Questions for Review:

1. Where did Nephi often go to receive revelations from the Lord? (1 Nephi 18:3)

2. According to Nephi, what was the only thing that could soften Laman's and Lemuel's hearts? (1 Nephi 18:20)

3. What did Lehi and his family find in the promised land? (1 Nephi 18:25)

4. What was the purpose of the second set of plates Nephi was commanded to prepare? (1 Nephi 19:3)

5. Name three prophets who lived in the Old Testament times who were cited by Nephi, but whose books are not found in our current version of the Old Testament. (1 Nephi 19:10)

6. To whom was this sign--the three days of darkness--given? (1 Nephi 19:10)

7. Which well-known Old Testament prophets were often cited and quoted by Nephi? (1 Nephi 19:23)

8. How did Nephi try to persuade his brethren to believe in the Lord their Redeemer? (1 Nephi 19:23)

9. (Fill in the blanks)  The kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless the Lord shall                       (1 Nephi 22:10)

10. The Lord often uses an interesting metaphor (also found in the New Testament) to describe his relationship with us. What metaphor is that? (1 Nephi 22:25)

Nephi builds a transoceanic ship (1-2; also 17:8-9)
 

. The building of this ship is also a symbolic representation of the manner by which the kingdom of God is established and the manner by which we should respond when called to serve

. Nephi received the knowledge on what to do in "incremental" revelations, just like the brother of Jared (Ether 2:16,18-23)

. What was Nephi's first question after receiving the charge to build the ship? (17:8-9)
        . Who, me? Build a ship? Bishop, are you sure you have the right number?
        . Uh ... I don't know ... Is it ok if I give it a try for a couple of days?

Some of the members of the colony start to be rude, Laman and Lemuel bind Nephi with cords, and the ship gets out of course amid a great tempest (9-11)

. Entertainment without limits can be harmful, and it may temporarily hinder the progress of the church on a local level (see Alma 4:10)

Nephi explains the contents of the two sets of plates he wrote (1-4)

. One deals with history, politics, and various secular matters, whereas the other deals with the prophecies and gospel teachings

. Zenos, Zenock, and Neum prophesied of signs of Christ's death given to those in Israel and to those in other parts of the planet

. The righteous would receive joy and salvation, while the wicked would see storms and destructions (11-12)

. The Israelites would be scourged, persecuted, and belittled until they would accept Jesus Christ as their long-awaited Messiah (15)

Note: In this course we will avoid in-depth analyses of Isaiah's prophecies. Those who desire that should attend the corresponding Old Testament courses

A warning to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Rome, Mecca, Salt Lake City, Fátima, Medjugorge, and other so-called "holy cities" (1-2)
    . It doesn't matter where one lives; what matters is how one lives.  Remember the words from Elder Harold B. Lee:

 "... I know now that the place of safety in this world is not in any given place; it doesn't make so much difference where we live; but the all-important thing is how we live, and I have found that security can come to Israel only when they keep the commandments, when they live so that they can enjoy the companionship, the direction, the comfort, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit of the Lord, when they are willing to listen to these men whom God has set here to preside as His mouthpieces, and when we obey the counsels of the Church."  (Elder Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, April 1943, p.129)

Salvation will come to those in the isles of the sea, and they will be part of the covenant people (8-11,21-23)

Those who wait for the Lord will not be ashamed (23)

The Lord will release His people from any earthly powers oppressing them (25; also 22:16-17)

The scope of the scattering of Israel: not only Nephites and Mulekites ... (4; read also Alma 63:4-9)

Note: Traditions among Latter-day Saints combined with unconfirmed statements from past leaders, have held that Hagoth's ships (see Alma 63:4-9) would have sailed to Hawaii and Polynesian Islands.  However, observe that the text in Alma 63, even though it opens the door to the possibility, does not affirm that any of the ships would have reached the islands of the Pacific.  On the other hand, in 1 Nephi 22:4 we find a prophetic statement linking the population of the isles of the sea to the House of Israel--not via Hagoth's ships, but through other means still unknown to us.  (Dr. Marcus Martins, January 2007)

A marvelous work in the latter days, in the Lord's own words (8-12)

A promise to the faithful all nations: "Lands of Inheritance" (12)

  . Very important: Consider the Book of Mormon as a "handbook" containing the conditions through which a person can obtain and retain a "land of promise" anywhere in the world.  The Americas are the "Land of Joseph" (see Genesis 49:22-26) but other continents and lands have no doubt been "set apart" by the Lord for others of the House of Israel.

Satan will have no power over people--but he will not lose his power (15,26)

. Here is an interesting thought: Satan can't be stopped through earthly legislation nor any kind of supernatural weapon. Only the power of the priesthood can stop him and only individual righteousness can bind him

. Before anyone start pointing fingers in any direction, answer this question: what might happen to individuals who become (or remain) members of the church of Christ simply to achieve those same unrighteous goals?

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