Prophets warn against sin and teach salvation through Jesus Christ.
Humble sincere prayer is ESSENTIAL of receiving revelation. The Lord will
inspire us, help us overcome difficulties and deliver us from evil IF we have
faith in Him and keep His commandments. The Lord's tender mercies are extended
to those who exercise faith in Him.
1. What is one quality of good
parents? How favored are you by the Lord? How can you know that you are highly
favored of The Lord? How is it possible to have many afflictions and still be
highly favored of the Lord? What knowledge and experiences have you had that
give you a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God? Do you
have a record of your life? Why is it important to record your life's
experiences? In what ways do you perceive that your life might be similar to
Nephi's life?
2. What do you do in he way of
record keeping? How could you improve in this area? What do you hope that the
records you keep will do for the rising generations?
3. Why is it important to keep
an accurate record of your life and your spiritual experiences?
4. How does the coming of many
Prophets to the Jewish people testify of the mercy of God?
5. Why did Lehi feel a need to
pray at this time? Why should prayer come from the heart? What might hinder a
prayer that comes from any other source (ie. the mind, our will, pride etc.)?
6. How was Lehi's prayer
answered? He did praying from the heart facilitate the answer he received?
Could he have received such an answer if he had had any selfish motivation
whatsoever? He can you ensure that your communication with your Father in
Heaven is unhindered such as this?
7. How do spiritual things
affect you?
8. How did this vision bless
Lehi? How can being in tune with the Spirit of The Lord bless you?
9-10. Why does Lehi describe
the Savior and his apostles as being lustrous? Have you ever noticed an aura
that seems to rest on a person as they speak of their beliefs and
convictions... Particularly in general conference? How can you emanate this
same aura?
11-14. How does the act of
Lehi receiving a book help us to know that he had been called as a prophet of
God?
"At the
beginning of most dispensations, a book is given to the newly called prophet.
Moses received tablets. Lehi was given a book to read concerning the
destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel was given a 'roll of a book' containing the
Lord's message for the house of Judah in his day. John the Revelatory on the
isle of Patmos was shown a book with seven seals. Is it any wonder then, that
The Lord would provide a book containing the fulness of the gospel as part of
the 'restitution of all things'?" -
Merrill J Bateman, GC, October 2005
14. Why do you think Lehi
rejoiced Even though he saw that Jerusalem would be destroyed? What might you
feel if The Lord told you that these things would happen to your home and city?
What did he see besides destruction? What was Lehi particularly thankful for?
How does feeling the mercy and love of your Father in Heaven make you feel?
15. How can praying for the
welfare and happiness of others, from a sincere heart, without seeking to
counsel God, cause the answers to your prayers to fill you with unspeakable
joy?
"Please
note that the vision came in response to a prayer for others and not as a result for personal edification or guidance.... The Savior is the perfect example
of praying for others with real intent. In His great intercessory prayer
uttered on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for His Apostles and
all of the saints." - David A Bednar, GC, October 2008
5-15. How might Lehi's
experience influence his desire to teach the people and invite them to repent?
16-17. How has Nephi's
abridgement of his fathers record blessed your life?
18. After receiving such a
powerful witness of the goodness and mercy of God as well as a knowledge of
what would come upon the people of Jerusalem if the did not repent, what did
Lehi's prayer move him to do?
"Like
the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His
gospel. They make known God's will and true character. They speak boldly and
clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times they may be
inspired to prophesy of future events
for our benefit." - True to the Faith [2004]
19. How are the words of the
prophets of The Lord often received by the proud and haughty? What does this
tell you about the spiritual state of the people of Jerusalem? How do you
receive the words of the prophet?
20. Why are the wicked willing
to go to such great lengths to eliminate one who encourages them to change and
embrace a life of goodness and love? Why are they blind to the benefits and
joys of such a way of life? He would you define a tender mercy of The Lord?
What examples have you seen of The Lord extending His tender mercies in your life or in the life of someone you
know?
"The
Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings,
strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindness, consolation,
support and spiritual gifts which we
receive from and because of and through The Lord Jesus Christ... The Lord's
tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness,
obedience and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often
the Lord's timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important
blessings." - David A Bednar, GC, April 2005
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