“And Thus We See,” Ensign, Aug. 2008, 40–43
“And Thus We See”
Lessons learned from stories in the Book of Mormon are sometimes clearly stated after the words “and thus we see.” For example, speaking of the years of wandering in the wilderness after fleeing from Jerusalem with his family, Nephi wrote:
“We did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness. …
“And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women … were strong, yea, even like unto the men. …”
“And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them” (1 Nephi 17:1–3).
Yet other lessons learned from the Book of Mormon may be more subtly taught. Following is artwork painted by Latter-day Saint artist Minerva Teichert, who often depicted stories found in the Book of Mormon. As you turn to the scriptures for the full account of each story, see if you can identify the powerful lesson each story teaches.
Flight
Lehi left “the land of his inheritance … and took nothing with him, save it were his family, … and departed into the wilderness” (1 Nephi 2:4).
Treasures in Exchange for the Plates of Brass
Lehi’s sons asked Laban “that he would give unto [them] the … plates of brass, for … all [their] precious things,” but Laban refused (1 Nephi 3:24).
Courtesy of the Museum of Church History and Art
Right: Look to Your Children
When Christ visited the Nephites, “he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, … and the angels did minister unto them” (3 Nephi 17:21, 24).
Left: Trial of Abinadi
Abinadi “spake with power and authority from God”; nevertheless, “the king commanded that … [Abinadi] should be put to death” (Mosiah 13:6; 17:1).
Above: Ammon Saves the King’s Flocks
After Lamanites scattered the king’s flocks, “Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power” (Alma 17:36).
Right: Escape of King Limhi and His People
To escape from Lamanite bondage, King Limhi sent wine to the Lamanites. Then he and his people departed by night (see Mosiah 22:10–11).
Below left: Treachery of Amalickiah
Amalickiah arranged for the king’s death, lied to the queen, “and took her unto him to wife; and thus by his fraud … he obtained the kingdom” (Alma 47:35).
Below: The Earthquake
Alma the Younger and Amulek cried unto God in prison for deliverance “and the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison … fell to the earth,” and those “who smote upon Alma and Amulek, were slain by the fall thereof” (Alma 14:27).
Right: The Law on the Plates of Brass
Nephi returns with the plates of brass, knowing that the law was engraven upon them and would prevent a nation from perishing in unbelief (see 1 Nephi 4:16, 13).
All artwork courtesy of Brigham Young University Museum of Art, except as noted