Sometimes in our journey through life, we might feel discouraged or frustrated when we fall short of who we should be. With similar feelings of frustration, the Apostle Paul exclaimed, “O wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:24). Despite the weaknesses we experience in mortality, we can experience hope and peace as we put our trust in Jesus Christ. This lesson will help you exercise greater faith in Jesus Christ to overcome your weaknesses.
Using the Book of Mormon. Nephi was taught that the Book of Mormon and other latter-day scriptures would come forth to “establish the truth” of the Bible (1 Nephi 13:40). Inviting students to study Book of Mormon passages along with those in the Bible can help them see the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ more clearly.
Student preparation: Invite students to read Romans 7:14, 18–19, 24–25, along with 2 Nephi 4:17–20, 26–32. Ask them to come prepared to share how this Book of Mormon passage added to or clarified their understanding of what was taught in Romans 7. Remind students to bring a personal copy of the Book of Mormon to class as well.
Possible Learning Activities
Dealing with the weaknesses of mortality
Consider adjusting the following scenario based on the needs of students or inviting students to come up with their own scenario about a teenager who feels discouraged by his or her weaknesses.
Trey is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He wants to follow Jesus Christ but feels that he doesn’t do as well as he should most of the time. He often feels guilty because of his weaknesses and worries that he may not be good enough.
Think about how you might sometimes feel similar to Trey.
How can these feelings influence your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, as well as with other people?
Why would it be important to seek help from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to overcome your weaknesses and imperfections?
President Russell M. Nelson taught that “the Lord understands our mortal weakness. We all falter at times. But He also knows of our great potential” (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” Liahona, May 2021, 102). As you study this lesson, remember what President Nelson taught and look for truths that can help you when you recognize mortal weaknesses. Ponder how these truths can increase your faith that Jesus Christ can help you.
The Apostle Paul also experienced feelings of weakness and the struggle between the “flesh” (Romans 7:18), or physical appetites, and “the inward man” (verse 22), or spirituality.
Read Romans 7:14, 18–19, 24–25 and the Joseph Smith Translation for these verses located in the Joseph Smith Translation in the Bible appendix. Look for words and phrases that describe Paul’s thoughts and feelings. Consider marking what you find. Note that in verse 24 “this death” refers to the spiritual death, or separation from God, that comes from sin.
How are Paul’s thoughts and feelings similar to those you may have had?
What truths did Paul teach?
One truth you may have identified from these verses is that Jesus Christ can deliver us from the captivity of sin. You may want to write this truth near Romans 7:24–25.
Like it did for Paul, why might remembering this truth when you are struggling with your own weaknesses help you feel more hope?
The Book of Mormon is a powerful tool we can use to strengthen our understanding of truths taught in the Bible (see 1 Nephi 13:40; 2 Nephi 3:12).
For example, in 2 Nephi 4, Nephi shared teachings similar to the ones you just studied from Paul in Romans 7. Notice that the footnotes to Romans 7 contain cross-references to 2 Nephi 4. Using the footnotes can be a helpful way to find Book of Mormon passages that relate to what you are studying in the Bible.
Read 2 Nephi 4:17–20, 26–32, looking for how Nephi expressed feelings similar to Paul’s.
Which of Nephi’s words or phrases were most meaningful to you? Why?
How might Nephi’s teachings help you feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ when you are struggling with weakness or self-doubt?
Using the Book of Mormon to better understand truth
If there is time remaining in the lesson, consider using the following material to help students find other connections between teachings from Paul and the Book of Mormon.
Just as 2 Nephi 4 enhanced your study of Paul’s teachings in Romans 7, many other Book of Mormon passages can help you better understand and appreciate Paul’s teachings.
Practice using the Book of Mormon to enhance your understanding of Paul’s teachings by choosing two or more of the following passages from Romans to read. Then compare them with the associated Book of Mormon passages (or find your own related Book of Mormon passages using the Topical Guide or Guide to the Scriptures). Look for how the Book of Mormon passages confirm or clarify the truths taught in Romans.
Display the following chart for students to see and use. Encourage them to also find their own clarifying Book of Mormon passages if they can.
How did the passages from the Book of Mormon strengthen your understanding of Paul’s teachings in Romans?
Reflect on your experience of seeing how the Book of Mormon can help you in your study of the Bible. Seek to use the Book of Mormon to help you as you continue your study of the New Testament.
Commentary and Background Information
How can Jesus Christ help me overcome my weaknesses in mortality?
While serving in the First Presidency, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught:
Image
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Many people feel discouraged because they constantly fall short. They know firsthand that “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” [Matthew 26:41]. They raise their voices with Nephi in proclaiming, “My soul grieveth because of mine iniquities” [2 Nephi 4:17]. …
When I think of what the Savior did for us leading up to that first Easter Sunday, I want to lift up my voice and shout praises to the Most High God and His Son, Jesus Christ!
The gates of heaven are unlocked!
The windows of heaven are opened!
Today and forevermore God’s grace is available to all whose hearts are broken and whose spirits are contrite [see 3 Nephi 9:19–20]. Jesus Christ has cleared the way for us to ascend to heights incomprehensible to mortal minds [see 1 Corinthians 2:9].
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Gift of Grace,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 110)
Are we Christian if we use other books besides the Bible?
In the video “Are We Christians?” (time code 0:00 to 2:15), Elder Gary J. Coleman, while serving as a member of the Seventy, described how the Book of Mormon helped him better understand truth and confirm his Christianity. This video is available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
How do the Bible and Book of Mormon work together and show God’s love for us?
President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) explained:
Image
President Harold B. Lee
Our eternal Heavenly Father, who is always concerned about the spiritual well-being of His children, has given to us a companion book of scriptures, known as the Book of Mormon, as a defense for the truths of the Bible that were written and spoken by the prophets as the Lord directed. …
… By this second witness we may know more certainly the meaning of the teachings of the ancient prophets and, indeed, of the Master and His disciples as they lived and taught among men. This should inspire all who would be honest seekers after truth to put these two sacred scriptures together and study them as one book, understanding, as we do, their true relationship.
(Harold B. Lee, Ye Are the Light of the World [1974], 89, 91)
Why did Paul say that we only have to confess Jesus’s name to be saved?
Romans 10:1–13 is often quoted to defend the position that we only need to confess the name of Jesus Christ to be saved. However, the Savior specifically spoke against this doctrine when He said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
In addition, Paul emphasized the importance of the ordinance of baptism earlier in his epistle to the Romans (see Romans 6:1–6) and also taught the importance of good works and a changed heart (see Romans 2:1, 3, 6–13, 25–29).
Also, the word “confess” in Romans 10:9 could be translated as “covenant,” and the phrase “call upon” in Romans 10:13 could be translated as “put a name upon” (see James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, as found in http://lexiconcordance.com/greek/3670.html; http://lexiconcordance.com/greek/1941.html). These words could refer to entering into covenants and taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, which matches Paul’s other teachings (see Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:14–22) as well as related passages in the Book of Mormon, such as Mosiah 5:1–9.
Supplemental Learning Activities
Romans 9 and 11: “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Romans 9:6)
Consider adjusting the focus of the lesson to the doctrine of election and foreordination. Students could study Romans 9:1–7 and 11:1–5, 25–32 along with the Guide to the Scriptures entries “Election” and “Foreordination” (in “Study Helps” at scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). They could search President Nelson’s conference talk titled “Let God Prevail” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 92–95) and share insights they find about how these truths apply to them (see Romans 8:14–15).
Alternative lesson focus
Consider focusing this lesson on helping students understand some of the reasons we have the Book of Mormon in addition to the Bible. Consider starting by describing a scenario in which students have a friend who posts on social media about how she doesn’t see a need for any additional scriptures other than the Bible and questions why anyone sees a need for the Book of Mormon.
Students could watch “The Book of Mormon—a Book from God,” available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 4:28 to 5:41. In this video, Elder Tad R. Callister, then of the Presidency of the Seventy, explained some of the reasons it is important to have the Book of Mormon in addition to the Bible.
Students could then use the scriptures referenced in this lesson to see how the Book of Mormon clarifies and confirms truths in the Bible and to write a response to the friend.
