Week 5

THE BOOK OF MORMON

"I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:461)

"If we would avoid adopting the evils of the world, we must pursue a course which will daily feed our minds with and call them back to the things of the Spirit. I know of no better way to do this than by daily reading the Book of Mormon." (Marion G. Romney, Ensign, May 1980, p.66)

Questions and Activities

• What is the Book of Mormon?
• What is the purpose of the Book of Mormon?
• What is a keystone? How does the Book of Mormon serve as the keystone of our religion?
• Why is it important to find out that the Book of Mormon is true?
• How does the Book of Mormon bring people to Christ?
• What did you learn as you read the book of Mormon this morning?
• What personal experiences have strengthened your testimony of the Book of Mormon?
• How do you feel about the promise in Moroni 10:3-5?
• What experiences have you had in applying this promise?
• In what specific ways will your testimony of the Book of Mormon make a difference in your work today?

Topical Guide

Book of Mormon

Scriptures

2 Nephi 3:11-13; 33

D&C 17; 20:1-16

Ezekiel 37:15-20

John 10:16

Revelation 14

JS----H 1

Articles of Faith 1:8

"A Brief Explanation about the Book of Mormon" (on page facing the Book of Mormon table of contents)

Bible Dictionary

Ephraim, Stick of

Other Sources

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapters 6-8

Jesus the Christ, chapter 39

The Articles of Faith, chapters 14-15

Truth Restored, chapter 2

Week 4

JOSEPH SMITH

"Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the veil in the great work of the last days....No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith....

"He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation--the keys to rule in the spirit-world; and he rules there triumphantly....He was foreordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation."

(Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 7:289-90).

"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it." (D&C 135:3)

Questions and Activities

• What fundamental truths and ordinances were revealed through Joseph Smith?
• Who were the heavenly messengers who visited Joseph Smith? What message or keys did each one bring?
• How is Joseph Smith similar to Moses?
• How can one come to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet?
• What types of feelings have you had that have been similar to those of Joseph Smith when he was searching for the truth?
• How do you feel about Joseph Smith's first vision?
• What leads you to believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet? Record your feelings in your journal.
• In what ways can you show your gratitude for the Prophet Joseph Smith?

Topical Guide

Joseph Smith

God, Privelege of Seeing

Martyrdom

Translate

Scriptures

2 Nephi 3:7-16

D& C 122

JS---H 1

Isaiah 29

Bible Dictionary

Joseph Smith Translation

Other Sources

The Articles of Faith, chapter 1

Truth Restored, chapters 1, 8

Week 3

PROPHETS

"The President of the Church, the Presiding High Priest, is sustained as prophet, seer, and revelator for the Church, and he alone has the right to receive revelations for the Church...or to give authoritative interpretations of scriptures...or change in any way the existing doctrines of the Church. He is God's sole mouthpiece on earth for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the only true Church. He alone may declare the mind and will of God to his people. No officer of any other church in the world has this high right and lofty prerogative." (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Address to seminary and institute faculty, Brigham Young University, 7 July 1954).

Questions and Activities

• What is a prophet? a seer? a revelator?
• What are some common characteristics of ancient and modern prophets?
• Why does the Lord call prophets?
• Find several examples in the scriptures that illustrate the role of a prophet.
• What does it mean to sustain the prophet?
• What are some instances when you were blessed by following the counsel of modern prophets?
• What are you doing to sustain the prophet?

Topical Guide

False Prophets

Guidance, Divine

Prophecy

Prophets, Mission of

Prophets, Rejection of

Seer

Scriptures

1 Nephi 1:5-20

Mosiah 8:13-18; 11:20-29; 12-13

Helaman 10, 13-14

D&C 1; 68:3-5

Exodus 4

Articles of Faith 1:6

Bible Dictionary

Divination

Prophet

Revelation

Seer

Urim and Thummim

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 9

Truth Restored, chapter 14

Week 2

JESUS CHRIST--SON OF GOD

"The gospel teaches that Christ is the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. No true follower is satisfied to accept him merely as a great Reformer, the ideal Teacher, or even as the one perfect Man. The Man of Galilee is not figuratively, but literally, the Son of the living god." (David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals, p. 46).

"Jesus Christ is the heir of this kingdom--the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh, and holds the keys over all this world" (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 51)

Questions and Activities

• Why is it significant that Jesus Christ is the only Begotten Son?
• How are God the Father and the Son one?
• In what ways did Jesus fulfill his Father's plan?
• Give some examples of how the Savior's life is a model for your life.
• In what ways have you followed the Savior's example?
• Which of Christ's teachings have meant the most to you in your life?
• What are you doing in your life to follow the example of Christ better?
• Share with others your feelings about the Savior.

Topical Guide

Commandments of God

Jesus Christ, Antemortal Existence of

Jesus Christ, Atonement through

Jesus Christ, Divine Sonship

Jesus Christ, Firstborn

Jesus Christ, Mediator

Jesus Christ, Mission of

Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son

Jesus Christ, Relationships with the Father

Jesus Christ, Son of Man

Scriptures

2 Nephi 31

3 Nephi 11

D& C 93:1-22

Luke 1-2

John 10, 17

Articles of Faith 1:1

Bible Dictionary

Jesus

Son of God

Son of Man

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 3

Jesus the Christ, chapters 3, 11