Note: There is no teaching the gospel without living the Gospel.

Mosiah 12:28
And they said: We teach the law of Moses.

Note: Wisdom in the gospel comes from applying our hearts. We have to have a desire to know and then go and do by using our agency to understand the Scriptures

Mosiah 12:27
Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?

Mosiah 12:1
And it came to pass that *after the space of two years that Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying—Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their iniquities and abominations.

Note: The leaders and became wicked because they were lazy and did not work but lived off others. Lack of work while still receiving income makes one prideful and a worshipper of their own wealth. The people became wicked by believing the flattering words of their leaders.

Mosiah 11:7
Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests; for they did speak flattering things unto them.

Note: How do we know if plural marriage is being practiced according to the will of the Lord or the lusts of the flesh? Here is one test: are the people committing sins or are they becoming more righteous? Are the leaders taxing away their possessions. We hear stories of modern polygamists who do not have lives of service and love but abuse their children and drive them away. Their leaders confiscate their possessions such as telling the kids they can't have bikes because the families have to raise money.

Mosiah 11:2
For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness.

Note: This sounds like how Satan operates. Fair promises are made by those who seek to deceive us. Zeniff ealier says he was over zealous. If we are nor overly zealous to the point of allowing ourselves to be deceived we will not fall prey to liars.

Mosiah 10:18
For this very cause has king Laman, by his cunning, and lying craftiness, and his fair promises, deceived me, that I have brought this my people up into this land, that they may destroy them; yea, and we have suffered these many years in the land.

Note: This is an interesting point of contention. The Lamanites were upset because they desired the scriptures and didn't have them. So they didn't understand the Lord.

Mosiah 10:16
And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them.

Note: Those who don't understand the Lord are angry with their brethren.

Mosiah 10:14
And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lord.

Moroni 6:4
And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

Note: Seer works prophecy and miracles by faith for the benefit of all.

Mosiah 8:18
Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.

Mosiah 2:22
And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

Note: They are in political bondage and the way out is not voting or revolution per se but through god.

Mosiah 7:33
But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

Note: This is the proper response to a mistaken war

Mosiah 7:24
Yea, I say unto you, great are the reasons which we have to mourn; for behold how many of our brethren have been slain, and their blood has been spilt in vain, and all because of iniquity.

Note: We should teach than se things focused on by the prophets

Mosiah 7:19
Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; and also, that God who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and caused that they should walk through the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did he do for them.

Note: The people felt they'd be delivered from physical bondage as a result of the missionaries. Accepting the gospel can lead to eventual phyiscal salvation.

Mosiah 7:18
And it came to pass that when they had gathered themselves together that he spake unto them in this wise, saying: O ye, my people, lift up your heads and be comforted; for behold, the time is at hand, or is not far distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies, notwithstanding our many strugglings, which have been in vain; yet I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made.

Note: Not sure what to make of the use of permitted so many times. It jumps out at me for some reason. Especially in relation to the fact they were actually commanded.

Mosiah 7:8
And it came to pass when they had been in prison two days they were again brought before the king, and their bands were loosed; and they stood before the king, and were permitted, or rather commanded, that they should answer the questions which he should ask them.

Note: There was an expectation among leaders and people that everyone had an obligation to support themselves and everyone did. This and other factors lead to there being no contention.

Mosiah 6:7
And king Mosiah did cause his people that they should till the earth. And he also, himself, did till the earth, that thereby he might not become burdensome to his people, that he might do according to that which his father had done in all things. And there was no contention among all his people for the space of three years.

Note: The Book of Mormon is the strength of Christ through covenants the Bible brings the law of Christ.

Psalm 60:7
Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;

Note: The were duty bound to teach people about the commandments and to keep their covenants.

Mosiah 6:3
And again, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of all these things, and had consecrated his son Mosiah to be a ruler and a king over his people, and had given him all the charges concerning the kingdom, and also had appointed priests to teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the commandments of God, and to stir them up in remembrance of the oath which they had made, he dismissed the multitude, and they returned, every one, according to their families, to their own houses.

Note: The combination of pride and yielding to temptation led to Nephis seed being overpoweed by their enemies. The same pattern applies today.

1 Nephi 12:19
And while the angel spake these words, I beheld and saw that the seed of my brethren did contend against my seed, according to the word of the angel; and because of the pride of my seed, and the temptations of the devil, I beheld that the seed of my brethren did overpower the people of my seed.

Note: After we have repented and accepted Christ the way to retain of keep the atonement active in our lives is to give our substance to the poor.

Mosiah 4:26
And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.

Note: Interesting that fighting is immediately connected with serving the devil. Contrast that with serving God by serving our fellowman. So when you fight and quarrel we are in the service of our devil.

Mosiah 4:14
And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.

Note: Why is he talking about always being filled with love and rejoicing? I wonder if the people were depressed at the wars with their brothers.

Mosiah 4:12
And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

Note: If we do not live according to our belief we don't really believe at all. keeping the commandments is a reflection of our faith. We must use our agency righteously in the direction of the Lord to demonstrate faith and belief.

Mosiah 4:10
And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

Note: Why is it so important to believe these obvious things? If there is a God surely he created all things... but interesting the connection between creation and trust is made. If God created us all things must be for a purpose so we should trust him.

Mosiah 4:9
Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

Note: Read quote about Pres. Packer and power vs authority to introduce power. Priesthood is the authority and the power which God has granted to men on earth to act for Him. 23 When priesthood authority is exercised properly, priesthood bearers do what He would do if He were present. We have done very well at distributing the authority of the priesthood. We have priesthood authority planted nearly everywhere. We have quorums of elders and high priests worldwide. But distributing the authority of the priesthood has raced, I think, ahead of distributing the power of the priesthood. Contrast authority with what God would do in performing an ordinance vs knowhng what we would do and say.

Lesson 1

Quotation and poster

Note: Who holds the priesthood? Can you give it to someone else? So whose Priesthood is it? So if it belongs to God what do you have?

Lesson 1

OBJECTIVE

Note: Salvation cones by trusting God, keeping commandments, and enduring to the end in faith.

Mosiah 4:6
I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—

Note: An evidence of receiving the atonement is a purified heart meaning no desire to do wrong.

Mosiah 4:2
And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.

Note: We should have the correct belief as the foundation or catalyst for our works, but even so those whose works are righteous, even if their beliefs are nit correct will be judged according to their good works.

Mosiah 3:24
And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil.

Note: Those who know about the Savior become accountable unto damnation of salvation.

Mosiah 3:21
And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent.

Note: Yield to the enticings of the spirit to recognize that the natural man is wrong. Then seek the power of the atonement to become like child. If we do not do this we are damned.

Mosiah 3:19
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Note: Repetition of principle of belief in Jarkm that they believed in Christ as though he already came.

Mosiah 3:13
And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them.

Note: Christ suffered and died in part that a righteous judgement might come upon all those who receive and act righteously in his name as well as those who don't.

Mosiah 3:10
And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men.

Note: Salvation comes through faith in Jesus name. But think about the nature of faith and the covenants we make at baptism. Faith without works is dead, in other words there can be no faith without works as faith properly understood is the righteous use of agency. Our sacramental covenant is to be willing to take his name upon us and always remember him. If we use our agency while keeping this covenant of taking and remembering his name in all we do and think then we will be heirs of salvation.

Mosiah 3:9
And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.

Note: In what ways is Jesus the Father? All of the human family who receives the power of the atonement become his children as we receive a fulness of his inheritance as he received of the Father. In this sense he becomes a Father of the Earth and in Heaven as none shall get into heaven save they be adopted into his inheritance and receive of his foulness through his atonement. Notice how these verses are proceeds by the description of the atonement.

Mosiah 3:8
And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

Note: the torment that comes is our guilt and this is similar to what Alma experienced

Mosiah 2:38
Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.

Note: Keeping the commandments blesses us by having the. spirit so that the spirit can guide us and bless us. Notice it doesn't say we prosper immediately but that we have the spirit which can guide us to be successful only as we follow it

Mosiah 2:36
And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved—

Note: But what kind of blessing? I think most often and most common is a personal witness that we are doing the will of God which gives us strength to know and increases our faith.

Mosiah 2:24
And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?

Note: When we receive teachings from those who are inspired and don't act on them we withdraw ourselves from the spirit and the blessings of obedience. Thus conference, church attendance, home teaching, even and especially personal study are opportunities to receive direction by the spirit and then be blessed.

Mosiah 2:36
And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved—

Note: When we obey we are immediately blessed.

Mosiah 2:24
And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?

Note: To serve God we serve our fellow men. This is interesting when you consider we are Gods children, with the implication of exaltation - we are not only serving God by helping his children but we are serving Gods in embyro. This scripture raises our sights to claim how we treat others is how we treat God. Consider the Nepali custom of Jatin Devobai - treat a stranger as God. I wonder if there is also a direct relationship with the atonement. God suffered for the misdeeds we do one to a other and bby chosing to help on another we are decreasing the burden that Christ bore.

Mosiah 2:17
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Note: D&C 93:16 17,19 worship thru ulation and doing the things Christ did to receive the same fullness he received of the father.

Lesson 41
Each young man will understand that Jesus Christ is his Savior and will strive to be more like Him.

Note: Who is the Father of your spirits? Can Jesus be your Father as well? Father is often used in the sense of someone we receive an inheritance from. With that in minds in what way does Jesus become a Father?

Lesson 41
Explain that a father is one who gives life. Heavenly Father gave us life as his spirit children. The scriptures explain in what way Jesus Christ can be considered our Father.

Note: 3 Nephi 27:27

Lesson 41

OBJECTIVE

Note: What does it mean to you when we say that Jesus is your savior? What do you need to be saved from? Now the next part is related.. what does it mean to try to be like Jesus. Take a few minutes and write down some things you do that's not like Jesus and some things you'd do to be more like him

Lesson 41

PREPARATION

Note: By having a sincere intent in giving thanks, as witnessed by giving sacrifice and not just saying thanks, they were made holy so the holy ghost could convey the truthfulness of the message into their hearts. Notice the culmination of their thanks and sacrifice is to keep the commandments by being filled with the love of God and toward all men.

Mosiah 2:4
And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.

Note: Offering up sacrifice prepared them to receive revelation by making themselves holy before the prophet speaks.

Mosiah 2:3
And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses;

Note: This seems to endorse non scriptural teachings but notice how it is confined to the family unit... Did King Benjamin's authority not extend beyond the patriarchal when it came to revealing certain truths?

Mosiah 1:8
And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which are not written in this book.

Note: Interesting that even in the time of the Scriptures the faithful had to testify of the truthfulness of the Scriptures in order for [some] others to believe them.

Mosiah 1:6
O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.

Note: King Benjamin was a holy man and he and other preachers were able to bring peace to the land in the midst of war. This is one test of a people that fights in the strength of the Lord - they seek and bring about peace. Notice how they preached with mist sharpness. They were very clear about the negative things the people did wrong and hearkening to their reproofs brought peace. .

Words of Mormon 1:17
For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people—

Note: This is an interesting way to view the atonement. War is a terrible burden. The atonement can help us bear the awful and sometimes necessary burdens of war. If the atonement can strengthen us in war, perhaps we can be strengthened in other areas. What does a soldier do who is fighting with the strength of the Lord?

Words of Mormon 1:14
And in the strength of the Lord they did contend against their enemies, until they had slain many thousands of the Lamanites. And it came to pass that they did contend against the Lamanites until they had driven them out of all the lands of their inheritance.

Note: King Benjamin is a good example of focusing on teaching others and living righteously in the midst of wars. Later examples in the Book of Mormon focus on wars, but King Benjamin didn't write about these things instead his teachings are focused on.

Words of Mormon 1:12
And now, concerning this king Benjamin—he had somewhat of contentions among his own people.

Note: Since we can not know all things we should act according to the spirit because God knows all things

Words of Mormon 1:7
And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.

Note: In addition to fasting and prayer, we come unto Jesus by offering our souls unto him. What does this mean? We give him our soul which means we pledge to do his work... we consecrate our lives.

Omni 1:26
And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

Note: Interesting that a precursor to revelation here is not just faith but anxiety or worry. They are worded about the what will happen to their seed, to the Laminites, etc. Revelation takes a great desire to know and if we are anxious or very worried then it preoccupied our mind and the Lord gives us a revelation to help us in our anxiety. They were sorrowful about the destruction of their seed which Nephi saw a vision of and no doubt saw the wars and divisions already taking place as sign of this destruction and anxiety foretold in 1 Nephi 12:19-20 and 1 Nephi 15:5. Joseph smith received his vision because he was worded for his soul. I have received my own revelation about things I was worried about. It's also interesting in John 20, the angels come to Mary Magdalene after she started weeping. She was very anxious and received perhaps the most wonderful revelation of all. Anxiety and being anxious one the key to receiving revelation. Not meet that I command in all things.... be anxiously engaged (the inference is that we will know for ourselves the mind of God if we do this without being commanded)

Jacob 1:5
For because of faith and great anxiety, it truly had been made manifest unto us concerning our people, what things should happen unto them.

Note: Obtain two priesthoods. Magnify calling. Receive the Lords servants. Receive the Lord. Receive the Father. ... And be blessed by being Sanctified by Spirit, Renewing of Bodies (resurrection and strengthening to do God's work), Become part of the covenant people or the House of Israel and Receive all the Father has. Magnify means to enlarge beyond bounds... enlarge the scope of our calling.

D&C 84:33
For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.

Note: Nephi believed the plates would be for his own posterity and said as much in the scriptures. But here we read how they were a blessing to others in the land.

Omni 1:14
And they discovered a people, who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla; and also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass which contained the record of the Jews.

Note: Notice how they followed each others example in keeping only a genealogy record in the plates. When we do good we encourage others to do the same. When we are mediocre we encourage the same behavior in others.

Omni 1:9
Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end.

Note: Could our own lives look lives look like this? We are so caught up in our personal battles that we neglect the things of God? Notice how he calls himsef wicked which means he knows the truth but he just didn't act on it. He only added to the Scriptures because he saw it important as his heritage and he respected those who came before. But like many today he did not use his time to make decisions to bring him closer to God but rather to do what he wanted instead.

Omni 1:2
Wherefore, in my days, I would that ye should know that I fought much with the sword to preserve my people, the Nephites, from falling into the hands of their enemies, the Lamanites. But behold, I of myself am a wicked man, and I have not kept the statutes and the commandments of the Lord as I ought to have done.

Note: Up above we see that the laws were followed but that they were stiff necked. And hard hearted - they were prideful and didn't have charity. Meaning they didn't have love for their fellow man even though they repented. Here we see that their hearts wrecks pricked and they had need of repentance.

Jarom 1:12
And it came to pass that by so doing they kept them from being destroyed upon the face of the land; for they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance.

Note: This paints an interesting picture similar to today. The people kept the laws of moses and did not profane. But just before this verse was written it says there were many stiffnecked, etc. people. They were all members of the church who kept the laws but some kept them with love to their neighborss and God and received revelation and had communion with the spirit while many others did not even though they were "obedient". The people waxed strong but were still hard hearted in the midst of many who received revelation, etc.

Jarom 1:5
And now, behold, *two hundred years had passed away, and the people of Nephi had waxed strong in the land. They observed to keep the law of Moses and the sabbath day holy unto the Lord. And they profaned not; neither did they blaspheme. And the laws of the land were exceedingly strict.

Note: Hard hearts - lack of charity Deaf ears - Don't hear promptings of the spirit or he'd the words of the prophet Blind minds - Don't receive revelations of the mind of God. Stiffnecks - not humble and submissive to God and unwilling to serve their fellow man.

Jarom 1:3
Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land.

Note: The people were taught a certain way because they did not obey. Punishment and destruction was taught as a consequence to the people to persuade them to hunble themselves. In other times people are taught live and charity to inspire them to greatness. One important difference is that even though the prophets had received foreknowledge revelation of Christ not all had really understood and received it for themselves. In some instances where the people were more willing to accept, they were taught charity. This is similar to line upon line. The people received the teaching they were ready for. Teaching an example of absolute humility and love became easier after Christ had cone because there was a physical example for believers to consider and learn of. So many teachings after Christ came were on charity.

Enos 1:23
And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God, and all these things—stirring them up continually to keep them in the fear of the Lord. I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceedingly great plainness of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction. And after this manner do I write concerning them.

Note: The Lamanites swore to destroy Enos and the record but Enos prayed for them that in their ignorance the could come to a knowledge of the truth. The reason why Enos could receive such revelations is because he had charity, the pure love of Christ for his fellow man.

Enos 1:13
And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of him—that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, and by any means be destroyed, and the Lamanites should not be destroyed, that the Lord God would preserve a record of my people, the Nephites; even if it so be by the power of his holy arm, that it might be brought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might be brought unto salvation—

Note: When we receive revelation our faith becomes unshaken.

Enos 1:11
And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.

Note: The Lord will be involved in our lives one way or another according to how we keep the commandments. The land will be cursed if we do not keep the commandments.

Enos 1:10
And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.

Note: Enos possessed a true charity for his brethren as he was desirous for his own soul as well as the welfare of others.

Enos 1:9
Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.

Note: Enos was very anxious in his prayer like Nephi and others who prayed. For our prayers to be answered we must have a great desire.

Enos 1:4
And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

Note: Read D&C 121:45 Have you heard this Scripture before? What do you normally hear or think about it? What two principles we must embody to have the Holy Ghost as your constant companion. Why do you think one gets mentioned to the youth more than the other. We know what virtue is, it usually gets taught the most with this verse, but there is something just as if not more important which gets listed first - charity. What is charity? Look up Moroni 7:47-48 Read McConkie Quote Re-read DC 121:45 ask about Virtue. Considering what was read is it possible to have charity, or the pure love of christ if we are not virtuous? Why not? Read, the testimony part about most important principle of the gospel to develop Read John 13:34

Lesson 38

OBJECTIVE

Note: Notice how the plates do not return to Nephi's immediate family but to Jacobs sons. Why?

Jacob 7:27
And I, Jacob, saw that I must soon go down to my grave; wherefore, I said unto my son Enos: Take these plates. And I told him the things which my brother Nephi had commanded me, and he promised obedience unto the commands. And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu.

Note: This is an interesting tactic - to appeal to religion and the scriptures themselves to persuade against religion. Often those who spread unbelief do so under the guise of belief like here with the law of moses.

Jacob 7:7
And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses which is the right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is blasphemy; for no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot tell of things to come. And after this manner did Sherem contend against me.

Note: Those who seek to take away faith often do so under the guise of discussion or debate and seek to frequently debate with the faithful so they can try to spread unbelief.

Jacob 7:3
And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts; and he knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he sought much opportunity that he might come unto me.

Note: This last dispensation is the last time the Lord will be directly involved in restoring his gospel and he will let the vineyard grow strong or corrupt on its own until the second coming. Could this be why there are not so many revelations and personal ministrations in the flesh by the savior?

Jacob 5:76
For behold, for a long time will I lay up of the fruit of my vineyard unto mine own self against the season, which speedily cometh; and for the last time have I nourished my vineyard, and pruned it, and dug about it, and dunged it; wherefore I will lay up unto mine own self of the fruit, for a long time, according to that which I have spoken.

Note: Unequal fruit was the cause of corruption

Jacob 5:75
And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard.

Note: Apple tree branches with grow straight up and are lofty and take strength from the root and product no fruit but continue to grow upward until the overpower the roots.

Jacob 5:48
And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard—have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves. Behold, I say, is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted?

Note: Many people live in difficult areas of the world, but their testimonies cannflourish in this areas and bring forth fruit.

Jacob 5:23
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Look hither; behold I have planted another branch of the tree also; and thou knowest that this spot of ground was poorer than the first. But, behold the tree. I have nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit; therefore, gather it, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self.

Note: Those church members who are scattered into the world and grafted into other trees strengthen them and bring forth good fruit.

Jacob 5:20
And it came to pass that they went forth whither the master had hid the natural branches of the tree, and he said unto the servant: Behold these; and he beheld the first that it had brought forth much fruit; and he beheld also that it was good. And he said unto the servant: Take of the fruit thereof, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self; for behold, said he, this long time have I nourished it, and it hath brought forth much fruit.

Note: The spirit helps us to understand things as the really are, which implies things are different than we see them or the world sees them.

Jacob 4:13
Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.

Note: The same priesthood we use to bless others was used to great the earth. The words we utter have power and authority.

Jacob 4:9
For behold, by the power of his word man came upon the face of the earth, which earth was created by the power of his word. Wherefore, if God being able to speak and the world was, and to speak and man was created, O then, why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship of his hands upon the face of it, according to his will and pleasure?

Note: Study.of the prophets and personal revelation help give us a hope and allow us to across with faith so we become unshaken before temptations.

Jacob 4:6
Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

Note: We learn with and by our joy and sorrow. The teachings of the gospel are to help us not have contempt toward Adam and Eve or our Father and Mother in Heaven.

Jacob 4:3
Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents.

Note: Our actions toward others and our children can grieve their hearts. We should remember that and be mindful not to do things that depress or grieve our children because in doing so we will cause them to err later on and then those sins will be upon us.

Jacob 3:10
Wherefore, ye shall remember your children, how that ye have grieved their hearts because of the example that ye have set before them; and also, remember that ye may, because of your filthiness, bring your children unto destruction, and their sins be heaped upon your heads at the last day.

Note: So many people are led unto sin but we should remember it is a result of their fathers and we should not revile them.

Jacob 3:9
Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, which is the word of God, that ye revile no more against them because of the darkness of their skins; neither shall ye revile against them because of their filthiness; but ye shall remember your own filthiness, and remember that their filthiness came because of their fathers.

Note: If people find out about a mystery from someone else rather than receiving it through revelation they are likely to despise it. Similar to how many feel about the church or people who get offended and angry about the nature of the Godhead or exaltation.

Jacob 4:8
Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God.

Note: By keeping difficult and life changing commandments we are pointing ourselves to Christ. In essence we are saying my life and will are going to be made in the direction of what the Lord wants. We are becoming like Christ by submitting our will ans desires to what he asks. This is also true for the word of wisdom.

Jacob 4:5
Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son.

Note: This is why its so important to understand the scriptures because we will otherwise seek to excuse our own bad behavior. But when we understand the scriptures through the spirit we canbecause righteous judges of our own character.

Jacob 2:23
But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.

Note: Look to God with firmness of mind and have faith and he will comfort the afflicted. What is the difference between looking to God with firmness. Surely looking with firmness is a type if faith.

Jacob 3:1
But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.

Note: What does this mean? Strictness referring to cleaving unto their wife and none else? That caused deep wounds?

Jacob 2:35
Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds.

Note: The Lord has commanded his people to do otherwise only if he wants them to raise up a righteous posterity ("unto me"). This practice was probably the most difficult thing to endure for all involved, but especially for the women who voluntarily entered into it. They sacrificed a core part of their identity, however, I believe that because of this sacrifice, their faith was so much the greater. Jesus said, "Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:25) These women went through the "refiners fire" and came out with such a strong faith that they were able to raise an extraordinary posterity. The restored Church needed a strong foundation of faithful members. The early new testament church fell away after the original Apostles died sSterling fromba weak foundation of faith. Within a couple generations, it was broken into different sects which distorted the plain truths of the Gospel as taught by Christ and his Apostles. The noble, and faithful mothers who sacrificed so much in practicing plural marriage, and were made stronger because of it, is the reason why their children did not start to fall away as with the early Christian church. Just as the brave young warriors of Helaman, in the book of Mormon, took comfort in the faith of their mothers and said before going into battle, "We do not doubt our mothers knew it" (Alma 56:48); the rising generation of the church in the late 1800s, had been through the refiners fire and taught the gospel first hand by their mothers. These were some of the greatest women ever to walk this earth. Because of that sacrifice, they knew it, they stayed strong in the faith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was built upon a strong foundation. After the next generation of Saints had been risen up, plural marriage was no longer necessary, and the Lord took it away. Because as the Lord says it should always be one man and one wife unless he commands otherwise in a time of exception.

Jacob 2:30
For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.

Note: Let every man esteem his brother as himself.

Jacob 2:17
Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.

Note: We are prideful if as a result of our work we earn more and then think less of others or think and act highly of ourselves. God gives us success in our efforts to have an opportunity to become like him by helping lift up our brothers.

Jacob 2:13
And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they.

Note: Who are the wounded and not wounded here? It would seem the wounded are the children and wives. How are their wound being enlarged? Ny just talking about these hurtful things? And notice how the unwounded are to have daggers pierce their hearts. This preaching would cause some degree of pain to all.

Jacob 2:9
Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, because of the strict commandment which I have received from God, to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds.

Note: The people are listening to their prophets and following their counsel but still wicked.

Jacob 2:4
For behold, as yet, ye have been obedient unto the word of the Lord, which I have given unto you.

Note: A teacher should magnify their teaching with diligence as the responsible for the sins of their students if they don't teach them. The inverse is that students are not responsible if they are poorly taught.

Jacob 1:19
And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.

Note: Interesting they began to be called Nephites and not for instance Christians. Their distinguished name was after their leader whom they revered. Similar perhaps to Mormons in the latter-days.

Jacob 1:11
Wherefore, the people were desirous to retain in remembrance his name. And whoso should reign in his stead were called by the people, second Nephi, third Nephi, and so forth, according to the reigns of the kings; and thus they were called by the people, let them be of whatever name they would.

Note: Who was the second King? Interesting they are not named but it would have to be one of the children of Nephi, Joseph, Sam, etc.

Jacob 1:15
And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son.

Note: We see in the above verses that the people were already anxious and concerned about the state if things. They had already suffered wars and divisions. And the way they dealt with this is to labor with diligence to persuade them. They had civil authority over them and the way they dealt was still to persuade with long suffering. This is after the pattern of the priesthood and can be contrasted with the Catholic church during the dark ages.... fighting over creeds burning of heretics. When the true church governed the affairs of men the only power wielded in defense and promotion of belief was that of persuasion.

Jacob 1:7
Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not enter in, as in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness.

Note: Nephi is greatly sorrowful and he calls it "above all" because he witnessed the destruction of his family. It seems likely it was some of his children, whether through war or turning away because he gives the records to Jacob and not his children. Jacob also gives the records to his own children. And Jacob testifies that the next genratiin is wicked and bad husbands and fathers. Perhaps Nephi experienced the same pattern with his family that Lehi also experienced. See reasons for destruction here: 1 Nephi 12:19-20

1 Nephi 15:5
And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall.

Note: This seems true for everyone on earth. Those who misunderstood the spirit will be led to an understanding. Notice it didn't say given an understanding but the will come or arrive at it ultimately by their own uses if agency. This refers to those who diligently seek and study knowledge. Those who murmur and complainabout why or how various things in the gospel work will learn true doctrine to help them gain their own understandings. This scripture proves both those who have zeal but do not correctly understand as well as those who have a degree of faith but complain as a result of their not knowing true doctrine.

2 Nephi 27:35
They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

Note: Nephi explains here what he was teaching and lists the pattern for us to teach. He is also very harsh and says those who reject it have the spirit of the devil. Many today in the church (just like those Nephi spoke to) reject teachings dealing with morality because they do not have the correct sororities.

2 Nephi 33:4
And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.

Note: It's clear that Nephi was teaching the things of his heart that he received by revelation and he was very troubled that others would not listen to it and receive a confirming revelation of it by the spirit. He valued these truths so much and loved his people so much that he cried and prayed they would receive it. These verses seem to imply his teaching was rejected (at least for a time) by some... since Nephi did not pass the records on to his children and Jacob passed the records on to his own children (not Nephi's) I wonder if Nephi's own children turned away from the truth. Nephi said in earlier chapters how he was depressed because he saw the end of his seed. The next verses show his great hope that his prayers will be heard and by the grace of God his people will be blessed.

2 Nephi 33:3
But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

Note: We don't need to have power in words or great eloquence in our teachings but need the spirit so its power can allow our words to penetrate the hearts of others. There are many teachings which are given which are rejected by others in and out of the church because they don't have the spirit because they have rejected the Holy Ghosts promptings to live worthily with charity and virtue and have thus hardened their hearts to its promptings. Without the spirit carrying the message into their hearts they pick and choose whatever doctrines they prefer.

2 Nephi 33:1
And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.

Note: Ministering of angels can be through the voice of the holy ghost and when we receive revelation from angels and teach or repeat it we are speaking with the toungue of angels.

2 Nephi 32:2
Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?

Note: The sea is a type of wilderness and wind is sometimes symbolic of the spirit. Interesting that as Lehi, and family were led out of the wilderness by the spirit, and into the promised land. Our lives our similar in the sense that we leave a bountiful land of milk and honey and come to this world where we must cross over a sea of sin. The only way across to the promised land of the celestial kingdom is to by the power of and where the winds of the spirit direct us.

1 Nephi 18:8
And it came to pass after we had all gone down into the ship, and had taken with us our provisions and things which had been commanded us, we did put forth into the sea and were driven forth before the wind towards the promised land.

Note: Keeping the commandments is a shadow of becoming like Christ. The sacrifice of lambs would never be the exact image of the sacrifice of the Lord. Likewise keeping the commandments would never make us just like Christ, but in our fallen state it is a shadow of becoming like him. So we can become perfected in Christ one day and be made like him as joint heirs with him.

Hebrews 10:1
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.