(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)
The Lord commands us to marry and raise up children unto Him. The Lord strengthens all those who diligently seek Him and follow His prophets, but He withdraws His Spirit from those who reject him and seek wickedness. God answers prayers according to our faith. The Lord requires us to forgive each and every person that offends us in any way to any degree regardless of whether they are repentant or not.
1-2. How important are families to The Lord? How important is your family to you? Do the members of your family know how grateful you are for them? Why are families important to God's plan? What does it mean to raise up seed unto The Lord?
"We the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." - The Family: A Proclamation to the World
"The most important things that any member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ever does in this world are: 1. To marry the right person, in the right place, by the right authority; and 2. Too keep the covenant made in connection with this holy and perfect order of matrimony - thus assuring the obedient persons of an inheritance of exaltation in the celestial kingdom." - Bruce R McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 118
3. What is so important about marriage and family that The Lord would command Nephi and his brothers to endure the many days of hard travel through the wilderness to return to Jerusalem?
4-5. How did The Lord help Ishmael and his family accept the invitation to join Lehi's family in the wilderness? How does The Lord prepare you for the hard things that you will face? How do you feel about change and challenges? How can you come to accept change as a blessing rather than a trial?
5-12. Notice the word 'heart' and 'hearts'. How was Ishmael's heart difference from the hearts of Laman and Lemuel? In what condition is your own heart? What should we do and what should we remember to help our hearts stay soft?
6-7. What is the source of rebellion?
8-12. What three truths did Nephi say his brothers had forgotten? How could remembering those three truths have helped Laman and Lemuel be faithful to the Lord? How can remembering what the Lord has done for you help you be faithful in choosing to follow him?
13. Why is it comforting to know that all things which the Lord hath spoken must be fulfilled? What are some promises the Lord has made to you and your family that make you happy and hopeful?
14–15. Why is it essential to remember what the Lord has done for you and to follow his guidance?
16-18. What great miracle did Nephi experience because of his prayer of faith? Why is it important for you to remember the miracles the Lord has performed in your life?
17. What does it mean to pray in faith?
"Do you know what I likely would have prayed for if I had been tied up by my brothers? My prayer would have included a request for something bad to happen to my brothers and ended with the phrase wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren or, in other words, please get me out of this mess now! It is especially interesting to me that Nephi did not pray, as I probably would have prayed, to have his circumstances changed. Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances. And I suggest that he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew and understood and have experienced the enabling power of the atonement of the Savior… The implication of this episode for each of us is quite straightforward. As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon." – David A Bednar, In the Strength of the Lord, BYU 2001–2002 Speeches
18. When in your life have you prayed with faith and recognize the Lords answer to your prayer? How can you follow Nephi's example to pray and seek strength to change your circumstances rather than praying for your circumstances to be changed?
19. How can a plea for righteousness soften the hearts of those who intend to do evil?
20-21. Why was Nephi so quick to forgive? Why is it so important that family members be willing to forgive one another?
"ESSENTIAL STEPS TO REPENTANCE
1. Soften your heart2. Stop doing the sin3. Ask others for their forgiveness4. Pray to the Lord for forgiveness"-Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: the Book of Mormon, p. 23
"He who will not forgive others breaks down the bridge over which he himself must travel." – Spencer W Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 269
"A common error is the idea that the offender must apologize and humble himself to the dust before forgiveness is required. Certainly, the one who does the injury should totally make his adjustment, but as for the offended one he must forgive the offender regardless of the attitude of the other…" – Spencer W Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 282
"Yes to be in the right we must forgive, and we must do so without regard to whether or not our enemy repents, or how sincere is his transformation, or whether or not he asks our forgiveness." – Spencer W Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 283
1-22. How would it make you feel if you were treated by your family members the way Laman and Lemuel treated their family? What did Nephi do for his family that impresses you? What could you do to follow Nephi's example? Why do you think it is important to treat your family members with love, kindness, respect, and forgiveness?
1-22. How are your actions evidence of the choices that you make? How can you tell which side people are on today? What are some of the advantages of being on the Lords side?
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