This is a review of the slides we used while discussing... Issue of the Heart Insights from Nephi and Laman 1 Nephi 2-4, 15-18

“ ‘the longest journey that any of us will ever take’ --the journey from my head to my heart.” (Marie K. Hafen, Ricks College Devotional, October 3, 2000)

“Man has a dual nature: one, related to the earthly or animal life; the other, akin to the Divine. Whether a man remains satisfied within what we designate the animal world, satisfied with what the animal world will give him, yielding without effort to the whim of his appetites and passions and slipping farther and farther into the realm of indulgence, or whether, through self-mastery, he rises toward intellectual, moral, and spiritual enjoyments depends upon the kind of choice he makes every day, nay, every hour of his life.” (David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals, p )

Obedience Nephi Laman (1 N. 2:12; 3:5) Obeys with Murmuring -- which is a fruit of “Blind Obedience”(1 N. 2:12; 3:5) Obeys with Murmuring -- which is a fruit of “Blind Obedience”

“I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way” (Discourses of Brigham Young, p.135).

“We do not want any whiners about this temple. If you cannot commence cheerfully, and go through the labor of the whole building cheerfully, start for California, and the quicker the better. Make you a golden calf, and worship it. If your care for the ordinances of salvation, for yourselves, your living, and dead, is not first and foremost in your hearts, in your actions, and in everything you possess, go! (Discourses of Brigham Young, p p.418)

Obedience (1 N. 3:6-7; 18:16; 2:16; 2 N. 33:15) Willful obedience w/out murmuring -- which leads to “Enlightened Obedience”(1 N. 3:6-7; 18:16; 2:16; 2 N. 33:15) Willful obedience w/out murmuring -- which leads to “Enlightened Obedience” Nephi Laman (1 N. 2:12; 3:5) Obeys with Murmuring -- which is a fruit of “Blind Obedience”(1 N. 2:12; 3:5) Obeys with Murmuring -- which is a fruit of “Blind Obedience”

“We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin.... But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 51).

Happiness Nephi Laman (1 N. 2:11; 17:20-21) Comes from worldly possessions(1 N. 2:11; 17:20-21) Comes from worldly possessions

Happiness (2 N. 2:13; 2 N. 5:27, 10) Comes from righteousness and covenants(2 N. 2:13; 2 N. 5:27, 10) Comes from righteousness and covenants Nephi Laman (1 N. 2:11; 17:20-21) Comes from worldly possessions(1 N. 2:11; 17:20-21) Comes from worldly possessions

“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it...He never will institute an ordinance or give a commandment to His people that is not calculated in its nature to promote that happiness which He has designed, and which will not end in the greatest amount of good and glory to those who become the recipients of his law and ordinances.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, ) “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it...He never will institute an ordinance or give a commandment to His people that is not calculated in its nature to promote that happiness which He has designed, and which will not end in the greatest amount of good and glory to those who become the recipients of his law and ordinances.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, )

Desires Nephi Laman (1 N. 16:36; 17:18) Desires to return or give up!(1 N. 16:36; 17:18) Desires to return or give up!

“When the Gospel is preached to the honest in heart they receive it by faith, but when they obey it labor is required. To practice the Gospel requires time, faith, the heart's affections and a great deal of labor. Here many stop. They hear and believe, but before they go on to practice they begin to think that they were mistaken, and unbelief enters into their hearts” (Discourses of Brigham Young, p.223).

Desires (1 N. 2:16; 5:21) Desires to know God(1 N. 2:16; 5:21) Desires to know God Nephi Laman (1 N. 16:36; 17:18) Desires to return or give up!(1 N. 16:36; 17:18) Desires to return or give up!

Trials Nephi Laman (1 N. 16:34-36; 17:20-21) Exaggerates Trials(1 N. 16:34-36; 17:20-21) Exaggerates Trials

Trials (1 N. 17:1-3) Minimizes the trials to help ‘endure it well’ (Alma 31:30)(1 N. 17:1-3) Minimizes the trials to help ‘endure it well’ (Alma 31:30) Nephi Laman (1 N. 16:34-36; 17:20-21) Exaggerates Trials(1 N. 16:34-36; 17:20-21) Exaggerates Trials

Anger Nephi Laman (2 N. 5:1-3) Self-Justified Anger(2 N. 5:1-3) Self-Justified Anger

“As with nearly all strong emotions or passions, anger is manifest both in righteousness and in unrighteousness. Always there is a sense of displeasure attending it, and usually this is accompanied by a feeling of antagonism, excited by a sense of injury or insult. Righteous anger is an attribute of Deity. His anger is everlastingly kindled against the wicked. (D. & C. 1:13; 5:8; 60:2; 63:11, 32; 84:24.)

Similarly, an inspired man might speak or act in righteous anger, as when Moses broke the tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written, or as when our Lord drove the money changers from the temple. But where man is concerned there is peril in anger, and the fear is ever present that the emotion and passion attending it will be exercised in unrighteousness. ‘Can ye be angry, and not sin?’ Paul asked. (Inspired Version, Eph. 4:26)” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 37)

“... ‘Can ye be angry, and not sin?’ asked the Apostle Paul (Joseph Smith Translation, Ephesians 4:26). If a man does not control his temper, it is a sad admission that he is not in control of his thoughts. He then becomes a victim of his own passions and emotions, which leads him to actions that are totally unfit for civilized behavior, let alone behavior for a priesthood holder.” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, Pg.446)

“Do not get so angry that you cannot pray; do not allow yourselves to become so angry that you cannot feed an enemy -- even your worst enemy, if an opportunity should present itself. ” (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 269)

Anger (2 N. 4:26-27) Conquers Anger(2 N. 4:26-27) Conquers Anger Nephi Laman (2 N. 5:1-3) Self-Justified Anger(2 N. 5:1-3) Self-Justified Anger

Responsibility Nephi Laman (2 N. 5:1-3) Transfers blame for his actions(2 N. 5:1-3) Transfers blame for his actions

Responsibility (2 N. 4:27-29) Accepts responsibility for his actions, thoughts, and feelings(2 N. 4:27-29) Accepts responsibility for his actions, thoughts, and feelings Nephi Laman (2 N. 5:1-3) Transfers blame for his actions(2 N. 5:1-3) Transfers blame for his actions

"Martin, why do you not eat; are you sick?" Upon which Mr. Harris pressed his hands upon his temples, and cried out in a tone of deep anguish, "Oh, I have lost my soul! I have lost my soul!" Joseph who had not expressed his fears till now, sprang from the table, exclaiming, "Martin, have you lost that manuscript? Have you broken your oath, and brought down condemnation upon my head as well as your own?" "Yes; it is gone," replied Martin, "and I know not where." "Martin, why do you not eat; are you sick?" Upon which Mr. Harris pressed his hands upon his temples, and cried out in a tone of deep anguish, "Oh, I have lost my soul! I have lost my soul!" Joseph who had not expressed his fears till now, sprang from the table, exclaiming, "Martin, have you lost that manuscript? Have you broken your oath, and brought down condemnation upon my head as well as your own?" "Yes; it is gone," replied Martin, "and I know not where."

... said Joseph, clinching his hands. "All is lost! all is lost! What shall I do? I have sinned--it is I who tempted the wrath of God. I should have been satisfied with the first answer which I received from the Lord; for he told me that it was not safe to let the writing go out of my possession." He wept and groaned, and walked the floor continually. At length he told Martin to go back and search again. "No"; said Martin, "it is all in vain; for I have ripped open beds and pillows; and I know it is not there." "Then must I," said Joseph, "return with such a tale as this? I dare not do it. And how shall I appear before the Lord? Of what rebuke am I not worthy from the angel of the Most High?” (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, p.129).... said Joseph, clinching his hands. "All is lost! all is lost! What shall I do? I have sinned--it is I who tempted the wrath of God. I should have been satisfied with the first answer which I received from the Lord; for he told me that it was not safe to let the writing go out of my possession." He wept and groaned, and walked the floor continually. At length he told Martin to go back and search again. "No"; said Martin, "it is all in vain; for I have ripped open beds and pillows; and I know it is not there." "Then must I," said Joseph, "return with such a tale as this? I dare not do it. And how shall I appear before the Lord? Of what rebuke am I not worthy from the angel of the Most High?” (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, p.129).

The End...