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Book of Mormon LESSON #6
(2 Nephi 1, 2)
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"FREE TO CHOOSE LIBERTY AND ETERNAL LIFE"
by Ted L. Gibbons
 QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase, mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to that counsel. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity the pure love of Christ will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.” (Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, April 1960, p.112 p.113)
INTRODUCTION:
One of the messages that the Book of Mormon sends to us across the years is that parents (particularly fathers) have a great obligation to bless their children and to teach their children and to bear testimony to them. The Book of Mormon contains several chapters in which Lehi, Alma, Helaman, and others are engaged in this. When we read such things in this book, we must do more than believe the doctrine: we must follow the example. This lesson and the next will focus on what seem to be Lehi’s final admonitions to his children. Nephi tells us this of these teachings:
And it came to pass after my father, Lehi, had spoken unto all his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, he waxed old. And it came to pass that he died, and was buried. (2 Nephi 4:12)
There are lessons here for all of us. Many families have both wonderful and worrisome children, but few families have offspring as far apart as Nephi and Laman. There are lessons in these chapters for every family in the Church.
You might ask yourself as you study what you would say to each of your children if it were the last thing you would ever say to them. As you consider this, reflect on the topics of which Lehi speaks, testifies, and prophesies.
> Read the Entire Book of Mormon Lesson
 DESERT BLOSSOMS #124
by Ted L. Gibbons
In July of 1838, the Lord called the Twelve to serve missions in Great Britain and instructed them to depart from Far West, Missouri on the 26th day of April of 1939. John Taylor left the Mississippi headed for New York on the 8th of August of 1839. Not long after his departure his children became ill. A letter from his wife speaks of chills and fever and the looming prospect of death in her home, but also of the goodness of God in preserving her small ones.
Elder Taylor wrote one of his letters to her from Gemantown, Indiana, on the 19 of September, 1939. Among other things he said,
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I thank my heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ that I have this oppertunity of addressing you. When I last wrote to you I did not know what was laying before me. You will probably recollect me remarking that I had a slight indisposition. That was a cold which seated in my bones and brought on a violent fever which nearly termmated my existence. . . . |
In spite of his sickness, Elder Taylor traveled well over 100 miles during the next few days, but finally, in Germantown, he found it impossible to continue.
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I placed myself under the care of a Docter who did all that he could for me and now near three weeks after my arrival I have got clear of my fever and am fast recovering i[t] brought me however to the gates of death several times. It laid hold of me like a strong man armed and I was led to quail beneath the power of the adversary for I believe his hand was in it You may ask me how I am going to prosecute my journey, with my trunk a distance of 300 miles or upwards by land, without means. I do not know . . . |
A lesser man might have given up. Elder Taylor’s companions had continued on without him. There was grave sickness at home, and he had been at the door of death several times himself. He did not know how he would continue his mission. But he knew he would because he knew the Lord had called him. Last week’s blossom was about his arrival in New York.
His September 19 letter continues:
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. . . but one thing I do know, that there is a being who clothes the lillies of the valley and feeds the ravens and he has given me to understand that all these things shall be added and that is all I want to know. He laid me on a bed of sickness and I was satisfied. He has raised me from it again and I am thankful. He stopped me on my road and I am content. When my way is open to proceed I shall go on my way rejoicing. If he took me I felt that it would be well. He has spared me and it is better. The Lord does all things well. Bless his holy name Oh my soul and forget not all his mercies (Ronald K. Esplin, BYU Studies, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 425-.433). |
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