2 Nephi 1–5

February 8–14

“We Lived after the Manner of Happiness”

Preparing to Teach in Sunday School

Begin your preparation to teach by reading 2 Nephi 25:26; 28:30; Alma 5:45–46; and 3 Nephi 14:7–8 before studying any supplemental material. Prepare your teaching plan, and record your thoughts and impressions. You might also use some of the ideas on the next page or in Come, Follow Me for individuals and families.

Encourage Sharing

• How can you encourage class members to share insights they had as they studied these scriptures individually and with their family?

• What experiences have class members had as they acted on what they learned?

Teach the Doctrine

• As you teach gospel principles from these scriptures, what verses, quotations, experiences, questions, and other materials might you share?

• How might you use these resources to help class members ponder the gospel principles?

• How can you encourage class members to record and act upon the impressions they receive?

Encourage Sharing and Learning at Home

• Encourage class members to read 2 Nephi 6–10 during the week. Invite them to find a scripture about the Atonement of Jesus Christ that they can share in class next week.

My Teaching Plan

Additional Ideas

2 Nephi 2:11–30. We are free to act for ourselves.

• What verses from 2 Nephi 2:11–30 have we marked or made notes about? Why are those verses meaningful to us?

• How would we answer the question, “Why is agency important in Heavenly Father’s plan?” What answers do we find in 2 Nephi 2:11–30? What can we learn about agency in the hymns? (see the topical index in Hymns, 415–28).

• What insights can we share about agency from our study of agency in the topical section of Come, Follow Me for individuals and families?

2 Nephi 3:6–24. Joseph Smith was foreordained.

• As a class, we could share how we use cross-references to deepen our study of the scriptures. For example, a good cross-reference for 2 Nephi 3 is Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 50:24–38 (in the Bible appendix).

• Translating 2 Nephi 3 was likely a humbling experience for Joseph Smith. As we review this chapter, what do we find that strengthens our testimony of Joseph’s divine calling? What other thoughts do we have about Joseph Smith as we watch the video “A Seer Will I Raise Up”? (LDS.org).

• Why do we think the message in these verses is included in the Book of Mormon? What does Heavenly Father want us to learn from it?

2 Nephi 4:15–35. We can turn to God in our weakness.

• What verses from 2 Nephi 4 strengthen us when we feel overwhelmed by our weaknesses?

• What trials was Nephi experiencing in his life that caused him to express such deep emotion? Have we gone through similar experiences? To explore how Nephi found comfort, class members could review 2 Nephi 4:15–35 and share passages that would comfort someone who feels burdened or discouraged. When have we found comfort by turning to God?

Optional Resource

Hymn: “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” (Hymns, no. 129)

Nephi’s writings in 2 Nephi 4:15–25 can bring us hope and comfort when we feel discouraged by our sins or weaknesses. Sacred hymns can also uplift us and point us to the Savior, who is our source of solace and strength. What do we learn from this hymn about where to find peace? What other hymns have lifted us in our struggles?

Improving Our Teaching

Be an instrument of the Spirit.

Teachers sometimes think that they need to use impressive methods to inspire those they teach. However, your purpose as a teacher is not to make a presentation but to help others receive the influence of the Holy Ghost, the true teacher.