Lessons from the Book of Mormon as taught by S.J. Hollist, in
“Lesson 6: Heavenly Father Commands Nephi to Build a Ship,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 19We should be good examples and have a spiritual influence on our families by obeying Heavenly Father’s commandments. “If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them” (
1 Nephi 17:50).
Read
1 Nephi 17 also review
1 Nephi 16:17–32 from
Lesson 5.
Think of the following questions:
• What materials do you think you would need to build a ship large and strong enough to carry you and your family across the ocean?
• What kind of help would you need?
• Where could you go to learn how to build a ship?
This lesson is about how Heavenly Father helped Nephi build a ship.
The Lord promise if we obey his commandments, that he will "doth nourish [us], and strengthen [us], and provide means whereby [we] can accomplish the thing which he has commanded [us]" (
1 Nephi 17:3). We and our families can be blessed because of our obedience.
The Lord command Nephi to build a ship, so they could cross the waters (
1 Nephi 17:8). Nephi respond by asking the Lord where to find the materials he needed (
1 Nephi 17:9). What gave Nephi had such great confidence because he trusted in the Lord (
1 Nephi 17:14–15).
Why do you think the Lord did not just give them a ship? Why doesn't he just give us what we need? It is important for us to do all we can for ourselves, so that we can learn and grow from our experiances. We can become spoiled if everything is given to us, and we fail to learn the value of doing things for our selves and others.
Laman and Lemuel didn't want to help Nephi build a ship, because they didn't have faith that it could be done. They did not want to work to gain the promises of the Lord (
1 Nephi 17:17–19, 45–46). How would working together make building the ship easier? How can working together in our families and communities make large projects easier?
How would you feel if your older brothers made fun of you because you were keeping Heavenly Father’s commandments? How have you been able to help your family? How have you felt when you have helped your family or have not helped your family?
When his brothers tried to kill him, Heavenly Father give Nephi power that "whoso shall lay his hands upon [him] shall wither even as a dried reed" (
1 Nephi 17:48, 54).
Nephi show his faith in Jesus Christ by building a ship according to his instructions (
1 Nephi 17:50–51). How can you be like Nephi and show courage and faith in Jesus Christ?
List the things the Lord promises when we are obedient as found in
1 Nephi 17:3 and
1 Nephi 3:7. You will be blessed if they keep the commandments and ask Heavenly Father for guidance.
List things you could do to help your families learn the gospel and keep the commandments, such as encourage daily scripture study, participate willingly in family prayer, help organize and participate in family home evening, obey your parents, help keep your homes neat and clean, pray for family members, show love and kindness to each other, share what you have learned here, and so on. Choose one thing you would like to work on improving during the coming week.
Labels: Book of Mormon, Lesson 6, Nephi, Obediance, Ship