Triumph Over Evil 1 Nephi 14

1. Lesson 15 Triumph Over Evil 1 Nephi 14

2. If… A Choice If Then If I follow the Lord, then … If I refuse to follow the Lord, then … Depending on what we choose, we experience different outcomes. Nephi saw future generations and noted that if they would be righteous, they would be blessed; or if they would choose wickedness, they would be cursed.

3. Choice and Blessings If they hearken unto the Lamb of God And do not harden their hearts Then they shall: Be numbered of the house of Israel Be a blessed people forever Not be brought down into captivity “stumbling blocks” often refers to obstacles that keep people from following the Lord. “numbered among the house of Israel” means to be counted among the Lord’s covenant people 1 Nephi 14:1-2

4. Covenants Why is it important to be among the Lord’s covenant people? (To receive the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant [see D&C 132:30–31].) What does it mean to “hearken unto the Lamb of God”? To hear the words of God “…Hearken, O ye nations of the earth, and hear the words of that God who made you.” (D&C 43:23) 1 Nephi 14:1-2

5. If… A Choice Repent If Hardened Heart Blessings come to those who repent Negative consequences come to those who harden their hearts. 1 Nephi 14:5-7

6. If… A Choice If the people repent… Then they shall… “it shall be well with them” They shall receive “Peace and life eternal” If the people harden their hearts… Then they shall… Perish and “be brought down into captivity” and “destruction” 1 Nephi 14:5-7

7. A Great and Marvelous Work A Restoration of the priesthood, the gospel, and the Lord’s Church in the latter days. How is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “great and marvelous” to you? How does it bring you peace? How does it bring you hope for eternal life? Repenting of our sins leads to great blessings. Hardening our hearts against the Lord and His Church leads to spiritual captivity and destruction. 1 Nephi 14:7

8. Apostasy comes to a close “Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid.” 2 Nephi 27:25-26 Isaiah 29:13-14 The beginning of times of restitution (Acts 3:21)…an age initiated by the call of Joseph Smith 1 Nephi 14:7

9. Everlasting work “A new and everlasting covenant is the fulness of the gospel, the aggregate of all covenants and obligations which lead to salvation.” (D&C 1:22; 39:11; 45:9; 49:9; 66:2; 133:57) “The angel instructed Nephi that one accepts or rejects the message of the Restoration at the peril of his own salvation.” --Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet 1 Nephi 14:7

10. The Battle—Two Churches Takes place in the Latter Days The Lamb of God Accepting of the Lord’s commandments Harkens to the word of God Members are few Great and Abominable Church Founder—Devil Mother of abomination Whore of the earth Those who are not of the Church of the Lamb belong to that Great and Abominable Church 1 Nephi 14:8-17

11. ...“All churches may be false, but only one can be true, simply because religion comes from God, and God is not the author of confusion.” --Joseph Smith Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 2:506-7 “The Lord is not condemning all who are not members of the church. Nor is he, for that matter, ensuring an exaltation to all those who have received the fulness of the gospel. The lord has said that he is pleased with the Church collectively and not necessarily individually (D&C 1:30), we are neither baptized nor judged as congregations.” --Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet

12. “There is only light and darkness; there is no dusky twilight zone (in regard to the fulness of salvation). Either men walk in the light or they cannot be saved.” --Bruce R. McConkie

13. Armed with Righteousness Taking upon you the name of Jesus Christ Build up the Kingdom of God Serving Jesus Christ by serving others Baptismal Covenants Sustain truth and righteouness Taking upon the name of Jesus Christ Stand as witnesses of God Keeping all the commandments 1 Nephi 14:14

14. Armed with Righteousness If we live righteously and keep our covenants, the power of God will help us triumph over evil. 1 Nephi 14:14

15. “We [members of the Church] are a tiny fraction when compared to the billions of people on earth. But we are who we are, and we know what we know, and we are to go forth and preach the gospel. “The Book of Mormon makes it clear that we never will dominate by numbers. But we have the power of the priesthood  … “We can and in due time certainly will influence all of humanity. It will be known who we are and why we are. It might seem hopeless; it is monumentally difficult; but it is not only possible but certain that we will win the battle against Satan” --Boyd K. Packer 1 Nephi 14:14

16. John the Revelator The major theme in John’s writing is in the Book of Revelation. This then includes that God will triumph over the forces of the devil. Nephi also saw a vision of the end of the world, but he was commanded not to record it because John had been given the responsibility to do so. 1 Nephi 14:18-27

17. “The Book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written.” --Joseph Smith

18. What Have We Learned? Who is narrating this account? Who is speaking? Who is receiving the message? What is happening in this account? What has happened before this event? What is the message of this story? What did the writer intend for us to learn from this story? (Doctrine or Principle)

19. Sources: Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet “Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon” pg. 108and pg. 110 Bruce R. McConkie “The Millennial Messiah” pg. 54 Boyd K. Packer “The Power of the Priesthood,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 7. Joseph Smith (Teachings p 290)