Lesson 4 Teacher Material

Search the Scriptures

The prophet Mormon said, “He that hath the scriptures, let him search them” (3 Nephi 10:14). This lesson will provide students an opportunity to identify several blessings that can come to those who diligently search the scriptures. Students will also determine what they can do to make scripture study a more meaningful part of their lives.

Suggestions for Teaching

Lehi and his family learn that the holy scriptures are of great worth.

Consider sharing the following scenario:

Tasha is a busy young adult. She attends school, holds a part-time job, serves in the Church, is active on social media, and spends time with her friends on the weekend. She wants to have personal scripture study, but it’s hard to find the time and energy.

• What advice would you share with Tasha?

Invite students to recount the story of what Lehi’s sons went through to obtain the plates of brass. Then read 1 Nephi 5:20–21 together.

Write the following incomplete statement on the board, and during the ensuing discussion encourage students to record different ways it can be completed: The scriptures are of great worth because …

• How might Lehi and Nephi have completed the statement on the board?

• From your own experience with the scriptures, how would you complete this statement?

Display the following passages, and explain that prophets throughout the Book of Mormon declared the worth of scripture: 1 Nephi 15:23–24; Jacob 2:8; Jacob 4:4; Alma 31:5; Alma 37:8–10; Helaman 3:29–30.

Divide the class into small groups. Instruct each group to divide the passages among themselves so each member has one or two scriptures to read. Invite students to silently read their assigned scriptures and identify additional ways the scriptures are of great worth.

Encourage group members to share what they learned and how they would add to the list of ways to complete the statement on the board. As part of their discussion, students could share when they have experienced the benefits of the scriptures as described in the passages they are discussing.

After the group activity, you might ask the class the following questions:

• Of all the reasons the scriptures are of great worth, which would you say is the most important?

• What have you come to know and feel about Jesus Christ as you have read the scriptures—especially the Book of Mormon? What specific passages have brought you closer to Him?

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Provide students opportunities to record impressions. As students practice recording impressions they have from the Holy Ghost, they can become more attuned to spiritual promptings. Invite students to record such impressions in a place they can review and where they can also make plans and set goals. You might encourage them to use the Gospel Living app to do so. Encourage students to act on their impressions.

Display the following questions, and provide students time to ponder or record impressions they may have received during class.

• Based on what you have learned about the blessings of scripture study, what specific blessings would you like to receive in greater abundance?

• Think about how often and how effectively you study the scriptures. What, if anything, is keeping you from effective scripture study? What could you do differently to improve your experience with the scriptures?

Alma compares the words of Christ to the Liahona.

Display the accompanying image, and ask students to describe what struggles Lehi’s family faced while traveling through the wilderness. In what ways are our lives like a journey through the wilderness?

Display the accompanying image of the Liahona, and invite students to explain how it operated. (If necessary, ask students to refer to section 3 of the preparation material.)

• What spiritual lessons might Lehi’s family have learned by using the Liahona?

Display the accompanying image depicting a young man reading the scriptures from a smartphone, and invite students to read or review Alma 37:43–46.

• Where can we find the words of Christ? How can the words of Christ serve as your own personal Liahona?

Display the following principle: As we heed the words of Christ, they will guide us through the challenges of this life toward eternal joy.

• When have the words of Christ provided you with guidance and direction? (You might invite students to also share what they talked about with a friend or family member in the discussion they were invited to have in preparation for this class.)

To help students understand how the words of Christ often guide us, display the following scenario and invite a student to read it aloud:

Luis has been told that the scriptures have the answers for every question. He has become discouraged because he can’t find a specific answer to an important personal question in the scriptures. The more he searches, the more frustrated he becomes.

• What counsel would you give to Luis?

Display and read aloud the following statement by President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency.

We say that the scriptures contain the answers to every question because the scriptures can lead us to every answer. …

… Even though the scriptures [may] contain no words to answer our specific personal question, a prayerful study of the scriptures will help us obtain such answers. This is because scripture study will make us susceptible to the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. …

… The scriptures will help us resolve all of our personal questions because by reading them we invite and qualify ourselves for the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, which will guide us into all truth. (“Studying the Scriptures” [Brigham Young University–Hawaii devotional, Mar. 14, 1986], 18–21, Church History Library, Salt Lake City)

• What truth did President Oaks teach us about how the Lord guides us through His word? (Students may identify a truth similar to the following: Studying the scriptures invites personal revelation.)

• When have the scriptures or the words of modern prophets opened the door to personal revelation in your life?

Bear testimony of the value of regular personal scripture study and encourage students to act on the promptings from the Holy Ghost they have received in their study and in class.

For Next Time

Point out that during the next class we will begin a new unit called “The Great Plan of Redemption.” As students study the preparation material for lesson 5, invite them to consider what they know about the Fall of Adam and Eve and the choices it opened for each of us.