Reading 1 Nephi, you might get the impression that Nephi was somehow larger than life. “Large in stature” both physically and spiritually (1 Nephi 2:16), he seemed unshaken by the trials he faced. Or at least that is what we might assume. While Nephi’s faith was remarkable, his tender words in 2 Nephi 4 reveal that even faithful people sometimes feel “wretched” and “easily beset” by temptations. Here we see someone who is trying, who wants to be joyful, but whose “heart groaneth because of [his] sins.” We can relate to this and to the hopeful determination that follows: “Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted” (see 2 Nephi 4:15–19).
While Nephi and his people learned to live “after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27), they also learned that happiness does not come easily or without periods of sorrow. It ultimately comes from trusting the Lord, “the rock of [our] righteousness” (2 Nephi 4:35).
Joseph Smith was chosen by God to restore the gospel.
Lehi shared with his son Joseph a prophecy given by Joseph of Egypt. The prophecy was about a future “choice seer,” Joseph Smith. What do verses 6–24 say that Joseph Smith would do to bless God’s people? Consider how Joseph Smith’s work has been “of great worth” to you. You might get some ideas from the videos about Joseph Smith in the “Prophets of the Restoration” collection in the Gospel Library. Think about questions like these, and consider recording your answers:
What do you know about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because of what Joseph Smith taught?
How is your life different because of what the Lord restored through Joseph Smith?
What would your life be like if the Restoration had not happened?
One important part of Joseph Smith’s mission was to bring forth the Book of Mormon. What do you learn from this chapter about why the Book of Mormon is important? In particular, you could look for reasons in verses 7, 11–13, 18–24.
Nephi said that he would “write the things of my soul” (verse 15). As you read what he wrote in 2 Nephi 4:15–35, ask yourself, “What are the things of my soul?” Consider writing them down, as Nephi did, and sharing them with people you love.
Seeing how Nephi found comfort when he felt overwhelmed and anxious can help you when you have similar feelings. Look in verses 15–35 for passages that bring you comfort. Do you know someone else who might find comfort in these passages?
I can find happiness in living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What do you think it means to be happy? Nephi wrote that his people lived “after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27). You might look for choices Nephi and his people made that helped them be happy (see, for example 2 Nephi 5:6, 10–17). What can help you build a life of happiness like the people of Nephi?
In Nephi’s day the curse of the Lamanites was that they were “cut off from [the Lord’s] presence … because of their iniquity” (2 Nephi 5:20–21). This meant that the Spirit of the Lord was withdrawn from their lives. When Lamanites later embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ, “the curse of God did no more follow them” (Alma 23:18).
The Book of Mormon also states that a mark of dark skin came upon the Lamanites after the Nephites separated from them. The nature and appearance of this mark are not fully understood. The mark initially distinguished the Lamanites from the Nephites. Later, as the Nephites and Lamanites each went through periods of wickedness and righteousness, the mark became irrelevant.
Prophets affirm in our day that dark skin is not a sign of divine disfavor or cursing. President Russell M. Nelson declared: “I assure you that your standing before God is not determined by the color of your skin. Favor or disfavor with God is dependent upon your devotion to God and His commandments and not the color of your skin” (“Let God Prevail,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 94).
As Nephi taught, the Lord “denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33).
See also “Till We All Come in the Unity of the Faith” (video), Gospel Library.
Consider how you can teach your children about the great work that God accomplished through Joseph Smith. To begin, you could help your children find the word “seer” in 2 Nephi 3:6 and explain that prophets are called seers because Heavenly Father helps them see things we can’t see. Share why you are grateful to have a seer leading the Church.
The Gospel Art Book has several pictures you could use to teach about the work God did through Joseph Smith (see pictures 89–95). Let your children share what they know about the pictures. Why is Joseph Smith called a “choice seer”? What did Joseph Smith do that is “of great worth”? (verse 7).
What makes us happy? Consider reading together verses from 2 Nephi 4 to find out what delighted Nephi or made him happy (see verses 15–16, 20–25, 34–35). In his message “The Things of My Soul,” Elder Ronald A. Rasband shared seven “things of the Lord” that are precious to him (Liahona, Nov. 2021, 39–41). Perhaps you could review his list together and talk about “things of the Lord” that are precious to you.
2 Nephi 5 also describes things that helped the Nephites live “after the manner of happiness” (verse 27). You could provide some words or pictures that represent these things and help your children match them to verses in chapter 5. Some examples include family (verse 6), God’s commandments (verse 10), the scriptures (verse 12), work (verses 15 and 17), temples (verse 16), and Church callings (verse 26). How do these things bring us happiness?
As you read 2 Nephi 5:15–16 to your children, they could pretend they are helping Nephi build a temple. You could also show them pictures of different buildings, including a temple. How are temples different from other buildings? Share with each other why the temple is important to you (see also “I Love to See the Temple,” Children’s Songbook, 95).
Any moment can be a teaching moment. Don’t think of teaching your family as something you do once a week during a formal lesson. Think of it as something you do all the time.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
