|
Lesson 17
The Power of the Word
See also
|
1. Cover page |
|
|
 |
The Power of the Word
Background and Student Reading
|
 Richard G Scott
"The Power of Scripture," Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 6-8
 D Todd Christofferson
"The Blessing of Scripture," Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 32-35
 Ezra Taft Benson
"The Power of the Word," chapter 8 in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson (2014), 115-24.
|
 1 Nephi 3:19-20; 5:21-22; 8:21-24, 29-30; 15:23-24; 2 Nephi 3:12; 32:3; 33:4-5; Jacob 2:8; 7:10-11; Omni 1:14-17; Mosiah 1:3-5; Alma 5:10-13; 31:5; 37:2-4, 8-10, 38-46; Helaman 3:29-30; 15:7-8.
|
Elevated Learning
As you go through this institute lesson make notes in your study journal of the things that impress on your mind and heart and expand your personal understanding. Take the time to review these notes and share with others after the lesson. This is an important part of your elevated learning experience and will help the gospel of Jesus Christ get down into your heart and contribute to your successful graduation of this institute course.
2. We owe a debt |
 |
|
|
We owe a great debt to those who faithfully recorded and preserved the word through the ages, often with painstaking labor and sacrifice - Moses, Isaiah, Abraham, John, Paul, Nephi, Mormon, Joseph Smith, and many others. What did they know about the importance of scriptures that we also need to know?
D Todd Christofferson
The Blessing of Scripture,
Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 32
Questions
How would answer this question?
3. The brass plates |
|
|
|
• Read 1 Nephi 3:19-20
• Read 1 Nephi 5:21-22
Nephi
1 Nephi 3:19-20; 5:21-22
Questions
Why were the brass plates so important to Lehi and his family?
4. To have the scriptures or not |
|
|
|
• Read Omni 1:14-17 (Mulekites)
• Read Mosiah 1:3-5 (Nephites)
Mormon
Questions
What consequences came to the Mulekites?
What blessings came to the Nephites?
5. Blessings from the brass plates |
|
|
|
And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning. Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon. ...for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.
Alma
Alma 37:3-4,8
Questions
What does it mean that the scriptures 'enlarged the memory of this people'?
6. The scriptures enlarge our memory |
|
|
|
The scriptures enlarge our memory by helping us always to remember the Lord and our relationship to Him and the Father. They remind us of what we knew in our premortal life. And they expand our memory in another sense by teaching us about epochs, people, and events that we did not experience personally. The scriptures also enlarge our memory by helping us not forget what we and earlier generations have learned. Those who either don't have or ignore the recorded word of God eventually cease to believe in Him and forget the purpose of their existence.
D Todd Christofferson
The Blessing of Scripture,
33
Questions
How do the scriptures enlarge our memory?
7. Hold fast to the iron rod |
|
|
|
• 1 Nephi 8
Why is the iron rod so important to the vision?
• 1 Nephi 15:23-24
What blessings come to those who hold to the rod?
Lehi
1 Nephi 8
Questions
What does it mean to hold fast?
8. Sure source of revealed truth |
|
|
|
Let me suggest that holding fast to the iron rod entails, in large measure, the prayerful, consistent, and earnest use of the holy scriptures as a sure source of revealed truth and as a reliable guide for the journey along the strait and narrow path to the tree of life - even to the Lord Jesus Christ.
David A Bednar
Lehi's Dream: Holding Fast to the Rod,
Ensign, Oct. 2011, 36
Questions
What has been revealed to you by holding fast to the iron rod?
9. Additional blessings |
|
|
|
What blessings come from studying the word of God?
• 2 Nephi 3:12
• 2 Nephi 32:3
• 2 Nephi 33:4-5
• Jacob 2:8
• Alma 31:5
• Helaman 15:7-8
Jesus Christ
Questions
When have you been blessed for holding fast to the word of God?
10. The Liahona |
|
|
|
• Read Alma 37:38-42
 "And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director - or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it."
Alma
Alma 37:38-42
Questions
How did the Liahona bless Lehi's family?
What was required of Lehi's family to make the Liahona work properly?
11. A type and shadow |
|
|
|
Read Alma 37:43-46
How was the Liahona like the words of Christ?
Alma
Alma 37:43-46
Questions
What principles does Alma teach in these verses?
What does it mean to be led in a 'straight course to eternal life?'
How can we go beyond reading the words and 'give heed' to them?
12. A constant flow of living water |
|
|
|
A constant flow of living water is far superior to sporadic sipping. Are you and I daily reading, studying, and searching the scriptures in a way that enables us to hold fast to the rod of iron... Are you and I pressing forward toward the fountain of living waters - relying upon the word of God? These are important questions for each of us to ponder prayerfully.
David A Bednar
A Reservoir of Living Water
[Church Educational System fireside for young adults, Feb. 4, 2007], 7, lds.org/broadcasts
Questions
How has studying the word of God blessed your life?
13. Summary |
|
|
|
• The importance of scripture
• The word of God brings blessings
• The word of God leads to eternal life
|
Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon
