Book of Mormon Final - Religion 121 with Johnson at Brigham Young University

Calee N.

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Know the three purposes of the Book of Mormon from the title page, and why the order of the purposes is significant.

Show to the house of Israel the things the Lord did for their fathers (family)
To know the covenants of the Lord
Also convince that Jesus is the Christ/That all may come to christ

Know the points discussed in 1 Nephi 1-7, especially concerning a pattern for prophets (chapter 1), obtaining the Brass plates by the Holy Spirit, and Nephi’s purpose in keeping the plates (1 Nephi 6:4)

-pattern for prophets: Lehi is like Joseph Smith in the sense that they are preaching, being persecuted and forced to flea. and following God’s will. Pattern: pray, vision, book, dreams/revelations/visions, prophecy, mocked, wicked seek to kill

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Know the points discussed in 1 Nephi 1-7, especially concerning a pattern for prophets (chapter 1), obtaining the Brass plates by the Holy Spirit, and Nephi’s purpose in keeping the plates (1 Nephi 6:4)

-obtaining the brass plates by the holy spirit: first they asked, and failed. then they tried to bribe Laban, but failed again. They were going to give up, but the angel appeared to Nephi and his brothers and told them to go back. The spirit ultimately made the mission successful, telling Nephi to slay Laban, thereby obtaining the plates.
-Nephi’s purpose in keeping the plates: To persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

From our discussion know the definition of a gentile in the Book of Mormon.

- Us! (anyone that does not live in Jerusalem - the GEOGRAPHIC location of the Jews) (In the Bible, the terms Gentile and Jew concern lineage)

Know how Lehi’s dream can be a model or a pattern for us in coming unto Christ.

1. Fallen state

2. Pray for Mercy of God

3. Tree/Jesus Christ

4. Joy

5. Want to share

Identify the symbols in Lehi’s dream and know the interpretation of them.

-Large and spacious field - The world
-Tree - Christ/God

-Fruit of Tree - love of God

-Rod of Iron - Word of God
-Straight and narrow path - Word of God
-Fountain of living water - love of God
River/fountain of filthy water - depths of hell
-Mist of darkness - temptations of the Devil
-Great and spacious building - Pride of men

Review Lehi’s dream and be ready to identify the four groups and contrast their responses to the word of God.

1. Followed path, but never caught hold of the rod.
2. Clinging to the rod, tasted of fruit but were ashamed when Spacious building persons mocked them and so they left the tree.
3. Continually holding fast to the rod, made it to tree.
4. Rejected the rod and tree; felt their way to great & spacious building.

Identify briefly what each of the chapters (I Nephi 11-15) are about from our discussion

1Chapter 11 - Christ in the Old World
Chapter 12 - Christ in the New World
Chapter 13 - Apostasy and Restoration/ Abominable Church (literal)
Chapter 14 - Last Days/ Abominable Church (symbolic)
Chapter 15 - Gathering of Israel

Be familiar with the word condescension and how it related to the Father and the Son.

Condescension means to come down among, or lower yourself.
The Father: came down to Earth in order to create Jesus Christ (condescended to Mary a mortal)
The Son: came down to the earth and was half mortal half god. Subjected himself to wicked men and to a mortal existence.

Understand the difference between the Twelve Apostles in the Old World, and the Nephite Disciples in the New World. Also know the problems the Nephites faced (1 Nephi 12:19)

-Apostle of the old world preside over the disciples of the new world
-problems the nephites faced: the pride cycle, temptation, then they were overpowered

Identify the major problems that Nephi saw among the Gentile nations and what the Lord did to solve them.

-pride cycle
-fighting within church
-take out plain and precious parts of the gospel
-The Lord sends other books like the Book of Mormon, the D&C and Pearl of Great Price to restore plain and precious

Identify how the Lord will gather the Gentiles, the Jews and the Lamanites to the true fold of God.

The Gentiles will be gathered through the Holy Ghost
The Lamanites will be gathered by the Gentiles through the holy ghost
The Jews will be gathered through the Gentiles (in the millennium)

What are the three things that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of, according to President Packer?

Waffles Don’t talk (way to remember), Witness (another witness of Christ), Doctrine, Testimony/Lives

Review the principles discussed related to the wilderness experience. (Liahona, broken bow, etc.) Know the characters and main storyline contained in 1 Nephi 16-18, and certain doctrines emphasized like “what’s important now”.

-Nephi and his family are still going through the wilderness and are being guided with the Liahona (the trial of your faith).
-focus on whats going on now in the present. Nephi always focused on the good things that are happening now, while Laman and Lemuel constantly looked back, murmuring about what they had lost. (What’s important now-WIN) ALSO, shown in the broken bow incident (this was on the quiz!)

Review the principles discussed related to the wilderness experience. (Liahona, broken bow, etc.) Know the characters and main storyline contained in 1 Nephi 16-18, and certain doctrines emphasized like “what’s important now”.

-Liahona: Written and changed doctrine
-Feel, follow, trust

Review the reason for the scattering and gathering of Israel and how it will occur (1 Nephi 19 and 22).

Scattering of Israel- because they turned their hearts from God or
missionary work
Gathering of Israel- when they turned their hearts to God and accepted Christ; also, to build a temple

Understand why Nephi quoted Isaiah 48-49 (1 Nephi 20-21) Know which chapter is for the Jews and which is for the Gentiles (or the tribe of Joseph) and the teaching found in each chapter. Also understand Nephi’s commentary on these chapters (1 Nephi 22).

1) to convince others to believe in Christ
2) liken it unto yourself for your own profit and learning
3) have hope
Chap 20 (Isaiah 48): Jews
-pass through the furnace of affliction
-were stubborn and rebellious
Chap 21(Isaiah 49): Gentiles
-set up my standard: setting up the church

Understand why Nephi quoted Isaiah 48-49 (1 Nephi 20-21) Know which chapter is for the Jews and which is for the Gentiles (or the tribe of Joseph) and the teaching found in each chapter. Also understand Nephi’s commentary on these chapters (1 Nephi 22).

Chap 22: Nephi’s commentary
-mighty nation will come forth: US
-marvelous work will begin: church formed

Understand the plan of salvation and why the fall of Adam and Eve is okay (2 Nephi 2). Also understand that we are free to choose life through Jesus Christ or death according to the devil.

The fall is okay because the negatives of it can be overcome through the Atonement
-we wouldn’t be able to be here without the fall. we wouldn’t have joy because there was no misery.
-we wouldnt have our agency to choose or our knowledge to grow

Review America’s role (2 Nephi 1) and the role of Joseph Smith in the restoration (2 Nephi 3). Review the material presented about the choice seer.

Couldn’t have the restoration without the Independence of the US (needed a 1776 before an 1830)
Joseph Smith- choice seer
-knowledge of covenants
-like unto Moses
-bring forth my word
-named after his father and Joseph in Egypt

Understand the materials related to Nephi’s Lament (2 Nephi 4) and the chains of hell (2 Nephi 1:13, 23).

Nephi’s Lament
problem: sin/flesh - way Satan gets to us through temptation
solution: pray, ministry of angels, spirit, testimony
problem: anger - why is my flesh still so weak, still giving into temptation
solution: repent, rejoice to overcome weaknesses
problem: Lord, will you help me?
solution: yes if you ask not amiss, know what you are asking for with a sincere heart

Review the events and principles of happiness discussed as Nephi’s family and friends departed from the Lamanites. (2 Nephi 5:27) Also review the problems that came about because of this separation (the traditions of the Lamanites)

Fled from wickedness (and left the contention)
Temple
Work, labor, industriousness
Brass Plates (scriptures)
No King (liberty)
False Traditions: took away the ruling
robbed the records
you departed from us

Midterm Review (1st Nephi 1 - 2nd Nephi 30)
× Understand the three purposes for the Book of Mormon (see the title page) and why the order that they are listed is important.

1. Show the great things the Lord hath done for their fathers/family.
2. Know the covenants of the Lord. NOT cast off forever.
3. Jesus is the Christ the eternal God!
-The order is important because we wouldn’t know Jesus is the Christ without our family and covenants.

Don’t confuse them with the three reasons the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion (which was on quiz one, I believe) taken from Ezra Taft Benson’s talk:

1. Witness of Christ
2. Keystone of our doctrine
3. Keystone of our testimonies and our lives

Know terms such as “these” plates, “other” plates (1 Nephi 19), and “them” (1 Nephi 20) and “us” (1 Nephi 21).

these plates: small and spiritual plates
other plates: large and secular plates
us: the gentiles
them: jews

Understand the story line and main characters as Lehi and his family left Jerusalem and travel through the wilderness.

They left because Lehi’s life was being threatened for his preaching. after they left they went back for the brass plates and wives.

Explain the doctrine of the scattering and gathering of Israel (1 Nephi 19:13-16).

Scattering: When the hearts are turned away from God.
Gathering: When then hearts are turned towards God.

Know what 2 Nephi 1 and 2 Nephi 3 are about. (1776 and 1830).

2 Nephi 1 - Lehi to Laman and Lemuel (patriarchal blessing of America, will be a land of liberty if righteous)
2 Nephi 3 - Lehi to Joseph (prophesies of Joseph Smith)

Understand the doctrine of the Fall and the Atonement (2 Nephi 2, 9).
See Quiz 2 study guide for explanation of 2 Nephi 2

2 Nephi 9: atonement and resurrection save us from being like Lucifer.

Explain the three keys for understanding Isaiah (2 Nephi 25). Also review the material presented in class concerning Isaiah.

Keys to understanding Isaiah
1) Isaiah is a Jew talking about his day and ours (manner of prophesying among Jews - Dual prophecy)
2) Make use of those that are filled with the spirit of prophesy
3) we live in the day of their fulfillment and will understand as they are fulfilled

Know who the Book of Mormon is written to (see title page), their problems and the solution (2 Nephi 25-30). Also review the “enemies of Christ” and the “doctrines of the devil.”

Jews
-Problem: still looking for Messiah
Lamanites
-Problem: sell themselves for naught, pride, choose darkness rather than light.
Gentiles
-Problem: Pride, secret combinations, priestcrafts, all manner of iniquity

Solution to all: BOOK OF MORMON

Know who the Book of Mormon is written to (see title page), their problems and the solution (2 Nephi 25-30). Also review the “enemies of Christ” and the “doctrines of the devil.”

Enemies of Christ/Precepts of men
-Teach with learning/deny the Holy Ghost
-Deny power of God: He has already done His work and given his power to men
-Not a God of miracles
-Eat, drink, and be merry; we are “saved” anyway (he will beat us with a few stripes)
Doctrine of Devil
-Anger
-Pacify, carnal security
-Flatter (“no hell”)
- All is well in Zion

Understand the Book of Jacob as we broke it into sections. (Jacob 1-3, etc.)

Jacob 1-3: Jacob talking to the Nephites in the temple; speaks of pride and immorality
Jacob 4-6: Allegory of Zenos
Jacob 7: Sharom- Anti-Christ

Review the problems facing the Nephites in the Book of Jacob.

-wealth
-concubines
-racism against Lamanites, reviling against them for color of their skin

Review the allegory of Zenos and understand what we learn from this allegory. (Jacob 4-6)

History of the House of Israel (1800BC to the end)
Olive Tree= House of Israel
Servant= Prophets
Master= Jesus Christ
Wild branches= Gentiles
The field= The World

Review the allegory of Zenos and understand what we learn from this allegory. (Jacob 4-6)

The Lord Prunes, digs, and nourishes his vineyard.
-Old Testament time: vs. 1-15
-New Testament time and Book of Mormon: vs. 16-29
-Great Apostasy: vs. 30-50
-Restoration Time: vs. 51-77
We learn that the Lord and his servants are caring and patient, that prophets plead for us, that the Lord and his prophets love us and work hard for us, that the Lord is forgiving. Repent today, harden not hearts.

Understand the teachings related to Enos (including the formula to increase charity), Jarom, and Omni. Review the separation themes and history presentation in the Book of Omni.

Teachings related to Enos: How to receive a remission of sins
-sunk deep, hunger for it, meaningful prayer, determined day and night, faith, no more guilt. You must receive a remission of sins before you love others
-Formula to increase charity: Love for yourself (repentance), Love for Family/Brethren, Love for Enemies.

Understand the teachings related to Enos (including the formula to increase charity), Jarom, and Omni. Review the separation themes and history presentation in the Book of Omni.

Jarom’s teachings: Taught about the atonement. It’s the process or product of becoming one with God. He believed in Christ as though he had already come. It’s bidirectional and multidirectional (it covers everyone)

Know about the people of Zarahemla (the Mulekites) and the problems they faced.

-had no records
-language confounded
-denied being of creator

Know about The Words of Mormon and its connection with the Small Plates and Mormon’s abridgement of the Large Plates.

-Words Of Mormon is the glue between small and large plates

Review the teachings presented by King Benjamin in Mosiah 1-6 and his teaching concerning our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ

Exchange system between us and Christ. Characteristics of Christ (things he does for us)- Patient, power, wisdom, atonement, goodness, long suffering. What we have to do- Diligent, trust him, continue in faith, keep commandments. If we do this, we will have salvation. Through the covenant we become sons and daughters of Christ.

From King Benjamin’s teachings understand what we should learn, what we should do, and what we should become. (also from President Monson’s teaching’s)

Learn- Scriptures
Do- Service
Become-Saint (Like Christ) by becoming as a child

Review the history and order of the kings in Zarahemla and the kings in the Land of Nephi.

· Kings in the Land of Zarahemla: King Mosiah I, King Benjamin, King Mosiah II
· Kings in the Land of Nephi: Zeniff, King Noah, King Limhi – Alma serves as high priest because he refuses to be King.

· Review the traditions of the Lamanites and their hatred of the Nephites (Mosiah 10).

· Mosiah 10:12 – False traditions of the Lamanites. 13-15: Angry because they took away the rule from them. 16: Took the records and departed. 17: Taught children to rob, plunder, and murder the Nephites.
· These evil traditions are repeated over 400 years

· Understand the Prophet Abinadi’s teachings concerning the Law of Moses: What it is and why it was given (Mosiah 13).

· The law of Moses was a “type” of the Higher law that would be established after the coming of Christ and His Atonement.
· “Type”: Person, place or thing that is an example of something bigger that is to come.
· Children of Israel released from Egypt. God sent them to Mt. Sinai to get the Law of Christ. They couldn’t do it so God gave them the “half-step” of the Law of Moses.

· Understand the Prophet Abinadi’s teachings concerning the Law of Moses: What it is and why it was given (Mosiah 13).

- Other “half-steps”: tithing for the law of Concecration
- Missions – only two years
- Priesthood – Aaronic/Melchizedek
- Companionship on a mission prepares you for Marriage

Review Abiniadi’s teachings concerning Jesus Christ being both Father and Son.

· Jehovah – Jesus coming down to earth
· This passage is NOT about the Godhead
· God (Eloheim) Gave Jesus His power, but Jesus is also flesh (son) because he was born of Mary.
· Jehovah and Jesus are ONE God/same God.

Review Abiniadi’s teachings concerning Jesus Christ being both Father and Son.

· “Father” Why can we call Jesus Christ “Father?”
- 1. He is the Father of the Earth, by creation
- 2. He is the Father of our Salvation, through Spiritual rebirth
- 3. Divine Investiture of Authority: Jesus can talk as if He is God.

· Understand why the life of Abinadi can be considered a type or a shadow of Christ.

· Mosiah 17: 7-8 – “Spoke evil against the people” real reason
· 9-10: Testimony against them and will not deny anything he has said, even on threat of death
· 11-12: Noah to Abinadi as Pilat is to Christ (almost let him go, but for the word of the people/priest)

· Understand the Covenants the people of Alma made at the waters of Mormon.

· Mosiah 18
· 1st promise: bear each other’s burdens
· 2nd promise: Mourn, comfort, stand as a witness at all times, in all things, and in all places.
· God’s promise to them: “I will pour out my Spirit upon you.” This, in turn, helps us keep our side of the covenant.

· Understand the material concerning the two groups of people, the two bondages and two deliverances presented in Mosiah 18-24.

· The two people: Limhi’s people and Alma’s people
· The two bondages: Limhi’s people held in bondage by the Lamanites. Amulon (ex-priest of king Noah.) of the Lamanites holds Alma’s people in bondage.
· The two deliverances: Limhi’s people are sorely afflicted (went up to battle 3 times, were defeated 3 times) because they relied on their own strength first, and so they are compelled to be humble.

· Understand the material concerning the two groups of people, the two bondages and two deliverances presented in Mosiah 18-24.

They have to deliver themselves by making the Lamanites drunk, which was Gideon’s idea (that was a question on quiz 4). Alma’s people continually seek God’s help, are humble without being compelled, and He delivers them out of bondage by casting a deep sleep onto the Lamanites.
· Limhi’s people: depended on their own strength, compelled to be humble, ease their burdens “by degrees,” woe is me, no covenants.

· Understand the material concerning the two groups of people, the two bondages and two deliverances presented in Mosiah 18-24.

· Alma’s people: prayed to God, choose to be humble, God strengthens them, bear their burdens cheerfully and patiently, made covenants with God.
Because of their pride, the Lord was slow to hear the cries of Limhi’s people and they had to wait to be delivered. The people of Alma were faithful and humble, so they were delivered the day after Amulon started to put guards over them and punish them for praying

· Review the challenges the churches (stakes!) faced in Zarahemla and what it means to be born again. (A process or an event?)

· “stake”: defense, refuge from the storm
· 4 problems in Zarahemla:
- 1. Rising Generation
- 2. Transgression (members sinning): Disciplinary Councils – 3 reasons: Saves souls, protects the innocent, protects the good name of the Church.
- 3. Persecution: more problems within the church than without
- 4. Apostasy
· Become like Christ: lifetime process
· We must repent, endure to the end, and listen to the Spirit

· Understand the new form of government had among the Nephites, and what two events threatened this new government.

· No need for a King
· Alma wore two hats: chief judge and high priest
· In the Church: priestcrafts, Nehor kills Gideon. Outside the Church: Persecution/ Alma 1:19
· In the Government: Amlici tries to become king. They experience a Civil war. Outside the government: the Amlicites and the Lamanites have a war against the Nephites.

· Understand what priestcraft is and how it differs from Priesthood.

· Priestcraft is the opposite of Priesthood
· Priestcraft characteristics: popular, supported by the people, Pride, costly apparel, false doctrine for honor and riches, loved vain things of the world, Persecute others
· Priesthood characteristics: humility, impart the word of God without money or price, All equal in the sight of God, Impart their substance to the poor, neat and comely, help others in the church and outside the church.

× Review your notes concerning Alma’s teachings about being born again, and especially how to remain in that state. (See Alma 5:27-33)
In order to gain eternal life:
Verse 29

Pure
Clean

Verse 21

Garments need to be washed
Washed = Baptism
and cleansed from stain
Stain = Sin

Verse 27

Humble

Verse 28

Stripped from Pride

Verse 29

Stripped from Envy

Verse 30

Mocking

Verses 31-33

repent of these things

× Understand the purpose of angels. (Alma 8:14-16 and related teachings)

Cry Repentance, also minister to the Lord’s servants.
Alma 8:14-16 Example: angel visits Alma when he was discouraged about the wickedness of the people of Ammonihah; tells him to have faith and return to the city, which later leads to success

× Know the difference between being saved in your sins or from your sins.

Being saved in your sins means that sinners will be saved by the Lord without any restitution. Being saved from your sins involves repentance and the Atonement as a form of restitution.

× Understand the material presented concerning the Melchizedek Priesthood (Alma 13), and material concerning Alma and Amulek in Prison.

Melchizedek Priesthood
Foreordination
When & Where? In the first place. (Pre-Mortal Existence)
Who? God
Why? To Teach the Gospel
What?Faith, Repentance, Righteousness

× Understand how Alma and Amulek’s imprisonment can be a type or shadow of things to come

Alma 14:
vs. 15-17 they were persecuted and spit upon, but answered nothing
xxxxx vs. 18-19 3 Days (time Amulek and Alma were imprisoned, time Christ was dead)
vs. 20-22 Mocking and spit upon, asked why they did not deliver themselves
vs. 26-28 cords broken (analogous to how Christ “broke” the bonds of death), prison destroyed/earthquakes (earth shook when Christ died). Not hurt (Christ came out of tomb unharmed).

× Review the missions of Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himni, and the information presented.

Ammon- overcomes the traditions of the Lamanites
Departed from us/ I will stay, perhaps until I die
Ruler over us/ I will be a servant
Stole the Brass plates/ taught them all of the scriptures
Converted King Lamoni and much of his kingdom

Aaron, Omner & Himni get put in jail in Middoni. Ammon goes and gets them out with King Lamoni. They then convert King Lamoni’s father and he offers half of his kingdom.

× Know the material concerning a king, a people, and a missionary presented in Alma 22-29.

A Missionary- Be an Example, Be a Servant, Be a Friend
A People- Joy = REPENT
A King- Formula for Joy- Pray + Repent = Joy
How to keep converts coming to church
-Sheaves = Converts
Garners= Temples
If you get to the garners, the storm cannot beat upon you like it could otherwise. There is a power there.
Get converts (and yourself) to the temple so that they may not be wasted.

Missionary Work

Knowledge of the truth
Search scriptures diligently
Much fasting & prayer
Teach with power & authority
You have to have the Holy Ghost to do so (be worthy)
Sound understanding of the Gospel
You will have many afflictions
You will grow like you’ve never grown before.

Missionary Work

To help them change from the traditions of their fathers:
Be an instrument in the hands of the Lord
By following the Holy Ghost
You must have Patience
Lead by good example
Blessed / Be Set Apart
Need to have physical strength
Keep it simple

Words From Our Students

Words From Our Students

Words From Our Students

Words From Our Students