Lesson 10: He Inviteth All to Come unto Him

2 Nephi 26–30 contains powerful prophecies concerning the last days. Nephi prophesied about people who would be deceived by Satan and fall away from the truth. However, he also foresaw the Restoration of the gospel and the blessings that would be given to the righteous.

• What are some examples in 2 Nephi 28 of Satan’s tactics to deceive us? How can you avoid being overcome by these tactics? (See, for example, 1 Nephi 15:24; 2 Nephi 28:30; Alma 17:2–3; Moroni 7:15–19; D&C 21:1–6; 46:7.)
• Why should we study the Book of Mormon in addition to the Bible? (See 2 Nephi 29:4–14; see also 2 Nephi 28:30.)

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Have a family member stand in the center of the room. Explain that in this demonstration, the area to the right of that person represents all the good things that can be done in life. The area to the farthest right represents the very best things that can be done. The area to the left of the person represents all the wrong things that can be done in life. The area to the farthest left represents the very worst things that can be done.

Explain that Elder Richard G. Scott presented a similar object lesson. Then he observed: “In the middle, it is difficult to discern what is right and what is wrong. This middle area is where Satan works with righteous people. … It is easy to become confused here. Live well within the wonderful area of good the Lord has defined, and you won’t have any problems with temptation. If you are not sure whether something is appropriate to look at, to listen to, to think about, or to do, then avoid it. You could be headed for one of Satan’s traps” (“Do What Is Right,” Ensign, June 1997, 53–54).

Discuss how this demonstration applies to the decisions and temptations family members face each day.

Lesson 9: My Soul Delighteth in the Words of Isaiah

Before you begin studying the teachings of Isaiah in 2 Nephi 11–25, read this statement by Elder Boyd K. Packer:

“The Book of Mormon is a book of scripture. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is written in biblical language, the language of the prophets.

“For the most part, it is in easy-flowing New Testament language, with such words as spake for spoke, unto for to, with and it came to pass, with thus and thou and thine.

“You will not read many pages into it until you catch the cadence of that language and the narrative will be easy to understand. As a matter of fact, most teenagers readily understand the narrative of the Book of Mormon.

“Then, just as you settle in to move comfortably along, you will meet a barrier. The style of the language changes to Old Testament prophecy style. For, interspersed in the narrative, are chapters reciting the prophecies of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. They loom as a barrier, like a roadblock or a checkpoint beyond which the casual reader, one with idle curiosity, generally will not go.

“You, too, may be tempted to stop there, but do not do it! Do not stop reading! Move forward through those difficult-to-understand chapters of Old Testament prophecy, even if you understand very little of it. Move on, if all you do is skim and merely glean an impression here and there. Move on, if all you do is look at the words. …

“… The Lord had a purpose in preserving the prophecies of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, notwithstanding they become a barrier to the casual reader.

“Those who never move beyond the Isaiah chapters miss the personal treasures to be gathered along the way” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 76–77; or Ensign, May 1986, 61).

Lesson 8: O How Great the Goodness of Our God

2 Nephi 9 contains a discourse by Jacob, one of Nephi’s younger brothers, about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is the central event in the plan of salvation. To understand the teachings in this chapter, it is helpful to understand the terms temporal death and spiritual death. For an explanation of these terms, see Bible Dictionary, “Death,” 655.

• What did the Savior do to overcome temporal death and spiritual death? (See 2 Nephi 9:5–7, 12, 21–22; see also Luke 22:44; Mosiah 3:7; D&C 19:16–19.)
• According to Jacob, what are some of the things we must do to be “saved in the kingdom of God,” or permitted to dwell in God’s presence forever? (See 2 Nephi 9:18, 21, 23–24, 39, 41, 50–52.)
• What are some attitudes and actions that prevent us from receiving all the blessings of the Atonement? (See 2 Nephi 9:27–38.)
• Jacob prophesied that the Nephites’ descendants would “perish in the flesh because of unbelief” and that the Jews in Jerusalem would crucify the Savior and be scattered because of their sins (2 Nephi 10:2–6). What will the Lord do for these people when they believe in Him and repent of their sins? (See 2 Nephi 10:2, 7–8, 21–22; see also 1 Nephi 21:15–16; 2 Nephi 9:1–3, 53; 30:2.) How does this apply to us individually?

Consider how individual words and phrases in the following verses enhance the meaning of Jacob’s discourse:

• 2 Nephi 9:10
• 2 Nephi 9:28
• 2 Nephi 9:14
• 2 Nephi 9:39
• 2 Nephi 9:18
• 2 Nephi 9:51

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Invite family members to discuss what the Savior has done for them individually and for the family.