1. DOCTRINES AND PRINCIPLES IN THIS LESSON:
•Trusting in the Lord gives us reason to rejoice (see 2 Nephi 4:15–
35).
•The Lord warns us to separate ourselves from wickedness (see 2
Nephi 5:5–7).
•Israel will be restored when they believe in the Messiah (see 2
Nephi 6–8).
Chapter 8
2 Nephi 4-8

2. Trusting in the Lord gives us reason to rejoice. 2 Nephi 4:15-35
What does Lehi teach his grandchildren in
verse 4?
What principle of parenting does Lehi teach
in verse 5? What are some things parents
can do to bring up their children in the way
they should go?
What promise does Lehi give to the children
of Laman and Lemuel in verses 7 and 9?
How can parents influence children for
good? How can grandparents influence
children for good?
2 Nephi 4 begins with Lehi counseling some of his grandchildren.

3. President Henry B. Eyring:
“Our faithful effort to offer to our family the testimony we
have of the truth will be multiplied in power and extended
in time.
“We have all seen evidence of that in families we have known. I saw it in South
America as I looked into the faces of missionaries. Hundreds of them passed by
me, shaking my hand and looking deeply into my eyes. I was nearly overwhelmed with
the confirmation that these children of Father Lehi and of Sariah were there in the
Lord’s service because our Heavenly Father honors His promises to families. To nearly
his last breath, Lehi taught and testified and tried to bless his children. Terrible tragedy
came among his descendants when they rejected his testimony, the testimonies of
other prophets, and of the scriptures. But in the eyes and faces of those missionaries I
felt confirmation that God has kept His promises to reach out to Lehi’s covenant
children and that He will reach out to ours” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 88; or
Ensign, May 1996, 64).

4. 2 Nephi 4
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart
groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I
know in whom I have trusted.
-----
15 And upon these I write the things of my
soul, and many of the scriptures which are
engraven upon the plates of brass. For my
souldelightethin the scriptures, and my
heartpondereththem, and writeth them for
the learning and the profit of my children.
16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of
the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually
upon the things which I have seen and heard.
Read 2 Nephi 4:15–35
What are some of the results of this trust?
What did Nephi treasure?
How can you tell that he treasured these
things?
What can we do to treasure the scriptures and the things of the Lord?
How do you think Nephi’s love of the scriptures influenced his trust in God?
In what ways has your love of the scriptures influenced your trust in God?
The Psalm of Nephi
Through a careful reading of the psalm of Nephi, we can see what Nephi did to deal with his weaknesses and
disappointments. Nephi’s words can guide us as we work through our own weaknesses and disappointments.

5. The Lord Warns us to separate ourselves from wickedness.
2 Nephi 5:5-7
Why did Lehi’s family
need to leave
Jerusalem?

6. Soon after Lehi died, the Lord commanded Nephi and his people to separate themselves
again—this time from the wicked members of their group.
Read 2 Nephi 5:1-7
What details do we
learn about Nephi’s
departure?

7. Nephi’s life would have been in danger if he had not heeded the Lord’s warning to
flee. If we do not heed the Lord’s warnings, our mortal lives may not be
threatened, but our spiritual lives will be in danger.
The Lord warned Nephi. The Lord often warns us of dangers.
Nephi was to flee into the wilderness. We have been warned to flee
wickedness.
He took all who would go with him. We have been counseled to
associate with good friends who believe as we do.
Those who went believed in the warnings and revelations of God. We
have been counseled to hearken to the words of our parents, our
leaders, and the prophet.
They journeyed many days until they found a new place to live. It
sometimes takes significant effort for us to do what we have been
prompted to do.

8. Consider challenges they may face with one or more of the following: friends, parties, free time,
work, school, television, movies, the Internet, music, books, and magazines.
How can the principle of fleeing wickedness apply to these challenges?
What did the followers of Laman and Lemuel lose when Nephi separated himself
from them?
What do people today lose when they separate themselves from the prophet?
According to Helaman 13:14, what would be another disadvantage for the
wicked when all of the righteous leave a community?

9. Elder Richard G. Scott shared how we can protect ourselves:
“God has provided a way to live in this world and not be
contaminated by the degrading pressures evil agents spread
throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive, righteous
life by following the plan of protection created by your Father in Heaven: His plan of happiness.
It is contained in the scriptures and in the inspired declarations of His prophets. …
“Avoid worldly wickedness. Know that God is in control. In time, Satan will completely fail and be
punished for his perverse evil. God has a specific plan for your life. He will reveal parts of that
plan to you as you look for it with faith and consistent obedience. His Son has made you free—
not from the consequences of your acts, but free to make choices. God’s eternal purpose is for
you to be successful in this mortal life. No matter how wicked the world becomes, you can earn
that blessing. Seek and be attentive to the personal guidance given to you through the Holy
Spirit. Continue to be worthy to receive it. Reach out to others who stumble and are
perplexed, not certain of what path to follow” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2004, 103–4, 106; or
Ensign, May 2004, 100, 102).

10. Israel will be restored when they believe in the Messiah.
2 Nephi 6-8
In 2 Nephi 6–8, Nephi’s brother, Jacob, teaches from the writings of
Isaiah.
2 Nephi 6
4 And now, behold, I would speak unto you
concerning things which are, and which are to
come; wherefore, I will read you the words of
Isaiah. And they are the words which my
brother has desired that I should speak unto
you. And I speak unto you for your sakes, that
ye may learn and glorify the name of your God.
5 And now, the words which I shall read are
they which Isaiah spake concerning all the
house of Israel; wherefore, they may be
likened unto you, for ye are of the house of
Israel. And there are many things which have
been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened
unto you, because ye are of the house of
Israel.
What periods of time did Jacob say
he would teach about?
According to Jacob, why were the
teachings of Isaiah important for
the people?

11. Teachers often use
“bookends” to
teach a lesson.
These bookends
are the lesson’s
introduction and
summary.

12. Jacob’s summary bookend
2 Nephi 9
1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye
might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has
covenanted with all the house of Israel—
2 That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy
prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to
generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the
true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to
the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their
lands of promise.
3 Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that
ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the
blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children.

13. Jacob’s teachings can be organized into these two categories:
Jewish History and Destiny
&
Principles of the Gathering of Israel

14. Jewish History and Destiny
2 Nephi 6
587 B.C.—Capture of Jerusalem (verse 8)
537 B.C.—Decree of Cyrus for the return
of the Jews (verse 9)
A.D. 30–33—Mortal ministry of Jesus
Christ (verse 9)
A.D. 33—Crucifixion of Jesus Christ (verse
9)
A.D. 70—Siege and capture of
Jerusalem, leading to another scattering of
the Jews (verses 10–11)
2 Nephi 6:11 Wherefore, after they
are driven to and fro, for thus saith
the angel, many shall be afflicted in
the flesh, and shall not be suffered
to perish, because of the prayers of
the faithful; they shall be
scattered, and smitten, and hated;
nevertheless, the Lord will be
merciful unto them, that when they
shall come to the knowledge of
their Redeemer, they shall be
gathered together again to the
elands of their inheritance.
What will lead to the gathering of the
house of Israel?

15. Principles of the Gathering of Israel
ACTIVITY
GROUP 1
2 Nephi 8:1–2, 7–8, 12, 24–25
GROUP 2
2 Nephi 8:3–6, 11
How can the Lord’s counsel in these
verses help us be among those who are
gathered in the last days?
How can remembering these
promised blessings help us remain
faithful during times of temptation?
What is the relationship between missionary work and the
gathering of Israel?

16. Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Why was Israel scattered? … Our Israelite forebears were scattered
because they rejected the gospel, defiled the priesthood, forsook the
church, and departed from the kingdom. They were scattered because
they turned from the Lord, worshipped false gods, and walked in all
the ways of the heathen nations. They were scattered because they forsook the Abrahamic
covenant, trampled under their feet the holy ordinances, and rejected the Lord Jehovah, who is
the Lord Jesus, of whom all their prophets testified. Israel was scattered for apostasy. The Lord
in his wrath, because of their wickedness and rebellion, scattered them among the heathen in
all the nations of the earth.
“What, then, is involved in the gathering of Israel? The gathering of Israel consists in believing
and accepting and living in harmony with all that the Lord once offered his ancient chosen
people. It consists of having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, of repenting, of being baptized and
receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and of keeping the commandments of God. It consists of
believing the gospel, joining the Church, and coming into the kingdom. It consists of receiving
the holy priesthood, being endowed in holy places with power from on high, and receiving all
the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through the ordinance of celestial marriage” (A New
Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 515).