- Welcome to Day 69...
After experiencing the Savior in person, EVERYONE was converted and baptized! They no longer called themselves Nephites or Lamanites but “had all things common” (4 Nephi 1:3). In this state of "oneness" with Christ, the people experienced many miracles and lived in unity and happiness for 110 years!
Sadly, the pride cycle eventually kicked back in and many allowed Satan to “get hold on their hearts” (4 Nephi 1:28). Divisions, pride, and false churches arose among the people. The wicked began to persecute the members of the Church and even disregard the Three Nephites!
The people once again divided themselves as Nephites and Lamanites. The Lamanites enthusiastically rebelled against the gospel and built up the dreaded "secret combinations" and the Nephites also became wicked.
Enter, Mormon! At ten years old, he was "sober and quick to observe." Entrusted with the sacred records, at age fifteen, he was “visited of the Lord." He was forbidden to preach to the wicked people, but appointed to lead the Nephite army. But they often lost their battles due to wickedness.
"And my heart did sorrow because of this the great calamity of my people, because of their wickedness and their abominations." (Mormon 2:27)
Good reminder today: Despite our culture, we can remain "Firm in the Faith" as Mormon did.
Opening Song: "Firm in the Faith"
- Begin study session with prayer
- Scripture Study: 4 Nephi-Mormon 2 (listen)
- Study Guide: (here)
- Video: Discussions on the Book of Mormon 4 Nephi
- Video: "Peace in America"
Seminary Study Guide:
Introduction to 4 Nephi--Why study this book?
As students study 4 Nephi, they will learn about the blessings that come to people who are united in living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Following the Savior’s ministry among the descendants of Lehi, all the people throughout the land were converted. As they obeyed the commandments, they enjoyed peace, prosperity, and marvelous spiritual blessings. Mormon declared, “Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God” (4 Nephi 1:16). Students will also learn important lessons from the people’s gradual decline into a state of wickedness.
Who wrote this book?
Mormon compiled and abridged the records of four writers to create the book of 4 Nephi. The first of these was Nephi, for whom the book was named. Nephi was the son of Nephi, who was one of the twelve disciples chosen by the Lord during His ministry among the descendants of Lehi (see 3 Nephi 11:18–22; 12:1). The other three authors were Nephi’s son Amos and Amos’s sons Amos and Ammaron (see 4 Nephi 1:19, 21, 47).
To whom was this book written and why?
Mormon did not address the book of 4 Nephi to a particular audience, and he did not state why he wrote it. However, this book contributes to the overarching purposes of the Book of Mormon—to witness that Jesus is the Christ and to make known the covenants of the Lord (see the title page of the Book of Mormon). It does so by illustrating the blessings that result when people repent, come unto Jesus Christ, and make covenants with Him. It also shows the destructive consequences that occur when people deny the Savior and His gospel and forsake their covenants.
When and where was it written?
The original records used as sources for the book of 4 Nephi were likely written between A.D. 34 and A.D. 321. Mormon abridged those records sometime between A.D. 345 and A.D. 385. Mormon did not say where he was when he compiled this book.
What are some distinctive features of this book?
In only 49 verses, the book of 4 Nephi narrates a period of nearly 300 years—almost one-third of the entire Nephite history covered by the Book of Mormon. The brevity of 4 Nephi contributes to its power. It succinctly highlights the contrast between the people’s righteousness immediately following the Savior’s ministry among them and their wickedness four generations later. The book’s first 18 verses illustrate the blessings enjoyed by a society that is built upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. Later verses provide a witness of the destructiveness of pride, showing how this society gradually weakened until it was almost entirely consumed in sin.
Who wrote this book?
Mormon compiled and abridged the records of four writers to create the book of 4 Nephi. The first of these was Nephi, for whom the book was named. Nephi was the son of Nephi, who was one of the twelve disciples chosen by the Lord during His ministry among the descendants of Lehi (see 3 Nephi 11:18–22; 12:1). The other three authors were Nephi’s son Amos and Amos’s sons Amos and Ammaron (see 4 Nephi 1:19, 21, 47).
To whom was this book written and why?
Mormon did not address the book of 4 Nephi to a particular audience, and he did not state why he wrote it. However, this book contributes to the overarching purposes of the Book of Mormon—to witness that Jesus is the Christ and to make known the covenants of the Lord (see the title page of the Book of Mormon). It does so by illustrating the blessings that result when people repent, come unto Jesus Christ, and make covenants with Him. It also shows the destructive consequences that occur when people deny the Savior and His gospel and forsake their covenants.
When and where was it written?
The original records used as sources for the book of 4 Nephi were likely written between A.D. 34 and A.D. 321. Mormon abridged those records sometime between A.D. 345 and A.D. 385. Mormon did not say where he was when he compiled this book.
What are some distinctive features of this book?
In only 49 verses, the book of 4 Nephi narrates a period of nearly 300 years—almost one-third of the entire Nephite history covered by the Book of Mormon. The brevity of 4 Nephi contributes to its power. It succinctly highlights the contrast between the people’s righteousness immediately following the Savior’s ministry among them and their wickedness four generations later. The book’s first 18 verses illustrate the blessings enjoyed by a society that is built upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. Later verses provide a witness of the destructiveness of pride, showing how this society gradually weakened until it was almost entirely consumed in sin.
"And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tulmults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God." 4 Nephi 1:15-16
"And it came to pass... the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and ever man did deal justly one with another." 4 Nephi 1:2
Video: "Jesus and His Prophets"--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin gives an example of the importance of following our leaders (4 Nephi 1).
- Video: "Truly Converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ" (4 Nephi 1:1–19).
- Video: "There Were No Manner of -Ites" (4th Nephi 1:16-17)
“While I sometimes regret that people do not call this church by its proper name, I am happy that the nickname they use is one of great honor made so by a remarkable man and a book which gives an unmatched testimony concerning the Redeemer of the world. Anyone who comes to know the man Mormon, through the reading and pondering of his words, anyone who reads this precious trove of history which was assembled and preserved in large measure by him, will come to know that Mormon is not a word of disrepute, but that it represents the greatest good—that good which is of God”--Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley“Holiness is the strength of the soul. It comes by faith and through obedience to God's laws and ordinances. God then purifies the heart by faith, and the heart becomes purged from that which is profane and unworthy. When holiness is achieved by conforming to God's will,one know intuitively that which is wrong and that which is right before the Lord. Holiness speaks when there is silence, encouraging that which is good or reproving that which is wrong.” –James E. Faust,” Standing in Holy Places,” Ensign, May 2005, 62.
- Record thoughts and favorite verses in your journal.
- Close study session with prayer.
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