Lesson 41: "He Did Expound All Things unto Them"

Reading:
3 Nephi 22-26

The Marriage Metaphor - Richard K. Hart

Coming unto Christ by Searching the Scriptures - Elder Merrill J. Bateman

A Reservoir of Living Water - Elder David A. Bednar (This has been on our reading assignment before but I'm putting it on here again because it is so good and worth a second read)

Questions to Ponder

1. The Savior quotes some of Isaiah’s prophecies about the house of Israel.

• Isaiah exhorted the house of Israel, “Enlarge the place of thy tent … [and] lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes” (3 Nephi 22:2). What do the tent and the stakes symbolize? (See the quotation below.) What do you think it means to “enlarge the place of thy tent” and “strengthen thy stakes?”
  President Ezra Taft Benson said:
  “The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently, Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion. …
  “… Stakes are a defense for the Saints from enemies both seen and unseen. The defense is direction provided through priesthood channels that strengthens testimony and promotes family solidarity and individual righteousness” (“Strengthen Thy Stakes,” Ensign, Jan. 1991, 2, 4).
  
• What can we do individually and as families to ensure that our stakes are a refuge and a defense against evil?
• How did Isaiah describe the relationship between the Lord and the house of Israel? (See 3 Nephi 22:4–10) What can this description teach us about the Lord’s devotion to His people?
  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:
  “The imagery of Jehovah as bridegroom and Israel as bride is among the most commonly used metaphors in scripture, being used by the Lord and his prophets to describe the relationship between Deity and the children of the covenant. … Christ has, on occasion, been rightfully angry with backsliding Israel, but that has always been brief and temporary—‘a small moment.’ Compassion and mercy always return and prevail in a most reassuring way. The mountains and the hills may disappear. The water of the great seas may dry up. … But the Lord’s kindness and peace will never be taken from his covenant people. He has sworn with a heavenly oath that he will not be wroth with them forever” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 290).
  
• How did the Lord describe the place to which the house of Israel would be gathered in the last days? (See 3 Nephi 22:11–12; see also Revelation 21:18–21.) What are the promises made to those who will live in this place? (See 3 Nephi 22:13–17.) How can these promises give strength to those who are afflicted?


• After Jesus had quoted these prophecies, He said to the people, “Ye ought to search these things” (3 Nephi 23:1). What does it mean to search the scriptures instead of merely read them?Elder Henry B. Eyring said: “We treasure the word of God not only by reading the words of the scriptures but by studying them. We may be nourished more by pondering a few words, allowing the Holy Ghost to make them treasures to us, than by passing quickly and superficially over whole chapters of scripture” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 115; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 84).
  
• How have you been blessed as you have studied the scriptures?
• Why was it important that the people record the Savior’s words? (See 3 Nephi 23:3–5.)
• The Savior commanded the people, “Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things” (3 Nephi 23:5). Of what do the prophets testify? How have you been strengthened by the testimonies of ancient and modern prophets?

2. The Savior commands the people to add to their records.

• Jesus commanded the Nephites to add to their records a prophecy made by Samuel the Lamanite. In this prophecy, Samuel said that “many saints [would] arise from the dead, and [would] appear to many, and [would] minister unto them” (3 Nephi 23:6–13). Why do you think this particular record was important?
• After Jesus told the people to write Samuel’s prophecy, what did He command them to do? (See 3 Nephi 23:14.) In what specific ways can we more effectively teach the words of the Savior?
• Jesus also commanded the people to write some of the words of the prophet Malachi (3 Nephi 24:1). Why were the words of Malachi absent from the Nephites’ records?
• What teachings of Malachi are of special importance to us? (See 3 Nephi 24:1, 8–18 and 25:1–6
  • 3 Nephi 24:1; compare Malachi 3:1. What is the messenger sent to prepare the way for the Lord’s Second Coming? (See D&C 45:9.) In what manner might Joseph Smith be considered a messenger for the last dispensation?
  • 3 Nephi 24:8–12; compare Malachi 3:8–12. What blessings are promised in these verses to those who pay tithes and offerings? How have you been blessed as you have paid tithes and offerings?
  • 3 Nephi 24:13–18; compare Malachi 3:13–18. Why might some people believe that “it is vain to serve God”? (See 3 Nephi 24:14–15.) How can we remain steadfast in our faith even when evil seems to be prospering?
  • 3 Nephi 25:1–6; compare Malachi 4:1–6. What does it mean to be left without root or branch? Whom did the Lord say He would send before the Second Coming? When and where did Elijah return? (See D&C 110:13–16.) What keys did he restore?

3. The Savior expounds all things from the beginning.

• In his record, Mormon included only “the lesser part” of what Jesus taught the people (3 Nephi 26:8). How does having only this small part try our faith? How can we receive “the greater things”? (See 3 Nephi 26:9.)
  President Spencer W. Kimball said:
  “I have had many people ask me through the years, ‘When do you think we will get the balance of the Book of Mormon records?’ And I have said, ‘How many in the congregation would like to read the sealed portion of the plates?’ And almost always there is a 100-percent response. And then I ask the same congregation, ‘How many of you have read the part that has been opened to us?’ And there are many who have not read the Book of Mormon, the unsealed portion. We are quite often looking for the spectacular, the unobtainable. I have found many people who want to live the higher laws when they do not live the lower laws” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 531–32).
  
• (See 3 Nephi 26:14, 16) What do these verses indicate about how the Savior regards children?
• How did the Nephites who had witnessed these events treat each other? (See 3 Nephi 26:19–21.) How can we follow their example in our marriages, families, wards, and stakes?

Lesson 40: “Then Will I Gather Them In”

Purpose:

To help class members understand the latter-day work of gathering Israel and establishing Zion.

Reading:

3 Nephi 16, 20, and 21

Additional reading: 

3 Nephi 29–30; 

Mormon 5:9–24; 

Articles of Faith 1:10; 

Bible Dictionary, “Gentile,” 679–80; “Israel,” 708.

The Gathering of Scattered Israel - Russell M. Nelson

Come to Zion - Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Overview:

These chapters contain part of the resurrected Savior’s teachings to the Nephites. 

In these chapters, the Lord teaches and prophesies of the Restoration of the gospel and the gathering of the house of Israel in the last days.

Questions to Ponder:

1. The Savior prophesies of the scattering of the house of Israel.

• What is the house of Israel?
• Why was Israel scattered? (See 3 Nephi 16:4).

2. The Savior prophesies of the spiritual gathering of the house of Israel.

• Who are the Gentiles? (See Bible Dictionary, “Gentile,” 679).
• What do the Gentiles have to do with the scattering and gathering of Israel?  (See 3 Nephi 16:7–9 and 21:1–5).
• What is the gathering of Israel?  (See 3 Nephi 16:4, 12; 20:10–13). 
• President Spencer W. Kimball explained: “The ‘gathering of Israel’ is effected when the people of the faraway countries accept the gospel and remain in their native lands. The gathering of Israel for Mexicans is in Mexico; in Scandinavia, for those of the northern countries; the gathering place for the Germans is in Germany; and the Polynesians, in the islands; for the Brazilians, in Brazil; for the Argentines, in Argentina” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1975, 4; or Ensign, May 1975, 4).
• What sign has been given to show that the latter-day gathering of Israel has begun?  (See 3 Nephi 21:2–7 and 29:1–2).
• How have the “sayings” and “works” of the Nephites come forth to the Gentiles? 
• What are some roles that the Book of Mormon plays in the gathering of Israel? (Compare 3 Nephi 16:4, 12 and 20:10–13 with 1 Nephi 6:3–4 and the title page of the Book of Mormon.)
• The Lord spoke of a servant who would help in the “great and … marvelous work” of bringing forth the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 21:9–10). Who was this servant? (See 2 Nephi 3:3–8, 11–12 and 3 Nephi 16:7).
• What did the Lord promise to do after the fulness of the gospel was restored through the Gentiles?  (See 3 Nephi 16:11–12).
• The covenant that the Lord promised to remember was the Abrahamic covenant (See 3 Nephi 20:25, 27, 29; 21:4; Mormon 5:20). 
• What are the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant? (See Genesis 17:1–8; Abraham 2:6, 9–11.)
• What will happen to Gentiles who repent and turn to God? (See 2 Nephi 30:2; 3 Nephi 16:13; 21:6, 22. 
• President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “Every person who embraces the gospel becomes of the house of Israel. In other words, they become members of the chosen lineage, or Abraham’s children through Isaac and Jacob unto whom the promises were made. The great majority of those who become members of the Church are literal descendants of Abraham through Ephraim, son of Joseph. Those who are not literal descendants of Abraham and Israel must become such, and when they are baptized and confirmed they are grafted into the tree and are entitled to all the rights and privileges as heirs” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 3:246).
• As members of the Church, what are our responsibilities in the gathering of Israel?
• What is the mission of the Church? 
• How does the mission of the Church contribute to the gathering of Israel?

3. The Savior prophesies of the temporal gathering of the house of Israel.

• What specific promise did the Lord extend to the Nephites? (See 3 Nephi 16:16 and 20:14 and 2 Nephi 1:5–7.) 
• What responsibilities accompany this promise? (See Enos 1:10; Ether 2:8–9.)
• What will happen in this land of inheritance in the last days?  (See 3 Nephi 21:22–29).
• The Savior said that He would gather His people and establish Zion again among them (3 Nephi 21:1). 
• How has Zion been described in the scriptures? (See D&C 97:21 and Moses 7:18–19). 
• How can we begin to establish Zion in our homes, wards, and stakes today?

Lesson 38 & 39: Old Things Are Done Away, All Things Have Become New Behold, My Joy Is Full

Purpose

To help class members feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ and develop a greater desire to exercise faith in Him, to bear testimony of Him and to be true disciples of Jesus Christ by following His example and by living the higher law that He taught to the Nephites.

Reading / Watching:

• 3 Nephi 12-15
• 3 Nephi 17-19
• Joy and Spiritual Survival - Elder Russell M. Nelson
• "If Ye Had Known Me" - Elder David A. Bednar
• The Doctrine of Christ - Elder Brian K. Ashton
  
  

Questions to Ponder:

1. Jesus teaches the Beatitudes to the Nephites.

• 3 Nephi 12:3. What does it mean to come unto Christ? (See 3 Nephi 9:13–14, 20–22 and Ether 12:27.) How does being "poor in spirit," or humble, help us come unto Christ?
   
• 3 Nephi 12:4. What are some ways the Lord provides for us to be comforted? (See John 14:26–27; Mosiah 18:8–9.)
   
• 3 Nephi 12:5. What does it mean to be meek?

  President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Meekness implies a spirit of gratitude as opposed to an attitude of self-sufficiency, an acknowledgment of a greater power beyond oneself, a recognition of God, and an acceptance of his commandments" ("With All Thy Getting Get Understanding," Ensign, Aug. 1988, 3–4).

• 3 Nephi 12:6. What do you think it means to "hunger and thirst after righteousness"? What will we be filled with as we "hunger and thirst after righteousness"?
   
• 3 Nephi 12:7. Why is it important that we be merciful? Why do we need the Lord's mercy? (See 2 Nephi 2:8–9.)
   
• 3 Nephi 12:8. Why must we be pure in heart to be able to see God? (See 1 Nephi 10:21.) In what ways can we purify our hearts? (See D&C 93:1)
   
• 3 Nephi 12:9. How can we be peacemakers in our homes and communities?
   
• 3 Nephi 12:10–12. Why are the righteous sometimes persecuted? How should we respond to persecution? (See 3 Nephi 12:44; Luke 6:35.)

2. Jesus declares that His followers are to be the salt of the earth and a light to other people.

Jesus said, "I give unto you to be the salt of the earth" (3 Nephi 12:13).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

"Among the ancient Hebrews salt … was used as a preservative, in seasoning food, and in all animal sacrifices. (Lev. 2:13; Ezek. 43:24; Mark 9:49–50. [Leviticus 2:13; Ezekiel 43:24]) So essential was it to the sacrificial ordinance that it was the symbol of the covenant made between God and His people in connection with that sacred performance. (Lev. 2:13;Num. 18:19; 2 Chron. 13:5.)

"Accordingly, our Lord's statement, made first to the Jews and then to that other great body of Hebrews, the Nephites, that they had power 'to be the salt of the earth,' takes on great significance. … They had power, in other words, to be the seasoning, savoring, preserving influence in the world, the influence which would bring peace and blessings to all others" (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 667–68).

• How can our influence help others receive peace and other blessings?

Elder Carlos E. Asay: "A world-renowned chemist told me that salt will not lose its savor with age. Savor is lost through mixture and contamination" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1980, 60; or Ensign, May 1980, 42).

• How can we avoid being "contaminated" by the things of the world?
   
• (See D&C 101:39–40 and D&C 103:9–10) What do these passages teach about being "the salt of the earth" and "the light of [the] people"? How can Latter-day Saints be "saviors of men"?
   
• How can we let our light "shine before [the] people"? (See 3 Nephi 12:16; 18:24.) What should be the result of our letting our light shine? (See 3 Nephi 12:16.)

3. Jesus declares that He has fulfilled the law of Moses. He teaches the people a higher law.

• Who gave the law of Moses to the Israelites? (See 3 Nephi 15:4–5.)
   
• Jesus declared to the Nephites that He had fulfilled the law of Moses (3 Nephi 12:17–19; 15:2–5). How did Jesus fulfill this law?
   
• What replaced the Law of Moses?
   
• How should the new law change our perspective on living the Gospel?
   
• How did the process of repentance change when the Law of Moses was fulfilled?