Book of Mormon Stories Chapter 8

1 Nephi 8

1 And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of seeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind, and also of the seeds of fruit of every kind.

How do you feel we do as a family doing chores together? Has everyone had a turn working outside in the garden with Mom?

3 And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved.
4 But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you; for behold, methought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary wilderness.

Something we have tried very hard to do is NOT engage in a lot of comparisons. "Why can't you be more like your brother/sister?" is a distructive parenting technique; why do you think Lehi says this?

7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.

How do you see the world? We are supposed to have optimism, to be grateful for the beauty of creation. What is dark and dreary about it?

8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.

Have you sought and felt the tender mercies of the Lord?

12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.

Here's an important test of whether something really makes you happy; do you want to share it with the people you love? If you don't want to share it, than what you are feeling is probably not love, but greed, the feeding of some appetite, perhaps. Happiness grows when it is shared.

15 And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.

Do you respond when you are beckoned? Do you second-guess, and substitute your opinion for others (especially your parents)?

21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.
22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.

Have you ever been blinded, and still needed to move? Try closing your eyes and moving around the house for awhile. Why is it dangerous to travel along a path with ONLY your eyes to orient your movement? How is having a second means of orientation (like a GPS, sound . . . or a handrail, maybe?) wise?

27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

Have you ever felt mocked? Did it change your behavior? Are you guilty of mocking others?

28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

If you do something that is right, and you KNOW it's right, then how could mocking make you feel ashamed of your choice?

37 And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them.

Can you feel the great tenderness of your parents' exhortation? Your happiness and success matter so much to us; there is nothing we yearn for with greater eagerness.