After sufficient time, discuss the questions on the board as a class. Tell students that the passage they choose might not answer all three of these questions, but they should find what they can. How do they ensure their continued existence?Īsk students to read one of the passages on the board and look for answers to the questions listed. Write the following scripture references and questions on the board: Invite students to share what they discover. Invite a student to read Ether 8:18 and 21 aloud while the class identifies the cause of this destruction. He described the wickedness that led to both the Nephites’ and the Jaredites’ destruction. Remind students that Moroni witnessed the destruction of the entire Nephite civilization. Invite students to look for principles and doctrines that they can apply as they study the examples of individuals who remained faithful despite being surrounded by wickedness. In what ways is living at this time like being in enemy territory?Įxplain that this lesson will examine the Book of Mormon’s description of the wicked environment in which some righteous individuals lived. He is determined to disrupt our Heavenly Father’s plan and seeks to control the minds and actions of all” ( “Counsel to Youth,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. We know from the scriptures that there was a war in heaven and that Lucifer rebelled and, with his followers, ‘was cast out into the earth’. “The Joy of the Saints.” Ensign, November 2021.“You young people are being raised in enemy territory. “The Things of my Soul.” Ensign, November 2021.Ĭhristofferson, D. “Joy and Spiritual Survival.” Ensign, November 2016. So I will continue to unashamedly place JOY in every corner, and intentionally choose joy during the busiest time of the year.ġ Nelson, Russell M. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!1 We feel it at Christmastime when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” And we can feel it all year round. My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening-or not happening-in our lives. Yet we are here to have joy? Yes! The answer is a resounding yes! …We can feel joy even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year! Each of us has likely had times when distress, anguish, and despair almost consumed us. Life is filled with detours and dead ends, trials and challenges of every kind. Today we have our prophet, President Russell M. “Men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25) And during His earthly ministry, He declared: “And now come I to thee and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17:13) Indeed - that’s His goal! In the Book of Mormon, an ancient book of scripture, we are told that JOY is our very purpose in life. In Doctrine & Covenants, a modern book of scripture, He refers to Himself as “he who rejoiceth.” (D&C 133:44) And we can too. When I picture the Savior, I never see him stone-faced and morose - as He is generally depicted. It is a knowledge and hope and assurance that there is a God who knows what He’s doing. Joy is deeper than pleasure or even happiness. The word “joy” occurs over 300 times in the four books we call scriptures. It would be embarrassing if it weren’t written on my heart as well. Again on a wreath in our piano room/library. And it was no surprise that several decor items were. Like millions around the world, I recently pulled out my Christmas bins and flocked our house with garland and nativities. I can generally solve my own temper tantrums by emptying out my brain in an email … which I then delete, for the benefit of all concerned. (Yes, even the bathroom.) I do my best pondering on paper. Every single room in my house has a dedicated space for books.
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