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?
No comments:
Post a Comment