The Help You Need for Come, Follow Me Lesson 2 Nephi 1-5 "We Lived after the Manner of Happiness" (February 3-9)
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Let’s start 2 Nephi with Come, Follow Me Lesson 2 Nephi 1-5 "We Lived after the Manner of Happiness" (February 3-9). It’s funny to start a new book with Lehi’s last words but it also helps put what happens next into context.
Please remember to use the online version of the Come, Follow Me lesson for this lesson especially when you discuss the curse on the Lamanites. The online version has been updated with the current stance of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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2 Nephi takes place between 588 and 545 BC. Here are some key things to remember as you study these first 5 chapters:
The first four chapters are Lehi’s final words to his family.
We are free to choose because of the plan of salvation and Christ’s Atonement for us.
The Fall and the Atonement are essential parts of the Plan of Salvation
In chapter 3, there are 4 Josephs mentioned: 1) Lehi is talking to his son, Joseph. 2) Joseph of Egypt 3) Joseph Smith Senior 4) Joseph Smith Junior. Joseph Smith was foreordained to restored the gospel in the latter-day days.
Chapter 4 is where you can find Nephi’s Psalm specifically verses 16-35
Chapter 5 is the beginning of the seperation of Nephites and Lamanites.
Adam and Eve (about 3 1/2 minutes)- Illustrated scripture story
“The Great Plan of Happiness” by President Dallin H. Oaks
“Free Forever, to Act for Themselves” by Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Till We All Come in the Unity of the Faith (about 2 1/2 minutes)
Lehi Gives His Family a Final Blessing (about 14 minutes)
Lehi Teaches His Family (about 3 1/2 minutes)
Lehi Blesses Jacob (about 3 1/2 minutes)
Lehi Teachs How We Might Have Joy (about 3 minutes)
Lehi Blesses Joseph (about 2 minutes)
Lehi Blesses the Children of Laman and Lemuel (about 3 minutes)
The Nephites Separate from the Lamanites (about 8 minutes)
The Nephites Flee into the Wilderness (about 5 1/2 minutes)
“Free to Choose” by Elder Paul V. Johnson
“Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life” by Elder Robert D. Hales
“Joseph Smith- Prophet of the Restoration” by Elder Tad R. Callister
“Joseph Smith” by Elder Neil L. Andersen
“The Atonement” by President Russell M. Nelson
“The Fall of Man and His Redemption” by Gerald N. Lund
“Living after the Manner of Happiness” by Elder Marlin K. Jensen
“Can We Live ‘after the Manner of Happiness’?” by Elder Brent H. Nielson
“The Three Pillars of Eternity” by Elder Bruce R. McConkie
What Blessings Did the Fall Make Possible?- from the February 2020 Ensign
“Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“The Fulness of the Gospel: The Fall of Adam and Eve”- from the February 2020 Ensign
“The Joy of the Saints” by Elder D. Todd Christofferson
“The Quest for Happiness” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“Jesus Christ: Our Source of Joy” by Elder President Russell M. Nelson
“How Can the Gospel Help Me Be Happy?” by Elder David A. Bednar
As you read Lehi’s last words in 2 Nephi 1-4, record who his audience is and the main points in each scripture study square. Then write what you would want your family to know. How can these words be like a liahona?
Read some famous last words from others. You can guess who said them, appreciate their thoughts, or just laugh. Then introduce these first books of 2 Nephi as being Lehi’s famous last words. How do they compare? If you need some last words, try these:
Famous Last Word Matching Quiz- Literally, the last word. Can you guess who said them?
Read and discuss 2 Nephi 1:21. What does “be men” mean to you? How might the world define “a man” today? How does Lehi describe what “a man” is (Try to find at least five characteristics)? Which definition do you like better? Do they overlap? How do people use “be a man” to go against the laws of God? Cross-reference this scripture with 3 Nephi 27:27. What kind of man (or woman) do you want to be?
If you want to focus on choosing the right, there are a bunch of old lesson helps with free resources to help you drive the point home including handouts for little ones. Use the search bar at the top of each page to search Choose the Right and click on the ones that interest you.
To discuss opposition in all things (2 Nephi 2:11), do a simple magnet car experiment. Attach a strong magnet to top of a toy car. Then use another magnet to force that car further away because it will repel it. The car wouldn’t move forward if it didn’t have an opposing force. Similarly, we can’t progress without opposition. See The Science Kiddo if you need more help.
What are some freedoms you value? Why? Would you value it as much if you didn’t have the opposition from the other side? Why? How does our agency allow us to live after “the manner of happiness”?
In 2 Nephi 2 we also remember the three pillars of eternity that hold up the Plan of Salvation. Discuss how the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ are vital pieces of the Plan using my three pillars handout. Cut out the pillars and assemble the building as you discuss each one.
Write the following scriptures on the back of each of the pillars:
Creation- 2 Nephi 2:11-16
Fall- 2 Nephi 2:17-25
Atonement- 2 Nephi 2:6-10; 26-29
Give each pillar to a different group to study then present to the rest of the group. Why does it matter to us right now? Why was the step necessary? Where would we be without it? What do we have because of it? How can we show gratitude for these things?
If you want printables to review the whole Plan of Salvation, go back to my free printables for Revelation 1-11 to print out my Love version.
If you have Primary aged children, try a Second Article of Faith crossword puzzle from The Friend.
If you have little ones that like to color, color this Adam and Eve page while reading this chapter.
In 2 Nephi 3, we’re introduced to four different Josephs: Joseph of Egypt, Joseph the son of Lehi, Joseph Smith, and Joseph Smith Senior. Print out my four Josephs before you start reading this chapter. Assign a Joseph to each person to write what we learn about each one in this chapter. You can then assemble the four Josephs using a brad so you can flip back and forth between them to clarify who each is.
Note: The prophecy of Joseph from Joseph of Egypt that Lehi mentions, isn’t in the Bible. However, it was restored through Joseph Smith in the latter days. See the Joseph Smith Translation for Genesis 50:24-38.
In 2 Nephi 3:6-12, there are 10 things mentioned about Joseph Smtih’s mission. Pick one and write down or share with your group the effect it has on your life (This would be a great activity to help your family prepare for April’s Conference).
2 Nephi 4 is also known as Nephi’s Psalm- specifically, verses 16-35. Nephi writes this after his father’s death in the Old Testament poetic form. Listen to these verses then take time to compose your own poem about your spirituality. Why do you think Nephi wrote what he did when he did? What can you learn from Nephi here? What do you have in common with Nephi? What makes you want to rejoice in the Lord? What experiences have you had that help you trust the Lord?
Discuss how God can turn our weaknesses into something more as you study 2 Nephi 4:14-35. Try my yarn activity for a memorable object lesson. What happens when we turn to the Lord in our weaknesses? What might happen if we turn to other sources instead? How can we support each other during our weak moments?
In 2 Nephi 5, we see the beginning of the separation between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Use this chapter to focus on opposites. How did the Lamanites live? How did the Nephites? Which ones really lived after “the manner of happiness”? What can we learn from them about how to live our lives?
Study 2 Nephi 5:7-18, 26-27. What are some specific things the Nephites did that contributed to their happiness? What are specific things you can do to contribute to your happiness?
Discuss what you can do in your home to live in happiness. You can use this house printable from The Friend to help.
- Need a visual? Remember to check out the Fine Art Kits from My Computer Is My Canvas. Each week you have a beautiful painting plus a Discuss and Ponder card to help you ponder the lesson all week long. You can buy one month at a time or go for the yearly bundle and use my exclusive coupon CKNSCRATCH to get $10 off (Note: The page will say no coupons allowed but you CAN use my coupon! That's how awesome this coupon is!).
- Get the Joseph Smith booklet and more in The Red Headed Hostess lesson packet.
- The Joseph Smith coloring page and other fun finds are from Love Pray Teach along with other helpful resources.
