3 NEPHI 2-5
READING ASSIGNMENT FOR CLASS ON WED., MARCH 21: 3 NEPHI 2-5
Learning Activities:
1) Introduction
After the people saw the sign of Jesus Christ’s birth, they began to be less astonished by signs, and they hardened their hearts. Many of the people rejected signs and wonders and increased in wickedness. The Gadianton robbers grew so strong that Nephites and Lamanites were compelled to take up arms against them. The converted Lamanites joined with the Nephites and became known as Nephites. Lachoneus, the chief judge of the Nephites, called on the people to repent and prepared them for battle. Because of their repentance, their faith in the Lord, and their diligent preparations, the Nephites triumphed over the Gadianton robbers. Following their deliverance, the people acknowledged the power of God in their preservation.
2) 3 Nephi 2:1-3 emphasizes how important it is to remember spiritual experiences. Pres. Eyring gave us a great way to do that:
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency related how recording his spiritual experiences in a journal helped him. As you read about his experience, underline some blessings that can come from recording spiritual experiences:
“I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: ‘Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?’ As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.
“More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened” (“O Remember, Remember,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 67).
“I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: ‘Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?’ As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.
“More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened” (“O Remember, Remember,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 67).
Lachoneus was astonished by Giddianhi’s letter and determined to prepare his people for the impending attack. Read the following scripture passages, and identify at least four ways Lachoneus prepared his people spiritually and temporally (physically) to withstand the attack of the Gadianton robbers. (Hint: as you study these verses, be sure to differentiate between Giddianhi, the leader of the Gadianton robbers, and Gidgiddoni, the great prophet and chief captain among the Nephites.)
4) Read 3 Nephi 5:12–13, and look for what Mormon said about his responsibility in writing his abridgement of the Nephite records. Think about your responsibilities as a disciple of Christ. What does Mormon inspire you to do?
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The Nephi calendar can be confusing. Here's some help.
3 Nephi 2:5–8. Nephite calendarsThroughout their history, the Nephites used three different points of reference for measuring time with their calendars: (1) the time when Lehi left Jerusalem; (2) the time when the government changed from kings to judges; and (3) the time when the sign of the birth of Jesus Christ was given. It is not known exactly when the Nephites began to reckon their calendar from the time of Jesus Christ’s birth, but Mormon acknowledges this change in 3 Nephi 2:7–8.
| Reference Point | Approximately When Used | Scripture Block |
|---|---|---|
| From the time when Lehi left Jerusalem | 600–92 BC | 1 Nephi 1–Mosiah 29 |
| From the time when the government changed from kings to judges | 92 BC–AD 1 | Mosiah 29–3 Nephi 1 |
| From the time the sign of the birth of Jesus Christ was given | AD 1–421 | 3 Nephi 1–Moroni 10 |