Transcript Mormon 1-6 - ericdrichards.com

MORMON 1-6
Mormon, the Prophet
WHO IS THIS?
1.
A prophet came to him when he was young
and told him of records engraved on metal plates
that he had hidden in a hill. The prophet told him
that he was to go to the hill when he was older and
obtain the plates
WHO IS THIS?
2.
In his mid-teens he was visited of the Lord
WHO IS THIS?
3.
He tried to share part of what he had learned,
but the people hardened their hearts
WHO IS THIS?
4.
He was in his early twenties when he received
the plates
WHO IS THIS?
5.
He was large in stature
WHO IS THIS?
6.
He had the same name as his father
WHO IS THIS?
7.
The people in his time lived in a state of
apostasy
WHO IS THIS?
8.
He led his people as a military leader,
prophet, and record keeper
WHO IS THIS?
9.
He was forced by his enemies to leave his
home and move with his people from city to city
WHO IS THIS?
10.
His enemies finally succeeded in killing him
MORMON
JOSEPH SMITH AND MORMON
Joseph
Mormon
Named after their father
Joseph
Mormon
“Sober” child
Age 12
Age 11
Visited by the Lord
Age 14
By Age 15
Responsible for Nephite Records
Age 23
Age 24
Preached the Gospel
Yes
Yes
Called as Apostle
Yes
Yes
Saw attacks against the Church
Yes
Yes
Became a General
Nauvoo
Age 16
Killed defending his people
Carthage
Cumorah
MORMON
How do you feel when people call
you a Mormon?
MORMON
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “While I sometimes
regret that people do not call this church by its
proper name, I am happy that the nickname they
use is one of great honor made so by a remarkable
man and a book which gives an unmatched
testimony concerning the Redeemer of the world.
“Anyone who comes to know the man Mormon,
through the reading and pondering of his words,
anyone who reads this precious trove of history
which was assembled and preserved in large
measure by him, will come to know that Mormon is
not a word of disrepute, but that it represents the
greatest good—that good which is of God”
(“Mormon Should Mean ‘More Good,’” Ensign, Nov. 1990, 52–53).
MORMON 1:2
As used in the scriptures, the
word observe has two primary uses. One use
denotes “to look” or “to see” or “to notice”.
The second use of the
word observe suggests “to obey” or “to
keep”—as is evident in the Doctrine and
Covenants: “But blessed are they who have
kept the covenant and observed the
commandment, for they shall obtain mercy”
(D&C 54:6; emphasis added).
When we are quick to observe, we
promptly look or notice and obey. Both of
these fundamental elements—looking and
obeying—are essential to being quick to
observe. And the prophet Mormon is an
impressive example of this gift in action.
(Elder Bendar, “Quick to Observe”)
QUESTION
In your experience,
what are the
challenges associated
with being “quick to
observe”?
PRINCIPLE: MORMON 5:17
Sheep?
Or Ship?
THE TEST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbmQz_O8oWg
Read Mormon 3:20,22 - What do you do for
someone heading down the wrong path?
• Mormon 3:3 Invite
• Mormon 3:12 Lead and Love
• Mormon 3:13 Seek to deliver
• Mormon 3:15 Don’t seek retaliation
President James E. Faust: “We need to
recognize and acknowledge angry feelings.
It will take humility to do this, but if we will
get on our knees and ask Heavenly Father
for a feeling of forgiveness, He will help us.
The Lord requires us ‘to forgive all men’
[D&C 64:10] for our own good because
‘hatred retards spiritual growth.’ [Orson F.
Whitney, Gospel Themes (1914), 144.] Only
as we rid ourselves of hatred and bitterness
can the Lord put comfort into our hearts. …
“… When tragedy strikes, we should not
respond by seeking personal revenge but
rather let justice take its course and then
let go. It is not easy to let go and empty our
hearts of festering resentment. The Savior
has offered to all of us a precious peace
through His Atonement, but this can come
only as we are willing to cast out negative
feelings of anger, spite, or revenge” (“The
Healing Power of Forgiveness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007,
69).
What do you do for someone heading down
the wrong path?
• Mormon 3:3 Invite
• Mormon 3:12 Lead and Love
• Mormon 3:13 Seek to deliver
• Mormon 3:15 Don’t seek retaliation
• Mormon 5:2 Never give up
• Mormon 5:11 Eternal Perspective
• Mormon 6:16 Pour your heart out
President George A. Smith: “There is a line
of demarcation well defined. On one side of
the line is the Lord’s territory, and on the
other side of the line is the devil’s territory.
If you will stay on the Lord’s side of the line
the devil cannot come over there to tempt
you or to annoy or distress you. If you go
onto the devil’s side of the line just one
inch you are in his territory, you are in his
power, and he will seek to draw you just as
far from that line of demarcation, that
division line, as he can, knowing that if he
can keep you in his territory he has you in
his power” (Conference Report, Oct. 1932, 27).
Elder James E. Talmage: “As the time of
repentance is procrastinated, the ability to
repent grows weaker; neglect of
opportunity in holy things develops
inability” (The Articles of Faith, 12th ed. [ 1924], 114).
“Nephi”, in Egyptian, is ‘nfr’
Meaning: Good, beautiful, fair
And their young men and their daughters became exceedingly fair,
and they were numbered among the Nephites,
and they were called Nephites. (3 Nephi 2:16)
PRINCIPLE: Mormon 6:17-19
MORMON 1-6
Mormon, the Prophet