2 Nephi 32:1–7

“Feast upon the Words of Christ”

family eating dinner

Picture a celebratory feast with plenty of delicious food. How do you see yourself enjoying such a feast? After teaching his people about following Jesus Christ along the covenant path, Nephi sensed that they were still unsure about what to do after baptism. He responded by encouraging his people to “feast upon the words of Christ” and assured them that the Savior’s words would guide them forward (2 Nephi 32:3). This lesson is intended to help you feast upon the words of Jesus Christ.

The Learner Experience. As we fulfill the Objective of Seminaries and Institutes, we aim to help each student experience conversion, relevance, and belonging. Look for ways to help learners become converted to Jesus Christ, connect what they are learning to their personal circumstances, and feel safe and supported in their learning.

Student preparation: Invite students to compare their personal scripture study to eating food and encourage them to come prepared to share their ideas during class.

Possible Learning Activities

Time to eat!

To begin class, rather than displaying the images below, consider inviting two students to act out the following while the remainder of the class guesses what is being demonstrated: having a snack, eating a meal, and feasting at a banquet or celebration.

Look at the following images and think about similarities and differences between having a snack, eating a meal, or feasting during a special occasion.

banana

bowl of rice

banquet

• What are some similarities and differences you thought of?

• If we compared studying the words of Christ to these three ways of eating, what might each represent?

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ desire to bless you with guidance, direction, help, and comfort. Think about the last time you studied the Savior’s words. Would you describe the experience as snacking, eating, or feasting? What about during the last week or month? As you continue your study, seek the help of the Holy Ghost to know how studying the words of Christ has been a blessing in your life. Also seek inspiration to help you know how to improve your efforts to feast on the words of Christ.

The words of Jesus Christ

Recall that Nephi taught his people about the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life” and the qualifications to begin that journey (see 2 Nephi 31:17–18). Nephi perceived that his people wondered what to do after receiving the ordinance of baptism and how to continue on the covenant path.

Read 2 Nephi 32:1–3, looking for Nephi’s counsel about studying the words of Christ. As you do, think about your own concerns, questions, and needs and how Nephi’s teachings can benefit you. It may be helpful to know that the phrase “speak with the tongue of angels” (2 Nephi 32:2) “simply means [to] … speak with the power of the Holy Ghost” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost: What Every Member Should Know,” Ensign, Aug. 2006, 50).

2 Nephi 32:3 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will have an opportunity in the next lesson to practice applying the doctrine taught in this passage to a question or situation.

• What did you discover?

As students share what they found, listen carefully and write any true principles they share on the board.

One truth you may have discovered from 2 Nephi 32:3 is when we feast upon the words of Jesus Christ, they will tell us all things we should do. Consider marking this truth in your scriptures.

• Where can we find the words of Jesus Christ?

• Why do you think Nephi used the word “feast” when describing how we should study the Savior’s words (2 Nephi 32:3)?

Read the following statement by Elder Takashi Wada of the Seventy. If available, consider watching Elder Wada’s message on ChurchofJesusChrist.org from time code 0:53 to 1:42.

Elder Takashi Wada

When I was young, I thought that feasting was simply having a big meal with rice, sushi, and soy sauce. I now know true feasting is more than enjoying a delicious meal. It is an experience of joy, nourishment, celebration, sharing, expressing love to families and loved ones, communicating our thanksgiving to God, and building relationships while enjoying abundant, incredibly delicious food. I believe when we feast upon the words of Christ, we ought to be thinking of the same kind of experience. Feasting upon the scriptures is not just reading them. It should bring us real joy and build our relationship with the Savior. (Takashi Wada, “Feasting upon the Words of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 38–39)

• What stood out to you from Elder Wada’s statement?

  Consider using some or all the following questions to help students analyze the bolded truth.

• Remembering what you know about Jesus Christ, why might His words bring feelings of joy, nourishment, and love?

• How can feasting upon the Savior’s words provide direction for your life and tell what you should do?

If possible, watch “Come Follow Me—Lito” (0:59), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, to learn how the Lord can reveal knowledge and truth as you feast upon His words.

Considering your own experiences can help you feast upon the words of Christ.

• What helps you, or could help you, not just read the words of Christ but feast on them?

Invite several students to respond and consider listing what they say on the board. If needed, remind them of the following:

There are many study methods to improve feasting on the words of Christ that may help, including praying for inspiration before you study, asking questions you have before and during study, defining words, pondering, cross-referencing, taking notes, looking for truths about Heavenly Father and the Savior, and likening the scriptures to our own lives (See 1 Nephi 19:23).

• What general impressions or specific guidance have come to you while feasting upon the words of Christ?

Feasting on the words of Christ

Provide students adequate time for the following activity. Refer students to the ideas on the board for study methods they can try as they complete the feasting activity.

Using what you have learned today, take several minutes to practice feasting upon the words of Christ. This could include studying scriptures or words of the prophets. Try to accomplish one or more of the following while you feast:

• Build your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

• Love and trust Them more.

• Find truths that bring you joy and nourishment.

• Receive guidance for what you should do in your life.

Record some of the things you learned, felt, and experienced while feasting on the words of Christ.

For the last few minutes of class, invite several students to share about their experiences feasting on the words of Christ. As appropriate, encourage them to share truths they found, how they felt, or guidance they received. Hearing from their peers can be a powerful experience for students.

Consider sharing your own experiences and bearing testimony of the blessings we receive as we feast on the words of Christ.

Commentary and Background Information

2 Nephi 32:2. How can I speak with the tongue of angels?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that when we speak with positivity and love to others, we speak with the tongue of angels.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Brothers and sisters, in this long eternal quest to be more like our Savior, may we try to be “perfect” men and women in at least this one way now—by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today. With such words, spoken under the influence of the Spirit, tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Tongue of Angels,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 18)

How can feasting on the words of Jesus Christ in the scriptures show me what to do?

Elder Spencer J. Condie of the Seventy taught:

Elder Spencer J. Condie

You may be facing decisions regarding a mission, your future career, and, eventually, marriage. As you read the scriptures and pray for direction, you may not actually see the answer in the form of printed words on the page, but as you read, you will receive distinct impressions and promptings, and, as promised, the Holy Ghost “will show unto you all things what ye should do” [2 Nephi 32:5]. (Spencer J. Condie, “Becoming a Great Benefit to Our Fellow Beings,” Ensign, May 2002, 45)

Why do I need to regularly feast upon the Savior’s words?

Watch the video “Daily Bread: Pattern” (2:51) to learn from Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles why feeding our spirits is just as essential as feeding our physical bodies.

Supplemental Learning Activities

Guidance in all things

To help students understand the connection between feasting upon the words of Christ and being guided by the Holy Ghost, consider reading 2 Nephi 32:3, 5 and inviting them to mark the phrase “tell you all things” in verse 3 and “show unto you all things” in verse 5. The following questions could be used for discussion:

• How can the words of Jesus Christ provide you with personal guidance and help?

• How does feasting on the words of Christ help prepare you to receive guidance and comfort from the Holy Ghost?

• What experiences are you aware of where the Holy Ghost has shown someone what to do or how to respond in certain situations?

Examples in the scriptures

Consider inviting students to think of examples in the scriptures or from Church history when the words of Christ guided someone in their decisions. If students need help thinking of examples, you could list the following references on the board and invite different groups of students to read the passage and share with the class what they learned.

• Joseph Smith—History 1:11–14

• Joshua 1:7–8

• 2 Kings 23:1–3

• Matthew 4:1–11

Self-evaluation

Consider writing the following list on the board and inviting students to think about how they study the words of Jesus Christ in each of the following settings. They could rate themselves using the word snack, eat, or feast. If they are not currently studying or trying to listen in one of these settings, they can use the word pass.

1. Personal scripture study

2. Home-centered gospel study with family

3. Sacrament meeting

4. General conference

5. Seminary

6. Sunday School

7. Young Women class or Aaronic Priesthood quorum meeting

Invite students to share some of their ideas on how they might better feast upon the words of Christ in a particular setting. You might also invite students to share how feasting in a particular setting has benefited them. Students could make a goal to improve in one of these areas.