Here's some info.from lessons 2 & 3 :)...
Tomorrow's scriptures are 1 Nephi 12-14
Lesson 2 - 1 Nephi 1-7
Questions to ponder:
What can we learn from Nephi about how to make our hearts more receptive to the teachings of the prophets?
**General Conference is March 31st and April 1st (no fooling)..planning to listen to a prophet's voice?
What sacrifices have you made to be obedient to the Lord? How have you been blessed as you have made such sacrifices?
How can we develop feelings of gratitude even in difficult circumstances?
Why is it important that we be known as people who keep our word?
What qualities did Nephi exhibit in his dealings with his brothers? (See
1 Nephi 2:17–18 and 7:21 for some examples.)
How can we demonstrate these qualities in our relationships with our family members and others?
This lesson had a focus on obedience..here is a quote from President Faust from April 1999 Conference...
"I have prayed for guidance in what I should say because I wish to raise a warning voice. In today’s society, the difference between right and wrong is being obscured by loud, seductive voices calling for no restraints in human conduct. They advocate absolute freedom without regard to consequences. I state unequivocally that such behavior is the high road to personal destruction.
"Obedience leads to true freedom. The more we obey revealed truth, the more we become liberated."
Lesson 3... 1 Nephi 8–11; 12:16–18; 15.
We talked of the symbolism from Lehi's dream.
the different people represented
pondering questions:
How can we hlep our loved ones draw nearer to the Savior and receive the promise of eternal life?
How can pride keep a person from receiving eternal life?
Following are the talks I used and quotes from two of them. The third's title only mostly struck me, but is a really good read for a voting year where a mormon is a major candidate for the Presidency of the United States :)..
http://lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/the-love-of-god?lang=eng&query=love+god
Our Father in Heaven has given us, His children, much more than any mortal mind can comprehend. Under His direction the Great Jehovah created this wondrous world we live in. God the Father watches over us, fills our hearts with breathtaking joy, brightens our darkest hours with blessed peace, distills upon our minds precious truths, shepherds us through times of distress, rejoices when we rejoice, and answers our righteous petitions.
He offers to His children the promise of a glorious and infinite existence and has provided a way for us to progress in knowledge and glory until we receive a fulness of joy. He has promised us all that He has.
http://lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng&query=pride
Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.
The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.
Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.” As Paul said, they “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” (Philip. 2:21.)
Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled. (See Alma 38:12; 3 Ne. 12:30.)
The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. (See Hel. 12:6.) They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works.
Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.
http://lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/christian-courage-the-price-of-discipleship?lang=eng&query=price+discipleship
