Obedience Lesson Scripture List

Somehow, in preparing to lead a discussion on obedience, I overlooked the fact that the name of the Institute class for which I'm preparing this message is "Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon." Perhaps I ought to find examples of obedience (or disobedience) in the Book of Mormon, or at least familiarize myself with the scriptural references in the lesson manual. As of now, my plan is to list the scriptures in the lesson plan, making comments here and there, and calling that my "blog post" for today.

1 Nephi 2: 1-20 -- This is a long one. It basically covers all but the last few verses of the entire chapter. This chapter basically kickstarts the story behind the Book of Mormon. Lehi was warned to take his family and flee Jerusalem, Laman and Lemuel didn't believe in their father's vision and didn't want to leave, but Nephi prayed about it and didn't murmur, so God helped him trust his father and gave him the oft-quoted promise that he would proser inasmuch as he kept the commandments.

The word "inasmuch" may be important here. In fact, going into detail about what that word means and what it implies may be worthy of its own blog post, so perhaps I'll save it for later. Besides, I have several more references to check out.

1 Nephi 3: 4-7, 15-16 -- In this chapter, the sons of Lehi are sent back to get a scriptural and genealogical record of their people. Laman and Lemuel complain and say it'll be too hard, but Nephi is faithful to the commandments of the Lord. This is where we get another popular quote, this one from Nephi:

I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

 1 Nephi 4: 1-2 -- Nephi encourages his brothers to be faithful to the commands of Almighty God.

1 Nephi 7: 12 -- "The Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him."

1 Nephi 17: 1-31 -- God strengthens those who keep His commandments. Nephi is commanded to build a ship and enlist his brothers' help in the project. Nephi readily agrees; his brothers need some convincing. Nephi tells them how the children of Israel were blessed when they kept the commandments and cursed when they didn't.

1 Nephi 18: 1-4 -- Nephi and his brothers build the ship according to the instructions of the Lord.

2 Nephi 31: 6-10 -- Jesus demonstrated obedience to the commandments by being baptised, and we should follow in His footsteps.

Mosiah 2: 20-24, 41 -- As part of his legendary speech, King Benjamin tells about our perpetual indebtedness to Jesus, since we are blessed every time we try to repay Him by keeping His commandments. Also, we are encouraged to "consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God," because of all the blessings that such people get.

Mosiah 15: 7 -- Christ allowed His will to be swallowed up in the will of the Father.

3 Nephi 11: 11 -- Christ "suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning"

3 Nephi 12: 19-20, 48 -- We are commanded to have faith, repent, and be baptised. We are told that, unless we keep the commandments, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. And we are commanded to eventually become as perfect as our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are.

In summary, Nephi gave us a good example of obedience, as did Jesus, and the Book of Mormon in general teaches us a lot of interesting things about obedience, particularly regarding the consequences of obedience and disobedience. As long as I can remember all that, and maybe take a copy of this list with me, I think my lesson will go fine.