1 Nephi 1-5 

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Questions for Review:

1. What did the Lord promise to Nephi and his posterity if they would be obedient?  (1 Nephi 2:20)

2. What happened to Laban when he tried to hinder the Lord's plan?  (1 Nephi 4:13,18)

3. What specific writings--among many others--did Father Lehi find in the Brass Plates? (1 Nephi 5:11-14)

4. Lehi and Laban, the keeper of the Brass Plates, were members of which tribe or family of Israel?  (1 Nephi 5:14,16)

 

. Nephi's "résumé": (1)

Goodly parents (i.e. pleasing appearance, character, or quality; excellent)

Knowledgeable on the things of the world

Experienced in afflictions

Favored of the Lord (i.e. endowed w/ special advantages, good qualities, or gifts; provided w/ preferential treatment)

Had knowledge of God

          . With so many things Nephi could have said to describe himself, why do you think he chose these items?

. On learning of the possible destruction of his people, he prays in their behalf, and not in behalf of himself and his family alone

"Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God.

A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race."  (October 19, 1840)  (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.174)

. On receiving the commandment to leave Jerusalem, Lehi immediately left behind all his possessions, which were so great that Laban himself coveted them (see 3:25; and also Matthew 4:18-22)

Heart: the whole personality, including intellectual as well as emotional functions or traits; conscience, character, spirit; goodwill, sincerity, zeal

. Persecution: a common inheritance shared by many of the prophets (20; see also Jeremiah 37:6-10,13-15; 38:1-6)

. Why is that so? Take Lehi and one of his contemporaries, Jeremiah, as an example. Their calling the people to repent or suffer complete military defeat was probably seen by many as an act of treason, especially in a time of war when such ideas might fill the people with self-defeating thoughts

. It isn't different with us: A call to repentance conveys the idea that we are not as perfect, charitable, righteous, or faithful as we want the rest of the world to think--and that hurts our delicate feelings

. The basics--the most important things (4; see also 8:1)

. Family, provisions (sustenance), and tents (housing)

. No jewelry, no fancy clothes, no worldly honors
. But notice that when Nephi says that his family had gathered all manner of seeds, that implies an organized and well-planned effort, rather than something done casually or sloppily (see D&C 133:15)
 

• Faith
• Diligent search (notice Nephi's words: "great desires to know the mysteries")
• Lowliness of heart (i.e. humbleness, meekness; ranking low in some hierarchy)


. A number of items could be added to this list. One of the most important would be righteousness.
. Also notice that Nephi's testimony came in stages: first, the Holy Ghost softened his heart (16-17), then he heard the voice of the Lord (19); finally, he was admitted into the presence of the Lord, where he beheld the visions of the future of the world (see 11:1)

. Why didn't the Lord command Lehi to get the plates of brass before leaving Jerusalem? (3)

. A number of ideas may be raised to answer this question. Two of these might be: (a) the security of Lehi and his family; and (b) an exercise in discipline (it seems that it took about one month for a round trip--they had to reach the Red Sea and then travel three more days in the wilderness to reach the first camp--see 2:5-6, and the information in the student manual)

. How does the Lord prepare a way for us to accomplish His commands? (7)

. Some of us will do things that may appear to be meaningless (e.g. clean a room, grow a garden, pay an extra visit, bear our testimony to a stranger, etc.); but these things will be the preparation (or the foundation) for other works

. All work is important in the kingdom of God. Keep in mind that the Lord works through the principle of "delegation of authority." When He prepares the way it is usually both through His angels and His mortal servants

. How can we do the things the Lord commands us? (11; see also 4:6)

. The wrong way: through human reasoning alone
. The right way: through divine revelation directing human reasoning

. What is the effect of visions and miracles on unbelievers? (31)

"When a man has the manifestation from the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on his soul, one that is not easily erased. It is Spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force. A manifestation of an angel, or even of the Son of God himself, would impress the eye and mind, and eventually become dimmed, but the impressions of the Holy Ghost sink deeper into the soul and are more difficult to erase."   (Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol.2, p.151)

. Nephi slays Laban (12-13)

. We don't know details about Laban. However, the fact that he had the brass plates in his possession indicates that he might have been an official record keeper, since the plates were being updated to include the teachings of Jeremiah (see 5:12-13). Maybe he had become a greedy record keeper (see 3:25) who were willing to cast a stumbling block before the Lord's people in order to make a lot of money, just like Balaam (see Numbers 22-24) centuries earlier. Like Balaam, Laban's fate and punishment was decreed by direct revelation through a living prophet (see Numbers 31:8; 2 Peter 2:15; Revelation 2:14)

. Contents of the Brass Plates: (11-14)

Original version of the Pentateuch

History of Israel all the way to king Zedekiah

Prophecies of the holy prophets, including many of Jeremiah's prophecies

It seems that the plates of brass were more comprehensive (i.e. extensive, detailed) than our current Old Testament (see 13:23)

. Would you like to learn the teachings contained in those plates?  If so, would you be ready to live by those teachings?

. This prophecy is yet to be fulfilled. And I am one among many persons who are anxiously waiting for its fulfillment.

Copyright © 1994-2006 - Marcus H. Martins
This web page was published only as a support for classroom discussion.
For more information, contact Dr. Marcus Martins at: martinsm@byuh.edu