1 Nephi 1:20 We Are Not Ashamed to Own Our Lord

1 Nephi 1:20 ---We Are Not Ashamed to Own Our Lord

What

• The Jews were angry with Lehi
• as they were of the prophets of old whom they had slain, cast out and stoned
• They plotted to kill Lehi
• The Lord shows tender mercies to the faithful even unto the power of deliverance.

Why

The Lord will cause that His work go forth . He blesses the faithful.

Pattern

• Persecution of prophets-cast out
• Jer. 13:11 but they would not hear.
• Hel 13:22-39 (25)
• Joseph Smith and early Saints
• Elijah 1 Kings 19:10 Even only I am left and they seek my life to take it away.
• Elias Rom 1:3 I am left alone and they seek my life.
• Zechariah 2 Ch 24 They conspired against him and stoned him.
• Isa 30:10 this is a rebellious people
• Matt. 5 Christ to his apostles Rejoice...for so persecuted the prophets before you.
• Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your father's persecuted?
• Heb. 11:37 Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings...bonds, imprisonment, stoned, slain.
• Jaredites- Murdered all the prophets of the Lord who came to them. Alma 37:30 and Ether 8:25

Christ

1 Ths. 2:15 Killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets.

Pattern

Tender Mercies

Gen 32 Jacob prayed for tender mercies.

Alma 34:38 Take upon you the name of Christ and humble yourselves...live in thanksgiving daily,for the many mercies which he doth bestow upon you.

D&C 46:15...as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men.

Because of their faith

To make them mighty even unto deliverance

Faith brings tender mercies the greatest being deliverance (salvation)

Israelites..Ex 3:8 I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians

the scriptures and our lives are packed with stories of the faithful who have been blessed. These blessings are “tender mercies” these stories of true experiences can fill volumes of writings.

Christ

He was persecuted and killed and died for us. He is the deliverer. We pray in His name. He delivers us from our trials and specifically he delivers us from our own sins so that we can receive exaltation to live with Him forever.

Apply

If we are faithful then we will be blessed. If we are persecuted for our faith then we can know we are following Christ's path. Tender Mercies are given to me daily and to all the faithful because of their faith.

Be faithful

Eliza R Snow said “I will go forward, I will smile at the rage of the tempest and I will ride fearlessly and triumphantly across the boisterous ocean of circumstance...and the testimony of Jesus will light up a lamp that will guide my vision through the portals of immortality.

What can I do to be more faithful? Study all scriptures and manuals and good books. Serve ==Have more charity and love in my heart. Fast and pray.

Conference

4/15 Robert D. Hales

Preserving Agency

the first is freedom to believe. No one should be criticized, persecuted, or attacked by individuals, or governments either, for what he or she believes about god. It is very personal and very important. An early declaration of our beliefs regarding religious liberty states.

“No government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and ehld inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience.

…

The civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience or suppress the freedom of the soul.

Hymns

105 Master, the Tempest Is Raging

30 Come, Come Ye Saints

57 WE are Not Ashamed To Own Our Lord 

Mark 8:34-38

1 Nephi 1:19--Do What Is Right

1 Nephi 1:19 ---Do What Is Right

What

Lehi was mocked by the Jews because he told them they were wicked and testified of their coming destruction of the coming of the Savior, a Messiah and the redemption of the world.

Why

People don't like to be chastised especially if they need it. They were proud and deliberately wicked.

Pattern

• Mock-2 Chr36:16 They mocked the messengers of God...and misused them
• 1 Ne. 7:14 They cast Jeremiah in prison and sought to kill Lehi.
• Coming of Messiah- Isa 40:3 Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
• Redeemer shall come to Zion and unto them that turneth from transgression.
• They had slain the Messiah. He should rise from the dead 1 Ne 10:11

Lehi is a “type” of Christ. He preached repentance and the Jews soght his life. He had to flee his home in Jerusalem just as Christ did with his parents when he was young and they were warned to flee to Egypt.

Christ

Jesus was persecuted and killed as were many prophets in Jerusalem.

Apply

In our lives we may face persecutions as members of the LDS Church or other religions. As missionaries or as Christians. There is a lot of public opinion against our beliefs. Satan opposes righteousness in every way he can.

Lehi did not back down on his prophecies and principals. He did have to sacrifice his beautiful home and all his earthly possessions except some camels and camping gear andleave with his family.

How brave are we? How dedicated are we?

Doing what is right is not always easy but it is vital in our eternal destination.

Conference 10/14

Which Way Do You Face?

Never cower at the feet of intimidation...help us always remembe which is the first and great commandment . Matt. 22:38

Hymns

237 Do What Is Right

239 Choose The Right

1 Nephi 1 18--We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet

1 Nephi 1:18- --We thank Thee, O God For A Prophet

What

After Lehi had received so many marvelous things in the visions concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, he went forth prophesying.

Why

Lehi was commanded to prophesy and warn the people so they might repent.

Pattern

Many prophets have been called to prophesy .

• 2 Kings 17:13 The Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all the prophets....
• Neh 9:30
• Isa 58:1 Lift up thy voice like a trumpet and shew my people their transgressions.
• Jer. 5:14 I will make my words in thy mouth fire.
• Ezek. 33:9 Warn the wicked of his way to turn from it.
• Amos 3:7 He revealeth his secrets unto his servants, the prophets.
• Jonah 1:2 (3:1-4) Go to Ninivah and cry against it.
• 2 Ne 9:48 Expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.

Christ

Prophets speak for Christ

• Jesus was the ultimate prophet. John 6:14
• Nephi prophecied of Christ's coming 2Ne. 2:25

Apply

We have prophets today who prophecy of Christ coming in the Latter Days. We should embrace their teaching and prepare for the second coming.

D&C 58:6-7

March 2014 Ensign “the mustard seed is to grow and spread for the purpose of preparing the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ. 10^Th, 11^th, 12^th articles of faith teach us about preparing the world for the second coming.

Just as Jerusalem was about to be destroyed because of wickedness so also are individuals destroyed by wickedness. Prophets have always taught us that and that wickedness never was nor will be happiness.

Conference

10/13 Elder A. Ochoa

Look UP

Today is the time to look to the source of truth and ensure that our testimonies are strong.

Hymns

We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet

1 Nephi 1:17---Keeping Journals and Family HIstory

1 Nephi 1:17----Keeping Journals and Family History

What

Nephi will make an abridgment of the record of his father, Lehi upon plates that he (Nephi) made. He then will make an account of his own life.

Why

Lehi had written many things on plates. Nephi made a condensed version of his father's records so they would be preserved with is records on metal plates. This was for a wise purpose because when Joseph Smith began his translation of the Book of Lehi and had 116 pages done, then they were lost (taken stolen and altered) Nephi's record was the back up record because the Lord knew what would happen and inspired or commanded Nephi to abridge his father's record.

Pattern

Recording on metal plates was done for histories. The plates of Brass (or plates of Laban).

Nephi kept two books.

The Lord commanded many to keep records.

Moses wrote on tables of stone.

Samuel wrote in a book 1 Samuel 10:25

Uzziah wrote 2 Chr. 26.22

Ezekiel 37:16

John 21:21

Paul

Christ

Jesus testified of His Father (Lehi of his father)

3 Ne. 27:26 All things are written by the Father; therefore out of the books which shall be written shall the world be judged. Joseph Smith was commanded to write while in the spirit.

D.& C. 76:80

Apply

We should record our spiritual experiences and major happenings and tender mercies in our lives by keeping journals and keep a record of our ancestors.

Conference

10/14 Allan F. Packer.

The Book

Family history includes the present as we create our own history It includes the future history through our descendants. (temple work)

Hymns

211 O Holy Words of Truth and Love

279 Thy Holy Word