“January 6–12. 1 Nephi 1–7: ‘I Will Go and Do,’” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 (2020)
“January 6–12. 1 Nephi 1–7,” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: 2020
Lehi Traveling Near the Red Sea, by Gary Smith
January 6–12
1 Nephi 1–7
“I Will Go and Do”
Nephi recorded the “things of God” (1 Nephi 6:3). As you study Nephi’s record, pay attention to the things of God you find, especially impressions from the Spirit.
Record Your Impressions
The Book of Mormon begins with an account of a real family experiencing real struggles. It happened in 600 BC, but there are things about this account that might sound familiar to families today. This family was living in a world of increasing wickedness, but the Lord promised them that if they would follow Him, He would lead them to safety. Along the way they had good moments and bad moments; they experienced great blessings and miracles, but they also had their fair share of arguments and contention. Rarely in scripture is there such a lengthy account of a family trying to live the gospel: a father struggling to inspire faith in his family, sons deciding whether they will believe him, a mother fearing for the safety of her children, and brothers dealing with jealousy and contention—and sometimes forgiving each other. Overall, there is real power in following the examples of faith that this family—despite their imperfections—demonstrated.
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
The scriptures are of great worth.
The first six chapters of the Book of Mormon contain many references to sacred books, sacred records, and the word of the Lord. As you read 1 Nephi 1–6, what do you learn about why the word of God is “of great worth”? (1 Nephi 5:21). What do these passages teach you about the scriptures? What do you find that inspires you to search the scriptures with greater commitment?
See also “Scriptures Legacy” (video, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ.
True to the purpose stated on its title page—to convince all that Jesus is the Christ—the Book of Mormon opens with Lehi’s remarkable vision of the Savior. What do you learn about Jesus Christ from what Lehi saw? What are some of the Savior’s “great and marvelous” works in your life? (1 Nephi 1:14).
When I seek and trust the Lord, He can soften my heart.
Although Laman, Lemuel, and Nephi all grew up in the same family and had similar experiences, there is quite a contrast between the ways they responded to the divine direction their father received in this chapter. As you read 1 Nephi 2, see if you can identify why Nephi’s heart was softened while his brothers’ hearts were not. You might also think about your own responses to direction from the Lord, whether through the Holy Ghost or His prophet. When have you felt the Lord soften your heart so you could more willingly accept His direction and counsel?
God will prepare a way for me to do His will.
When the Lord commanded Lehi and his family to obtain the plates of brass from Laban, He did not give specific instructions on how to accomplish this commandment. This is often true of other commandments or personal revelations we receive from God, and this might lead us to feel like He has required “a hard thing” (1 Nephi 3:5). What inspires you about Nephi’s response to the Lord’s command, found in 1 Nephi 3:7, 15–16? Is there anything you feel impressed to “go and do”?
As you study 1 Nephi 1–7, look for ways God prepared the way for Lehi and his family. How has He done this for you?
See also Proverbs 3:5–6; 1 Nephi 17:3; “Obedience,” Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org; Book of Mormon Videos collection on ChurchofJesusChrist.org or the Gospel Library app.
Remembering the works of God can give me the faith to obey His commandments.
When Laman and Lemuel felt like murmuring, they usually had Nephi and Lehi nearby to encourage and admonish them. When you feel like murmuring, reading the words of Nephi and Lehi can provide valuable counsel and perspective. How did Nephi and Lehi try to help their family members build faith in God? (see 1 Nephi 4:1–3; 5:1–8; 7:6–21). What do you learn from their examples that can help you next time you are tempted to murmur or rebel?
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening
As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family. Here are some ideas.
1 Nephi 1–7
Throughout 1 Nephi 1–7, you could encourage family members to notice interactions between members of Lehi and Sariah’s family. What can we learn from these relationships that can help our family?
Nephi and his family valued the words of the prophets.
1 Nephi 2:20
The principle in 1 Nephi 2:20 is repeated often throughout the Book of Mormon. How can your family members apply it to their lives as you study the Book of Mormon together this year? Perhaps you could make a poster together featuring the Lord’s promise in this verse and display it in your home. It could serve as a reminder to periodically discuss how you have seen the Lord prosper your family when you have kept His commandments. Consider noting these experiences on the poster.
1 Nephi 2:11–13; 3:5–7
Perhaps your family would benefit from noting the difference between Laman and Lemuel’s response to the Lord’s commands and Nephi’s response. What can we learn from 1 Nephi 2:11–13; 3:5–7 about murmuring? What blessings come when we exercise faith?
1 Nephi 3:19–20; 5:10–22; 6
These verses could inspire your family to keep a record of important events and experiences from your lives. Maybe you could start a family journal, similar to the records Nephi and Lehi kept about their family’s experiences. What might you include in your family record?
1 Nephi 7:19–21
What impresses us about Nephi’s example in these verses? How is our family blessed when we “frankly forgive” each other?
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Suggested song: “Keep the Commandments,” Children’s Songbook, 146–47.
Improving Our Teaching
Study the scriptures consistently. One key to meaningful teaching in the home is to create consistent learning opportunities for your family. President Thomas S. Monson taught, “Crash courses are not nearly so effective as the day-to-day reading and application of the scriptures in our lives” (“Be Your Best Self,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 68).
I Did Obey the Voice of the Spirit, by Walter Rane