“2 Nephi 3: ‘A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“2 Nephi 3: ‘A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
2 Nephi 3
“A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up”
Chapter 3 of 2 Nephi records Lehi’s dying words to his youngest son, Joseph. Lehi quoted a prophecy made by Joseph of Egypt roughly 1,700 years before the birth of Christ. Imagine Joseph Smith’s surprise when he discovered that he was the subject of much of the prophecy made by Joseph of Egypt. The purpose of this lesson is to help you deepen your testimony of the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Teaching the scriptures and prophetic words with conviction and purpose. The scriptures and words of latter-day prophets and apostles are sources of truth. Ensure that everything you teach aligns with the scriptures and words of prophets. Teaching truth will invite the Holy Ghost into the classroom.
Student preparation: Invite students to read or watch Elder Neil L. Andersen’s talk “Joseph Smith,” from the October 2014 general conference (see Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 28–31), and look for why it is important to have a personal testimony that Joseph Smith was called by God.
Possible Learning Activities
Note that this lesson focuses on the divine mission of Joseph Smith. This lesson will address the role of the scriptures as mentioned in 2 Nephi 3:12.
Four Josephs
Consider one of the following possibilities. You could display the following images and scripture references in mixed up order and invite students to match the verse with the correct picture. Or display the scripture references with the associated verses and invite students to discover who the individuals are. Encourage students to record these names in their own scriptures.
Four individuals mentioned in 2 Nephi 3 all have the same name. Read the verses for each picture and identify who these four pictures represent.
Ensure that students understand that the figures represent (1) Lehi’s son Joseph, (2) Joseph of Egypt, (3) the Prophet Joseph Smith, and (4) the Prophet’s father, Joseph Smith Sr.
Much of 2 Nephi 3 focuses on a prophecy made by Joseph of Egypt about the “seer” and prophet Joseph Smith and his mission in the latter days.
President Brigham Young (1801–77) made the following statement about the Lord’s preparation for Joseph Smith’s mission:
It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before the foundations of the earth were laid, that he, Joseph Smith, should be the man, in the last dispensation of this world, to bring forth the word of God to the people, and receive the fulness of the keys and power of the Priesthood of the Son of God. The Lord had his eyes upon him, and upon his father, and upon his father’s father, and upon their progenitors clear back … to Adam. He has watched that family and that blood as it has circulated from its fountain to the birth of that man. He was fore-ordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 96, 343)
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What can these words teach us about Joseph Smith’s calling?
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What can they teach us about the Lord?
Prophecies about Joseph Smith
For the following activity, consider splitting students into pairs and having one student read 2 Nephi 3:6–12 and the other read 2 Nephi 3:13–15, 24. Each student could then teach the other what he or she found. It could be helpful to move around the room and assist any students who may have questions about the verses.
While speaking to his son Joseph, Lehi quoted a portion of a prophecy by Joseph of Egypt from the brass plates (see also Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 50:24–38 [in the Bible appendix]). This prophecy was largely about the Prophet Joseph Smith in the latter days. Read 2 Nephi 3:6–15, 24, and mark words or phrases that teach you about Joseph Smith. (Note that “fruit of thy loins” refers to children or posterity.)
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What stands out to you about Joseph Smith?
Consider inviting students to write words or phrases that impressed them on the board. You could point to phrases on the board and ask students to share why these phrases were meaningful.
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How would you summarize the teachings about the Prophet Joseph Smith from what you read in 2 Nephi 3?
One truth we can learn is that the Lord raised up the Prophet Joseph Smith to help bring about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Why do you think it is important to have a personal testimony of this truth?
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
The negative commentary about the Prophet Joseph Smith will increase as we move toward the Second Coming of the Savior. The half-truths and subtle deceptions will not diminish. There will be family members and friends who will need your help. …
To the youth … I give a specific challenge: Gain a personal witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. (Neil L. Andersen, “Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 30)
It may be best to have students ponder and reflect on their responses to the next question silently. You could even ask them to record their responses in a study journal.
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How confident do you feel about the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith?
Students may benefit from asking questions about Joseph Smith or about gaining a testimony of his prophetic call. Elder Andersen’s talk referenced in the student preparation could be a helpful resource to address their questions. Students who read the talk in preparation for this lesson may be able to address some of their classmates’ questions.
Gaining a testimony of Joseph Smith
Imagine the following scenario:
When your friend Marcos learned that you were a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he started reading about Joseph Smith on the Church’s website. He was intrigued by the invitation to learn for himself that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. As he shared with you some of what he is learning, he asked, “How can we learn for ourselves if Joseph Smith was a prophet?”
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What would you say to Marcos?
For other ideas on gaining a testimony that Joseph Smith is the Lord’s prophet, watch or read what Elder Andersen suggested:
A testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith can come differently to each of us. It may come as you kneel in prayer, asking God to confirm that he was a true prophet. It may come as you read the Prophet’s account of the First Vision. A testimony may distill upon your soul as you read the Book of Mormon again and again. It may come as you bear your own testimony of the Prophet or as you stand in the temple and realize that through Joseph Smith the holy sealing power was restored to the earth. With faith and real intent, your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith will strengthen. (Neil L. Andersen, “Joseph Smith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 30)
You may want to watch the video “A Choice Seer Will I Raise Up: Prophet of the Restoration” (4:42) to hear testimonies of Joseph Smith shared by youth of the Church.
This could be a good opportunity to invite students to share their testimonies of Joseph Smith. You can help prepare students by inviting them to write their responses to some of the following questions in their study journals. When students finish writing, invite those who are willing to share with the class. Consider sharing your own testimony of Joseph Smith. It could also be good to help students recognize that the choice to believe in Joseph Smith’s divine call is commendable even when there is uncertainty. Their belief can be strengthened over time through experience.
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What has helped you believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet?
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What has the Prophet Joseph Smith helped you understand or feel about Jesus Christ?
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What could you do to deepen your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith?
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How would (does) having a testimony of Joseph Smith impact your life?