1 Nephi 19–22

“They May Forget, yet Will I Not Forget Thee”

How do you feel when you are remembered by someone who is important to you? While teaching about the scattering and gathering of Israel, Nephi used Isaiah’s prophecies to show that the Lord would not forget the scattered house of Israel. This lesson is intended to help you feel the Lord’s love for you and all people and His desire to gather you to Him.

Inviting learners to share. Find moments in the lesson when you can prompt students to ponder their feelings about something, and then ask them to share what they feel or to write down their feelings and then share. Giving students an opportunity to verbalize thoughts and feelings can help them feel more confident in expressing testimony.

Student preparation: Consider asking students to come ready to share two or three words they would use to describe how Jesus Christ feels toward them.

Possible Learning Activities

The Savior’s love for us

Consider beginning class by singing a song related to the love Jesus Christ has for us, such as “I Know That My Savior Loves Me” (music.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Students could be invited to share words or phrases from the song that stand out to them.

There are times when each of us may recognize and feel God’s love in our lives, but at other times we might not recognize it at all. Imagine that you were speaking with a friend who told you that she was not sure that God loved her.

• What might you share from the scriptures that could help your friend?

• What experiences could you share with your friend about how you have come to know and feel the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Provide students with some time in class to do the following. Invite students to record some of their thoughts or questions in a study journal and look for answers during the lesson.

Ponder your own feelings about God’s love for you, including any questions or concerns you may have. As you study, look for truths that can help you better understand and feel of the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you.

Nephi teaches about the Savior’s love for us

In 1 Nephi 19, Nephi prophesied of Jesus Christ’s future life and mission. Read 1 Nephi 19:7–10, looking for what Nephi taught about how Jesus Christ would be treated during His time on earth and why He would be willing to be treated this way.

• What words or phrases stand out to you from these verses? Why?

• How can understanding the teachings in these verses impact your feelings for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Summarize the following paragraph or invite a student to share it with the class.

After recording his own prophecies about Jesus Christ, Nephi shared prophecies from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah about the scattering and gathering of Israel. These prophecies were important to Nephi and his family, who had been scattered from their homeland of Jerusalem because of the wickedness of the people living in the area. Isaiah’s prophecies indicated that many of the Israelites would feel forgotten by the Lord in their scattered condition.

Read 1 Nephi 21:14–16 and look for the Lord’s words to those who would feel forgotten.

If students need help with the phrase “thy walls are continually before me” (1 Nephi 21:16), you could explain that this phrase indicates that the Lord is always watching over and protecting His people.

• How do you see the Savior’s love manifest in these verses?

• What is a truth you could state about Jesus Christ based on what you have learned so far today?

  One truth students could identify is that the Lord loves us and will never forget us. Consider writing this on the board.

• What are some situations that can make it difficult for some people to believe this truth?

• What can help us better recognize and feel the love Jesus Christ has for us?

The Savior’s love is manifested by His willingness to gather people to Him

The people of ancient Israel were scattered whenever they stopped worshipping Jehovah and broke their covenants and the commandments of God (see 2 Nephi 6:10–11; 10:3–6). The people of Israel are gathered when they come unto Christ, accept His gospel through baptism, and keep His commandments. The Savior promised scattered Israel that He would not forget them and that He would gather them to Him in the last days (see 1 Nephi 15:13–14; 2 Nephi 6:11; 9:1–2; 10:7–8).

Study the chapter headings of 1 Nephi 21 and 22 to better understand what Isaiah is prophesying about and teaching in these chapters.

Study the following scripture passages about the latter-day gathering of Israel. Pay attention to words or phrases that indicate the Lord’s love for His people.

Consider ways to engage the students in this study activity. One way is to write each scripture reference on a separate notecard or small piece of paper so there are enough for each student in the class. Invite students to study the verse on their paper, identify what the Lord will do to gather Israel, and then trade their paper with a classmate. Students could trade papers several times.

• 1 Nephi 22:9–12

• 1 Nephi 22:24–25

• 3 Nephi 22:7–8

• What promises did the Lord make in these verses? How do these promises demonstrate His love for all people?

• What examples can you think of in your life or the lives of others where the Lord has gathered people to Him?

If available, watch the video “God Has a Plan for You” (7:06), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, about a young woman named Renu Singh. Notice how Jesus Christ reached out and helped gather her to Him.

Invite students to share their feelings, experiences, and testimonies. Testify to students about the love that Jesus Christ has for them individually and for everyone in the world.

Commentary and Background Information

When I sin, am I unworthy of God’s love?

Brother Bradley R. Wilcox of the Young Men General Presidency taught:

Remember change is possible, repentance is a process, and worthiness is not flawlessness. Most important, remember that God and Christ are willing to help us right here and now. …

So many have been hurt by broken and strained relationships that it is difficult for them to believe in God’s compassion and long-suffering. They struggle to see God as He is—a loving Father who meets us in our need and knows how to “give good things to them that ask him” [3 Nephi 14:11]. His grace is not just a prize for the worthy. It is the “divine assistance” He gives that helps us become worthy. It is not just a reward for the righteous. It is the “endowment of strength” He gives that helps us become righteous [Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Gift of Grace,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 107]. We are not just walking toward God and Christ. We are walking with Them. (Bradley R. Wilcox, “Worthiness Is Not Flawlessness,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 62, 67)

Why would Christ compare Himself to a mother?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Jehovah asked, “For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?” As unlikely as it is that a loving mother would forget her infant child, Jehovah declared that His devotion was even more steadfast. He affirmed: “Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. … Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me” [1 Nephi 21:15–16]. Because Jesus Christ endured the infinite atoning sacrifice, He empathizes perfectly with us [see Alma 7:11–13]. He is always aware of us and our circumstances. (Dale G. Renlund, “Infuriating Unfairness,” Liahona, May 2021, 43)

How can we recognize God’s love for us?

Sister Susan H. Porter of the Primary General Presidency taught:

God’s love is not found in the circumstances of our lives but in His presence in our lives. We know of His love when we receive strength beyond our own and when His Spirit brings peace, comfort, and direction. At times it may be difficult to feel His love. We can pray to have our eyes opened to see His hand in our lives and to see His love in the beauty of His creations. (Susan H. Porter, “God’s Love: The Most Joyous to the Soul,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 35)

Supplemental Learning Activities

1 Nephi 19:18–19. An important purpose of the Book of Mormon

In 1 Nephi 19:18–19, Nephi explained his primary purpose for creating his record. Consider inviting the students to read these verses and look for what Nephi taught about why he created his record.

Consider using these verses to help students understand that reading the scriptures is a powerful way to remember the Savior Jesus Christ daily. Consider asking one or more of the following questions as part of this discussion:

• How does the Book of Mormon help us to remember Jesus Christ?

• Think of a time when you felt closer to the Savior because of your scripture study. What difference did that make to your day or your testimony?

• What changes do you feel you need to make to your own personal study so that you can better remember the Savior Jesus Christ?

Application activity

At the conclusion of the lesson, consider sharing the following statement by Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Our Savior invites us to always remember Him as He always remembers us” (“Always Remember Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 110).

Invite students to consider choices they can intentionally make to remember Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ more during their day or week.

1 Nephi 22:15–28. “The righteous need not fear”

Students may benefit from a discussion of Nephi’s teachings in the second half of 1 Nephi 22. Consider asking the students to discuss reasons why some people feel afraid of the events of the last days. Explain that Nephi concluded his first book by sharing teachings that can provide hope for the righteous who live in the last days.

Invite students to read 1 Nephi 22:15–28, looking for teachings that can help us feel hope and overcome fears about living in the last days. Invite students to share their thoughts and insights.