2 Nephi 31–33

Overview

Nephi taught that following Jesus Christ by being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost was critical to being saved in God’s kingdom. After teaching his people about following Jesus Christ along the covenant path, Nephi sensed that they were still unsure about what to do after baptism. He responded by encouraging them to “feast upon the words of Christ” and assured them that the Savior’s words would guide them forward (2 Nephi 32:3). He also reminded them of the importance of prayer and the blessings that come from regular communication with our Heavenly Father.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson.

2 Nephi 31:1–13

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students better understand and explain the importance of baptism and the blessings that come from it.

Student preparation: Encourage students to think of how they would explain why a person would want to be baptized. If they like, they could ask one or two family members or friends why they chose to be baptized.
Videos: “The Baptism of Jesus” (2:54); “Baptism” (3:13)
Videoconference teaching suggestion: After students have read 2 Nephi 31:5–11, consider displaying one or more of the verses that you want to discuss. Invite students to use the annotation tool, if available, to highlight portions of any verse(s) that stood out to them and to share what they learned from those words or phrases.

2 Nephi 31:14–21

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students increase their desire to press forward and endure to the end so that one day they will reach their ultimate destination: eternal life with their Heavenly Father.

Student preparation: Invite students to come to class prepared to share how they might help someone who is struggling to want to keep moving forward in righteousness on their journey back to Heavenly Father.
Content to display: The two questions at the beginning of the lesson for students to answer in their journals
Videos: “You’re Never Alone” (2:54); “Nephi Teaches the Doctrine of Christ” (5:10; watch from time code 2:55 to 3:47); “Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You” (19:24; watch from time code 15:12 to 16:20)
Videoconference teaching suggestion: When students are asked to draw and label the path described in 2 Nephi 31:17–20, consider inviting them to either draw on a piece of paper or use their computer or mobile device. You could even invite one student to draw using the whiteboard tool.

2 Nephi 32:1–7

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students feast upon the words of Jesus Christ.

Student preparation: Invite students to compare their personal scripture study to eating food and encourage them to come prepared to share their ideas during class.
Content to display: Images of food such as a snack, a meal, and a feast
Video: “Come Follow Me—Lito” (0:59)
Videoconference teaching suggestion: As part of your discussion on what it means to feast upon the words of Christ, students may enjoy finding their own images that represent their favorite foods. Invite them to use their computers or mobile devices to search for images of food that they enjoy feasting on, and ask them to share the images on-screen.

Doctrinal Mastery: 2 Nephi 32:3

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for 2 Nephi 32:3, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in real-life situations.

Student preparation: Students may have had a chance to practice “feasting upon the words of Christ” at the end of the previous lesson. Invite them to continue to practice in their personal scripture study and come to class prepared to share about their experience.
Content to display: An image of a table setting
Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider dividing students into groups of three and putting them in breakout rooms to explain the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to each other. If someone does not understand one of the principles, invite the others in the group to help them.

2 Nephi 32:8–9

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students increase their desire to communicate with their Heavenly Father through prayer.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to notice how often they pray and why.
Videos: “I Pray When …” (1:56); “God Wants You to Pray” (3:28)
Handout: “Learning More about Prayer”
Videoconference teaching suggestion: After students have finished at least two of the three activities near the end of the lesson, invite them to write one sentence in the chat feature summarizing one thing that they learned or that was meaningful to them. Select a few students to share more about what they wrote.