1 Nephi 8-11

Remember: to inspire group participation the teacher must acknowledge the comments made by students. Don't look at your notes or divert your eyes from the student when he responds. Summarize his comments and express appreciation.



1 Nephi 8-11

The angel said, "Look and behold the condescension of God!"

In chapter 8, the Lord gives a revelation to Lehi. In chapter 11, the Lord reveals a similar vision to Nephi.

The Desires of Lehi and Nephi

Have students read 1 Nephi 8:10-18 and find the word “desire” in all of its forms (desirous, desirable, etc.), and summarize the desires of Lehi. Have students read 1 Nephi 10:17; 11:1-10 and find the word “desire” in all of its forms. Invite students to summarize the desires expressed in Lehi’s vision and Nephi’s desires. How do Lehi and Nephi’s desires compare to your own? Why did the Lord give Nephi what he desired?

Pressing Forward

Have students read 1 Nephi 8:21-33 and find the phrase “press forward,” or, “pressing forward.” Why were the people in Lehi’s dream “pressing forward”? There are three different groups that were “pressing forward.” What happened to each group? What should we be “pressing forward” toward?

List

Have students read 1 Nephi 10:2-14. Invite them to list the things that Lehi knew about the Jews and about Jesus Christ. Remind students that Lehi received this revelation 600 years before Jesus was born. Why would the Lord want Lehi to know these things so long before the events took place?

Condescension

Invite students to define the word “condescension.” The angel who spoke to Nephi used this word twice: once in 1 Nephi 11:16, and once in 1 Nephi 11:26. Have students read 1 Nephi 11:18-33 and find things that represent the condescension of God. Knowing that Jesus has done these things for us, what can we do to show our gratitude?

Scripture Analysis

1 Nephi 10:19-21

19. For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded [define word] unto them [those who diligently seek], by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times [the times of Nephi] as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore [because those who diligently seek to understand the mysteries of God and have always receive that by the power of the Holy Ghost], the course [define word] of the Lord is one eternal round.
20. Therefore [because the course of the Lord is one eternal round] remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment.
21. Wherefore [because you will be judged for all that you do], if ye [O man] have sought [define word] to do wickedly in the days of your probation [define word], then ye are found unclean before the judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore [because no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God], ye must be cast off [define phrase] forever.