31 October 2013 Seminary Lesson 39: 2 Nephi 29 - 30

1. 31 October 2013 Seminary Lesson39: 2Nephi29 - 30 Opening Hymn: An angel From On High Opening Prayer Scripture Mastery: 2 Nephi 25:23, 26 Anna First Reader: Jackson

2. Spiritual Thought/Scripture Mastery Day 3 Recite, Blanks, & Identify Doctrines & Principles. 2 Nephi 25:23, 26 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. 26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. F W L D T W, T P O C, A A O B, T B I C, A T B R T G; F W K T I I B G T W A S, A A W C D. 26 A W T O C, W R I C, W P O C, W P O C, A W W A T O P, T O C M K T W S T M L F A R O T S.

3. Introduction Nephi prophesied about the latter-day Restoration of the gospel, which the Lord said would be “a marvelous work” (2 Nephi 29:1). Nephi testified that in the last days, all scriptures would work together to show that God remembers His children. He prophesied that many would reject the Book of Mormon but that those who believe would be gathered into the Church. In addition, he taught that God’s covenant people are those who repent and believe in the Son of God.

4. Read 2 Nephi 29Nephi prophesies that in the last days, many will reject the Book of Mormon Imagine that a friend at school sincerely asks, “Why do Mormons have another Bible?” Nephi provided some answers to this question by recording the Lord’s words about the role of the Book of Mormon in the latter-day Restoration of the gospel, which the Lord called “a marvelous work.” Re-read2 Nephi 29:1–2 silently and identify what the Lord’s words would do in the last days. President Ezra Taft Benson explained that “we, the members of the Church, and particularly the missionaries, have to be the ‘hissers,’ or the tellers and testifiers, of the Book of Mormon unto the ends of the earth” (“The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign,May 1975, 65).

5. Statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (from Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [1997], 4.): “The Book of Mormon is the preeminent statement of God’s covenant with and his love for his children here on earth.” Study2 Nephi 29:7–11to find the Lord’s purposes for giving scripture in addition to the Bible. Prepare to share what you have found.

6. Possible responses include that (1) the Lord remembers all people and sends His word to all nations (see verse 7); (2) the Lord speaks the same message to all nations, and the Book of Mormon is a second witness to the truths in the Bible (see verse 8); (3) the Lord is always the same, and He speaks according to His pleasure (see verse 9); (4) God’s work is not finished, and He will continue to speak to accomplish His work (see verse 9); (5) people should not assume that the Bible contains all of the Lord’s words or that the Lord has not caused more words to be written (see verse 10); and (6) the Lord commands people in all nations to record His words (see verse 11).

7. Read 2 Nephi 30:1–8Nephi prophesies of the role of the Book of Mormon in the last days Look for two things we must do to become part of God’s covenant people.  Re-read2 Nephi 30:4–8 silently, looking for phrases that show how people will be blessed as they receive the Book of Mormon.

8. Read 2 Nephi 30:9–18Nephi prophesies of conditions of the earth during the Millennium 2 Nephi 30:18: “Satan shall have power over the hearts of the children of men no more, for a long time.” You may want to suggest that students mark this statement in their scriptures. • Why is it helpful to know that righteousness will eventually triumph over wickedness? Satan will not have power over the hearts of people during the Millennium, and righteousness and peace will prevail. Read the following statement by President George Q. Cannon of the First Presidency. Listen for reasons why Satan will not have power during the Millennium.

9. “We talk about Satan being bound. Satan will be bound by the power of God; but he will be bound also by the determination of the people of God not to listen to him, not to be governed by him. The Lord will not bind him and take his power from the earth while there are men and women willing to be governed by him. That is contrary to the plan of salvation. To deprive men of their agency is contrary to the purposes of our God. There was a time on this continent, of which we have an account, when the people were so righteous that Satan did not have power among them. Nearly four generations passed away in righteousness. They lived in purity, and died without sin. That was through their refusal to yield to Satan. It is not recorded that Satan had no power in other parts of the earth during that period. According to all history that we have in our possession, Satan had the same power over men who were willing to listen to him. But in this land he did not have power, and he was literally bound. I believe that this will be the case in the millennium; and I reason upon it as I do upon that happy condition that is described in the record of which I speak. I expect that before Satan is fully bound the wicked will be destroyed” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1897, 65).

10. • How will Satan be bound during the Millennium?

11. Closing Prayer Tomorrow’s Assignments