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1 Nephi 10; 11:1–6: “That I Might See, and Hear, and Know”

“1 Nephi 10; 11:1–6: ‘That I Might See, and Hear, and Know” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)

“1 Nephi 10; 11:1–6: ‘That I Might See, and Hear, and Know” Book of Mormon Student Manual

1 Nephi 10; 11:1–6

“That I Might See, and Hear, and Know”

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Nephi praying

When have you been motivated to find out if something you heard was true? What efforts did you make and who did you rely on for help? After hearing his father, Lehi, teach about the tree of life and prophesy of the coming of Jesus Christ, Nephi desired to learn the truth of his father’s words for himself. This lesson can help you in your efforts to diligently seek knowledge from the Lord.

When prophets speak

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BYU Pathway Worldwide Inauguration

Imagine that during a worldwide devotional for youth, the prophet extended several invitations for youth to act in faith.

  • What are some of the different reactions youth might have?

  • Why do you think these different responses would occur?

  • How might these reactions influence their lives now or in the future?

Think about how you have reacted to prophets’ teachings and why. How have your reactions influenced you? As you study this lesson, seek to learn from the different reactions to prophetic teachings in the scriptures and ponder how they may apply to you.

A desire to know

After the prophet Lehi related his vision of the tree of life to his family (see 1 Nephi 8), he testified that Jesus Christ would accomplish His Atonement (see 1 Nephi 10:1–16). Lehi’s sons had different reactions to his inspired teachings.

Read 1 Nephi 10:17–19 and 15:1–3, 8–9, comparing how Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel responded to their father’s words. You may want to mark words and phrases that stand out to you.

  • What differences did you see between how Nephi and his brothers responded to the same message?

  • What did Nephi believe about God? What did Laman and Lemuel believe? (See 1 Nephi 10:17–18; 15:9.)

  • How do you think their different beliefs and reactions will influence them?

One of the truths Nephi understood is that God reveals truth to us through the Holy Ghost when we diligently seek Him.

  • What are some things Nephi had already experienced that helped him come to this knowledge about God?

Thinking about Nephi’s experiences may bring to mind past experiences you have had when Heavenly Father has revealed truth to you. You may want to note how He has blessed you in your study journal.

Seeking truth from God

Nephi learned that Heavenly Father blesses us with the Holy Ghost as we seek truth from Him. To look more closely at this truth, make two columns on a page in your study journal. Label one column “Ways to diligently seek truth from God” and the other “Ways God reveals truth through the Holy Ghost.” Add several ideas you can think of in each column. You may want to include insights you learned from 1 Nephi 10:17–19.

Read 1 Nephi 11:1–6, looking for what Nephi did to seek truth and how the Spirit helped him. Mark specific words or phrases that stand out to you. You may want to make additions to the columns in your study journal.

To see how a modern-day Apostle sought answers from the Lord as a young man, watch the video “How I #Hear Him: Elder Ronald A. Rasband” (2:55), found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Think about how Elder Rasband followed a similar pattern of seeking truth and was blessed by the Lord. Add any new ideas to the columns in your study journal.

Look over what you have recorded about how God reveals truth through the Holy Ghost as we diligently seek Him. Think about how you may have seen some of these to be true in your own life. In what ways has your relationship with Heavenly Father been strengthened as you have earnestly sought Him?

Personal revelation matters

Because Nephi desired to learn for himself and turned to the Lord for answers, he saw what his father, Lehi, saw and was shown many future events that would take place on the earth. (To learn more about Nephi’s vision, see 1 Nephi 11–14.) Nephi’s vision of the strait and narrow path was life-changing for him. He later recorded his encouragement for all to follow that same path (see 2 Nephi 31:18–21).

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icon, record

  1. Record what you have learned from this lesson in at least three sentences in your study journal.

    You might choose to answer one or more of the following questions as part of your reflection:

    • What have you learned about why your responses to inspired teachings matter?

    • How might you apply what you have learned about diligently seeking truth?

    • What have you learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that inspires you to draw closer to Them?