Welcome back, everyone.

This is week 12 of Our Mothers Knew It.

And honestly, sadly, our final week in the writings of Nephi.

We've had 12 weeks, you guys, where he has been a part of the

story in almost every single week.

And what I love about this week's study is it's just three

short chapters from 31 to 33.

And this is his final message.

After seeing a lifetime of discipleship.

As we've read through these chapters now, we get to see what he says is the

most important of all the things and it's Powerful you guys to me what I

kept visualizing is that Nephi is almost stepped into the shoes of Lehi Where

we began, you know early in January We started talking about Lehi's dream

and now he had partaken of that fruit and stood under that tree and now is

Beckoning everyone to come and then he warns people about the mists of darkness

that might get in their way And he sees things like the great and spacious

building and he also sees powerful tools like the iron rod and that straight

and narrow Path that's Nephi this week.

He's almost stepped right into his dad's shoes.

He has spent his whole lifetime partaking of that fruit, and he knows exactly how

good it is, and he will take as much energy as he can to get that message

across to us, that this fruit is worth the journey, that the Lord who loves

you has created guides and paths and roads for you to cling to, and if you

just stay on that path, There's hope.

In fact, his message is riddled with hope.

He has hope, not just for his people, but for us.

And it will just beam off the pages at you this week.

What I love is I read a quote from President Nelson.

He called Nephi a multifaceted genius.

And I thought that was a perfect description for him.

You know, he's, we've seen his whole arc.

You saw him in his early years, you know, where he's got that Bear Gryllis mentality

and like, he can just figure anything out if he has the Lord on his side.

And I love that.

Then he slowly grows up and has to establish a civilization and build a

temple and you can almost see him maturing in his strength and in his spirituality.

His obedience and his love of the Lord, I don't think has changed significantly.

He's just maturing in his life and so it demonstrates itself differently.

Now we're kind of at the end.

It's been 55 years since Lehi left Jerusalem.

So assuming Nephi was 15 or so when he left, you know, he's in his

early 70s and He's got some miles behind him, and he's going to tell

us his most important thoughts.

And they center around the doctrine of Christ, what it offers, and why it's worth

it, and what the promises really are.

And it's riveting, you guys.

I just think it's, it's powerful to hear someone that we have seen live

the gospel, and now we can trust in his words about what is the most important.

And it's, you're gonna love it.

I promise you're gonna love it.

Grab your scriptures, grab your notes.

It's time to get started.

Time to get into our seven sparks.

So just like last week, we're going to do seven key sparks that

I found in this week's study.

Then we'll do five great questions to prompt good conversations, and

then a second video of three object lessons to help you ignite some fires

of excitement about these verses in your kids or your classes or whoever

it is you happen to teach this week.

So let's get started with our seven sparks.

this first spark I call dual immersion because it kind of

reminds me about learning languages.

This idea of when you go to learn a language, like I went, when I signed

up for Spanish class, you show up to class and they, the teacher who speaks

fluently condescends a little bit.

You know, they want you to love their language, but they know in

order to get you to understand it, they have to speak slower.

They have to speak about things you're interested in.

They have to have a lot of visuals.

Like they, they do things to help you.

be welcomed and warmed as you learn their language.

And then over the course of the semester, you start to grasp things.

And by the end, hopefully, you can converse.

I actually think that same thing happens with spiritual understanding.

I think the Lord speaks an incredible language, and he wants us to learn it.

But at the beginning, He condescends and he tries to help us.

He tries to speak ours.

You know, he, he chooses to speak ours.

And Nephi teaches us a little bit about this.

So if you look in 31 verse three, this is what he says For my soul,

the delighteth in Plainness, for after this manner, that the Lord

God work among the children of men.

For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding for he speaketh

unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.

I don't think language in this case necessarily means

English or Spanish or French.

To me, language means.

What do you speak?

You know, when I think of Elder Uchtdorf, he speaks planes.

When I think of Elder President Nelson, he speaks hearts and, you

know, anything that has to do with the body, that's his language.

For me as a graphic designer and as a mom of six kids, like, I speak

fonts and I speak, you know, just the everyday occurrences of my life.

He finds ways to help me understand things.

in my language.

So he'll teach me things as I'm driving on the road, or as I'm folding a load

of laundry, or as I'm sending emails.

He finds ways to condescend and teach me in a language that I understand.

I also think he is masterful at teaching at my understanding level.

I was teaching my YSAs about Revelation when we were talking about how earlier

in my 20s, I actually had one of those pivotal experiences where I

was, I needed Revelation desperately.

And so I dropped my scriptures on my bed, hoping that Something would

happen, you know, on the page.

And I talked to you guys about this in the Doctrine and Covenants,

but it's part of the reason I chose to continue dating Jason.

Because what popped open was go to the Ohio where Jason was from.

And that trick has never worked for me since.

Like, that is not I don't think he wants me to stay at that level of revelation.

He had other plans for me.

He wanted me to come and speak his language.

But at that time, when I was 19, 20 years old, that was my language

and that was my understanding.

And so he Came to my level, but he's not gonna leave me there.

He's gonna coax me up That's what I kind of love about what you read in Doctrine

and Covenants So when you add D& C 1 you get an additional understanding

about this concept This is in verse 24 Behold I am God and have spoken it

these commandments are of me and were given unto my servants in their weakness

After the manner of their language that they might come to understanding

His goal is not to keep us in our language, but to get us to love his.

And the way he does that is to reach down and guide us at

every step of that process.

I think what's powerful is We adapt right and if I actually demonstrates

how we adapt so if you look further in that chapter This is 13 and 14 says

wherefore my beloved brethren I know that if you shall follow the Son with

full purpose of heart acting no hypocrisy no deception before God, but with real

intent repenting of your sins Witnessing to the Father that you're willing to take

upon you the name of Christ by baptism.

Yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down to the water

according to his word, behold, then shall you receive the Holy Ghost.

Yea, then come at the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and then can

you speak with the tongue of angels and shout praises to the Holy One of Israel.

In 14, he re emphasizes this idea of you being able to speak with a new tongue.

You'll speak with the tongue of angels.

To me, this is just an imitation to To understand Revelation, to understand

how God speaks and what He speaks, and to learn to speak His language.

I just love it.

There's a beautiful quote from Sherry Dew.

I just pulled a segment of it into my notes, but it says, Because the

Holy Ghost will show us everything we should do, it only makes sense

to learn how He communicates, or to learn the language of Revelation.

Our challenge is not getting the Lord to speak to us.

Our challenge is understanding what He has to say.

I think that's Nephi's imitation as well.

He wants us to understand that the kind of God we worship is a God who

condescends and will help you at your language and your understanding.

If you speak Plains, he will speak to you.

If you speak Lego, he will speak to you.

Whatever your interests, he will find a way to come to you, and then

he will invite you to his To use the Holy Ghost to understand him, to hear

his words and his way of speaking and teaching and to ascend with him.

Spark number two I call Clear Eyes, Full Hearts.

Because I think it's all about Nephi's perspective on hope and

seeing the future with bright eyes.

Nephi's going to teach a lot about baptism because I think his hope

is to get us to the point where we have that spirit with us always.

That's what's allowed him to thrive on his, you know, covenant path

throughout his life is that he's had the spirit to guide and direct him.

And he wants that for us as well.

So he knows that for us and for his people, the gateway to have the

spirit with you is through baptism.

It's an ordinance that has to occur.

Those covenants need to take place in order for that

gift to be available to you.

So he's going to teach you about it.

What I think is cool is he uses the Savior as an example.

So he talks about.

what will happen.

He has this prophetic viewpoint, so he almost speaks as if this has already

occurred, as if the baptism of the Savior isn't 500 plus years in the

future, but rather has already happened.

That's just how a prophet's brain works, but you can, you will read

it in the verses and it will help you understand what I think Nephi

is trying to get across to us.

I think he wants us to have a forward focus.

So let me get you into the verse.

This is 6 and 7 of chapter 31.

And now I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did

fulfill all righteousness in being baptized by water, knowing ye not that

he was holy, but notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men,

that according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witness

unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

He's using the Savior as a template to say this can't just

be about a remission of sins.

Amen.

In my mind, sometimes I think we see baptism as this way to,

like, wash away who we used to be.

And really, I think what Nephi is demonstrating is that the Savior is

teaching that this is something about promising who you will be in the future.

This is all about a forward focus on who you will be, who you're willing to be.

And he doesn't demand perfection from us, he just asks for an honest heart.

So if you look in 13, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if

you shall follow the Son with a full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy,

no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing

unto the Father that you're willing to take upon you the name of Christ.

What I think is so powerful is he gives you this gift,

this gift of the Holy Ghost.

When you're just willing, like you haven't proven anything yet.

When you receive this opportunity to be baptized and then you receive

the gift of the Holy Ghost, it's this automatic assumption that

you're going to keep your promises.

And I just love that piece of the story this week.

It's his promise.

the forwardness of it.

So, again, if you look in 7, for example, it says the Savior is

witnessing in this moment when he is baptized that he would be obedient to

keep the commandments of the Father.

Then in 10, he asks us if we'll be willing to keep the commandments

of the Father, meaning like, will you make a promise right now about

who you will be going forward?

And I just think it's powerful that you get the gift.

on that promise.

But honestly, it's not that different than a lot of the other

important relationships in our life.

Right?

Like, I was thinking back on our wedding day.

This has been, you know, 25 years ago that Jason and I, when we approached

that altar together in Salt Lake Temple, we, we basically did this, right?

You were You're coming to that altar with full hearts, hoping and having the

intent to be a perfect spouse, right?

You love the other person and you want and hope to be exactly what they deserve.

But you know, you're probably gonna fall short in some ways.

You know that you're not gonna be able to do it perfectly.

But what's powerful about those promises is that you give the

gifts to each other anyway.

You know, you give the gift of your life to the other person on that promise.

Promise, and that I feel like is what the Savior offers us as well.

It's the same thing I think that happens when you choose to have kids, because

it's that same feeling of like, I'm, I'm heading into this with every hope that I

can be a good mom with every intent to do this well, knowing I'm gonna fall short.

I'm never gonna do it perfectly, but I'm I, what is amazing to me is that

you get those blessings and that gift.

with just your intent, without any proof behind it.

I love the way it's phrased in verse 12.

And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying, He that is baptized

in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost like unto me.

Wherefore, follow me.

Do the things which ye have seen me do.

What's powerful about the way the Savior does things is on that promise

of us being willing and looking to our future with clear eyes, you know,

full hearts, hoping to be the kind of person he wants us to become.

In that covenant moment, he gives us this gift.

And then he says, I know you're going to fall short.

So follow me, follow my template, the life I led, the words of gospel

that I've taught you, follow me.

And then he gives the gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

So that as we fall short, we have ways to come back.

We have ways to, to really and truly become.

what we intended all along.

We just can't do it on our own.

And I just think it's powerful how he empowers us in both ways.

A lot of chapter 31 and 32 are focused on the doctrine of Christ.

This step by step process that we can follow in order to come closer to him

and eventually gain our salvation.

But it seems like such a rote plan that sometimes we miss the majesty of it.

And I think Nephi wants us to grasp how this works.

What I thought was particularly interesting is that last step, you

know, you know, from the articles of faith, those first four steps

of faith and repentance and baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

And then when Nephi adds is this understanding of enduring to the end.

What I think is hard is, you know, Sometimes we lose

sight of what that means.

We think enduring to the end means you're just supposed to, like, tough

it out until you die and then you have salvation, but I really don't

think that was Nephi's intent.

So we go on the verses, you can see this, it's in 15.

And I heard a voice from the father saying, Yea, the words of

my beloved are true and faithful.

He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

First off, can we just talk about how incredible it is that you

have the words of the Father here?

It's almost like Nephi is conversant with the Son and the Father.

Usually in Scripture, when you hear the Father's voice, it is

simply to introduce his Son.

You know, again, the sacred grove when he says, This is my beloved son, hear him.

Or on the Mount of Transfiguration, like they are short, quick, quick

introductions to the Savior.

What's powerful to me about this particular one is he adds on that other

sentence about enduring to the end.

You will be saved if you endure to the end.

Which means this can't just be about, you know, white knuckling

your way through mortality.

There, there has to be something more to it.

In 16, it gets a little richer.

He says, And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man

shall endure to the end and following the example of the Son, the Son of

the living God, he cannot be saved.

Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your

Lord and your Redeemer should do.

So I guess the question is, what does it mean to endure to the

end from a God like perspective?

It can't just be.

Huffing it out.

There must be more.

So I started to dig and search and I couldn't believe how many conference talks

there were about the doctrine of Christ.

I guess that shouldn't surprise me.

It's so central to the plan of salvation and for our whole purpose in mortality.

But it is in hundreds of talks and I found so many.

There's a bunch in the notes.

But I really loved this one devotional I read from Elder Renlund

from just a couple of years ago.

This is September 2021 if you want to go find it.

But he said this.

We endure to the end by repeatedly and iteratively relying wholly upon

the doctrine and merits of Christ.

Repeatedly means that we cycle through the elements of the doctrine

of Christ throughout our lives.

Iteratively means that we change and improve with each cycle.

Even though we cycle repeatedly, we're not spinning in circles like on a

merry go round with no upward motion.

If that were the case, the experience would be dizzying and unproductive.

Instead, as we cycle through the elements of the doctrine of Christ,

we arrive at a higher plane each time.

This ascent provides new vistas and perspectives, and brings us closer

to the Savior, and we eventually return to the presence of our Heavenly

Father as an heir to all that He has.

And then he used this awesome visual, I just taught my YSAs about this,

but he talked about a mountain and that this idea of the doctrine

of Christ is for us to progress.

So we make our ascent up this mountain and each time we go around,

we get a little bit higher and higher and we see new things and

understand things deeper and have a.

better connection and understanding of the language of God.

That's the doctrine of Christ.

It's supposed to be used over and over again.

Sometimes this can get hard to teach the kids because they think, well,

I only get baptized once, right?

So how does this work?

work and Elder Renlund talks about this as well that that covenant of baptism

is renewed every time we partake of the sacrament where we're Invited to partake

of those things remember our covenants and always have a spirit tree with us So you

can see where that is part of our ascent We check in on Sundays as we partake of

the sacrament and we work our way up.

I did love the way he described Enduring, in the next section.

He says, Enduring to the end is not a separate step in the doctrine of

Christ, as though we complete the first four steps and then hunker

down, grit our teeth, and wait to die.

No, enduring to the end is actively and intentionally repeating the

steps of the doctrine of Christ.

Thus, the doctrine of Christ becomes central to the purpose of life.

Don't you think that's a beautiful, clear doctrine?

He wants us to ascend and so he invites us to endure, which means

you cycle through over and over and over again, which I think helps you

understand why a few times in this week's study, Nephi seems frustrated

almost that people aren't getting it.

You know, the same way what my boys tried to help me learn how

to mountain bike this summer.

I just don't love mountain biking.

I've tried a couple times.

It just doesn't work.

I like to hike and I don't love mountain biking.

And we went on these training loops and as soon as I finally

finished this big training loop, I was like, oh good, are we done?

And they're like, no, mom, this is, that's not the end.

This was a training loop.

So you're going to do this again and again and get stronger and better.

And This time we worked on your steering, next time we're

going to work on your brakes.

I'm like, you know, like, I think that's Nephi in this week's study,

because that's kind of what he says.

So we look at 19 and 20.

And now, my beloved brethren, after you've gotten into the straight and

narrow path, I would ask if all is done.

Behold, I say unto you, nay, for you have not come this far, save it were

by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly on the

merits of him who is mighty to save.

Wherefore, you must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ,

having a perfect brightness of hope.

and a love of God and all men.

Wherefore, if you shall press forward, feasting upon the words of Christ, and

endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father, ye shall have eternal life.

To press forward means we should expect opposition.

To feast means that you're going to have the strength you need

to continue on this journey.

upward ascent.

He will give you almost like the goos I would drink or choke down when

I was doing my marathon training.

He promises that he will have words that you can feast on to give you

the spiritual strength and stamina you need to keep working your way up.

And then he promises that there will be an end.

But I don't think the end is, I don't think that's what he

means by endure to the end.

I think it means you stick with this ascent until you are as he is.

And whether that happens in this life or the next one, I mean, I think there's

progress that will be made in both places.

And so he, he invites you to keep this pattern always.

Cycling up a little bit higher each time and watch the views change as you ascend.

Much like we saw in the dream, Nephi is going to describe this course that he's

sending us on as straight and narrow.

And you have to kind of wonder at times why that is.

Why is it that God creates a, such a narrow opening to

enter this covenant path?

And I think from some outside perspectives, it can seem almost

unkind that if a loving God was in fact loving, he would make that opening

as wide as he possibly could so that as many people who wanted to come to

know him, but I really think it has something to do with the posture of God.

I think when you're in that posture of humility, to the point where you will

make these covenants with God and you will set down the old you and pick up

this new hopeful future, that puts you in the right posture to be the kind

of person who will grip the iron rod.

I think if we didn't have to, you know, If we didn't have to humble ourselves

in that way, then we wouldn't veer off.

In fact, I was watching a show recently where there was this girl

who really wanted to get into Harvard Law, and she was so frustrated

because she couldn't pass the bar.

And so she almost wished that Harvard would somehow open or change their

policies in order to allow her to come in without passing the bar.

But the problem with that theory, Plays out really quickly, right?

If she can't pass the bar, then chances are her being able to pass the classes

there Wouldn't work out for her, right?

Look, those, those restrictions are in place so that it is fair and so it

prepares you for all that is coming next.

The alternative is they let everybody in and they change their standards,

but then the value of the degree itself is diminished, right?

The promise of what it offers is lower and cheapened if there are no

restrictions and no if it's not hard.

I just think there's something about it being hard.

I love the way the Savior demonstrates this with the rich young ruler.

So remember when we studied last year, this is back in Matthew 20.

And the rich young ruler has lived a good life.

In fact, he comes kind of declaring those good choices he's made all of his life.

And what the Savior asks him to do is set all that down and follow him.

So this is Matthew 10.

21 and 22.

Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest,

go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt

have treasure in heaven, and come and take up the cross and follow me.

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved, for

he had great possessions.

I think one of the ways this may have been hard for the Savior to see is because the

treasures of heaven don't necessarily mean you have to wait until heaven to get them.

I think you could ask any one of his apostles who did choose to follow him.

What are the treasures you received in this life because you chose to

follow Him and take up the cross?

Because you chose to set down that boat full of fish and follow the Savior?

What treasures of heaven did you see in this life?

And if you ask someone like Peter, I think he would say remarkable things.

He saw the daughter of Jairus stand, he saw loaves and fish that

could have had one person turn into enough to feed thousands of people.

He felt water firm under his feet.

I mean, those are treasures in heaven that are here.

Sometimes I think when I struggle to humble myself, it's because I

think those promises are afar off.

And so I make compromises.

And I think what our prophet has taught us and what we hear.

Often, from leaders, is that those treasures of heaven, although there are

bounteous blessings there that we can't even fathom, I think a lot of those

treasures funnel into our lives right now.

As we choose obedience, as we choose humility, as we choose to get on this

covenant path and stay there, the treasures of heaven start seeping through.

The windows of heaven open and blessings pour out.

I think you see that throughout scripture.

In chapter 2, Nephi offers us the ultimate how to article.

You know, like every magazine you ever read, like how to do

something in seven steps, or how to accomplish something simple.

He's going to tell you how to do all things.

That's his guidance.

Remember, he's at the end of his life, and he knows, from first hand

experience, how to accomplish hard things.

That's what I liked about these verses.

I felt like I Nephi's life and see how he has lived this way.

From the beginning.

So this is chapter 32 verse 3 and 5 says angels speak by the power of the Holy

Ghost Wherefore they speak the words of Christ Wherefore I say unto you feast

upon the words of Christ for behold the words of Christ will tell you all

Things that you should do and then five For behold, again I say unto you that

if you will enter in by the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show

unto you all things that ye should do.

I think we've heard the same message spoken by our prophet.

You know, he teaches us that we can look to the Savior's life and teachings

for any question that we might have.

I also loved this quote.

He said, My brothers and sisters, I plead with you to make time for the Lord.

Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of

time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always.

Never underestimate the profound truth that the Spirit speaketh of things as

they are and as they really will be.

It show unto you all things that you should do.

So I guess my question is, where did you see this in Nephi's life?

I mean, don't you think at every step he's lived this for us?

It's how he was able to know on those streets of Jerusalem how he was

supposed to follow that prompting.

Remember he felt compelled to slay Laban and that went against

everything he knew so far.

And he found himself struggling and the spirit helped him know

all things that he should do.

We also saw the spirit prompt him with the bow, like what he could do,

what tools were at his disposal that he could use to solve his problems.

You see it when he goes to make tools, right?

He seeks help from the spirit to know where to find ore, and how to build

things, and how to deal with his brothers who are fighting against him.

He has minute by minute instruction from the Lord.

And I don't think it means he hears the voice of the Spirit all the time.

I think it means he's just in that zone.

When you have the Spirit with you always, and you live worthy of it,

You are guided, not even knowing it's the Spirit prompting you.

We're going to see that later in the Book of Mormon, where you will hear

people actually speak it that way, saying they had no idea that the Spirit

was working on them that whole time.

That's Nephi.

He just has, he lives in that current.

The visual that always helps me understand this is when you think of

like a swimming pool, that it's, When you're in the pool, and you're warm,

and you're having a great time, you don't even realize how comfortable you

are until you get out of the water, and then you feel that first shock of

cold on you, even if it's not windy.

Like, just stepping out of the water, you realize how cold it is out there,

and you immediately want to get back in.

For me, that's how the spirit works.

I think most of the time, I'm not even aware of how warm my life is

because the spirit is all around me and working on me all the time.

It's not until I step into some other place or I step away from where he can

guide me that I feel that immediate chill.

And to me, I think it's this divine gift to urge you to get back in the water.

Step away from whatever media it is that caused that cold.

Step away from whatever person it is that caused that chill

and come back to what is.

Warm come back to where you have comfort and security.

I think we saw that throughout Nephi's life He wants us to feel that peace

and assurance that comes by being in these waters And so he encourages you to

find a way to get there and stay there Baptism is your gateway and then living

worthy by following these doctrines of Christ is how you keep the Spirit with

you always One of the reasons I think Nephi teaches us that the words of Christ

can tell us all things that you should do is because when you pair the words

of Christ with the promptings of the Holy Ghost, you have actionable items.

You know, like if I take the words of Christ that I find in scripture or

in prophetic direction or even in my own journals or revelations that I've

received, When I have the Holy Ghost with me, He teaches me how to use those things.

So I can read Isaiah's words or I can listen to a Maxwell talk and I

can know how I can act in my life.

That's what the Holy Ghost offers.

So Nephi wants us to have that with us all the time.

The problem is you can't Command that to happen, even if you live worthy of

it, you can't demand that the spirit show up for you in certain ways.

You have to invite.

And one of the most powerful ways to invite the Holy Ghost is through prayer.

So Nephi teaches us about prayer.

This is in 32 verses 8 and 9.

He says, And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that you ponder still in

your hearts and agree with me that I must speak concerning this thing.

For if you would hearken unto the spirit which teacheth a man to pray,

ye would know that ye must pray.

For the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth

him that he must not pray.

But behold, I say unto you that you must pray always, and think not.

that ye must not perform anything unto the Lord, save in the first

place you shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that

he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance

may be for the welfare of thy soul.

What I like about these writings, and this might just be my interpretation

of them, I feel like Nephi is trying to help us understand that sometimes

you're not going to have a clear prompting about what you're going to do.

What the Lord promises is he can consecrate all your performances.

Towards your good even if it's not to the good of the people you were hoping

to perform for he can consecrate it to your good That's a pretty remarkable

promise It takes a lot of the pressure off because I feel like we're in this

situation all the time He's saying I don't want you just to pray at certain times

of day or in certain locations I want you to pray always about anything that

you're performing and then trust that he can make it work together for your good.

So, for example, when it comes to my YSA class, I pray always.

I am really diligent with my prayers because I can't do it without prayer.

I need to know what action items he wants me to do.

When I read whatever chunk of scripture that we're covering that week, or when

I listen to whatever conference talk we're discussing, I need to know how

to take those things and act on them.

And better yet, how to help them act on them.

And I need the Holy Ghost to help me know how to do that.

So I pray.

Always meaning I pray while I'm studying.

I pray the minute I sit in the car you guys because as soon as I get in the car

to go to class, I know I'm out of time.

Like there's no other time I can prepare.

I can't put anything else in my lesson.

As soon as I put my hands on the wheel, it's like, Okay, you know, those are the

moments when I pray, Heavenly Father, I need you to touch these stones.

The same way the brother of Jared created the best he could his

16 molten stones, and then he invited the Lord to make them glow.

That's kind of what I do every week when I grab hold of the steering wheel.

I'm like, I need you to touch these stones.

I've done everything I can do in the time I had and the energy

I had to Please touch these.

Don't then I pray when I get to class, right?

Not audibly necessarily, but as they're coming in, I am praying for help to

remember names, to remember details about their lives, to pay attention to

their comments, to know who needs help.

And you know, like I'm praying constantly to, to get guidance on how to help them.

And then honestly, one of my favorite prayers comes after class.

It's usually the next morning I go for a walk or a hike, and I think back on

everything I just taught and I ask.

What I did wrong and honestly, usually there's something there's something I

could have said better or done better.

It's not like a, I don't feel like he's coming down on me.

I feel like it's a way to hone my skills.

He wants me to be a stronger teacher for this group of kids.

And so he's giving me guidance and I get correction.

And for me, that's what praying always means.

It doesn't mean you're praying all the time.

Non stopping constantly.

It means whatever performance he's asking of you, whether it be a calling

or a relationship in your life that he wants you to work on, or whatever

thing he wants you to perform.

He's asking you to pray always throughout that process.

And when you don't have clear direction from the Spirit, like,

most of the time, I don't have clear direction on what I'm supposed to do.

I just have to move forward in faith.

And the promise is, if I do that with an open, honest heart, he will consecrate my

efforts, he will consecrate my efforts.

For at least my gain.

I'll become a better teacher.

I'll be more humble.

I'll learn more the next week and things will get better.

That's his promise.

I love the way President Nelson said this.

He said, Prayer begins with individual initiative.

Behold, saith the Lord, I stand at the door and knock.

If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come to him

and sup with him and he with me.

That door is open when we pray to our Heavenly Father

in the name of Jesus Christ.

If you seek more of him in your life, open the door.

Find ways to pray more intently.

Have your heart open and soft.

Pray always and he will come in and step with you.

Spark number seven is one of my favorites.

I call this one look up.

And it's a reminder I have to give myself all the time.

Because I have a tendency to measure my worth by looking out.

You know, I, I hope for feedback or responses from people and then I can know

that what I'm doing is worth my time.

And what I get reminded of all the time by the spirit is that I need

to look, I need to get reassurance from the only good source.

Everything else is just Extra.

And I need to look up.

Nephi teaches this same lesson.

Because when he gets to chapter 33, he's going to set down teaching us about

the doctrine of Christ and teaching us about having the Spirit with us always.

And he's going to focus on just his own testimony.

But where he begins is his Worries.

Like he starts in one speaking about where he's worried.

It says, And now I, Nephi, cannot write all things which were taught

among my people, neither am I mighty in writing like unto speaking.

For when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost, the power

of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.

This might be me just reading.

projecting onto Nephi, but I feel this all the time.

Like if you asked me to pick whether I speak in front of a group of people

and teach this lesson or speak in front of a camera, 10 times out of 10,

I pick the people because it's just hard not to be able to have physical

evidence that you're doing a good job.

Nephi's in that spot where he is writing words that he

won't get to see people read.

He won't get to see, I mean, I guess maybe he has in vision to some degree,

but he doesn't get to see how this works.

And in his mind, all he can see are his weaknesses.

And I feel that all the time.

I, you just don't have feedback.

And so it's hard and you, you worry about your weaknesses all the time.

What I think is so powerful is Nephi doesn't just, he doesn't

get stuck there like I do.

Instead, he gives you this gateway.

He says, if there's not physical evidence to prove that what you're

doing is pleasing to God, go through this mental checklist.

At least that's how I read it.

So if you look in three and four, he walks you through his checklist.

But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it 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 he will hear my cry.

And then this is his checklist.

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 persuaded them to do good.

It maketh known unto them of their fathers.

It speaketh of Jesus and persuaded them to believe in him and to endure

to the end, which is life eternal.

For me, this is how Nephi looks up.

Even though he can't see the faces of those who will read these words

the way he could if he was giving a sermon, he can go through this list.

Do I love the people that God asked me to love?

You know, I, for me, that's his first indicator, because he talks about crying

over them at night and praying about them.

He loves the people God asked him to love.

Does he pray for guidance and live worthy enough to receive it?

If he does, then he can feel assured that he's on the right track.

Did his eyes, his ideas persuade others to do good?

The reason I like this phrasing is, even if his, his doctrines and his teaching

don't persuade people to get into the waters of baptism, if he doesn't persuade

people to make covenants, Did they at least persuade them to be good, to choose

good, and to believe that there is good?

If so, then he can feel reassured.

He can look up to know that God is pleased with his efforts.

I also love a few others.

He also says, or the way I read that verse, did my message persuade others

to believe in covenant promises?

He hopes always to remind his people about their connection to Abraham.

These, these fathers that have had these incredible promises made by God,

that they are a part of that line.

If he makes sure that his words do those things, then he

can feel assurance from God.

Another one is, Did I speak the words of Jesus and persuade

others to believe in him?

I think this is why every lesson that we teach, whether in our

home or at church or anywhere, is supposed to be focused on the Savior.

Because even if you give the lesson terribly, if it falls flat, if you

helped people understand Jesus Christ and his character, and they learned

to trust him more because of what you taught, then God, I think, is pleased.

It doesn't matter how Weak you feel in the moment, that pleases God.

And then the last one, did my testimony encourage others to endure to the end?

I think that's Nephi in spades, right?

Every moment of the last 12 weeks of study, we have seen him endure hard

things, good things, rely on the spirit to know how to navigate his life.

If our lessons reflect that, Do we help people know that it's worth it to endure?

That the promises of God are real and they are worth it?

If we did, then we can feel assured in those promises.

That's why I love how things wrap up.

I can feel the rest that Nephi feels if I've gone through that mental checklist.

This is in verse 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 you believe not in these words,

That's the sound of a teacher who has looked up for reassurance.

He's no longer feeding on the feedback that he could get in a room he's trusting.

He's closing up this book saying, I've done what I needed to do.

I know God is pleased.

And I think that's the feeling that all teachers hope for.

Time to get into the question side of week 12, you guys.

All right, here are my five questions to consider.

The first one comes from 19.

This is where Nephi has just taught us about the importance of baptism and

getting on this straight and narrow path.

And he's right at the beginning of the path.

He says this interesting phrase, You have not come thus far, save it were

by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly on the

merits of him who is mighty to save.

My question is, how is unshaken faith?

possible this early on the path.

You know, they've just gone through the process of baptism and receiving

the gift of the Holy Ghost.

And he says something like unshaken faith.

And I don't think it means unshakable, meaning it can never shake, but

it does seem like he's saying that what they've accomplished

so far required unshaken faith.

And I'm wondering how that's possible.

So tell me your thoughts.

Second one.

This comes from second Nephi 31 20.

Uh, this is when Nephi is inviting us to press forward with a

steadfastness in Christ, having this faith perfect brightness of

hope and love of God and all men.

It's almost like you can hear faith, hope, and charity in that one verse.

And I really love the perspective on hope that Elder Maxwell offers.

So he says this, that hope is much more than wishful musing.

It stiffens, not slackens, the spiritual spine.

Hope is serene, not giddy, eager without being naive, and pleasantly

steady without being smug.

And I guess I'd love to hear your thoughts about where you see this Right?

Hope in Nephi's life.

We're at the end of his story.

And I would love for us to look back at the last 12 weeks and tell me

where you see this kind of bright hope, that steady assured hope.

Third question.

This comes from second Nephi 32 three.

This is when Nephi was teaching us to feast upon the words of Christ 500 plus

years before Christ will ever offer words.

And so I think it's kind of an interesting situation where he's asking them to

seek the resources they currently have to study the words of Christ.

We often thinking, think of feasting as a metaphor for like taking

in as much as you possibly can.

When you hear people use this scripture in conference or in other talks,

they often talk about it like you need to consume scriptures the way

you would consume food at a feast.

But I think there might be more to that metaphor than just what we consume.

I started thinking about feasts, especially in Jewish traditions,

and what feasts look like.

And I guess my question to you is, are there other ways that

feasting applies to His word, rather than just what we consume?

Think about things like how their feasts were held at regular intervals that

were determined by the law, by God.

They have big preparations.

A lot of times their feast days involved a journey of some kind.

These feasts were providing a way for them to step away from work and

connect with family and friends.

Even outsiders are Gathered in, all of that is wrapped

up in feasting and lots more.

So, think about that metaphor in a new way and see what comes to the surface for you.

Okay, fourth question.

This is in 2 Nephi 33, verse 6.

He says, I glory in plainness, I glory in truth, I glory in my Jesus.

For he hath redeemed my soul from hell.

I think it's interesting that we often speak about being his

children, or his brothers and sisters, or his covenant people,

but I'm curious how he is also ours.

Nephi describes him as my Jesus and redeeming my soul from hell.

And there's something about that relationship that seems

so intimate and so close.

So how, I know we are his, but how is he also ours?

Okay, fifth question.

Second Nephi 33 15.

This is when Nephi is speaking about seeing us at the judgment day.

So remember he gives his testimony, teaches all that he can, and then

basically says, I'll see you on judgment day where you will know

that my words are true because you'll hear it from Christ himself.

And he kind of bids us farewell, either a farewell like I can't wait

to see you or an everlasting farewell if you reject the words of Christ.

And then there's this interesting phrase at the very end.

It says, For thus hath the Lord commanded me and I must obey.

Earlier in his life, Nephi said things like, I will go and do the

things which the Lord hath commanded me, for I know the Lord giveth no

commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them

to do the thing he has commanded, however it's phrased in the scripture.

Before he says, he will do things because the Lord commanded them.

Now I think it's really interesting that at the end of his life,

after decades of discipleship and diligence, he says he must obey.

And I'm curious why.

Do you think this is more the role of a prophet?

Do you think this is more about a change in his spiritual maturity?

Why was he willing to do what God commanded him in

the past, and now he must do?

What made the difference in Nephi?

I don't know the answer, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Before we head into the object lessons, I want to leave you with one last thought.

Like I told you, I read the Bible.

I don't know if it's dozens.

Many, many talks about the doctrine of Christ this week.

One of my favorites came from Elder Ashton.

This is back in 2016, and I just really love the way he helped me understand

the link between the doctrine of Christ and the atonement of Christ.

That the atonement creates the conditions, and that the doctrine

of Christ is a tool that we use.

These are his words.

The Atonement of Christ creates conditions upon which we may rely on the merits and

mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah, be perfected in Christ, and obtain every

good thing, and gain eternal life.

The Doctrine of Christ, on the other hand, is the means of The only means by

which we can obtain all the blessings made available to us through Jesus Atonement.

It is the doctrine of Christ that allows us to access the spiritual power that

will lift us from our current spiritual state to a state where we become, where

we can become perfected like the Savior.

Of this process of rebirth, Elder D.

Todd Christofferson has taught, being born again, unlike our physical birth,

is more of a process than an event.

And engaging in that process is the central purpose in mortality.

What I loved about that perspective is I think that's what Nephi shows.

Throughout his life.

That's been the purpose of his life.

You can almost see Nephi from the very beginning Making that steady ascent living

that doctrine of Christ iteratively and repeatedly until he gets all the way up

to the place where he is in these chapters where he is Assured of his place with God.

He is confident in Christ He speaks God's language and he

he tries to teach it to us.

I just You I think he's like this North Star that all of us can follow.

No matter where we are on the planet, we can look to Nephi and follow his guidance.

There's beautiful confidence in it.

What I love is Nephi is pulling for us to, this is one of my favorite

verses in all this week's study.

It's in 33 verse 12.

This is Nephi speaking, and I pray, the Father, in the name of Christ, that

many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.

He is pulling for us, he's praying for us, and if someone like Nephi is on

our team, I feel like we can feel a lot of confidence following his guidance.