Note: Please remember, these chapters contain far more than can possibly be discussed and applied in one class session. The resources presented below are intended to give the teacher the barest of essential principles to discuss.
There Is a Place Prepared
Scripture Analysis
1 Nephi 15:34-36
Invite students to read these verses substituting nouns for pronouns, defining words they rarely use, and explaining the words represented by “Wherefore.” Ask them to summarize in their own words the principles that spring from this exercise.
34 But behold [Pay attention!], I [Nephi] say unto you [Laman and Lemuel], the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore [because no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of God] there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy.
35 And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I [Nephi] have spoken, and the devil is the preparator [define word] of it [that awful hell prepared for that which is filthy]; wherefore [because there is a place prepared for that which is filthy] the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I [Nephi] have spoken.
36 Wherefore [because there is a place prepared for the righteous and the wicked], the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it [the fruit of the tree of life] is the greatest of all the gifts of God. (See 1 Nephi 11:21-22 to remind students what the tree of life is.)
The Ball or Director
There Is a Place Prepared
Scripture Analysis
1 Nephi 15:34-36
Invite students to read these verses substituting nouns for pronouns, defining words they rarely use, and explaining the words represented by “Wherefore.” Ask them to summarize in their own words the principles that spring from this exercise.
34 But behold [Pay attention!], I [Nephi] say unto you [Laman and Lemuel], the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore [because no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of God] there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy.
35 And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I [Nephi] have spoken, and the devil is the preparator [define word] of it [that awful hell prepared for that which is filthy]; wherefore [because there is a place prepared for that which is filthy] the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I [Nephi] have spoken.
36 Wherefore [because there is a place prepared for the righteous and the wicked], the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it [the fruit of the tree of life] is the greatest of all the gifts of God. (See 1 Nephi 11:21-22 to remind students what the tree of life is.)
The Ball or Director
The Lord provided Lehi a ball or compass to give them direction.
Invite students to read 1 Nephi 16:26-30; and 1 Nephi 18:9-12 and summarize the principles taught about the ball or director that had been given to them by the Lord. What things has the Lord given us that are like the “director” he gave to the Nephites? What must we do to make sure that these “directors” always work as they should?
A Question of Perspective
Comparison
Have students read the feelings of Nephi in 1 Nephi 17:2-3 and the feelings of Laman and Lemuel in 1 Nephi 17:20-21. Invite students to compare these two attitudes. Why would the perspectives of these people be so different when they were going through the same experiences?
The Seed of Lehi’s Sons
Nephi read many things to his brothers from the writings of the prophet Isaiah. 1 Nephi 22 contains a summary of the things Nephi learned from Isaiah’s prophecy. Invite students to read 1 Nephi 22:6-9 and watch for the phrase “our seed.” What great events did Nephi see concerning his seed and the seed of his brothers? Why should people today care about this prophecy?
