Post
# 173 -- Come, Follow Me -- Week # 8 -- February 17–23 -- 2 Nephi 11–25 -- “We Rejoice in Christ”
Dear
Family and Friends
Our Bishop reminded us about the upcoming General Conference
in April, that this conference is going to be very special. He encouraged each
of us to prepare ourselves for this special conference😊
On the Church website there are places you can choose to research in preparation
for this upcoming conference here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/restoration/
When you are here on the above site, you can learn about The First Vision, there is
a video link to answer questions about the restoration, you can also read more
from President Russell M. Nelson from his talk: “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our
Lives” you can access this talk below the quote on the site above or you
can go here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng
Here are a couple of quotes from President
Nelson’s talk:
“In
coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the
guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
“If Joseph Smith’s transcendent experience in
the Sacred Grove teaches us anything, it is that the heavens are open and that
God speaks to His children.”
Here is another blog site you can go to,
to learn more about the restoration: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/blog/the-work-of-restoration-didnt-end-with-joseph-it-continues-with-you-and-me
1I just wanted to share this information
with you in case you have not heard of it as yet 😊 you
can also read the books
Remember the verse of scripture in the Bible
that Joseph Smith read> it was in the book of James chapter one verse five:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him.” – James
1:5
I will continue to share
information with you in other posts about this special upcoming General
Conference. I hope and I pray that each one of you will make a serious effort
to prepare yourselves for this conference in April as will I , but for now I think
we had better get started with our lesson😊Is everyone ready to
begin? All right then let’s get started😊We will begin with a scenario for you to
imagine. Here we go😊
If you had a friend who is having a hard
time understanding the words of
Isaiah
or cannot construct anything that is inspiring or meaningful in Isaiah’s
teachings what verses could you share with that friend to help them? You
could pose this same situation to your family and friends to see what answers
they might share on this question😊
Then together you could read through the following which comes to you
direct from the Come, Follow Me manual:
Nephi taught that Isaiah’s words “are plain unto all those that are
filled with the spirit of prophecy” (2 Nephi 25:4).
As you read, seek the spirit of prophecy by preparing yourself spiritually,
listening to the Spirit, and recording your impressions.
Engraving on metal plates is not easy, and space on Nephi’s small
plates was limited. So why would Nephi go to the tedious effort of copying a
large amount of Isaiah’s writings into his record? He did it “that whoso …
shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice” (2 Nephi 11:8).
In a sense, the invitation to read Isaiah’s writings is an invitation to
rejoice.
You can take delight, as Nephi did, in Isaiah’s prophecies about
the gathering of Israel, the coming of the Messiah, and the millennial peace
promised to the righteous. You can rejoice that even in a day of “trouble, and
darkness,” you “have seen a great light” (2 Nephi 18:22; 19:2). You can
rejoice that you can “draw water out of the wells of salvation” (2 Nephi 22:3).
In other words, you can “rejoice in Christ” (2 Nephi 25:26).
Isaiah testified of Jesus Christ.
Shall we begin our study of 2 Nephi by
searching through chapter 11looking for Nephi’s purposes for quoting so much of
Isaiah’s writings so extensively. After you have and your family members and
friends have finished your searching of chapter 11 you should get out the
poster board – yes, I know, that is what I always say! Right?
To answer our
next question, yes, we are going to make yet another list together😊 The
reason for doing this is that it can be much
easier for you and your family members and friends to understand Isaiah’s
prophecies when you know just why they were written to begin with😊 Am
I right?
So, for your list😊 write down the purposes of Nephi for quoting Isaiah so much. You
may also want to share any passages that you and your family members and
friends found during your/ their personal of family study of 2 Nephi chapters 12
–24that you/ they feel accomplished the purposes that you and your family
members and friends found in 2 Nephi chapter 11😊 Got it?
·
I, Nephi, write more of
the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his
words. For I will liken his words unto my people
·
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.
Are you guys up for questions yet? Somehow,
I knew you would be ready😊
How has understanding Nephi’s purposes
helped you and your family members and friends get more out of the writings of
Isaiah? It may be beneficial for you and your family members and friends to
keep these purposes in your minds as you discuss together Isaiah’s writings in
your scripture study group😊
As you probably know, if you have studied
Isaiah before, that it can be so easy to overlook his powerful witness of Jesus
Christ. This is due to the fact that Isaiah used so much symbolic language in
his writings. I have always felt that it was harder to understand than other
books of scripture😊, but that’s just me.
If you have access to the large sticky
notes that you can hang on your walls it might be kind of fun for you and your
family members and friends to work together.
You could write one of the
following scripture references that teach us about our Savior, Jesus Christ, at
the top of each sticky note page: 2 Nephi 13:13; 14:4–6; 15:1–7; 16:1–7; 17:14; 18:14–15; 19:6–7; 21:1–5; 22:2. 😊😊
Each of your family members and friends
could choose one sticky note. Then look up the scripture reference that is
written at toe top of that sticky note😊 When you have read the passage on the
top of a sticky note you can then write on it what you learned about Jesus from
the passage you read. Next each one of your family members and friends could
move to another sticky note and add to what the first person wrote.
You will continue doing this until all of
your family members and friends have had a chance to write on each sticky note
or maybe just a couple of the sticky notes if you have limited time. You can always
continue this in-depth study during the week doing a little bit each night😊
This will only work if your family members and
friends are old enough to read and write😊 otherwise you could turn your poster board
over and make a chart on the back so you have a visual to use for your
discussion about these passages with your family members and friends.
You could write the scripture reference
on one side and then write what you learn about Jesus Christ on the other side –
so you would have two columns on your poster board if you do it this way😊 I
have started a few foe you. It might look something like the following:
SRIPTURE REFERENCE
|
WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT JESUS
|
2 Nephi 13:13
|
To plead and to judge the people
|
2 Nephi 14:4—6
|
|
2 Nephi 15:1-7
|
|
2 Nephi 16:1-7
|
|
2Nephi 17:14
|
|
2 Nephi 18:14—15
|
|
2 Nephi 19:6—7
|
|
2 Nephi 21:1—5
|
|
2 Nephi 22:2
|
Be sure to encourage your family members
and friends to share any further thoughts or insights they had while searching
through these passages of scripture. You could share your thoughts and insights
you had about the Savior, Jesus Christ as well as anything that you have
learned from Isaiah that deepen your appreciation for Jesus Christ with your family
study group. Also encourage your family and friends to share with one another
what they have learned from Isaiah which has deepened their appreciation for
Jesus Christ😊
As you probably know 2 Nephi 19:6 lists
several titles of Jesus Christ in this prophecy, so it may do you well to get
out your poster board again😊 ask your family and friends the
following question: Why are each of these titles fitting description of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
In order for us to learn more about these
titles you could look up the references in the footnotes of this verse of scripture
2 Nephi 19:6. To
do this you should write at the top of your poster board the scripture
reference. Then write the footnotes below the verse and as you look each footnote
up, write beside it the information given about the Savior, Jesus Christ. It may
look something like the following:
6 For unto us a child is
born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall
be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor,
The Mighty
God, The Everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace.
Footnote c --
Footnote d --
Footnote e
–
“For unto us a child is born.”
You and your family
members and friends may want to consider watching or listen to the Tabernacle
Choir at Temple Square sing “For unto Us a Child Is Born” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). this will be of great help for
your family and friends in your discussion of 2 Nephi
19:6 ☹
You can find the video here: https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/videos/for-unto-us-a-child-is-born-messiah.html
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and
the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name
shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
This next part comes to you directly from
the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual for your personal study:
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
How can I better
understand the teachings of Isaiah?
Nephi acknowledged
that for some, “the words of Isaiah are not plain” (2 Nephi 25:4).
This can certainly be true for those who aren’t familiar with ancient Jewish
culture and geography like Nephi was (see 2 Nephi 25:6).
But Nephi also gave counsel to help us find meaning in Isaiah’s writings:
“Liken
his words unto” yourself (2 Nephi
11:2).
Many of Isaiah’s
teachings have multiple possible meanings and applications. For example, his
writings about the scattering and gathering of Israel might prompt you to think
about your need to be “gathered” back to the Savior.
Seek
to be “filled with the spirit of prophecy” (2 Nephi
25:4).
The best way to
understand Isaiah’s prophecies is to seek inspiration from the Spirit. Pray for
spiritual guidance. You may not understand everything all at once, but the Spirit
can help you learn what you need to know for your life today.
In the latter days, God’s people will be gathered and enjoy
peace.
For this section, let’s begin by
examining 2 Nephi 21:10–12,
which describes an “ensign” which is a standard
or a banner that will be raised to gather God’s people. How have we seen the
Lord gather His people spiritually? This
is a good example of how certain parts of Isaiah’s prophecies are especially
relevant to us because they describe aspects of God’s latter-day work, which is
something that needs to be shared with your family members and friends😊
What makes you draw to or want to be a
part of God’s people in His Church? it could be a lot of fun for your and your
family members and your friends to make your own banners that could list some
of the gospel truths you or they might feel that other people “seek” and that will
help to “assemble” and to “gather together” as it says in verses 10 and 12, God’s
children in our day.
Here is a grand question for you to ask
of your family members and friends and I have added a few of my own as well:
How do we help with this gathering? Just how do we do this😊individually?
Together as a family? As a family with our friends and neighbors? Any ideas?
Well, it is time to get out your poster
board again😊 we are going to make a chart so you will
need three columns with the following headings written across the top: Scattering of Israel, Gathering of Israel, and Prophecies
of Christ. Then you could maybe
have your family members and friends divide up into small groups or into pairs
to do this activity😊 this is definitely a search activity.
We are going to search throughout 2 Nephi 12–24. In these chapters we will be searching for
verses that teach about these things and write these verses under the appropriate
heading on the board. Now ask your family members and friends this question:
What messages do these verses have for us? You should be sure to share with
your family members and friends that Doctrine and Covenants 113:1–6 can
help them understand 2 Nephi 21:1–5, 10😊
The following Hymns can reinforce the
very messages and spirit of Isaiah’s words, which are based in part on the
prophecies found in 2 Nephi 12:2–5 and 2 Nephi 22, Hymns
such as “High on the Mountain Top”
(Hymns, no. 5) or “The Lord Is My Light”
(Hymns, no. 89)😊 This
next part comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and
Families manual:
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
The proud and worldly
will be humbled.
Nephi had foreseen
that pride would cause the downfall of his people (see 1 Nephi 12:19).
So it’s not surprising that Nephi would share with his people Isaiah’s repeated
warnings against pride. In chapters 12 and 13, look for words
that Isaiah used to describe pridefulness, such as lofty and haughty. Then you might
try paraphrasing these warnings in your own words, as if you were writing a
message to yourself to warn about pride.
See also “Chapter 18: Beware of Pride”
(Teachings of Presidents of the
Church: Ezra Taft Benson [2014],
229–40). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-ezra-taft-benson/chapter-18-beware-of-pride?lang=eng
Our homes and “assemblies” of Zion can be places of safety and
refuge.
As you probably know Isaiah
prophesied about the safety and peace In 2 Nephi 14:4–6,
that the righteous will enjoy after the Lord has “washed away” and “purged”
their sins.
Even though you and these verses describe the conditions that will
exist in the Millennium, they could help you and your family members and friends
as you and they each seek spiritual safety among the wickedness all around us. And
in our world today we do not need to look very far to find the wickedness, but you
can rest assured that there are still people out there that are kind and loving😊
You may want to consider having your
family members and friends think about what it means to have “a cloud and
smoke” and “a flaming fire” on their “dwelling-place” and “assemblies” which is
found in verse 5. You can also check out Exodus 13:21–22. What
do you think it means? What are some things that might be compared to the heat,
storm, and rain that are mentioned in the next verse? How can we find refuge?
You can also check out Doctrine and Covenants 115:6).
As a family study group together you and
your family members and friends could maybe come up with some different ways to
be sure you’re your homes and your Church gatherings are places of spiritual
protection. You may also want to discuss with your family members and friends
with these ways how you together can come up with a plan of how each one of you
will accomplish this😊 Be sure to involve your friends family
members as well so that their homes can also be places of spiritual protection
and explain to them just how they to0 can accomplish this for their family
members😊
“The right way is to
believe in Christ.”
I believe that you and your family
members and friends could probably relate to Nephi’s desire “to persuade our
children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ.” And your family members
and friends the following question: How did Nephi “labor diligently” to
accomplish this goal? As written in 2 Nephi 25:23. You
may want to consider having your family members and friends search through 2 Nephi 25:19–29 looking
in these verses to find some of the truths about the Savior and His gospel that
Nephi wanted his people to know.
Once you have finished your searching you
may want to make a list of those truths that you have found together. Next thing
you can do is to share together different ways that you can share these truths
with others – individually and as a family😊
One example might be is the truth that “it
is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do”? You can read the following
statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf which can provide some insight
about this truth:
“It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”
Commenting on
Nephi’s words in 2 Nephi 25:23,
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said:
“I wonder if
sometimes we misinterpret the phrase ‘after all we can do.’ We must understand
that ‘after’ does not equal ‘because.’
“We are not saved
‘because’ of all that we can do. Have any of us done all that we can do? Does
God wait until we’ve expended every effort before He will intervene in our
lives with His saving grace? …
“I am certain Nephi
knew that the Savior’s grace allows and enables us to overcome sin [see 2 Nephi 4:19–35; Alma 34:31]. This is
why Nephi labored so diligently to persuade his children and brethren ‘to
believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God’ [2 Nephi 25:23].
“After all, that is what we can
do! And that is our task in mortality!” (“The Gift of Grace,” Ensign or Liahona, May
2015, 110). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/04/the-gift-of-grace.p55-p56,p58-p59?lang=eng#p55
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart
groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
20 My God hath been my support; he
hath led me through mine afflictions in
the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto
the causing of them to quake before me.
23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in
the night-time.
24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before
him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered
unto me.
25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body
been carried away upon
exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even
too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the
Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men
in so much mercy, why should
my heart weep
and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my
strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
27 And why should I yield to
sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations,
that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and
afflict my soul? Why am I angry because
of mine enemy?
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in
sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of
my soul.
29 Do not anger again
because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine
afflictions.
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry
unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will
rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of
my salvation.
31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my
soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me
that I may shake at the appearance of sin?
32 May the gates of hell be shut continually
before me, because that my heart is
broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy
righteousness before me, that I may walk in
the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!
33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the
robe of thy righteousness!
O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt
thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in
my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way,
but the ways of mine enemy.
34 O Lord, I have trusted in
thee, and I will trust in
thee forever. I will not put my trust in
the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in
the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh
flesh his arm.
35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to
him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss;
therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God,
the rock of
my righteousness.
Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and
mine everlasting God. Amen.
31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth
and harden not
your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of
your salvation; and
therefore, if ye will repent and harden not
your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about
unto you.
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.
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
You might also find
it helpful to refer to the study helps in the scriptures, including the
footnotes, chapter headings, Guide to the Scriptures,
and so on.
“The right way is to
believe in Christ.”
Nephi both
introduced and concluded his quotation of Isaiah by expressing his testimony of
Jesus Christ (see 2 Nephi 11:2–8; 25:19–29). What
impresses you about his testimony? As you study this week, think about Nephi’s
desires to “persuade [his] children … to believe in Christ, and to be
reconciled to God” (2 Nephi 25:23),
and note passages that persuade you to believe in and follow Jesus Christ.
It might help to
remember that many of Isaiah’s teachings about the Savior are conveyed through
symbols. For example, you may see the Savior in symbols such as the lord of a
vineyard (see 2 Nephi 15:1–7),
a stone (see 2 Nephi 18:14),
and a light (see 2 Nephi 19:2).
What other symbols of Jesus Christ do you find in these chapters? What do these
symbols teach you about Him?
You might end this lesson by asking the
following question: How have you or they helped others “rejoice in Christ”? don’t
forget to use the ideas for personal scripture study and those for family
scripture study and family home evenings to make the most of our scripture
studying experience😊 This next part
comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families
manual:
Ideas for Personal
Scripture Study
In the Millennium,
God’s people will enjoy peace.
You might find it
helpful to visualize yourself in the place of Nephi and his people. Imagine you
fled from Jerusalem just before it was destroyed (see 2 Nephi 25:10),
and now you are part of the scattering of Israel. How might it have felt to
read Isaiah’s teachings about the future gathering of Israel and a peaceful
Millennium? As Latter-day Saints, we have been called to help gather God’s
people in the latter days in preparation for Christ’s millennial reign. As you
read these verses, ponder how you are helping fulfill the prophecies they describe.
What do you feel inspired to do to help gather God’s people?
You and your family members and friends
may be interested to know that in the following chapters 26—30 of 2 Nephi what
we will be studying next week can help
you and them to respond to people when they say, “We don’t need the Book of
Mormon.” ☹2 Nephi 26–30
so be sure to read through it carefully this upcoming week okay😊Now
coming to you direct from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual
are the following:
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.
If you have been to the temple—“the mountain of the Lord’s
house”—you
might share with your family how temple covenants are helping you “walk
in [the Lord’s] paths.” If you have not been to the temple,
reading these verses together might inspire a discussion about how you can
prepare for temple blessings.
Can your family think of modern examples
of the unrighteous ideas that these verses describe? How can we avoid being
deceived by false ideas about good and evil?
If your family needs help understanding
this chapter (which corresponds to Isaiah 11), you
might find insights in Doctrine and Covenants 113:1–6,
in which the Prophet Joseph Smith answers some questions about Isaiah 11. What do
we learn about Jesus Christ from these verses?
What are some specific things we can do
to help fill the earth with “the knowledge of the Lord”?
How can you help your family members
“rejoice in Christ”? Maybe you could invite them to write on slips of paper
things about the Savior that bring them joy. Then, during future family home
evenings or family scripture study, someone could read a slip. Family members
could add slips throughout the year.
As always, I hope and pray that each one
of you and your family members and friends have enjoyed our lesson for this
week😊 you know that I always put in everything in
each lesson and you will need to pray about it to know what you need
specifically to teach for your family study group. So please let the Spirit of
the Lord guide you and don’t feel that you have to use all of the material each
week unless you want to study it all in more depth😊
I know
that you and your family members and friends will always be blessed for your
efforts in studying your scriptures every day and saying your prayers every
day. Oh, and don’t worry if for one reason or another you get off track for a
while. Just jump back on the track and begin again😊
I promise you will never be sorry that
you did. Studying and learning about our Savior, Jesus Christ from the
scriptures is always worth your every effort!!! You can never go wrong when you
are saying your prayers every day, at least morning and evening😊
you can never go wrong when you are seriously studying your scriptures to learn
about your Savior, Jesus Christ😊😊😊
Here we are again at the end of our
lesson for this week☹ I hope and pray that you have each
learned a lot and been uplifted in some small way. I hope that you have been
inspired to change your life for the better and do a little better, to be a
little better each day. Oh, also don’t forget to try out the suggestions for
family home evening with your family and friends😊
until my next post, remember who you are!!! And remember to make it a great
week😊
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