1 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.)

The scriptures are of great worth. They teach God's commandments, they tell of His dealings with His children and THEY INVITE THE SPIRIT. Being obedient is ALWAYS right! When we exercise faith in God and seek to do what He asks, even when we cannot see the outcome, He will lead us by the influence of the Holy Ghost.

1. How did Nephi's perspective of the greatness and might of The Lord help Nephi remain faithful even in the face of seemingly impossible odds? Why was Nephi not afraid to face Laban a third time?

2. How did Nephi use his knowledge of the scriptures to answer the questions of his brothers? What power did he find written in the scriptures? What could you do to make the scriptures a more powerful part of your life?

"Nephi applied the example of Moses to his personal circumstances and was confident that God would also prepare a way for him to somehow obtain the brass plates." -Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-study Seminary Students

3. How was Nephi's absolute faith in God a motivating force for not only himself but also for his reluctant brethren? How can exercising absolute faith in the Lord bless the lives of those around you? Have you ever felt a need to do something or felt inspired to do something and yet not immediately known why, when or how it would be done?

"You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you?” -Harold B Lee, quoted by Boyd K Packer, ‘The Edge of the Light’, BYU Today, March 1991

4. Why do words spoken in faith make the wicked resistant? What were Laman and Lemuel lacking that prevented them from feeling and acting on the direction of the Spirit? Is there anything in your life that prevents you from feeling inspiration and acting on the impressions received by the Spirit? If so, what can you do to remove it from your life?

5. Did Nephi know what he would face within the walls of Jerusalem? Why was he not overcome with fear? How did knowing that he was on the Lord's errand help him face the unknown events he was yet to face help mobilize him on his errand?

6. How did the complete reliance on the guidance of the Spirit ensure the success of their third attempt to get the plates?

"Several decisions faced these young men as they approached Laban to ask for the records. It' smoky interesting to me to note the process by which they made those decisions. First, the decision was to leave it to chance. And they cast lots, and the lot fell to Laman... Laban was not too pleased with his request... He said, 'Behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee'. That was enough for Laman; he fled and came back and reported to his brothers that leaving the assignment to chance did not work. So they approached the house of Laban and displayed the gold and silver and offered to trade these precious things for the plates of brass. When Laban saw the property and that it was exceedingly great, he did lust after it... He sent his servants after the boys to slay them, and they had to flee, leaving their property behind. Things of the world did not produce the records. So by night Nephi led his brothers outside e wall of Jerusalem. He crept inside towards the house of Laban, this time not leaving it to chance or worldly things, but going by faith. He said, 'I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.'... As he came to the house of Laban, he found a man fallen to the earth, drunken with wine. On coming closer, he discovered it was Laban. Laban had been delivered into his hands. The Lord had opened the way to obtain the record. Making the decision to place  his trust in The Lord produced the results." -L Tom Perry, GC, October, 1979

7-10.  What can you learn from the final efforts of Nephi to obtain the plates that can help you succeed in the challenges you face or will face in your life? How did Nephi know it was the Spirit of the Lord that required him to slay Laban and not his own emotions? Do you think this was the first time Nephi had heard and followed the voice of the Spirit?

"I can testify to you that there will be none of you have any adventure greater, more thrilling, and more joyful than finding out how to interpret the Spirit which comes unto you bearing testimony of the truth.… if you will ask, not doubting that you can have an answer, the answer will come in the whispering. Then you must learn to interpret the whispering. At first it likely will come as something akin to a feeling, although not a feeling. There will finally come into your minds the words expressive of the feeling, and those words properly interpreted will be the whispering of the Spirit." – S Dilworth Young, GC, April 1959

 "Nephi was willing to try time and again, using his best efforts. He expressed faith that he would be helped. He refused to be discouraged. But because he acted, had confidence in the Lord, was obedient, and properly used his agency, he received guidance. He was inspired step after step to success, and in his mother's words was given… Power to accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded. Nephi knew he was required to confide in God, to exercise faith, and to act so that he could receive help, step by step. He did not murmur nor ask for a full explanation. But, observation particularly, he did not wait passively for help. He acted! By following spiritual law, he was inspired and given power to act." – Richard G Scott, GC, October 1989

10-13. Why was Nephi directed to take the life of Laban when killing is against the laws of God?

"Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire. If we seek first the kingdom of God, all good things will be added." – Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:135

14-17. How do these verses exemplify the confirmation of the prompting Nephi had received to kill Laban? How does having a prompting confirmed, help you move forward with confidence?

17-18. Why was Nephi required to do such a difficult thing? How does Nephi's experience compare to the experience of Abraham with Isaac?

"Why did The Lord ask such things of Abraham?... God did not do this for His own sake' forHe knew by His foreknowledge what Abraham would do' but the purpose was to impress upon Abraham a lesson, and to enable him to attain unto knowledge that he could not obtain in any other way. That is why God tries all of us. It is not for His own knowledge for He knows all things beforehand... But he tries us for our own good, that we may know ourselves, for it is most important that a man should know himself. He required Abraham to submit to this trial because he intended to give him glory, exaltation and honor He intended to make him a king and a priest, to share with Himself the glory, power and dominion which He exercised." -George Q Cannon, GC, April 1899

19-27. How did Nephi obtain the plates of brass from the treasury? What do you notice about Nephi's honesty with Zoram in these verses? Does he pretend to have been doing the things that Laban was doing or does he hold true to his purpose for being there? What do his actions here tell you about his integrity?

30-38. What was the power of an oath in Nephi's culture? Consider the promises you have made; how committed have you been to keeping your word? How do you feel about people who never keep their word? How would our world be different if people kept their promises? Do you think that by allowing Zoram to come with them, he literally saved Zoram's life? Why or why not?

"Swearing an oath on your own life or on the life of God was comparable to saying, 'With God as my witness, I will do as I have promised or die trying.'" -Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, p. 19

"Honesty and integrity are not old-fashioned principles. They are just as viable in today's world... When we say we will do something, we do it. When we make a commitment, we honor it. When we are given a calling, we fulfill it. When we borrow something, we return it. When we have a financial obligation, we pay it. When we enter into an agreement, we keep it." - Sheldon F Child, GC, April 1997

"The rewards of integrity are immeasurable. One is the indescribably inner peace that comes from knowing we are doing what is right; another is an absence of guilt and anxiety that accompany sin. Another reward of integrity is the confidence it can give us in approaching God. ... The consummate reward of integrity is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. ... Let us live true to the trust The Lord has placed in us." -Joseph B Wirthlin, Finding Inner Peace in Our Lives, (1995), 193-194