1. Perfect Happiness to Exceeding Wickedness! 4th Nephi
(2 Nephi 2:27, Matt 6:24)
Jesus Christ or Satan?
Moroni 9 & – “A Scriptural Foil”
When the Book of Mormon was first printed, 3rd and 4th Nephi were simply called, “Book of Nephi.” Though they were separate they bore the same title.
In 1879 Orson Pratt was authorized to make the change to distinguish one from another.

2. (One fourth of the Book of Mormon history!)
200 years of peace! v.1-18
How did they do it?
v.16 “And there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God”
(2 Nephi 2:25).
4th Nephi covers 275 years in just 49 verses!
(One fourth of the Book of Mormon history!)
Verses Apostasy cycle again!

3. What are the Characteristics of a righteous people who lived the Law of Consecration?
What did they do right?
They were all converted to the Lord (v.2)
They dealt justly with one another (v.2)
They had all things in common and shared their wealth equally (v.3)
They had peace in the land (v.4)
Great and marvelous miracles were performed (v.5)
They experienced great prosperity (v.7)

4. They multiplied in number and became strong (v.10)
Temple marriages (v.11)
They kept the commandments (v.12)
They fasted and prayed (v.12)
They met together often (v.12)

5. The love of God was in their hearts (v.15)
They were a most happy people (v.16)
There was no class distinction among them (v.17)
There was no contention (v.18)
They became exceedingly rich (v.23)

6. “Every Man Did Deal Justly”
4th Nephi 1:2
“Every Man Did Deal Justly”
Elder Sheldon F. Child of the Seventy taught the following in regard to honesty and integrity:
1. “When we say we will do something, we do it.
2. “When we make a commitment, we honor it.

7. 3. “When we are given a calling, we fulfill it. 4
3. “When we are given a calling, we fulfill it. 4. “When we borrow something, we return it. 5. “When we have a financial obligation, we pay it. 6. “When we enter into an agreement, we keep it” (Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 39).

8. President N. Eldon Tanner illustrated the importance of dealing justly with others: “A young man came to me not long ago and said, ‘I made an agreement with a man that requires me to make certain payments each year. I am in arrears [behind in fulfilling financial obligations], and I can’t make those payments, for if I do, it is going to cause me to lose my home. What shall I do?’ “I looked at him and said, ‘Keep your agreement.’

9. “Even if it costs me my home?”
“I said, ‘I am not talking about your home. I am talking about your agreement; and I think your wife would rather have a husband who would keep his word… and have to rent a home than to have a home with a husband who will not keep his covenants and his pledges” (Conference Report, Oct. 1966, 99).

10. 4th Nephi 1:36 “True Believers in Christ”
Elder Maxwell spoke of the characteristics that define those who truly believe in the Savior:
1. “True believers are settled in their views of Christ.”
Despite their weaknesses, their spirituality is centered on the Savior, so their views of everything else are put in that precious perspective.

11. 2. “True believers gladly perform their duties in the kingdom.”
They include partaking worthily of the sacrament, rendering Christian service, studying the scriptures, praying, fasting, receiving ordinances, attending to family duties, paying tithes and offerings…
3. True believers are humble.”
They are ‘meek and lowly of heart,’ they are not easily offended. They do not resist counsel.

12. 4. “True believers are willing to do what Christ wants.”
Are we willing to let the Lord lead us into further developmental experiences? Or do we shrink back? The things which enlarge the soul inevitably involve stretching.
5. “True believers have a balanced contentment.”
They strike a balance between being too content and wishing for a more important role…

13. 6. “True believers truly pray
6. “True believers truly pray.” Their prayers are sincere…The true believer prayers, at least some of the time, are inspired. 7. “True believers have both right conduct and right reasons for that conduct.” They are so secure in their relationship with the Lord that their goodness would continue even if nobody were watching…

14. 8. “True believers rejoice in the success of others
8. “True believers rejoice in the success of others.” They don’t regard colleagues as competitors. 9. “True believers remember that forgetting is part of forgiving.” They follow the Lord’s example: ‘I [will] remember [their sins] no more.’

15. 10. “True believers are innocent as to sin, but not naïve.”
They are kind, but candid. They love their fellowman…
11. “True believers are happy.”
Instead of a ‘woeful countenance,’ true believers in Christ have a disciplined enthusiasm to work righteousness. They are serious about how they live life, but are also of good cheer” (True Believers,” New Era, Apr. 1994, 20-24).

16. What are the characteristics of the apostasy cycle?
A small part of the people revolted from the church (v. 20).
The people became “exceedingly rich” (v. 23).
Some of the people began to be “lifted up in pride, such as wearing of costly apparel” (v. 24).

17. After the people began to build up in pride, “from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them” (v. 25).
The people began to be divided into classes (v. 26).
The People began to “build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ” (v. 26).

18. Many churches were established “which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel” (v. 27).
These churches which professed to know Christ did administer “that which was sacred (the sacrament) unto him whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness. And this church did multiply exceedingly because of iniquity, and because of the power of Satan who did get hold upon their hearts (v ).

19. Another Church was established “which denied the Christ; and they did persecute the true church of Christ…and they did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them (v. 29).
“…the people did harden their hearts and seek to kill” the few remaining righteous people, including the three Nephite disciples (v. 31).
The “wicked part of the people began again to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadianton” (v. 42).
And finally, the people became “proud in their hearts” and vain like unto their brethren, “thus” both the people of Nephi and the Lamanites had become exceeding wicked one like unto another…and there were none that were righteous save it were the disciples of Jesus” (v ).