Study Guide/Martinson/1
Book of Mormon Studies
For your first time through
[or “A Feast” or “Feasting on the Words of Christ”]
A Book of Mormon Study Guide
By Heather Martinson
(909) 797-6599
2003 All Rights Reserved
Introduction
When my oldest son was nine, he had a desire to read the Book of Mormon on his own, but he found that the book was too difficult for him to understand or to make meaningful. For two years I kept my eyes open for a Book of Mormon study guide for children, but I was unable to find one. Then, when he was eleven years old, I started writing this for him. I would give him one day’s worth of study at a time. He used this study guide until he started seminary.
Often people, especially children, are intimidated by the thought of reading through the Book of Mormon. They are afraid that they won’t understand it, or that it is boring. Sometimes the thought of reading such a big book is overwhelming. Yet, we are all expected to read and re-read this precious book, even children.
Children, know that you are a royal generation. More is expected of you today than at any previous time in history. My hope is that this guide can help you (or anyone else) create scripture-reading habits by giving you the Book of Mormon in small, easy-to-understand pieces.
This guide is not intended to be extensive, but to simply walk you through the book as you spend most of your study time reading directly from the Book of Mormon.
By using this study guide, you will get ideas for how you can expand your studies, and you will start to see how these scriptures, written so long ago, apply to you personally, to your own situation. This will provide a pattern for you to “liken all scriptures” unto yourself (see 1 Nephi 19:23).
Enjoy this special time with these Holy Scriptures. Learn to recognize the spirit in your life regularly. Learn to draw nearer to Jesus Christ as you learn of him and read these stories of faith and courage.
-Heather Martinson
How To Use This Guide
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your personal scripture study. These are your utensils to assist you as you feast on the Word of God:
- Schedule a time that you will read each day and stick with it. Beware of other events that interfere with that time.
- Pray before you read. Invite the Holy Ghost to teach you what you need to learn.
- Mark in your scriptures. Have a scripture marker pencil handy. If you read something that you particularly enjoy or something that you learn, you can mark that scripture. It is also appropriate for you to write your own thoughts in the margin.
- Ponder. As you read, ask yourself how the scripture can apply to your life.
- Write in your journal. Have your journal nearby when you read so that you can write down the things that are meaningful to you.
- Have your other scriptures handy for cross-referencing. This includes the Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. You may also want to compare Book of Mormon scriptures to General Conference talks and your own Patriarchal Blessing.
- Reflect. Throughout the day, think about the things you have read.
- Share what you have learned with your family and friends.
There are many different approaches that people use as they study a book of scripture (see the epilogue). For practical purposes, this study guide will take you from the beginning of the book to the end. This is not a chronological study of the events in the Book of Mormon, as the records were not all placed in the book according to when they occurred.
The study guide is broken down into 364 bite-sized pieces. These pieces are frequently one chapter each; however, a piece may also be a portion of a chapter or more than one short chapter. Each of these pieces can be used as one day's worth of study.
There are also 52 sections, each seven pieces long. If you read one section a week, you will finish your reading in one year.
These pieces and sections are for your convenience, but it is not necessary to have a strict regimen of how much you accomplish each day. Let your interest and the Spirit guide you to know what you need. Some days you might read more, some days less. Make the study personal to you.
There are some features in the back of the study guide that you might like to take a look at right now. These are garnishments to your meal that this study guide will prompt you to use. They are not required, but you might find that they help you gain a better understanding of the stories you read. These features are:
- Map: It is a blank map. From time to time, you will be prompted to put some of the major lands and cities of the Book of Mormon on the map. There are many more lands and cities in the Book of Mormon, which you are welcome to add if you like. Having the map as a visual, it is easier to imagine how these places relate to each other.
- Timeline: Adding people and events to the timeline will help you gain a sense of when things actually happened, since a cover-to-cover study is not a chronological study of these events. You are welcome to place more on the timeline than this guide prompts you to put.
- Heroes/Anti-Heroes Chart: This serves to help you remember who the main protagonists and antagonists of the book are.
- Golden Plates Progression Chart: This is a chart that you can fill in as you read to help you see how the plates were passed from one person to another throughout the course of the entire book.
- Book mark: You can remove this bookmark and use it to track your progress in the Book of Mormon, as well as to help you keep your spot!
Here are some additional garnishments that you might like to have on hand to reinforce what you read. They are available to purchase through Church Distribution. Like most garnishments, these are to help make your study extra delicious, but they are not required.
- Sing Songs. From time to time the guide will suggest that you sing a particular song from the Hymns book or Children’s Songbook.
- Watch a Video. You can watch the segments of the video entitled, “Book of Mormon Video Presentations.” These segments correspond with certain scriptures that you will read.
- Post Pictures: As you read, you might enjoy viewing the pictures from the Gospel Art Picture Kit.
Each of these features can help you get more meaning out of your studies and aid in your understanding how the different people, events, and places relate to each other. However, do not let these distract you from your study. If any or all of these features are confusing for you or become a distraction from your studies, then do not use them. Most important is the text of the Book of Mormon and allowing the Spirit to prompt you to know how you can apply it to your life.
You will notice that the questions asked in the study guide have no answers. There is no answer key. The questions are left for you explore and find your own answers, however it applies in your life.
There is no written test at the end. The real test is how you lead your life, based on the truths found in the Book of Mormon. Remember, this is a spiritual study, not an academic one.
You will notice that not all the gems of truth found in the Book of Mormon are pointed out or discussed in this study guide. This is intentional. There are many gems left for you, the reader, to discover and enjoy on your own. Watch for them!
Don't be afraid to deviate from the study guide to follow something that you would like to learn more about. Remember that you, not this study guide, are in charge of your spiritual welfare. Remember to ponder what you read and pray for understanding. May your life be blessed for the righteous desires of your heart.
The pictures indicate who was speaking.
[An illustration of this person should go alongside the text.]
- I -
Hors D’oeuvres
As you begin your feast on the word of God, let this introductory material serve as your pre-meal snack. If you are anxious to get to the meat of y our studies, you are welcome to skip this section.
1. Read the cover.
This book is "Another Testament of Christ" along with what other testaments?
[Moroni]
Read the Title Page.
The title page is the one that says, “The Hand of Mormon” on it. This is believed to have been written by Moroni, who is Mormon’s son and the last prophet to write in the Book of Mormon. Moroni is also the angel that delivered the plates to Joseph Smith. Moroni listed the reasons for having the Book of Mormon. Find them and underline them.
First Paragraph: An abridgement is a condensed version of a longer book.
[Joseph Smith]
2. Read the Introduction.
Find and underline what Joseph Smith said about the Book of Mormon.
Eighth paragraph: Read Moroni 10:4-5. This is in the last chapter in the Book of Mormon. This is Moroni’s challenge to us to read the Book of Mormon and to pray to know that it is true. As you read the Book of Mormon, try to remember this challenge and to pray frequently.
[three & eight witnesses]
3. Read The Testimony of Three Witnesses and The Testimony of Eight Witnesses.
Notice that Joseph Smith's father and two of his brothers were among the Eight Witnesses. Notice that the Three Witnesses heard and saw some things that the Eight Witnesses did not. Watch "For Our Day" on the Book of Mormon video.
[Joseph Smith]
4. Read the first part of the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith (to the stars).
Moroni was the last prophet to write in the Book of Mormon. He was also the one who buried the plates in the hill Cumorah. How would you feel if this happened to you? Sing "The Golden Plates" (Children’s Songbook p. 86.).
5. Read the second part of the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
How many times did Moroni visit Joseph Smith? Why do you think Moroni visited Joseph Smith so many times, repeating the same message? In Moroni’s time, the hill where the plates were hidden was called Cumorah. Turn to the map in the back of this study guide. Put Cumorah in space 1.
6. Read the last part of the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
What would you have done to keep the plates safe? Do you believe that the Book of Mormon is true scripture? Write your own testimony in your journal.
7. Read A Brief Explanation About the Book of Mormon.
Why do you think this book is called the Book of Mormon?
Read the Names and Order of the Books in the Book of Mormon.
Sing “The Books in the Book of Mormon” (Children’s Songbook p. 119).
Read the Abbreviations and Designations in Footnotes and Index
Remember that if you’re ever unsure of what an abbreviation in the footnotes means you can refer to this page.
Turn to the back of the Book of Mormon.
Pronunciation Guide: There are many strange names in the Book of Mormon. Remember to refer to the pronunciation guide for the correct pronunciations.
Index: You can use the Index to do a study by subject. This study guide does not have an index. Use the Index in the Book of Mormon to help you find what you need. For even more complete studies, use the Topical Guide at the back of the Bible.
- II -
Let the Feast Begin!
[Or Nephi Obeys]
[Nephi]
1. Read 1 Nephi 1.
Read the introductory paragraph. These are the events you will read about over the next few weeks. The stories of Nephi and his family are a great way to start your feast on the Word of God. Notice the date (at the bottom of the page). Put “Lehi’s family in Jerusalem” on the timeline at the back of the study guide. Where in the world is Jerusalem? Lehi was a prophet. What did Lehi prophecy about? Post “Lehi Prophesying to the People of Jerusalem” (Gospel Art Picture Kit #300).
Verse 1: Sing the first verse of “We’ll Bring the World His Truth” (Children’s Songbook p. 172).
Verse 20: When you hear the truth, do you get angry with the person who tells you, or do you repent and choose to be true to the truth?
2. Read 1 Nephi 2.
In this chapter, notice the great sacrifice that Lehi and his family made. Post “Lehi’s Family Leaving Jerusalem” (Gospel Art Picture Kit #301).
Verse 4: Notice all the things they left behind. Would you be able to leave all your precious things behind? The Lord, in a way, does expect us to leave those things behind right now. They are not the most important things. Our hearts and minds should be focused on the Lord and his kingdom.
Verse 7: What do you think Lehi gave thanks for?
Verses 9-18: Are you more like Nephi or Laman and Lemuel? Do you listen to and believe the words of the prophet?
3. Read 1 Nephi 3.
In this chapter, you will see that doing what the Lord wants you to do will not always be an easy task.
Verse 7: Sound familiar? The first verse of the song, “Nephi’s Courage” is based on this story. Sing the first verse of “Nephi’s Courage” (Children’s Songbook, p. 120).
Verse 27: Now they failed twice. According to verse 7, the Lord would prepare a way for them to accomplish this. Why haven’t their attempts been successful?
Verse 31: Isn’t it amazing how quickly Laman and Lemuel lose hope? Remember that any time you complain against God, your parents, or your church leaders, you are murmuring.
4. Read 1 Nephi 4:1-18.
These verses tell about a third attempt to get the plates from Laban. Nephi and his brothers already failed twice. Why would Nephi try again? What is different about Nephi’s approach this time?
Verse 10: “Thou shalt not kill” is a commandment, yet the Lord wanted Nephi to kill Laban. How can it be “good” for Nephi to kill?
5. Read 1 Nephi 4:19-38.
Who was Nephi able to trick with his disguise?
Verse 35: Zoram will later marry. His posterity became known as the Zoramites.
Tell someone the story of Nephi getting the brass plates.
6. Read 1 Nephi 5.
In this chapter you can learn why it was so important that Lehi and his family have the plates.
Verses 2 & 3: Sariah complained because she lacked faith.
Verses 10-16: What book of scripture do we have that is similar to the Brass Plates?
Verse 21: Lehi and Nephi did not simply read the scriptures, but they searched them.
Read 1 Nephi 6.
What was Nephi’s intention by keeping a record of his family? How might this record be different if Nephi had written it to please the world?
7. Read 1 Nephi 7.
Here is another task for Nephi and his brothers. Notice how some brothers express fear, while Nephi continues to show great faith. Would you rather experience fear or faith?
Verse 1: Why did Ishmael’s family need to go with them?
Verse 21: Laman and Lemuel wanted to kill Nephi, yet it seems like it was easy for Nephi to forgive them. Do you think you would be able to forgive that easily?
- III -
Visions and Dreams
[Lehi]
1. Read 1 Nephi 8:1-18.
Can you figure out how this dream represents your life on earth? Draw a picture of what you think Lehi's Tree of Life vision looked like. [leave space for drawing]
2. Read 1 Nephi 8:19-38.
This is the rest of Lehi's dream. Remember to notice how this dream represents your life on earth. As you read, complete your drawing of what Lehi saw in his dream.
Verse 20: What is the meaning of the large and spacious field? Write this on your drawing.
Verses 26-33: These verses describe different groups of people. With which group do you identify the most?
[Nephi]
3. Read 1 Nephi 9.
Why did Nephi make two records?
4. Read 1 Nephi 10:1-11.
Lehi prophesied about Jesus and John the Baptist. Can you identify which verses are about Jesus and which are about John the Baptist?
5. Read 1 Nephi 10:12-22.
Lehi said many things that might have seemed strange to this family. Notice how Nephi reacted to what his father said.
Verse 14: Grafting is when a branch from one tree is planted into another tree. In this verse, the Gospel is the olive tree and the lost tribes of Israel are the branches. This verse describes how in the last days, the lost tribes will accept the gospel.