Book of Mormon Stories chapter 2

First Nephi, Chapter 2.

1 For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him: Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life.

How did Nephi know what happened to his Father? Do you understand why we make you wait at the dinner table and talk to us?

2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness.

What's the craziest thing we've ever done as a family? Your parents are grateful that you have cooperated in each of the moves we've made, even when some of them might have been inconvenient for you.

3 And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.

How can we support each other in being obedient?

6 And it came to pass that when he had traveled three days in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley by the side of a river of water.
15 And my father dwelt in a tent.

Do we need to go camping more as a family? Would that be a productive way to spend time and prepare for the future?

7 And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God.

When we have moved, what was the first thing you packed? The first thing you did after you arrived at a new place?

9 And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness!
10 And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!

What do Father's Blessings represent? What do you remember from yours?

11 Now this he spake because of the stiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel; for behold they did murmur in many things against their father, because he was a visionary man, and had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart.

What is "murmuring"? How is it destructive? Why do caution you against name-calling?

12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.

What do you think it means that they "knew not the dealings"? Remember how Nephi sought a personal witness of what his Father said; do you have a personal testimony of what we teach you?

13 Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father.

What is the most impossible thing your parents have ever asked you to believe? What did you do about it?

16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.

What responsibility do children have to review what they are taught by their parents? Should you take our word for it? Should you reject it because we just don't understand?

17 And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words.

What about siblings; what responsibility do children have toward each other? What about the direction to not judge one another (the "mote/beam" issue)?

18 But, behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words; and being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts I cried unto the Lord for them.

Do you pray for one another, specifically, by name?

20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.
21 And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
22 And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren.
23 For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also.
24 And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance.

Is there a point where we shut "cut off" family? Or are we supposed to forgive one another over and over again? How can you be wise and merciful? What are you doing to avoid contention in our home?