Our Gospel Doctrine lesson last week was entitled “Hearken to the Truth, and Give Heed unto It.” The scripture references are:
1 Nephi 16-22
1 Nephi 3:7
1 Nephi 17:3
Doctrine and Covenants 82:10
Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21
Abraham 3:25
This lesson focuses on the importance of listening to the commandments and obeying them. To truly listen, we have to put aside our pride and be willing to accept whatever we hear. We can’t be quiet just long enough to formulate our comeback; we must truly be willing to listen. Giving heed means to do the things that have been commanded of you, so this is a two-step process: we listen and then we do.
As you go through the recommended reading scriptures for this lesson, the manual asks that you identify ways in which Nephi demonstrated obedience, faith and courage. Then we are asked to think of ways that we can take Nephi’s example into our own lives and show the same strength of character. We will not be called upon to face the same challenges he did, but we will face challenges more suited to our day. We might have disputes with family. We may be called upon to do things that are difficult, and even dangerous. Most of our tests will be emotional and spiritual. How can we take an example of the strength Nephi showed during times of physical peril and equate that to the strength we need to show as we face our spiritual peril?
In addition, how can we follow Nephi’s example in his refusal to murmur, when his brothers created a perfect environment for it? How does refraining from murmuring help to bring us closer to the Spirit and make us stronger as we face our challenges?
How did the actions of Nephi’s family affect their unity? What can we do to make our own families more united?
Related Blogs:
The Murmurings of Our Hearts Because We Did Not Understand
Jesus Christ: the Divine Redeemer of the World