Lesson 11 gospel doctrine book of mormon

1. Date
Lesson 11:
Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ

2. ✤Purpose
✤To help class us understand the doctrine of
Christ and have an increased desire to press
forward, feasting on His words.

3. ✤ Preparation
✤ 1. Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
✤ a. 2 Nephi 31:1–18. Nephi teaches of the doctrine of Christ. He teaches that Jesus was
baptized to “fulfil all righteousness” and that we must be baptized and follow Him. He also
teaches about the blessings and power of the Holy Ghost.
✤ b. 2 Nephi 31:19–21. Nephi teaches that we must press forward and endure to the end.
✤ c. 2 Nephi 32. Nephi speaks of the importance of feasting on the words of Christ and
praying always.
✤ d. 2 Nephi 33. Nephi declares that people will believe his words if they believe in Christ.
He warns that we will be judged according to our acceptance or rejection of his words.2.
✤ Additional reading: Moroni 7:13–17; Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 71–74.

4. ✤ Nephi stands as one of the most valiant of all the sons of God. Though he
experienced family strife, warfare, and other trials, he loved the Lord with all
his heart. He was full of faith, zeal, and integrity, and he never wavered in
his obedience. As you study the assigned chapters, remember that these
words are among Nephi’s last.

5. ✤Describe a feast
✤What kinds of foods would be on the table?

6. ✤ How is a feast different from an ordinary meal?

7. ✤ 2 Nephi 32:3,
✤ 3 …..Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the
words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will
tell you all things what ye should do.”
✤ The Lord has invited us to a feast—one that will
give us eternal life.
✤ This lesson discusses Nephi’s teachings on how to
live the doctrine of Christ and feast on His words.

8. ✤ 2 Nephi 31:19–21.
✤ Nephi taught that baptism is the gate to enter the strait and narrow
path to eternal life. He also taught what it means to walk in this path.
✤ What question did Nephi ask in 2 Nephi 31:19?
✤ What is the answer to this question? (See 2 Nephi 31:19–20.)
✤ What do you think it means to “press forward”?
✤ To move forward with determination, regardless of adversity
or distraction.
✤ What are some things that might distract us from pressing
forward?
✤ Why is pressing forward an important part of enduring to
the end?

10. ✤ 2 Nephi 31:20
✤ What does it mean to have “a steadfastness in Christ”?.
✤ How can following Christ help us have a “perfect
brightness of hope”?
✤ What are some ways we can help one another in
our efforts to press forward?
✤ What can we do to help new members of the
Church as they begin their journeys along the
path?

11. ✤President Gordon B. Hinckley
✤ “With the ever increasing number of
converts, we must make an
increasingly substantial effort to assist
them as they find their way. Every one
of them needs three things:
✤ a friend, a responsibility, and
nurturing with ‘the good word of
God’ (Moroni 6:4). It is our duty and
opportunity to provide these things” (in
Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 66; or
Ensign, May 1997, 47).

12. ✤ In 2 Nephi 32, Nephi gave instructions about what we must do
after we have entered in the path to eternal life (2 Nephi 32:1–
3).
✤ What specific instruction is given in verse three?
✤ What sources do we have for receiving the words of Christ?
✤ What do you think it means to feast on these words?
✤ How is “feasting” different from reading or even studying?
✤ How can we help others feast?

13. ✤ Elder Neal A. Maxwell
✤ “We need to feast upon the words of
Christ in the scriptures and as these
words come to us from living prophets.
Just nibbling occasionally will not do.
(See 2 Nephi 31:20 and 32:3.)
Feasting means partaking with relish
and delight and savoring—not gorging
episodically in heedless hunger, but
partaking gratefully, dining with delight,
at a sumptuous spread carefully and
lovingly prepared … over the centuries”
(Wherefore Ye Must Press Forward
[1977], 28).

15. ✤ What promise did Nephi give regarding the words of Christ?
✤ (See 2 Nephi 32:3.) How have you found this to be true?
✤ Nephi taught that the Spirit teaches, or encourages, a person to
pray (2 Nephi 32:8).
✤ Why is it important that we pray before we perform “any thing
unto the Lord”? (2 Nephi 32:9).
✤ How have you been blessed as you have followed this
counsel?

16. ✤ 2 Nephi 33.
✤ This chapter contains Nephi’s testimony of the truth of his
words and of their importance to all people.
✤ Why are Nephi’s words “of great worth”? (See 2 Nephi
33:3–5.)

17. ✤ 3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great
worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by
day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry
unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.
✤ 4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of
my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made
strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto
them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to
believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.
✤ 5 And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the
truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written
save he shall be of the spirit of the devil.

18. ✤ How can we learn of the worth of these words?
✤ How can we know that the words of Nephi are
true?
✤ 2 Nephi 33:10
✤ 10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also
Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken
unto these words and believe in Christ; and
if ye believe not in these words believe in
Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye
will believe in these words, for they are the
words of Christ, and he hath given them
unto me; and they teach all men that they
should do good.see also

19. ✤ Moroni 7:13–17.
✤ 13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every
thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
✤ 14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God,
or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
✤ 15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the
way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark
night.
✤ 16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore,
I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to
believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect
knowledge it is of God.
✤ 17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and
serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth
the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do
they who subject themselves unto him.

20. ✤ 2 Nephi 33:11.
✤ And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for
Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory,
that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I
shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall
know that I have been commanded of him to write
these things, notwithstanding my weakness.

21. ✤ 2 Nephi 33:14.
✤ 14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God,
and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and
the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the
Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for
these words shall condemn you at the last day.
✤ How could Nephi’s words “condemn [us] at the last day”?
✤ If we choose to reject these words or disobey the principles
they teach, we will be cut off from the presence of the Lord.

22. ✤ 2 Nephi 33:15
✤ For what I seal on earth, shall be
brought against you at the judgment
bar; for thus hath the Lord
commanded me, and I must obey.
Amen.
✤ Why is this a fitting end to Nephi’s
writings?
✤ What have you learned from
Nephi’s example that can help you
as you strive to be more obedient?

24. Conclusion
✤ How would you define “the doctrine of
Christ”?
✤ The doctrine of Christ, includes
believing in Christ, repenting, being
baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy
Ghost, and enduring to the end.
✤ 2 Nephi 31:13, 15; see also 3 Nephi
11:31–40

25. ✤ Additional Teaching Ideas
✤ The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may
want to use one or both of these ideas as part of the lesson.
✤ 1. Hymn
✤ With class members, sing or read the words to “Press Forward, Saints”
(Hymns, no. 81).
✤ 2. Overcoming barriers to understanding
✤ • Read and discuss 2 Nephi 32:7. Why did the Spirit stop Nephi from
speaking? How are the problems mentioned in these verses still prevalent
today? How can we help each other avoid these pitfalls?

26. ✤ 1. Nephi teaches of the doctrine of Christ.
✤ Read and discuss selected verses from 2 Nephi 31:1–18.
✤ Nephi began his final writings by saying that he would “speak concerning the doctrine of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:2)
✤ 2 Nephi 31:4
✤ Why was Jesus baptized? (See 2 Nephi 31:5.)
✤ How did He “fulfil all righteousness” by being baptized? 2 Nephi 31:6–7.
✤ President Joseph F. Smith said that to fulfil all righteousness is “to fulfil the law” [in Conference Report, Apr. 1912, 9].)
✤ According to 2 Nephi 31:9, for what other reason was Jesus baptized? Why do we need baptism? (Have class members read
2 Nephi 31:13, 17 and Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, 71–74 to find answers to this question. Summarize their answers on the
chalkboard. Some answers are listed below.)
✤ To receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 31:13).
✤ To receive a remission of sins (2 Nephi 31:17).
✤ To enter the gate for the path to eternal life (2 Nephi 31:17).
✤ To receive membership in the Lord’s Church (D&C 20:37, 71–74).

27. ✤ • Nephi exhorted his people to “follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God”
(2 Nephi 31:13). What do you think it means to act without hypocrisy or deception before God? How can following the Son “with full
purpose of heart” help us avoid hypocrisy and deception?
✤ • What gift will we receive when we show our willingness “to follow [the] Savior down into the water” through baptism? (2 Nephi
31:13). How did Nephi describe the way a person could speak after being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost? (See
2 Nephi 31:13.) What does it mean to “speak with the tongue of angels”? (See 2 Nephi 32:2–3. It means to speak the words of
Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost.) In what situations might we be blessed to speak with the “tongue of angels”? (Answers may
include when we are teaching or testifying to friends and family, during a talk in church, or when we pray.)
✤ • Nephi also taught that after baptism we receive a remission of sins “by fire and by the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 31:17). Why do you
think Nephi used the word “fire” in describing this process? (Just as fire purifies and cleanses, the Holy Ghost cleanses from sin
those who sincerely repent and are baptized.)
✤ • Nephi taught that the Holy Ghost “witnesses of the Father and the Son” (2 Nephi 31:18). Why is it essential for us to receive a
testimony of the Father and the Son through the Holy Ghost?
✤ • In what ways can a witness from the Holy Ghost come to us? (See D&C 8:2 and the following quotation.) Why is it important to
understand how the Holy Ghost speaks to us? (See 2 Nephi 32:5.)President Boyd K. Packer taught: “The Holy Ghost speaks with
a voice that you feel more than you hear. It is described as a ‘still small voice’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 77; or Ensign,
Nov. 1994, 60).
Note: Many times members of the Church feel the influence of the Spirit but are not aware that the feelings they are
experiencing are from the Holy Ghost. On occasion throughout the year, when you feel the influence of the Spirit
during the lesson, you may want to stop and share your feelings with class members. Explain that they may not feel
the influence of the Spirit in exactly the same way you do, but that the influence of the Spirit brings peace and joy.