“1 Nephi 8:1–18: The Love of God Is the Most Desirable above All Things” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)
“1 Nephi 8:1–18: The Love of God Is the Most Desirable above All Things” Book of Mormon Student Manual
1 Nephi 8:1–18
The Love of God Is the Most Desirable above All Things
How would you describe God’s love? Lehi had a vision in which he saw a beautiful tree. He ate the fruit of that tree, and it “was most sweet, above all” he had ever tasted (1 Nephi 8:11). This tree and its fruit represent the love of God, manifested in the birth, life, ministry, and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This love “filled [Lehi’s] soul with exceedingly great joy” (1 Nephi 8:12). This lesson is intended to help you increase your desire to experience God’s love and Jesus Christ’s Atonement.
Darkness and light
Several speakers in general conference have shared stories of experiencing physical darkness followed by an increased understanding and gratitude for light. Try to imagine the following situations. Read or watch one of these stories.
Riding a bike through a 15-mile-long tunnel (see Vern P. Stanfill, “Choose the Light,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 55–57).
The lights of the Salt Lake Temple not turning on at night (see Sharon Eubank, “Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 73–76).
Rappelling into a deep cave (see Timothy J. Dyches, “Light Cleaveth unto Light,” Liahona, May 2021, 112–15).
Lehi prays for the Lord’s mercy
While living in the wilderness, Lehi shared the details of a vision he had with his family. In this vision, he was in “a dark and dreary wilderness” (1 Nephi 8:4).
Read 1 Nephi 8:5–8, looking for what happened to Lehi and how he felt. It can be helpful to visualize what you read. Look for descriptive details that can help you create a mental picture or imagine the events like a movie.
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What kind of thoughts or feelings do you think caused Lehi to pray for mercy?
Take a moment to ponder the different ways we might feel darkness in our lives and the reasons we may cry out to the Lord for mercy.
Read 1 Nephi 8:9–12, looking for how the Lord helped Lehi.
In your study journal, make a simple drawing representing the tree Lehi saw. Draw the fruit on the tree, and label the fruit based on Lehi’s explanations in 1 Nephi 8:10–12. (For additional descriptions to label the fruit of the tree, read 1 Nephi 15:36 and Alma 32:42.) As you draw, think about what this tree and its fruit might represent.
Later, Nephi wanted to personally know and understand the vision, including the meaning of the tree Lehi had seen. While pondering on what he had been taught, Nephi was shown, by the Spirit, a vision of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms (see 1 Nephi 11:13, 20).
Look at the following image and think about why Nephi might have been shown this when He wanted to know the meaning of the tree.
Read 1 Nephi 11:21–23, looking for what else Nephi was shown and how it helped him learn the meaning of the tree. You might label the tree based on what you learn.
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How do you think the Savior helps us feel the love of God?
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
The greatest manifestation of God’s love for His children is the mortal ministry, atoning sacrifice, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The fruit on the tree can be considered a symbol for the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement. (David A. Bednar, “Come and See,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 109)
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From Lehi’s vision and Elder Bednar’s statement, what truths can you identify about God’s love?
Feeling God’s love and great joy through Jesus Christ
One truth we can learn is that God’s love, manifest through Jesus Christ, is more desirable than anything else and brings the most joy.
The following activities can help you recognize how you might feel God’s love for you because of Jesus Christ. As you do these activities, try to identify multiple blessings that come through Jesus Christ and His Atonement and write them on or around the fruit you drew.
Activity 1
Read what Lehi testified of after seeing this vision in 1 Nephi 10:5–6. Also read some of the following scriptures or look up others that illustrate the blessings we can receive through the Atonement of Jesus Christ: Isaiah 53:4–5; John 1:17; Mosiah 4:2–3; Alma 7:11–12; Helaman 5:12.
Activity 2
Watch one of the following videos, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, looking for the blessings that come through Jesus Christ:
“Atonement—Not a One-Time Thing” (3:00)
“Because of Him” (2:36)
“Peace in Christ” (4:09)
Activity 3
Ponder ways you have experienced the blessings Jesus Christ offers or how you have seen this in other people’s lives. This could include ways the Lord blessed you in times of darkness.
What did you learn?
Take a moment to review the blessings we can receive through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that you wrote on your drawing of fruit. Ponder why these blessings might “make one happy” (1 Nephi 8:10), be “most sweet, above all” (1 Nephi 8:11), and fill you “with exceedingly great joy” (1 Nephi 8:12).
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Answer at least two of the following questions:
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What did you learn about God’s love for you?
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Which blessings that are available through Jesus Christ do you want most in your life? Why?
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How have you been blessed because of the love God has shown in sending His Son Jesus Christ to atone for you?
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