Finding Answers to Gospel Questions: A contrast

Laman and Lemuel actually had some good questions that were pretty deep.  The difference between them and Nephi is how they went about finding answers.  There is a difference between testimony and conversion.

1 Nephi 15:2, 6-9

2 And it came to pass that I beheld my brethren, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them.

6 And it came to pass that after I had received ^astrength I spake unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations.

7 And they said: Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the ^aolive tree, and also concerning the Gentiles.

8 And I said unto them: Have ye ^ainquired of the Lord?

9 And they said unto me: ^aWe have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

The thing that impressed me this time is that Laman and Lemuel had some deep questions.  I was also looking at the way they approached their questions.

1. disputing

2. They didn’t ask God because they didn’t think they’d get an answer

3.  They got their answer from Nephi without doing any work themselves.  

Contrast that with Nephi’s response when he had questions:

1 Nephi 2:16:

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 ^amysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did ^bvisit me, and did ^csoften my heart that I did ^dbelieve all the words which had been spoken by my ^efather; wherefore, I did not ^frebel against him like unto my brothers.

1 Nephi 11:1

1 For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat ^apondering in mine heart I was ^bcaught away in the Spirit of the Lord

1. desire, faith

2.  ponder

3. pray

Both had gospel questions but they went about getting their questions answered in different ways.  Because Nephi did the spiritual work necessary to get answers, he gained a testimony, was converted, and stayed converted.  Because Laman and Lemuel did not do the spiritual work, they had testimonies from time to time but were never converted.

The name of Jesus Christ

John 20:31
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

2 Nephi 31:21
 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. 

1 John 3:23
 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

2 Nephi 31:13
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

Mosiah 26:18
Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.

Helaman 3:28
Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.

Elder Oaks, Taking Upon Us the Name of Jesus Christ 

Ensign Article:  Taking His Name upon Me

Young Women Lesson Overview:

What does it mean to take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ? 

When we are baptized, we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. We renew this covenant when we partake of the sacrament (see D&C 20:77). We fulfill this covenant by putting the Lord first in our lives, by striving to think and act as He would, and by standing “as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9).

Jesus, the Light of the World

John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.


Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?


Isaiah 2:5
O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Isaiah 60:9
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

3rd Nephi 18:24
Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.


Ether 4:12
 And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.

Doctrine and Covenants 6:21
 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.


Doctrine and Covenants 93:9
The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.


Dallin H. Oaks: The Light and Life of the World

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World (taken from Mormon.org)

Throughout the scriptures, Jesus Christ is compared to light. And He is the ultimate source of spiritual light and truth. Because of Him, you don’t have to walk in spiritual darkness.

WHAT DOES “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD” MEAN?

Just like a candle gives light and warmth, the light from Jesus gives spiritual vision and comfort. His light helps us to find true happiness in this life and helps us know what to do to find true joy in the life to come. Jesus taught, “I am the light and the life of the world” (3 Nephi 11:11), and it is He who has the power to show the way to true and eternal happiness.

Jesus Christ is both the light and the life of the world because He created all things in it. He is literally the ultimate source of light and life to all living things. He’s also the source of spiritual light and truth, a light that quickens our understanding because of His teachings and His perfect example that prepared and lit the way for us to return to live with God again one day.

NEVER WALKING IN SPIRITUAL DARKNESS

Jesus explained this concept further when He said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Walking in spiritual darkness means not knowing or living in truth; it is walking where danger can more easily threaten you. It’s essentially walking through life blindly, without the knowledge of Christ and his gospel. Christ’s truth and light will heal your spiritual blindness and bring you out of spiritual darkness. It will show you the way to go.

HAVING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST WITHIN YOU

The Light of Christ is also something you can have within you, if you believe in and follow Jesus Christ. It’s a source of inspiration. It allows you to know truth. It’s an influence to do good acts for the right reasons. It helps you know right from wrong. The Light of Christ manifests itself in what we call our conscience.

When you accept Jesus Christ’s love in your life and do your best to follow His example—loving everyone, repenting of your sins, and doing good—you can have the Light of Christ within you.