LESSON PLAN FOR 2 NEPHI 1-5

Watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/0Osy1d6shJo

ICEBREAKER

2 Nephi 1-4 represent Lehi’s dying words of counsel to his family. And chapter 1 is mainly directed at Laman and Lemuel.

Q: What ironic thing does Lehi ask Laman and Lemuel to be in 2 Nephi 1:21

A: To be men.

Q: Why is that ironic?

A: Because they are men. At this point, they are married and have children of their own. They are well into adulthood at this point.

Q: What does that suggest about Lehi’s definition of manhood?

A: Manhood is not about age. It’s about character. There is something about the way that Laman and Lemuel are acting that is not becoming of men. Lehi is going to help us understand what it means to be a “Real Man”

BRAINSTORMING

What are some of the measures of manhood in the eyes of the world?

Possible Answers:

• How much money I have in my bank account

• How many people I have control over at my job

• How much rubber I can lay on the road when I peel out my sports car.

• If I can slam dunk a basketball on top of you

• How high my truck is lifted

• How many women I can conquer or dominate

• How smart and successful I am

• How tough I am in a fight

• How much alcohol I can handle

• How many tattoos and piercings I can cover my body with

• How big my house is.

• How many curse words I can drop in a single sentence

• How loud my bass can blast while I drive down the road

• How many "toys” I have.

• How bulging my biceps and chiseled my abs are

• How effectively I can intimidate, bully, or demean those less powerful than myself

Not everything on that list is something bad. There’s nothing wrong with being strong, smart, athletic, having money, or a lifted truck, but if that’s how you measure your manhood if that’s your priority and your focus in life, and where you get your sense of value than I think you’re misguided. And some of the things on that list are contrary to God’s laws. Also, most of the things on that list are all about outward appearance. About appearing a certain way to others. And when you think about it. That is rather childish. I have little children and one of the things they love to say is “Watch me, daddy, look at me, daddy, look at what I did, or what I can do!” And we praise them and say good boy or good girl. That’s wonderful.  Some of us never grow out of the “ Watch me daddy, look at me” stage. Look at my car, look at my success, look at my muscles, look at my money. Look at me, look at me. Many get their sense of validation from others, from praise and recognition, their center of self-worth lies outside of themselves rather than internally. The things on this list do not make you a Real Man. If I feel like I have to have these qualities, then I’m not a man, I’m a little boy that needs these crutches to feel like I’m a man. Manhood is something else. It’s character. And a certain kind of character. A value that comes from within.

QUOTE

“Adulthood comes to us one way or another if we live long enough. True manhood, however, comes only if and when we earn it…You can describe a man in inches, pounds, complexion, or physique. But you measure a man by character, compassion, integrity, tenderness, and principle. Simply stated, the measures of a man are embedded in his heart and soul, not in his physical attributes ...Satan has his man and God has His man, and Satan has his characteristics of manhood and God has His. Satan would present his characteristics as the true measurement of manhood and God's criteria as weak and wimpy. But one must understand that Satan's criteria will almost always be the easiest and the wimpiest. Satan's way takes no courage, no character, no personal strength, and it proves no manhood at all.”

Bishop Richard C. Edgley

(G.C. Oct 1999)

Lehi is going to teach us what it means to be a REAL MAN. And women, this doesn’t have to exclude you, I’m framing it in terms of manhood because Lehi is speaking to men here. But these qualities are applicable to you as well. So don’t tune out.

Look closely in vs. 21-27 for qualities of real manhood. I’ve found at least 8. How many can you find?

Here are some that I see:

• :21 arise from the dust

• :21 determined

• :21 one mind, one heart

• :23 awake

• :23 armor of righteousness

• :23 Not bound with chains

• :23 Come out of obscurity

• :24 they don’t rebel

• :25 They don’t seek power. They seek the glory of God and the welfare of others.

COMMENTARY

:21 Real men arise from the dust. They are clean. Spiritually and morally clean. They shake off the dust of the world. They don’t need the outward worldly measures of manhood to see their worth. Their worth is derived from within. From their commitment to eternal principles.

:21 Real men are determined. They have drive, they have vision, they have a plan and they work hard to fulfill it.

:21 And they are determined in something, in one mind, and in one heart, united in all things. One mind and one heart is the definition of Zion. They are united with others in their efforts to build Zion. They're not contentious, they are peacemakers. They don't put other people down to make themselves feel better or look better. They build people up rather than tear them down. They can be team players and work for the good of others, rather than just themselves.

:23 They are awake. They are anxiously engaged in a good cause.  They’re not apathetic, or lazy, or just sit around playing video games all the time. They are up and doing.

:23 Real men actually do dress a certain way I suppose, they wear something. The armor of God. They are warriors of God.  They stand up to evil and temptation. They have righteousness, truth, the gospel of peace, salvation, faith, the Spirit and the word of God with them at all times. They fight valiantly for Christ on the battlefield of life.

:23 they are not bound with the chains of sin. They aren’t shackled by bad habits and addictions. Drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling, smoking. They have full use of their agency and are free from these things.

:23 they come forth out of obscurity. They are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. They are willing to set their light on a candlestick for all to see. They don’t worry about the judgments or criticisms of others. They do what’s right because it’s right. They are bold in their testimony and in their actions. Captain Moroni comes to mind. He was not worried about what others thought. He stood for something and was willing to wave his beliefs and what he stood for in front of everybody else without shame. They certainly don’t blend in with the rest of the world.

:24 Real men don’t rebel. At least, they don’t rebel against those whose views are glorious and that keep the commandments. Yes, the world’s image of manhood often includes rebellion against authority. Rebelling against parents, teachers, church leaders, law enforcement, or society in general. Real men don’t feel the need to rebel against authority figures just for the sake of rebellion. They can be great leaders, but they can also be great followers, and team members. They are humble enough to recognize the experience, goodwill, wisdom, and counsel of others. So they don’t rebel, especially against the prophets.

:24 Real men are instruments in the hands of God. As husbands, fathers, citizens, missionaries, employees, teachers, and leaders, they move the work of God forward and follow his instruction and counsel.

:25 they don’t seek power and authority over others, but the glory of God and the welfare of others. The world’s measure of manhood often includes authority, power, success, and telling others what to do. Dominating through intimidation, muscle, or intellectual prowess. They seek authority for authority’s sake. But a real man uses his authority and power to bless others. To help them be their best selves. To build up God’s kingdom, not their own. And sometimes that requires them to speak with sharpness and to be bold. That’s a part of being a man as well. It’s not all about submission, and holding back, people-pleasing and letting others walk all over you. A real man is not afraid to call a sin, a sin. They speak truth, even when it might not be easy for other people to hear.

:27 And lastly, they have the power of God, and the Spirit. Another term for the power of God is priesthood.  This is where they derive their power and authority. The priesthood and the Spirit, not personal charisma, not worldly success, not threats, and not money. A really great cross-reference to this chapter to continue this discussion would be the last half of section 121 in the Doctrine and Covenants where we learn what true leadership in the priesthood looks like.

APPLY

Q: Are you a real man? Is there anything that you feel inspired to work on from that list.

2 NEPHI 2-THE FIRST PHILOSOPHER

ICEBREAKER

Show "The School of Athens by the Renaissance artist Raphael”. The idea behind it is that Raphael wanted to paint a picture of all the smartest people he knew. The greatest thinkers of all time. So you have Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Pythagoras, Ptolemy, and being the humble man that he was, added himself to the picture as well.

But there is one individual that I feel he left out. He forgot somebody that would fit beautifully into this depiction of thinkers and philosophers. And that man is Lehi. I believe Lehi should be added to the School of Athens, and most particularly because of one chapter in the Book of Mormon. 2 Nephi 2. Perhaps one of the most philosophical chapters anywhere in the scriptures. And yes, it can be a little tough to understand and to teach. But I’ve got a way of presenting it that I feel will make it much easier to grasp. We do jump around a little bit in the chapter, but it think it helps to give the overall vision of Lehi’s philosophy, or rather, God’s TRUTH.

TRANSITION

Let’s begin by inviting some guests into our discussion. Each one with his own unique philosophy and world view. These philosophies have been around for thousands of years but are still alive and well today. So it’s certainly relevant. And Lehi is going to have an imaginary discussion with each of them using 2 Nephi 2.

So first, do you know what each of these people believes? And don’t worry if you don’t recognize these philosophies by name, because you’ll almost certainly recognize them by what they believe.

• Atheist: There is no God

• Existentialist: Life has no meaning. We just exist

• Hedonist: The purpose of life is the pursuit of pleasure

• Pessimist: Life is pain and suffering with no purpose

• Relativist: There is no right and wrong. It’s all relative

• Determinist: We are a product of our genetics, upbringing, and environment.  Therefore, we are not accountable for our actions

So there they all are. You can picture them in a room together, arguing and promoting their claims, when into the room walks Lehi. And Lehi has a response for each of these individuals.

So let’s go through this discussion together. I’m going to point out some verses to you and with each, ask yourself how Lehi’s teachings confront and answer their claims.

TO THE ATHEIST

So #1, the first person to shout out is the atheist. He says there is no God, only matter. The fact that we are here is a fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on how you look at it) accident.  We live and we die, and that is it. What does Lehi have to say to the Atheist? Starting about halfway through vs. 13 and then vs. 14

And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.

14 And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.

And how does that answer the Atheist’s claims? What’s Lehi’s argument?

If there is no God, then we are not. How can you explain the existence of creation without a creator? But we do exist. Therefore, reason dictates that there is something behind it all. Now some may argue, you can’t explain the existence of God, where did He come from? How can there not be a beginning somewhere? And we don’t have an answer to that question. But neither do they. They might say, the Big Bang. And we answer, well, where did the materials for the Big Bang come from then? We’re on equal grounds then. Our explanation and belief that there is a divine intelligence behind it all is on the same level. And my reason tells me as I look out over the earth and up into the night sky that you can’t have all that order and symmetry and logic and complexity without something intelligent behind it all. I feel it requires a lot of faith to believe that all of this is one big accident. If there was no God, all would have vanished away. And I share Lehi’s testimony that “there is a God, and he hath created all things”.

TO THE EXISTENTIALIST

So our Atheist sits down, but our Existentialist stands up now and says, “whether there is a God or not, it doesn’t matter, one way or another we exist. But there is no purpose in life, no meaning. We live and we die, and that’s it.

Lehi turns to him now and says, “Not so" and then reads 2 Nephi 2:25.

Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy.  

How does that answer the Existentialist’s claims? What’s Lehi’s argument to him?

We do have a purpose. There is a reason for our existence. And that purpose is joy. We exist that we might have joy.

The Existentialist sits down.

TO THE HEDONIST

At this, though the Hedonist jumps up and says “Yes, yes, you are correct, that is our purpose, to be happy, to feel pleasure and enjoy life”

Lehi turns to him and says “Not so fast, your definition of joy is not the same as mine” and then he shares the beginning of vs. 13

If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery.

So how does that answer our Hedonist’s claims? What’s Lehi’s argument to him?

We do believe the purpose of life is joy, but we know where joy comes from. It comes from righteousness. Righteousness or obedience to divine law brings joy, not the pleasing of the natural man or the mere avoidance of pain.

So can you see Lehi’s argument shaping up here? We exist, therefore, there must be a God, and that God has given us a purpose, happiness, and happiness is righteousness.

TO THE PESSIMIST

Well, now the pessimist pipes up and says, yes, pleasure is great, but we don’t experience it much in this life. Life is full of pain, misery, war, violence, trial, and tragedy. How can you say the purpose of life is joy when there is so much of the opposite in it.

Lehi turns to him and says vs. 11-12

11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.

How does that answer our pessimist’s claims? What’s Lehi’s argument?

There is a reason for that pain, that opposition, that challenge in this life. Righteousness and happiness could not be possible if there wasn’t pain and suffering. This life is about experiencing that opposition. One day we will truly know joy because we have also known sadness. We will understand the sweetness of heaven because we have experienced the bitterness of mortality. We experience that kind of thing now. Happiness is the feeling you have that day when the night before you were tempted to do something wrong and you didn’t give in-how did you feel the next morning? Oh, I’m so happy I didn’t do that. But the joy and happiness are only there because you had the possibility of doing otherwise. But let’s say you did give into that temptation. And how do you feel the next morning? Oh no, you feel guilt and regret. Why? Because it could have been different. If you didn’t have that opposition, you wouldn’t have the possibility of understanding either.

TO THE RELATIVIST

Now the relativist gets up from his chair and says, Ok Lehi, I have a problem with your theory. You say righteousness is happiness but how can people be righteous when there really is no such thing as right or wrong. What may be right in one culture is wrong in another. There is no divine law that says how we ought to act. Societies have just made up these arbitrary rules.

To that Lehi responds with 2:5, and 2:27.

5 And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.

And

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

How does that answer the Relativist’s claims?

Men do know the difference between right and wrong. They are instructed sufficiently to know good from evil. There is a certain intrinsic morality amongst all peoples, a conscience. Not that all cultures or people always follow those morals, but they seem to share a basic understanding of right and wrong. You could also add the beginning of vs. 13 to this argument which matches up with some of the other arguments. A lot of these seem to overlap. And If ye shall say there is no law, ye shall say there is no sin (which is what a relativist says)  If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away. So Lehi’s conclusion is that there is Law, we as mortals have this sense of fairness and right and wrong. Even though we don’t always follow it, we always feel the need to justify why we didn’t follow it. You’ll hear people say things like “That’s not fair” all the time. What are they appealing to? They’re appealing to a universal sense of justice that we all seem to understand. This is actually the point that will change C.S. Lewis from an atheist to a Christian. He came to the conclusion that there was undeniable evidence of a universal LAW that all people seem to recognize, and therefore, there must be a God. You can read all about that realization in his book Mere Christianity.

TO THE DETERMINIST

Now the Determinist stands and says, It’s my turn now. Lehi, even if there is  a right and wrong out there, it doesn’t really matter, because we have no power to really make the choice which to follow. We are the way we are because of how and where we were brought up and our genetics. We were born the way we are. Nobody can really be held responsible for their choices because they can’t help but be who they are determined to be.

Lehi looks over at him and says, not so.

And continues with the end of vs. 14

By telling us the two kinds of things God has created. "Both things to act and things to be acted upon"

Then vs. 16

16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself.

AND vs. 27 again.

they are free to choose liberty and eternal life

And how does that answer the determinist’s claims?

There are two kinds of things God created. Things that act, and things that are acted upon. A rock cannot act, it is acted upon, a stick cannot act, it is acted upon, but a person was created to act. Man is different than all other creations on the earth. He acts. I can choose what I do with my time, with my life, with my actions, my reactions. We are not inanimate objects with no control, we’re not even like animals that act only on instinct. We are children of God endowed with the gift of agency, to act and not just be acted upon. Yes, genetics and environment can play a strong role in our lives, but they don’t determine it. We can still choose. And we are free to choose the direction we wish to take in life. To choose freedom through righteousness or captivity through sin.

THE PHILOSOPHY-GOD’S TRUTH

So Lehi now squares up in front of all of them and outlines THE philosophy of God’s plan, countering each’s argument with TRUTH.

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TO THE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST

Now each of them sit silently defeated by Lehi. But then we hear one more voice speak up. One we didn’t even recognize was there. And who is it? The disciple of Christ. He slowly walks over and says: Lehi, I agree with everything you’ve said here. I believe it’s true. But, sigh, I don’t always choose righteousness. At times I disobey. I want to do what’s right, but I often fail to do so. Is there any hope for me?

And to this Lehi smiles and says, yes, there is hope, and responds with 6-9

6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

9 Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.

And how do those verses respond to the disciple of Christ’s concerns?

Yes. We will sin and God knew that we would. But redemption is available! So he sent his Son as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus then would “answer the ends of the law” for us. I think that’s an interesting phrase. What does it mean to answer the ends of the law. Well if you draw a line and say that it represents the law, what is going to be at its ends? Obedience runs in one direction and disobedience the other. At the end of the obedience side you find Joy and reward and the Spirit. At the other end of the law, you have misery and punishment and a loss of the Spirit. Jesus knew perfectly, better than anybody else, the happiness of obedience because he lived a perfectly obedient life. He lived his entire life on that end of the law. Yet, what happened in Gethsemane and on the cross. He descended below all things. He traveled completely to the other end of the law and understood more deeply than any other human being the agony and depths of hell, and guilt and punishment, and physical pain, and withdrawal of the Spirit. He answered that end of the law and therefore offers to us the opportunity to let his answer stand for us. So we don’t have to travel all the way there ourselves. And because he has traveled the entire road, he is able to take us by the hand and show us the way to the other end of the law. How can he do that? Because he’s been there before. He knows it deeply. We can now dwell in the presence of God, through the merits, and the mercy, and the grace of the Holy Messiah. But what is our part? We must have a broken heart and a contrite Spirit. And believe in Him. That’s Lehi’s answer to the disciple of Christ. You must have a humble heart and Spirit, you must have a desire to walk that path, you must have a willingness to accept God’s law and strive to follow it. If we do, Christ will answer our end for us, and bring us completely to the other end.

APPLY/CONCLUSION

Q: Now that you know this philosophy, what’s your plan? What are you going to do about it?

My suggestion is that you follow Lehi’s parting advice in vs. 28

28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;

2 NEPHI 3-THE FOUR JOSEPHS

• Joseph, Lehi’s Son (2 Nephi 3:1)

• Joseph of Egypt (2 Nephi 3:4)

• Joseph Smith Jr. (2 Nephi 3:6-15)

• Joseph Smith Sr. (2 Nephi 3:15)

Mark everything you learn about Joseph Smith Jr. in this chapter.

Can you pick out the 5 things that these two books will accomplish when they are united as one?

2 Nephi 4-NEPHI’S LAMENT

We get a chance to see into Nephi’s soul

Nephi’s Lament Coded Phrase Handout (Available for Download at https://www.etsy.com/shop/TeachingWithPower)

1. O wretched man that I am

2. My heart sorroweth

3. My soul grieveth because of mine iniquities

4. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me

5. My heart groaneth because of my sins

6. Why should my heart weep

7. And my soul linger in the valley of sorrow

8. My strength slacken

9. That the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace

10. And afflict my soul

11. Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin

And by looking at that list, how would you describe how Nephi is feeling?

• Sad

• Guilty

• Discouraged

• Dismayed

• Mournful

• Maybe even depressed?

Have you ever felt like Nephi before? So discouraged that you find your soul lingering in the valley of sorrow.

So this leads me to our coded phrase here. What is this chapter going to teach us?

How to Defeat Discouragement

Nephi is going to show us the way out of the valley of sorrow. And by the end of the chapter, you get the sense that he’s feeling better. But how does he arrive there?

Read verses 19-35 and see what you can find.

Trust in God, look to Him for support (5:19, 20, 34)

Express gratitude for what you do have (5:20-25)

Pray (5:35)

Be humble and submissive to the Lord’s will and timing (5:32)

APPLY

Have any of these things helped you through a time of discouragement?

2 Nephi 5

What should we do when confronted with evil or temptation?

At times, the best thing to do is fight it. But it’s not the only tactic.

Q: Sometimes the best thing to do is what Nephi does in chapter 5:5. What is it?

A: Flee

I think that in some cases, that is the best way to approach things. Sometimes you just have to get away from it.

Walk away from the date, end the abusive or destructive relationship. Quit the job, leave home, change schools, find a new group of friends, move. In terms of temptation, sometimes you need to turn off the computer, delete the bad music, throw away the inappropriate clothing, get rid of the alcohol and the drugs.

Joseph of Egypt is another great example of this. What did he do when put into a tempting and compromising position with Potiphar’s wife? He fled and got him out. I suggest we do the same.

Now you’re going to have to be in tune with the Spirit because fleeing isn’t always the right answer, sometimes we need to fight and we need to work through things with people. But remember, that fleeing is a viable and effective option at times. Because Nephi was willing to flee and abandon the evil, it made it possible for him to live “after the manner of happiness” as it tells us in vs. 27.

Read chapter 5 and mark everything you can find that helped the Nephites to “live after the manner of happiness”. I think you’ll find some helpful ideas there if you wish to be happy as well. we do when confronted with evil or temptation?