Lesson 1: The Purpose of the Book of Mormon

A tangible evidence of the prophetic calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Have students read the last two paragraphs of Introduction to the Book of Mormon and look for the following:

How can a person come to know that the Book of Mormon is true?

Once a person knows that the Book of Mormon is true, what else will he come to know?

Why would a person want to know these things are true?


To bring people to Christ

(This expression means: to plant in the hearts of people the desire to repent of sins and become like the Savior.)

Have students read 1 Nephi 6:4-5 and look for the following:

What is Nephi’s purpose?

Who is Nephi trying to please?

These verses will be presented in the way that the student should be asked to read. It will take some practice to have students arrive at a point where they can do this spontaneously. But it is worth the effort.

1 Nephi 6:4-5

4. For the fullness of mine (Nephi’s) intent is that I (Nephi) may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.

5. Wherefore, (because Nephi’s purpose is to bring people to God and be saved) the things which are pleasing unto the world I (Nephi) do not write, but the things which are pleasing to God and unto those who are not of the world.

Ask students to summarize Nephi’s purpose. Why is it important for us to know Nephi’s purpose?

Ask students to summarize their own purposes. What do they do and why do they do it?


To testify of Christ

Have students read these references following the pattern that was presented with 1 Nephi 6:4-5.

Alma 34:14

14. And behold (pay attention!), this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit (find the definition) pointing to that great and last sacrifice: and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite (find the definition) and eternal (find the definition).

2 Nephi 11:4

4. Behold (pay attention!), my (Nephi’s) soul delighteth in proving unto my (Nephi’s) people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end (find the definition)hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying (find the definition) of him (Christ).

Ask students why they should know that everything that God has given us is symbolic of Jesus Christ.

To show God’s children how to gain access to His mercy

Have students read the following portion of 1 Nephi 1:20:

1 Nephi 1:20

20. But behold (pay attention!), I Nephi, will show unto you (the reader) that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he (the Lord) hath chosen, because of their (those whom he hath chosen’s) faith, to make them (those whom he hath chosen because of their faith) mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

Invite students to make a chart that will show the relationship among the following words and phrases found in 1 Nephi 1:20:

Tender Mercies of the Lord

Power of Deliverance

Mighty

Faith

Chosen

Ask students to remember this pattern and watch for it as they read the Book of Mormon.

Ask students how this pattern could apply to their own lives.

Teaching Gospel Lessons

These lesson outlines are prepared with this idea in mind: to help students articulate the principles of the Gospel and become independent witnesses of Jesus Christ.

With each reading assignment they should be asked to do the following:

1. Summarize in their own words the ideas taught in the reading assignment.

2. Substitute the appropriate proper names for any pronouns that appear in the readings.

3. Explain how they can apply the principles they have discovered to their own lives.

In these lessons students will be taught to pay attention to certain words as they read the scriptures:

Behold
(This word almost always suggests this idea – Pay Attention!)

Wherefore/Therefore
(These words invite you to summarize the principle you have read in previous sentences.)

Archaic Words and Phrases
(Words that have no meaning in modern English, or words whose meanings have changed over time. For example: whit, in Alma 34:14; yea, in Alma 34:14; for this end, in 2 Nephi 11:4.)

Seldom Used Words and Phrases
(Words that make sense but the actual meaning might not be clear because the expression is not used very often. For example: come unto the God of Abraham, 1 Nephi 6:4; typifying, 2 Nephi 11:4.)

Appropriate Noun/Pronoun Substitutions
(This requires the student to pay attention to the context of the verse. When students read the scriptures have them say the appropriate substituted word or phrase.)

This style of reading should be emphasized with each lesson.