Feb. 12-18: 2 Nephi 3-5
We Lived After the Manner of Happiness
A headstone inscribed with the Deseret Alphabet in the Cedar City, UT, cemetery.
Lehi died and was buried, as we read in 2 Nephi 4:12. We are left to wonder how his family honored the burial site and whether there was a marker of some kind. Emotionally, it must have been a pivotal moment in Nephi’s life because we read just a few verses later the great, 641-word psalm of Nephi that pours forth, “O wretched man that I am!…” Burial markers are ancient traditions that began around 5,000 years ago. Although a headstone today holds only a few dates and facts of a person’s life, they are important historical documents, as any genealogist knows very well. An unusual episode in early Latter-day Saint history was the adoption of the Deseret Alphabet—a phonemic language created under the guidance of Brigham Young in 1854--which potentially could allow people of different languages to communicate. Headstones engraved in the Deseret Alphabet are rare because these local sandstone markers have weathered and degraded over time. The Southern Utah town of Hamblin, for example, once contained numerous headstones in the alphabet. The headstone rubbing shown here is from the Cedar City, Utah cemetery and identifies the resting place of John T. Morris, a Welshman, aged 27, who died in 1855. Recently, the original, weathered sandstone marker was replaced, with elements of the original included. Life is all too brief, and the passing of dear ones only reminds us of our fragility and inspires us to connect to God. Nephi ends his psalm with these words, "I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."
Discussion Questions:
In blessing his son Joseph, Lehi describes the prophecies of Joseph of Egypt fortelling Joseph Smith Jr.: "his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father" (2 Nephi 3: 15). Nephi later explains how the people in his family who followed him took on his name (2 Nephi 5:9), in a way like many of us carry family names as part of our names. What do you know about your name and why you were given this name? Do you feel any obligations associated with your name? How do you feel that you are honoring your name?
Lehi explains that scriptures can be used for "... laying down of contentions, and establishing peace" (2 Nephi 3:12). How can scriptures be used to resolve contention and establish peace?
Nephi described his people as living "after the manner of happiness" (2 Nephi 5:27). What do you think this means? When have you felt that you have been living "after the manner of happiness"? How can you make this kind of happiness more a part of your life?
Questions for Children and Youth:
Much of this week's readings were father's blessings from Lehi to his children and his grandchildren. Have you ever had a father's blessing or a blessing given to you by someone you trust? What prompted you to get the blessing? How did the words of the blessing make you feel? You may want to write about this experience in a journal or other place where you record sacred experiences.
When Nephi felt lonely, he prayed and gave himself a pep talk (2 Nephi 4:28-30). This was like a personal affirmation. In the youth program, we recite a theme together as an affirmation to help us to feel encouraged, supported, and loved. What part of the Young Women's or Young Men's theme helps you feel the love and support of Heavenly Parents and gives you courage?
In 2 Nephi 5:6, Nephi refers to his sisters who also went with him when the Nephites broke off from the Lamanites. How have you felt supported by your sisters or other women in your life?
Art project: fold a piece of paper in half the long way. Write your name along the fold. Trace the reflection of your name on the other side of the fold. Open the paper so that the reflections are touching along the fold. Decorate this version of your name.
Photo: Rubbing of tombstone, Josie Nelson and Gena Nelson (2024).