Assess Your Learning 3

2 Nephi 26–Jacob 7

This lesson is intended to help you see how you have grown or changed during your study of 2 Nephi 26–Jacob 7.

A Little Better Day by Day

President Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901), fifth President of the Church, taught:

Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today. The temptations that perhaps partially overcome us today, let them not overcome us so far tomorrow. Thus continue to be a little better day by day; and do not let your life wear away without accomplishing good to others as well as to ourselves. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow [2012], 103)

• How can you know if you are better today than you were yesterday?

• How can Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ help you in your efforts to be better tomorrow than you were today?

This lesson is intended to help you think about your growth as a disciple of Jesus Christ, including your ability to explain doctrine you learn in the scriptures. Think of ways your study of the Book of Mormon has helped you grow as a disciple of Christ. As you study today, invite the Holy Ghost to help you see how your study of the Book of Mormon is affecting your ability to live and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. Complete either activity A or B.

Activity A: Explain the doctrine of Jesus Christ

Nephi taught what we need to do to receive eternal life. These principles and ordinances are called the doctrine of Christ (see 2 Nephi 31:2, 21). The doctrine of Christ “is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 31:21). Review 2 Nephi 31:10–12, 17, 20–21, looking for the principles and ordinances that are part of the doctrine of Christ.

If you chose this activity, answer the following questions:

• How might you explain the doctrine of Christ to someone else using what Nephi recorded in 2 Nephi 31?

• How does the doctrine of Christ help us rely on Him for our salvation?

• How are you blessed by following the doctrine of Christ?

Activity B: Explain the role of the Book of Mormon in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ

Imagine the following scenario:

Luca is preparing to become a full-time missionary. His stake president sent the following message a week before they met for an interview:

“Luca, I’m excited to meet with you. In preparation for our meeting, would you please prepare to use the Book of Mormon to answer this question: What is the role of the Book of Mormon in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ? (see 2 Nephi 3:11–12; 2 Nephi 27:25–26; 2 Nephi 29:7–11).”

If you chose this activity, answer the following question:

• What could Luca share from the Book of Mormon about its role in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

2. Complete either activity C or D.

Activity C: Resist the devil with faith in Jesus Christ

In 2 Nephi 28:20–22, Nephi taught about strategies Satan will use to draw people away from God in the last days. These include stirring people up to anger against that which is good, pacifying people and lulling them away into carnal security, and telling people that there is no hell and no devil. As a part of your study of the lesson “2 Nephi 28:1–26,” you may have created a plan to better protect yourself against Satan’s tactics. Review what you wrote in your study journal from that lesson.

If you chose this activity, answer at least two of the following questions:

• How effectively have you been implementing your plan? Why?

• In what ways has your plan helped you receive the Savior’s protection against Satan’s tactics?

• What have you learned or experienced that could help you add to your plan?

Consider ways to recommit to your plan. Be sure to look to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to warn you of danger and empower you to escape or overcome Satan’s efforts (see Doctrine and Covenants 10:5).

Activity D: Participate in the gathering of Israel

Both Nephi and Jacob took great interest in the gathering of Israel. Perhaps this was partly because the Lord showed Nephi what would happen to their posterity (see 1 Nephi 12–13).

You may have been invited to participate in the gathering of Israel as part of your study of 1 Nephi 19–22; 2 Nephi 6; or Jacob 5:52–77; 6:1–13. If so, review any commitments or plans you made or your attitude and willingness to be involved in the work.

If you chose this activity, answer at least two of the following questions:

• What have you learned in your studies about the gathering of Israel that you found encouraging or useful?

• What efforts have you made that you had not tried before? Were you successful? Why or why not?

• How have you felt the Savior guiding or strengthening you as you engage in His work?

• What blessings have you seen from participating in this work?