2 Nephi 1–2

Overview

When Lehi was near the end of his life, he spoke to his children to inspire them to keep the commandments of God. He taught that agency, or the freedom to choose, is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. He taught his children about the effects of the Fall of Adam and Eve and that with the Savior we can overcome all challenges of mortality. He also taught that because of Jesus Christ, everyone is “free to choose liberty and eternal life” or “captivity and death” (2 Nephi 2:27).

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson.

2 Nephi 1

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students learn to identify principles that, when applied, can guide them to receive God’s help in their lives.

Student preparation: Encourage students to do their daily scripture study. Invite them to search for true principles in 2 Nephi 1 and come prepared to share an example.
Image: The image with hidden items
Video: “Lehi Teaches His Family” (3:47; watch from time code 0:39 to 3:35)
Videoconference teaching suggestion: After students have identified a principle and completed the four steps at the end of the lesson, consider inviting them to write in the chat the principle they identified. Then invite a student to select a principle he or she would like to learn more about. Ask the student who identified that principle to share how he or she completed the four steps. Then invite that student to select a different principle. Ask several students to share.

2 Nephi 2:1–16

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students better understand the role of agency in Heavenly Father’s plan.

Student preparation: Invite students to recognize and make a list of important choices they make between now and the next lesson. Ask them to come prepared to share why choice is essential to our mortal lives and to Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.
Handout: “Our Power to Choose”
Videoconference teaching suggestion: After students have completed their outlines explaining agency, consider dividing students into breakout rooms and role-playing the situation. It may be useful to ask one student in each group to be the leader and decide who explains first. Or it may be effective to invite students to discover who in their group is oldest, tallest, or woke up earliest that morning and have that person explain first.

2 Nephi 2:17–26

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students appreciate the Savior and His Atonement more as they understand the Fall of Adam and Eve.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to read the second article of faith and think about how they would explain it to someone else. They could also ask one or two people they trust to share with them their understanding of the second article of faith.
Videoconference teaching suggestion: Before class, consider sending two students the two statements by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. Invite each of them to read the statement they received and think of what it means to them. At the appropriate times during the lesson, ask them to read their statements and share their thoughts.

Doctrinal Mastery: 2 Nephi 2:25

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for 2 Nephi 2:25, explain the doctrine, and practice applying the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to realistic scenarios.

Student preparation: Invite students to come to class prepared to recite 2 Nephi 2:25 from memory and come prepared to share one way they experience joy because of the Fall of Adam and Eve.
Item to display: An object or two for students to describe to each other
Videoconference teaching suggestion: After students have read the scenario about Gideon, invite them to share what they might do to help. If students get stuck or if it would help the discussion, consider dividing the paragraphs in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023) among three groups of students. Place them in breakout rooms to discuss the paragraphs and the scenario, and then end the breakout rooms so they can share what they learned that may help Gideon.

2 Nephi 2:26–30

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students to use their agency to follow Jesus Christ.

Student preparation: Invite students to read 2 Nephi 2:27 and to prayerfully consider which choices in their lives are helping them come closer to the Savior and receive the blessings He offers. Invite them also to consider any choices they may want to change.
Video: “Leave the Party” (6:26)
Videoconference teaching suggestion: Invite students to share the diagram they drew of 2 Nephi 2:27 or the words they used to summarize it. If they drew a diagram, ask a few of them to share by holding up their diagram to their camera, and instruct the class to select speaker view in order to see it clearly. Afterward, consider displaying the diagram in the lesson and using your cursor or the drawing feature to highlight certain parts of it as you continue through the lesson.