Book of Mormon Lesson
# 36— 3 Nephi 1–7
On the Morrow Come I into the World
Introduction
With Samuel the
Lamanite’s prophecies firmly in our minds, we embark on what must be the
favorite book in the Book of Mormon. As we have perhaps labored through the Book
of Mormon to this point, eagerly anticipating the coming of Christ to the
Nephites, are we laboring through life, eagerly anticipating His Second Coming?
We have talked often about covenants and commandments and how they bring us to
Christ, but do we, do I, realize that our daily lives can be strong strides in
that journey—that we, that I, do not have to wait for the Millennium to come
unto Christ? The New Testament tells us: “Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him”
(Rev. 3:20). There can be no doubt that these are the last days, and so we find
ourselves in a similar position to the Nephites just prior to the Lord’s birth
to a mortal mother. Pres. Benson said, “the record of the Nephite history just
prior to the Savior’s visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we
anticipate the Savior’s second coming” Ensign, May 1987, 4). Hugh Nibley
reflected: “I have always thought in reading the Book of Mormon, ‘Woe to the
generation that understands this book!’ To our fathers, once the great
persecutions ceased, the story of the Nephites and the Lamanites was something
rather strange, unreal, and faraway—even to the point of being romantic. The
last generation did not make much of the Book of Mormon. But now with every
passing year this great and portentous story becomes more and more familiar and
more frighteningly like our own.”[1]
Wickedness abounds,
but we can remain faithful and strive to identify ourselves as His, despite the
perils this might bring us.
1. The signs of the Savior’s
birth vindicate those who have endured in faith. 3 Nephi 1:1–22
You will remember that Samuel gave
the signs that would precede the birth of the Savior in Helaman 14:3–7:
·
great lights in heaven
·
one day and a night and a day. . . the night
shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
·
a new star arise, such an one as ye never have
beheld.
·
many signs and wonders in heaven.
·
ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch
that ye shall fall to the earth.
But as we have sadly learned and know to be true, signs and
wonders do not have a lasting effect when evil abounds. Nephi who had taught
from his tower had left Zarahemla, never to return, and his son Nephi now has
charge of the spiritual welfare of the people. Five years, Samuel had said, and
the five years is nearly up and doubt hardens their hearts. This is why
enduring to the end is so important. Elder Maxwell:
No one ever promised us
that discipleship in the last days would be a picnic in the park. Former
periods of stress can guide us. When the earlier coming of Jesus was imminent,
signs abounded. Still, for some, there were “doubtings.” (3 Ne. 8:4.) But the
faithful prevailed and were vindicated. There were determined detractors then,
mocking the faith of believers, briefly creating “a great uproar,” even
rejoicing over the seeming prospect that the faith of Christ’s followers would
be in vain. (See 3 Ne. 1:5–7.) It was not. Members kept the faith, and the
faith kept them![2]
How serious was the threat from
detractors, verse 9 tells us that if the sign were not to happen on the very
day, believers would be put to death. So Nephi, as did his father before him,
prays mightily and the Lord speaks to him and gives him a message for his
people. As I write this, in just a week we will have heard from the auxiliary
presidents and a member of the First Presidency; one week later we will hear
from the First Presidency, members of the Twelve Apostles, and General
Authorities and auxiliaries. All of whom have prayed mightily to know what
message they should bring us. Will this have an impact on our daily lives, on
our coming to Christ? How can we prepare for that? How do we keep the faith?
The signs come to pass just as
Samuel had prophesied and belief and faith is strong . . . for a couple of
years.
2. The Gadianton robbers come to
battle against the Nephites. 3 Nephi 2–4.
But it all falls apart—3 Nephi 1:29
highlights the dire need we have to inform, teach, nurture the rising
generation. And, as far as this blog is concerned, from my point of view at
least, you are the rising generation. Pres. Hinckley:
You face tremendous
temptation. It comes at you in the halls of popular entertainment, on the
Internet, in the movies, on television, in cheap literature, and in other
ways—subtle, titillating, and difficult to resist. Peer pressure may be almost
overpowering. But, my dear young friends, you must not give in. You must be
strong. You must take the long look ahead rather than succumbing to the present
seductive temptation. …You are the best generation we have ever had. You
know the gospel better. You are more faithful in your duties. You are stronger
to face the temptations which come your way. Live by your standards. Pray for
the guidance and protection of the Lord. He will never leave you alone. He will
comfort you. He will sustain you. He will bless and magnify you and make your
reward sweet and beautiful. And you will discover that your example will
attract others who will take courage from your strength” (Ensign, Nov. 2003, 83–84).
Sister Bingham: “Yes, we can
bring the light of the gospel into our homes, schools, and workplaces if we
look for and share positive things about others and let the less-than-perfect
fade away. What gratitude fills my heart when I think of the repentance that
our Savior, Jesus Christ, has made possible for all of us who have inevitably
sinned in this imperfect and sometimes difficult world! I bear my witness that
as we follow His perfect example, we can receive the gift of charity, which
will bring us great joy in this life and the promised blessing of eternal life
with our Father in Heaven.[1]
The manual asks us “what can we do to preserve our spiritual experiences?” Elder Scott:
When it is for the
Lord’s purposes, He can bring anything to our remembrance. That should not
weaken our determination to record impressions of the Spirit. Inspiration
carefully recorded shows God that His communications are sacred to us.
Recording will also enhance our ability to recall revelation. Such recording of
direction of the Spirit should be protected from loss or intrusion by others.[3]
Although Lachoneus’s defense
preparations against the Gadianton robbers were very specific, nevertheless we
can follow the example of those who followed him by recognizing that our
leaders are inspired and the counsel we receive, especially at General
Conference, has come by revelation and is for us personally and as a family.
3. The Nephites live righteously
and prosper, but pride and dissensions arise. 3 Nephi 5–7
And on that note, can we be as the
Nephites in 3 Nephi 5:1 “And now behold, there was not a living soul among all
the people of the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy
prophets who had spoken; for they knew that it must needs be that they must be
fulfilled.” Mormon reminds us in v. 8 that his account of the 25 years of
comparative peace, righteousness, and prosperity was only “one-hundredth” of
what actually happened. Referring back to Nibley’s statement, do we understand why
we don’t get to read about the good times for very long? In v. 13 Mormon
declares who he is, a statement echoed by many through the years. If we are to
be disciples, then we too must declare, “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his
people, that they might have everlasting life.”
The manual has a timeline for us
A.D. 21–26: 3 Nephi 5:1–3 (The
people served God “with all diligence.”)
A.D. 26–27: 3 Nephi 6:4–5 (There was
great order and prosperity.)
A.D. 28: 3 Nephi 6:9 (There was
continual peace.)
A.D. 29: 3 Nephi 6:10–16 (There were
disputings, pride, and boasting.)
A.D. 30: 3 Nephi 6:17–18 (“They were
in a state of awful wickedness.”)
A.D. 31: 3 Nephi 7:21 (A few people
were converted to the Lord.)
A.D. 32–33: 3 Nephi 7:23 (Nephi
continued to cry repentance.)
Finally, Pres. Kimball gave us some
advice on how to become “the pure in heart”:
·
“put away selfishness in our families, our
business and professional pursuits, and our Church affairs.
·
cooperate completely and work in harmony one
with the other.
·
we must lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever
is required by the Lord. We begin by offering a “broken heart and a contrite
spirit.”[4]
\Sis. Stephens: “First, the Savior,
the Master Healer, has power to change our hearts and give us permanent relief
from the sorrow caused by our own sins. …
Second, the Master Healer can
comfort and strengthen us when we experience pain because of the unrighteous
actions of others. …
Third, the Master Healer can comfort
and sustain us as we experience painful “realities of mortality,” such as
disaster, mental illness, disease, chronic pain, and even death.”
Sis.
Oscarson “First, we need to acknowledge the centrality of God our Eternal
Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, to our faith and salvation. …
Second, we need to understand the
need for the restoration of the doctrine, organization, and keys of authority
in these latter days. …
And third, we need to study and
understand temple ordinances and covenants. …
Pres. Uchtdorf: The
purpose of faith is not to change God’s will but to empower us to act
on God’s will. Faith is trust—trust that God sees what we cannot and that
He knows what we do not. Sometimes, trusting our own vision and judgment is not
enough.”
Videos
1. A Living Sacrifice—Robert D.
Hales
2. Pride is Enmity—Ezra Taft Benson
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