Note: I just noticed that the “Come Follow Me” manual for this week is not just 2 Nephi 1-2 but also includes chapters 3-5, so for those following along with the manual, I have also included the questions for the last three chapters here. Sorry for any confusion.
Restorers and the Deliverers
Speaking to his youngest son Joseph, Lehi tells him about his name-sake Joseph of Egypt, the Seer.
READ 2 Nephi 3:6-8,14-15
Who is Joseph of Egypt talking about?
What is the “work” that Joseph did for the descendants of Joseph of Egypt?
What does it mean that the Lord told Joseph in Egypt that Joseph Smith would “do none other work, save the work which I shall command him”?
How was Joseph Smith “like unto” Joseph of Egypt?
READ 2 Nephi 3:9-13
How was Joseph Smith “great like unto Moses”?
Moses delivered the Children of Israel from spiritual darkness but was unable to entice them to enter the presence of God as he did; how was Joseph like Moses in this respect?
Moses was not able to enter the promised land in mortality but was taken by God; how was Joseph like Moses in this respect?
READ 2 Nephi 3:22-24
What is Lehi’s prophesy to his son Joseph regarding his (Joseph’s) descendants?
What is the role of the one “mighty and strong” in the latter days?
The Psalm of Nephi
READ 2 Nephi 4:15-16
Why does Nephi delight in the scriptures and the things of the Lord?
Why are the things of Nephi’s soul scripture?
What does it mean to ponder continually on what you have seen and heard?
READ 2 Nephi 4:17-18
Why does Nephi, who has seen the Lord and the visions of heaven, feel sorrow and woe instead of rejoicing?
Why does Nephi, who is a prophet of God, grieve about his sins?
READ 2 Nephi 4:19 and 2 Corinthians 7:10
What does Nephi desire to do?
What is the difference between the sorrow Nephi is feeling and “sorrow unto death”?
What makes Nephi’s sorrow unto life instead of unto death?
READ 2 Nephi 4:20-25
Why does Nephi trust God?
How does Nephi’s memory of these experiences serve Nephi when he is sorrowing for the sins that so easily beset him?
READ 2 Nephi 4:26-27
With all of his experience with God and the trust in Him that has come as a result, why does Nephi’s heart weep because of his afflictions and why does he still yield to sin?
READ 2 Nephi 4:28-30
What is Nephi’s solution to the doubts and frustrations he feels with his inability to overcome the sins and temptations that beset him?
What does it imply that Nephi has been “giving place” in his heart to the enemy of his soul?
READ 2 Nephi 4:31-35
So what does Nephi do next?
Nephi has already entered the presence of the Lord and been ministered to, which is redemption (see Ether 3:13), so why does he ask again to be redeemed?
What does it mean to “shake at the appearance of sin”?
What does it mean that the Gates of Hell are shut before you and on what grounds can Nephi ask for this blessing?
Why would the Lord shut the Gates of His Righteousness before us?
Why does the Gate of Righteousness lead to a “low” valley and a “plain” road?
What does it mean to be “encircled about” in the “robe of (Christ’s) righteousness”?
Why does Nephi pray that his path might be made “straight” before him?
What is the difference between a stumbling block and a hedge in one’s way?
What does it mean to put one’s trust in the arm of the flesh?
What does it mean that the Lord will give liberally to those who ask, if they “ask not amiss”?
What is the difference between “praying” to the Lord and “crying” unto the Lord?
The Nephites Are Born
In the beginning of chapter 5, with Lehi now dead, Laman and Lemuel plot to kill Nephi and he flees with his family and whoever else will follow him.
READ 2 Nephi 5:19
Does Nephi use the words “ruler” and “teacher” as synonyms or are they two different roles?
READ 2 Nephi 5:27
What is the difference between saying “we lived happily” vs. “we lived after the manner of happiness”?
