptures to ourselves bless us?

You and your family members and friends may want to consider discussing 1 Nephi 19:22–24  as this can be a great opportunity for you and your family members and friends to share how you / they will “liken the scriptures” to yourself / themselves and your friends and  their families, as well as the blessings that you and / or  they have received from doing so. 

Then you may want to consider listing on the poster board you or your family members’ and friend’s ideas about how to liken the scriptures to yourself / themselves😊




 

You know it may be helpful for you and your family members and friends in a future family study group session, you could share with one another yours and their experiences when you / they used the ideas on the list.
 

Suggestions for likening the scriptures.

• Think about events or circumstances in our day that are similar to those in the scriptures you are reading.
• Look for what people know, learn, or do in the scriptures that could help you with a current personal problem or question.
• Identify principles from that story that can help you in your own circumstances.

Aren’t those great suggestions? I hope that you will use them with your family members and friends as you continue to study the Book of Mormon with me and the rest of our cyber study buddies and liken the scriptures to each one of you😊This next part comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual: 

1 Nephi 19:23–24; 20–22

I can “liken all scriptures” to myself.

Isaiah wrote to all the children of Israel, and Nephi saw that this included his own family specifically—and it includes you (see 1 Nephi 19:23–24).

Regarding Nephi’s quotations of Isaiah, President Henry B. Eyring said, “I read Isaiah’s words … assuming Nephi picked the parts of Isaiah that I, without worrying about the imagery, could take directly to my heart as if the Lord were speaking to me” (“The Book of Mormon Will Change Your Life,” Ensign, Feb. 2004, 10).

1 Nephi 20–21

The Lord will gather the house of Israel in the last days.

One thing that might help to encourage you family members and friends to share the meaningful teachings they found in 1 Nephi 20–21. You may want to consider writing headings like these in three columns on a poster board: Children of Israel, Lehi’s Family, and People in Our Day. It might look like the following if you were to make a chart:

Questions:	Children of Israel	Lehi’s Family	People in Our Day
1 Nephi 20:1–9
What phrases in these verses describe the children of Israel?	they swear not in truth nor in righteousness. they call themselves of the holy city, but they do not stay themselves upon the God of Israel,
How do they describe Laman and Lemuel?		thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;
What warnings and application do you find for yourself?			Thou hast seen and heard all this; and will ye not declare them?

Take time for your family and friends  to review them together 1 Nephi 20–21 and list under each heading how Isaiah’s prophecies apply to these groups. If you break it down by chapters, it may be a little bit easier for you and your family members and friends to focus on the questions for each area and then move on to the next passages😊
 

I made the above chart for 1 Nephi 20:1–9. You and our family members and friends may find different answers and that is just fine. I just wanted you to have an example of how you could write this out on a poster board for your family study group to see😊 This next part comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual: 

With President Eyring’s words in mind, consider questions like the following as you read chapters 20–22:

1 Nephi 20:1–9.

What phrases in these verses describe the children of Israel? How do they describe Laman and Lemuel?
What warnings and application do you find for yourself?

1 Nephi 20:17–22.

How did the Lord lead the children of Israel?
How did He lead Lehi’s family? How does He guide you?
What else do you find in 1 Nephi 20–22 that makes you feel as if the Lord were speaking to you?
How does Nephi’s commentary in chapter 22 help you understand Isaiah’s prophecies?


 

 
You may want to make a chart for the other passages as well and then fill in your answers😊 

You may find a way that works best for teaching your family members and friends and that is wonderful as you know them the best and you know what works for your family study group😊 

This next part comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

1 Nephi 21

Who are the house of Israel and the Gentiles?

The house of Israel are the descendants of the Old Testament prophet Jacob, who was given the name Israel by the Lord (see Genesis 32:28; 35:10; see also Bible Dictionary, “Israel”). 

The Lord made certain covenants with Israel, and his descendants were considered God’s covenant people. 

However, generations later, many of them turned away from the Lord and were eventually scattered across the earth.

The term Gentiles in these passages refers to people that do not yet have the gospel (see Bible Dictionary, “Gentile”). 





Isaiah taught that in the latter days the Gentiles would be given the gospel and be instrumental in teaching and gathering the house of Israel (see 1 Nephi 21:22; 22:8–12; see also Isaiah 60; 66:18–20).

So, just who are the house of Israel and who are the Gentiles? After reading the section above what did you figure out about these two groups of people? Which group of people do you belong to? This next part comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening

As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family. Here are some ideas.

1 Nephi 17:1–6, 17–22

Perhaps your family could contrast Nephi’s account of traveling in the wilderness (see 1 Nephi 17:1–6) with his brothers’ account (see 1 Nephi 17:17–22). 

Why do you think they saw the same events so differently?
What can we learn from Nephi about having a faithful perspective?


 

1 Nephi 17:17–22; 18:9–16

What are the consequences of jealousy, contention, and complaining in a family?
How can we overcome these problems?

1 Nephi 19:22–24

Nephi likened the scriptures to his family “that it might be for [their] profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23).
There are several stories in 1 Nephi 16–18 that your family could liken to yourselves.
Maybe you could act out one of these stories and discuss how it applies to your family.

1 Nephi 21:14–16

How might the message in these verses help someone who feels forgotten?
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Think about something for just a few minutes – what would you say to your family members if your time on the earth was short? 

In our readings for next week  2 Nephi 1–5 we will find that the first few chapters  in 2 Nephi contain the final message that Lehi gave to each of his family members, you’ll be sure to read it won’t you? 

You know with me having stage four cancer, I have thought about this question quite a lot. 

What would I say, what could I say to my children and my grandchildren that would be of any benefit to them?? I guess you would need to think about it very seriously!! 

Myself, personally I have been praying and pondering this question so that I can leave them something that is very important to me.

The very first thing that comes to my mind is to let each one of my family members know that I love them very much, more than lifeitself. I will love them always no matter what they do or say!! My love will never change.

My next thought is that I would begin with the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ left His throne on high to descend below us all, to be born in a lowly manger without even clothing to put on His little mortal body😊
 

That He was raised in the home of his earthly parents – Mary and Joseph, with His mortal siblings. Jesus did His chores just as we did while we lived in our Parent’s home. He helped out in His family just as we did as we were growing up in our parent’s home. I am sure that He worked hard.

When He was 12 his family had gone to Jerusalem with many relatives. Jesus was discovered missing on the trek back to their home. When Mary and Joseph found Him, He was teaching the men in the tabernacle.

He told his parents, Mary and Joseph, that He was about His Father’s (Heavenly Father’s) business. He lived a simple but hard life with his family learning the trade of his earthly father.

His Heavenly Father taught Him from on high. He fasted 40 days and 40 nights. He was tempted by the devil and He was ministered to by angels. He was baptized by John the Baptist, who was His cousin. He established His church during His mortal ministry. He called Apostles and disciples to preach the word of God to all the people.

That He is the Christ, the Messiah that the people of His day – and even before were waiting for. That He suffered as He bled from every pore on His body. that He suffered more than any or even all humans put together can suffer even to their deaths. He was spit upon, beaten, had a spear thrown into His side. He had nails put into His hands and feet. 

He had a plaited crown of thorns was smashed upon His head causing it to bleed. He suffered so much even more than we know I am sure. That He died on the cross and was lain in a borrowed tomb of Joseph Arimathea and after 3 days He rose from the dead. The Angel came and rolled the stone away😊He lives!!! He Atoned for each one of our sins and transgressions!

He went through all of His sufferings that we might not have to if we believe in Him and follow His example for our earthly lives. He is the cornerstone of our Church -- His Church reestablished her on the earth in these latter days. That is why our church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. Oh my, I do suppose I am rambling again.

Well folks, here we are at the end of this lesson. I hope and I pray that I have shared something with each one of you that has inspired you to be better, to do better, and to share what you have learned😊 

I also hope and pray that some of you if not all of you have been uplifted in some small way with what I have shared with you today😊

Please continue studying the Book of Mormon with me this year, you will be amazed and maybe a little surprised by what you will be learning😊 The Lord called Joseph Smith to be a prophet of God, to reestablish His church on the earth in the latter days. He wants each one of us to learn and to grow spiritually as well as physically😊
 

We do this by reading and studying His words in all of His scriptures😊By listening to and learning from the living prophets during general conference and acting upon the counsel that we receive from them. we do this by fasting and praying to know the truth of all things for ourselves😊
 

We do this by living worthy of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and by acting upon the impressions that we receive from Him. 

Please remember who you are!!! You are each one a child of God😊 You are either a son or a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father. He knows each one of you personally!! You are amazing!! You have more going for you than you may imagine. With God’s help you can become so much more than you can ever realize that yo could become😊 

Remember to pray to know the truth of all things. Live worthy to have the Holy Ghost with you at all times and in all places. Until my next post, remember to make it a great week😊