2 Nephi 4

(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.)

God supports those who put their trust in him. Count your blessings and trust in the Lord to help you. Gratitude plus trust equals deliverance.

1-2. How can you tell that Nephi valued the scriptures?

3-11. Have you ever received counsel or advice from your father, mother, or leaders? Did you follow the advice? Why or why didn't you follow the advice? Do you have any regrets?

4. What promise does the Lord give in this scripture? How does this promise apply to you today?

5. What knowledge does Lehi have about teaching his children the gospel? How is this knowledge a comfort to you?

6. What does Lehi mean when he states that any curse given will be answered upon the heads of the parents? What is required of parents? What qualities do you see in the way you were raised that indicate to you that your parents sought to fulfill their obligation and responsibility to the Lord in raising you? What can you do to help your parents fulfill the great responsibility Heavenly Father has placed upon them?

"Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. Children are and heritage of the Lord. Parents have a secret duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the Commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives – mothers and fathers– will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations." – The family: A Proclamation to the World

12. How do you know the feelings of father Lehi's heart and the Spirit of the Lord were one and the same feeling? Of how much value is spiritual counsel from your parents? How can you tell that they love you? Do their concerns for your spiritual welfare indicate love?

13-14. Why do those who have a rebellious nature become so angry when they are given admonition from the Lord? Why can't they see the love that is the motivating force for the one who gives them the spiritual counsel? If you have convinced yourself that your parents do not love you how hard will it be for you to recognize their love? What can you do to be able to let go of you rebellious feelings and embrace as truth their love for you?  Does personal pride prevent a person from recognizing the true love of parents, teachers and leaders?

15-16. How do you feel about the Scriptures? Do you take time to ponder them in your heart and record the things that you learn from them? Have you ever considered keeping a scripture journal? How does your scripture journal bless your life? How do you think Nephi got to the point that he delighted in the scriptures? What do you think it means to delight in the things of the Lord?

"Just as continuing revelation enlarges and illuminates the scriptures, so also a study of the scriptures enables men and women to receive revelations… This happens because scripture reading puts us in tune with the spirit of the Lord. The idea that scripture reading can lead to inspiration and revelation opens the door to the truth that a scripture is not limited to what it meant when it was written but may also include what that scripture means to a reader today. Even more, scripture reading may also lead to current revelation on whatever else the Lord wishes to communicate to the reader at that time. We do not overstate the point when we say that the scriptures can be a Urim and Thummim to assist each of us to receive personal revelation."  – Dallin H Oaks, Ensign, January 1995

"Pick up the scriptures and immerse yourself in them. Look for favorite passages. Mean on the masters teachings, on his servants testimonies. Refresh your parched soul with the word of God. The scriptures will give you comfort and the strength to overcome." – Richard G Scott, GC, April 1990

17-19. How does Nephi feel about his sins? How do you feel about your sins and imperfections? How aware of them are you? How can you be sure to be able to identify your shortcomings? Why is it so important for us to be able to recognize when we do wrong? Why should we feel wretchedness and sorrow for our sins? How can these feelings help us overcome our natural man tendencies? Who does Nephi choose to put his trust in? How can the same choice bless your life?

20-25. How had the Lord blessed Nephi in the past for placing his trust in him? How has the Lord bless you when you have placed your trust in him?

26-30. How did remembering the blessings affect Nephi's desire to be righteous? How have the blessings of the Lord affected your desire to be righteous?

27-29. Think of a temptation or weakness that you struggle with? What difference would it make in your life if that temptation suddenly became disgusting and repulsive to you?

"When we face… temptations in our time, we must declare, as young Nephi did in his, 'I will give place no more for the enemy of my soul.' We can reject the evil one. If we want it dearly and deeply enough, that enemy can and will be rebuked by the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ." – Jeffrey R Holland, GC, April 2010

30-35. What did Nephi pray for the Lord to change? What do most people pray for one another person makes them angry? Why is it so tempting to ask the Lord to change the other person? When we pray who should we be asking the Lord to change?

31-33. What did Nephi pray for? How might you apply these verses in your prayers?

34-35. What does it mean to you to trust in the Lord? What does it mean to you to trust in the arm of flesh? What is the difference between the two?

"To turn to the Lord and to trust him is to learn from his revelations. Spiritual security comes from revelation that unveils the true nature of Deity. The kind of God in whom we believe generally determines the kind of people we are and will become. Without revelation about the true nature of Deity, the natural man will walk in his own way and after the image of his own God whose images in the likeness of the world." – Charles A Didier, GC, April 1987