Home-Study Lesson

2 Nephi 26–31 (Unit 8)

Preparation Material for the Home-Study Teacher

Summary of Daily Home-Study Lessons

The following summary of the doctrines and principles students learned as they studied 2 Nephi 26–31 (unit 8) is not intended to be taught as part of your lesson. The lesson you teach concentrates on only a few of these doctrines and principles. Follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit as you consider the needs of your students.

Day 1 (2 Nephi 26–27)

Students studied Nephi’s prophecies concerning the last days. They learned that everything the Lord does is for the benefit of the world and that the Lord loves all people and invites all to come unto Him and partake of His salvation. Students also discovered the truth that the coming forth of the Book of Mormon is one way God will accomplish His work in the latter days. In addition, they learned that the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel will bring joy and understanding to those who study and accept them.

Day 2 (2 Nephi 28)

While studying Nephi’s warnings about the false teachings prevalent in the last days, students learned that the Book of Mormon exposes false ideas of the devil and strengthens us against his evil designs. Additionally, they learned how Satan uses many tactics to try to overpower us, such as by stirring us up to anger, pacifying us and lulling us, and flattering us.

Day 3 (2 Nephi 29–30)

Students learned that the Lord provides scriptures to gather people to His covenant and that the Book of Mormon can help all people come to know Jesus Christ and live His gospel. The Lord showed Nephi that many people in the last days will reject the Book of Mormon. Students had an opportunity to think about their own lives and how their community will be different during the Millennium because Satan will not have power over the hearts of people, and righteousness and peace will prevail.

Day 4 (2 Nephi 31)

The following truths concerning the doctrine of Christ and the Savior’s example were emphasized: Jesus Christ fulfilled all righteousness by obeying all the commandments of the Father, and we must follow Jesus Christ’s example of obedience by being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost witnesses of the Father and the Son and brings a remission of sins. If we live according to the doctrine of Christ, we will receive eternal life.

Introduction

This lesson emphasizes that everything Heavenly Father does is for the benefit of the world and is motivated by love for His children. This lesson also touches on how the Book of Mormon exposes the false teachings of Satan that are prevalent in our day and how eternal life comes to those who follow the doctrine of Christ.

Suggestions for Teaching

Ask students if they have any thoughts or insights from their scripture study that they would like to share with the class before you begin the lesson. Encourage students to ask any questions they have about what they have studied. Invite them to write down spiritual impressions they receive as they read and ponder the scriptures and their assignments. This will invite the spirit of revelation into their lives.

Ask students to help you list on the board or on a piece of paper some answers to the following question: If you knew that your time on earth was coming to an end and that you could write one letter that your posterity and the rest of the world would read, what topics would you choose to include in your message?

Invite students to quickly scan 2 Nephi 26–31 and their scripture study journals to see what topics Nephi addressed as he neared the end of his life. Compare what they find with the answers they wrote on the board. Nephi’s final counsel was written for those of us living in the last days and contains clues to help us recognize truth, avoid Satan’s stumbling blocks, and follow the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

2 Nephi 26

After Nephi prophesies concerning the destruction of his people, he prophesies about the last days and invites all to come unto Christ

Invite students to read 2 Nephi 26:29–31 and look for one of Satan’s tactics that Nephi warned us about. After a few students respond with what they found, ask the following questions:

• According to 2 Nephi 26:29, what are priestcrafts?

• What seems to be the motivation for some to practice priestcraft?

• What does the Lord expect us to be motivated by as we labor in the Church? Who do you know who is a good example of this?

Review 2 Nephi 26:23–28, 33 and day 1, assignment 3. Ask: What motivates the Lord in His labor?

After a few students have responded, have the class answer the following questions:

• What phrases in 2 Nephi 26:23–28, 33 teach us that the Lord loves all people and invites all to come unto Him and partake of His salvation and that everything the Lord does is for the benefit of the world?

• Why would it be important for us to learn to be motivated by love for others rather than by greed or a desire to receive the praise of others?

• How do you think we can be more charitable, loving, and Christlike in our Church labors?

2 Nephi 28

Nephi warns of Satan’s deceptions

Tell students that in 2 Nephi 28, Nephi continued to expose the false ideas taught by the devil. Review the “false and vain and foolish doctrines” described in 2 Nephi 28:3–9, and ask students the following questions. They may include answers they wrote in their scripture study journals during the past week.

• What does it mean to “take the advantage of one because of his words”? (2 Nephi 28:8). (Examples might include mocking others and misquoting or exaggerating what others have said.)

• In what ways might people today “dig a pit” (2 Nephi 28:8) for their neighbor?

• What is the danger in trying to hide sins from the Lord or keep our works in the dark? (See 2 Nephi 28:9.)

• What false teaching in 2 Nephi 28:3–9 do you think is most damaging to youth today? Why do you think it is harmful? How do youth become enticed by that false teaching? (See day 2, assignment 1.)

Review 2 Nephi 28:20–23 and President Boyd K. Packer’s story about spiritual crocodiles from the day 2 lesson. Invite students to share with the class the warning signs they drew in their scripture study journals (day 2, assignment 5) that illustrate spiritual dangers they think youth need to be warned of today.

Ask: Of all the things Nephi could have written as he finished his record, why do you think he wrote about Satan’s deceptions and tactics? (You might want to testify of the help and strength we receive to withstand Satan’s tactics as we carefully study the Book of Mormon.)

2 Nephi 31

Nephi teaches how the Savior set the perfect example for us

Draw a simple picture of a path that leads through a gate. Invite students to read 2 Nephi 31:17–18 and look for how Nephi used this image of a path and a gate to emphasize the only way to come unto Jesus Christ. Then ask the following questions:

• According to these verses, what do the gate and the path represent? (The gate represents repentance, baptism, and the reception of the Holy Ghost.)

• From what you learned in your personal study of 2 Nephi 31, why is the reception of the Holy Ghost referred to as a “baptism of fire”? (See 2 Nephi 31:13; see also verse 17.)

Invite a student to read 2 Nephi 31:19–21 aloud. Ask students to look for what is required of us after we pass through the “gate.” After students respond with what they found, ask the following questions:

• What do you think Nephi meant when he wrote, “This is the doctrine of Christ”? (2 Nephi 31:21).

• Considering what you have studied today, what do you think Heavenly Father wants you to do to help you progress on the strait and narrow path? (You may want to encourage students to set a goal in response to this question.)

Next Unit (2 Nephi 32–Jacob 4)

Do you like to eat? In the next unit, students will learn about what it means to “feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:3). How should a prophet correct a people who begin to be influenced by a love of riches or by men who break the law of chastity? Note how Jacob addresses these problems.