1 Nephi 17–18

“I Did Look unto My God”

We will all have trials and suffering in our lives. Some of it will come as a consequence of our own misdeeds or simply by our living in a fallen and imperfect world. As Nephi experienced throughout his journey to the promised land, some trials and suffering are caused when those around us misuse their agency. Regardless of the source of our suffering, Jesus Christ offers strength and healing to those who seek Him. This lesson can help you feel love and gratitude for the Lord, regardless of the circumstances you are facing.

Understand students’ learning needs. Seek to understand the learning needs of the individuals in your class. This will help you provide learning experiences that meet their needs and allow individuals to learn in a variety of ways. This may include using visual aids, group work, or individual study. Be sensitive to students who have particular learning challenges.

Student preparation: Invite students to prepare to share experiences they have had that have helped them feel greater love and gratitude for God.

Possible Learning Activities

How would you react?

Have you ever noticed the different ways people sometimes react to similar situations? Read the following scenarios and think about some of the different ways the people in the scenarios could react.

Use the following or come up with other scenarios to help students discuss different ways to react to difficulties or trials.

Guillermo went to the eye doctor because his vision was blurry. The doctor told him he had a rare disorder that will make him fully blind within a year.

Layla’s brother got mad and pushed her, causing her to injure her ankle. She was supposed to play in her team’s championship game, but now she can’t run.

• What are some of the different ways the people in these scenarios might react to their difficult situation?

• What do you think are some of the reasons why people respond in positive or negative ways to the trials they experience?

Nephi’s perspective

As you have studied the Book of Mormon, you may have noticed a difference between Nephi’s actions and attitude compared to those of Laman and Lemuel, even while they suffered many of the same afflictions. Pay attention to this difference as you study the following verses.

For the following study activity, students could read the first comparison with a partner, then switch partners for the other verse group. Similarly, students could discuss the following questions in pairs, small groups, or as a class before studying the events in 1 Nephi 18.

Traveling in the wilderness:Compare Nephi’s account in 1 Nephi 17:1–3 to what Laman and Lemuel said in 1 Nephi 17:20–22.

Building a ship:Compare Nephi’s response in 1 Nephi 17:8–9, 15 to Laman and Lemuel’s reaction in 1 Nephi 17:17–18.

Decide how best to engage students in a discussion of what they read. The following questions may help in this discussion.

• What thoughts or impressions did you have as you compared the words and actions of Nephi with those of Laman and Lemuel?

• What did you notice about the relationship each of these individuals had with God?

All of us have times where we respond well to difficult situations, and other times, not so well. Think about whether you generally act more like Nephi or more like Laman and Lemuel when you face difficult situations. As you continue to study, look for teachings that can help you respond in more positive ways when you are faced with difficulties or trials.

Lehi and his family sail to the promised land

After Nephi and his brothers completed the construction of the ship, the Lord commanded Lehi and his family to begin sailing toward the promised land (see 1 Nephi 18:1–8).

Read 1 Nephi 18:9–21, looking for some of the difficulties that were experienced during this journey. As you study, continue to compare Nephi’s actions and attitude with those of Laman and Lemuel. You may also want to watch the video “Lehi’s Family Sails to the Promised Land” from time code 3:13 to 11:31, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• What stood out to you from this account?

• Notice what Nephi recorded in verse 16. If you had a chance to ask him some questions about his actions in this verse, what would you ask him?

• How do you think he might respond to your questions?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared one reason Nephi was able to respond the way he did through his difficulties.

Because they were distant from the Savior, Laman and Lemuel murmured, became contentious, and were faithless. They felt that life was unfair and that they were entitled to God’s grace. In contrast, because he had drawn close to God, Nephi must have recognized that life would be the most unfair for Jesus Christ. Though absolutely innocent, the Savior would suffer the most.

The closer we are to Jesus Christ in the thoughts and intents of our hearts, the more we appreciate His innocent suffering, the more grateful we are for grace and forgiveness, and the more we want to repent and become like Him. (Dale G. Renlund, “That I Might Draw All Men unto Me,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 40)

• What is a truth you learned from Elder Renlund’s statement that can help you in your trials?

Consider sharing the following truth if students did not identify something similar on their own.

One truth you may have identified is that when we are close to Jesus Christ, we can feel love and gratitude for Him even during difficult times.

• Why do you think we are more likely to feel love and gratitude for Jesus Christ when we are closer to Him?

If students could use help answering the previous question, consider asking additional questions such as “What has the Lord done for you that makes you grateful for Him?” or “When have you felt especially grateful for the Savior?”

Consider displaying the following questions and inviting students to write their responses to one or more in their study journal. Then invite volunteers to share some of their thoughts.

• How can you recognize when you may be distanced from the Lord? What can you do to close that distance?

• What has helped you to come closer to Jesus Christ?

Consider giving students time to ponder and silently pray about how close they feel to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and to record any thoughts or impressions they have had during this lesson in their study journal. The following paragraph is one way you could do this.

Commentary and Background Information

1 Nephi 18:11, 17–19. Why would God allow Laman and Lemuel to cause such suffering?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

God rarely infringes on the agency of any of His children by intervening against some for the relief of others. But He does ease the burdens of our afflictions and strengthen us to bear them. … He does not prevent all disasters, but He does answer our prayers to turn them aside … or blunt their effects. …

Through all mortal opposition, we have God’s assurance that He will “consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain” (2 Nephi 2:2). (Dallin H. Oaks, “Opposition in All Things,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 117)

In no way should this be interpreted to mean that Heavenly Father is indifferent toward our suffering, especially when it comes to abuse.

The Lord expects us to do everything we can to prevent abuse and to protect and help victims. No one is expected to endure abusive behavior.

Reports of abuse should never be dismissed. Everyone should respond with compassion and sensitivity toward victims and their families. Those affected by abuse need to be heard and supported. (Gospel Topics, “Abuse,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Will having faith in God mean I can avoid difficult circumstances?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Faith means trusting God in good times and bad, even if that includes some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf. That can be difficult in our modern world when many have come to believe that the highest good in life is to avoid all suffering, that no one should ever anguish over anything. But that belief will never lead us to “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” [Ephesians 4:13]. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Waiting on the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 116)

Can I still experience joy when going through difficult circumstances?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.

When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. (Russell M. Nelson, “Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 82)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternate beginning to the lesson: Good or bad?

Consider bringing or displaying pictures of things about which students may have opposing opinions, such as a local rival sports team, food, music, and so on. Ask students to respectfully debate whether those things are good or bad and why. Ask the class why people can have such varied opinions about the same things, and if that is true about experiences. From this discussion, introduce the comparisons of Nephi to Laman and Lemuel.

1 Nephi 18:9. “They began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness”

Explain that Church leaders have taught that the music we listen to and dances we attend can influence us spiritually. Consider reading the section “Seek that which uplifts, inspires, and invites the Spirit” on page 18 of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (booklet, 2022).

Discuss with the class ways that inappropriate music, dancing, and speech can affect a person’s life.

1 Nephi 18:8–23. Nephi as a type of Christ

Help students see the Savior in this story by inviting them to think of ways Nephi can represent the Savior Jesus Christ. Consider the following:

Similarities	Nephi	Jesus Christ
Similarities Favored son	Nephi 1 Nephi 3:6, 8	Jesus Christ Matthew 3:17
Similarities Hated and rejected by his brothers	Nephi 1 Nephi 18:10	Jesus Christ John 7:5; 15:24–25
Similarities Bound by the wicked	Nephi 1 Nephi 18:11	Jesus Christ Matthew 27:2
Similarities Rejected as the rightful ruler	Nephi 1 Nephi 18:10	Jesus Christ John 19:15
Similarities Willingly suffered	Nephi 1 Nephi 18:11, 16	Jesus Christ Luke 22:42
Similarities Glorified God in his suffering	Nephi 1 Nephi 18:16	Jesus Christ Doctrine and Covenants 19:19
Similarities Family dependent upon him overcoming	Nephi 1 Nephi 18:20–22	Jesus Christ 2 Nephi 9:6–9
Similarities Saved all from death	Nephi 1 Nephi 18:22–23	Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:22