3 Nephi 20-23

Reading Assignment for Thursday, April 12: 3 Nephi 20-23

Learning Activities:

1) Introduction

During the second day of His ministry among the Nephites, Jesus Christ again administered the sacrament to the people. He testified that in the latter days the Father would fulfill His covenant to gather Israel and bless all the nations of the earth. He also explained that the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in the last days would be a sign that the Father had begun to fulfill this covenant.

2) Read Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and underline ways he said you can be blessed as you are filled with the Spirit:
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
“Let us qualify ourselves for our Savior’s promise that by partaking of the sacrament we will ‘be filled’ (3 Ne. 20:8; see also 3 Ne. 18:9), which means that we will be ‘filled with the Spirit’ (3 Ne. 20:9). That Spirit—the Holy Ghost—is our comforter, our direction finder, our communicator, our interpreter, our witness, and our purifier—our infallible guide and sanctifier for our mortal journey toward eternal life.
“… Out of the seemingly small act of consciously and reverently renewing our baptismal covenants comes a renewal of the blessings of baptism by water and by the Spirit, that we may always have his Spirit to be with us. In this way all of us will be guided, and in this way all of us can be cleansed” (“Always Have His Spirit,” Ensign,Nov. 1996, 61).
3) Read 3 Nephi 20:27, and mark phrases that teach the following principle: As the seed of Abraham, we have a covenant responsibility to bless all the people of the earth.
Elder David A. Bednar
As you read the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar, look for how—as the seed of Abraham—we are to bless all the people of the earth: “You and I, today and always, are to bless all peoples in all the nations of the earth. You and I, today and always, are to bear witness of Jesus Christ and declare the message of the Restoration. You and I, today and always, are to invite all to receive the ordinances of salvation. Proclaiming the gospel is not a part-time priesthood obligation. It is not simply an activity in which we engage for a limited time or an assignment we must complete as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rather, missionary work is a manifestation of our spiritual identity and heritage. We were foreordained in the premortal existence and born into mortality to fulfill the covenant and promise God made to Abraham. We are here upon the earth at this time to magnify the priesthood and to preach the gospel. That is who we are, and that is why we are here—today and always” (“Becoming a Missionary,” 47).
4) 
Verses
Questions
Read 3 Nephi 21:1–2, 7. When the Book of Mormon comes forth in the last days, it will be a sign that the Father has begun gathering the house of Israel.
  1. When have you seen the Book of Mormon lead (or gather) someone, including yourself, to Jesus Christ and the covenants of the gospel?
Read 3 Nephi 21:9. The phrase “a great and a marvelous work” refers to the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  1. What do you think is great and marvelous about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Read 3 Nephi 21:10–11, and ponder how this description fits the Prophet Joseph Smith.
  1. Why is it essential to believe the words of the Lord that were brought forth through the Prophet Joseph Smith?
Read 3 Nephi 21:22. If people repent and do not harden their hearts, they will be numbered among the house of Israel.
  1. Why do you think repentance is necessary for a person to be gathered into God’s covenant people?
Read 3 Nephi 22:7–10, and look for the promises the Savior made to His covenant people who return to Him after forgetting the covenants they made with Him.
  1. Why do you think it is important to understand that the Lord shows everlasting kindness and mercy to those who have strayed from Him?
5) Read the following statement from President Spencer W. Kimball:
President Spencer W. Kimball
“The Lord Jesus Christ Himself emphasized the great importance of record keeping to the Nephites and Lamanites [see 3 Nephi 23:6–13]. …
“I am glad that it was not I who was reprimanded, even though mildly and kindly, for not having fulfilled the obligation to keep my records up to date. …
“… Remember, the Savior chastised those who failed to record important events” (“The Angels May Quote from It,” New Era, Feb. 2003, 32, 34–35).
The remainder of 3 Nephi 23 contains the account President Kimball described, when the Savior chastised the Nephites for not including some important events in their records. Read 3 Nephi 23:6–11, and identify what the Nephites had failed to record. Why do you think it was important for the Nephites to record the fulfillment of this prophecy made by Samuel the Lamanite? How does having that record in the Book of Mormon help us in our day?