2008 Gospel Doctrine Lesson 7: "I Know in Whom I Have Trusted"

Link to lesson:

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=32c41b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=36f512ca67c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0

2 Nephi 3–5

• Look for scriptures about Joseph Smith. Describe how you have been blessed through the contributions of Joseph Smith?
• Consider how Nephi found hope even though he felt “encompassed about” by temptation and sin. (See 2 Nephi 4:18–25.) Can keeping track of blessings from the past help you in difficult times?

Family Discussion

Read 2 Nephi 4:15–35, “the Psalm of Nephi.” Discuss whether it is important to sometimes “write the things of [our] soul[s]” (2 Nephi 4:15). Challenge family members to write in their journals and record their feelings. 

Comments

[Stan]

I'm not sure what to say about Joseph Smith other than what an amazing sacrifice he made. He basically devoted his life to God's will and to changing the world. I hope that I can do that in a very small way.

I have always thought that these verses in which Nephi essentially admits to being encompassed about by sin are intriguing. Exactly what type of sin is he talking about? There seems to be little evidence of sin in his life in the accounts we have, other than perhaps some hint that he suffered from a kind of righteous pride or was perhaps overly critical of his brothers for their lack of faith and disobedience. I suppose that this scripture should be reassuring since it helps us know that even prophets face temptations and struggle with them. The fact that he apparently overcame them should also be reassuring and help me in my quest to overcome temptation and sin.

[supersoper]

I love 2 Ne. 4:31-33. Nephi's begins by pleading for the Lord's help and then abruptly begins to use exclamation marks instead of question marks. I think this shows that his faith and trust in the Lord has grown to a KNOWLEDGE that the Lord Jesus Christ can and will answer his prayers.

He says: "O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies!" These are not questions per se--Nephi knows the answer because the Lord has answered his prayers in the past.

Evidently writing our sincere prayers down may help us develop greater faith and trust in the Lord. I find that when I write about my testimony, it grows almost as much as if I were speaking it in front of people.