The Book of Moses

Moses 7:13 so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God... to battle against them "Three thousand years before the birth of Christ, the peace in which the people of the Lord had been living was broken as fierce enemies moved against them. History does not record the reason for the hatred that drove the attacking army, but they seemed intent on exterminating these early Saints. The soldiers must have felt very confident as they marched in battle array toward the peaceful land. But instead of victory they would find an ignominious defeat, which came about in ways they could not have imagined. "At least 65 years before the invasion, Jared and his wife, followers of God, had welcomed a son into their home. They named him Enoch, a word meaning 'teacher.' Enoch grew in righteousness until, apparently when he was 65 years old, the Lord called him to be a spokesman. The Lord promised him, 'My Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course' (Moses 6:34). "The Lord was not speaking in hyperbole. Enemy armies approached, 'and so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; ... and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch' (Moses 7:13). "It takes little to imagine the wonder that must have struck that advancing army as the land quaked and heaved and whole rivers swept out of their courses. The record tells us that the attacking army fled to a 'land which came out of the depth of the sea,' and 'there went forth a curse upon all people that fought against God' (Moses 7:14, 15). Few people have ever wielded such formidable power, but Enoch had proven himself worthy in the eyes of God to exercise it." (Richard D. Draper, "Enoch: What Modern Scripture Teaches," Ensign, Jan. 1998, 29) Jeffrey R. Holland I ask all of you to remember Enoch as long as you live. This is the young man who, when called to a seemingly impossible task, said, "Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, [I] am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech ..." (Moses 6:31.) Enoch was a believer. He stiffened his spine and squared his shoulders and went stutteringly on his way. Plain, old, ungifted, inferior Enoch. And this is what the angels would come to write of him. "And so great was the faith of Enoch, that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him" (Moses 7:13). Plain, old, inadequate Enoch! Whose name is now synonymous with transcendent righteousness. The next time you are tempted to paint your self-portrait dismal gray, highlighted with lackluster beige, just remember that so have this kingdom's most splendid men and women been so tempted. I say to you as Joshua said to the tribes of Israel as they faced one of their most difficult tasks, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (Josh. 3:5). (New Era, Oct. 1980, 11) Moses 7:14 there also came up a land out of the depth of the sea Hugh Nibley Instead of the flood sent over a surprised community one fine day, we have in Enoch the picture of a long period of preparation during which the mounting restlessness of the elements clearly admonishes the human race to mend its ways... The earth itself in Enoch's day became increasingly restless. The sea was first drawn back and the fishes were flopping around; and in the Joseph Smith version, sure enough, "There also came up a land out of the depth of the sea." (Moses 7:14.) Then the wicked invaded the new land, as Enoch had foretold, and all the people were in fear and trembling: "And fear shall seize them to the extremities of the earth, and the high mountains shall be shaken and fall down and be dissolved, flow down and be turned into side channels and shall melt like wax before a flame, and the earth will be rent with a splitting and cracking, and everything on earth shall be destroyed." This passage from the Slavonic version (one apocryphal account) describes the same scene as in Moses 7:13-14, where the mountains flow down, the rivers are changed, and the earth shakes, when Enoch spoke the word of the Lord. The mountains shook, and all people were afraid; the rivers were turned from their courses, and the land rose up from the sea-the same picture. This does not sound as fantastic as it once did. Any catastrophe of the magnitude of the flood must have been accompanied by large-scale preliminary disturbances, plus side effects, exactly like those described. (Enoch the Prophet, edited by Stephen D. Ricks [Salt Lake City and Provo: Deseret Book Co., Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1986], 12-13) Moses 7:15 the giants of the land, also, stood afar off Fairy tales of beanstalks, ogres, and monsters give us fanciful, imaginary ideas when we think of the term giants. In the scriptures, the term simply means a group of people of great stature. They were not supernatural. They had no special powers. They were just big. The result was that they were feared as an enemy because of their size. The Bible records a giant race up until the days of Joshua (Josh. 11:20-22). The Anakim clan was particularly tall and put fear into the hearts of some faithless Israelites (Num. 13:31-33). Moses 7:16 from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them The days of Enoch are a type for the latter days. The latter-day prophets, from Joseph Smith to today, have the collective assignment to do what Enoch did-to bring us along until we are worthy of another great city of Zion. The pattern is set. The people of the world will deteriorate. There will be progressively greater wickedness until war and bloodshed will be among all people that do not belong to the kingdom of God, "it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another" (D&C 45:69). Joseph Smith The time is soon coming, when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes. I saw men hunting the lives of their own sons, and brother murdering brother, women killing their own daughters, and daughters seeking the lives of their mothers. I saw armies arrayed against armies. I saw blood, desolation, fires. The Son of Man has said that the mother shall be against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother. These things are at our doors. They will follow the Saints of God from city to city. Satan will rage, and the spirit of the devil is now enraged. I know not how soon these things will take place; but with a view of them, shall I cry peace? No; I will lift up my voice and testify of them. How long you will have good crops, and the famine be kept off, I do not know; when the fig tree leaves, know then that the summer is nigh at hand. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1976], 233) Moses 7:17 The fear of the Lord was upon all nations When God fights your battles, it engenders great fear in the enemy. "When all the kings of the Amorites... and... Canaanites... heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over... their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more." (Josh 5:1) As Zion is built in the latter days, the effect upon the people will be the same as in the days of Enoch or Joshua. And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God; And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion. And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety. And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand. And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy. (D&C 45:66-71) John Taylor There is a scripture which says, the time will come when he that will not take up his sword to fight against his neighbor, must needs flee to Zion for safety. And they will come. But we must prepare ourselves. We have got to have the invigorating influence of the Spirit of God to permeate all of our organizations, all feeling that we are under the guidance and protection of the Almighty, every man in his place, and every man according to the order of the priesthood in which God has placed him. . . . This is the kind of feeling we should have and be governed by. (The Gospel Kingdom: Selections from the Writings and Discourses of John Taylor, selected, arranged, and edited, with an introduction by G. Homer Durham [Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1941], 71 - 72.) Moses 7:18 the Lord called his people ZION "The glorification of Enoch and his city has provided the pattern for all other societies of Saints to follow... "Coming as these revelations did at the beginning of the history of the Church, they also provide a pattern for Saints of the last days, who-under the direction of proper prophetic and apostolic authority-endeavor to establish Zion in accordance with the Lord's command. As Joseph Smith taught, 'The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 231.)" (Kent P. Jackson, "An Age of Contrasts: From Adam to Abraham," Ensign, Feb. 1986, 30) Bruce R. McConkie Please note: Zion is people; Zion is the saints of God; Zion is those who have been baptized; Zion is those who have received the Holy Ghost; Zion is those who keep the commandments; Zion is the righteous; or in other words, as our revelation recites: "This is Zion-the pure in heart." (D&C 97:21) (Ensign, May 1977, 115-18) David O. McKay Zion we build will pattern after the ideals of its inhabitants. To change men and the world we must change their thinking, for the thing which a man really believes is the thing which he has really thought; that which he actually thinks is the thing which he lives. Men do not go beyond their ideals; they often fall short of them, but they never go beyond them. Victor Hugo said: "The future of any nation can be determined by the thoughts of its young men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five." Thus it is easy to understand why the Lord designates Zion as "... the pure in heart ..." (D. & C. 97:21); and only when we are such, and only when we have such shall Zion "... flourish, and the glory of the Lord shall be upon her." (Ibid., 64:41.) The foundation of Zion then will be laid in the hearts of men; broad acres, mines, forests, factories, beautiful buildings, modern conveniences, will be but means and accessories to the building of the human soul and the securing of happiness. (Gospel Ideals: Selections from the Discourses of David O. McKay [Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1953], 335) Brigham Young When we conclude to make a Zion we will make it, and this work commences in the heart of each person. When the father of a family wishes to make a Zion in his own house, he must take the lead in this good work, which it is impossible for him to do unless he himself possesses the spirit of Zion. Before he can produce the work of sanctification in his family, he must sanctify himself, and by this means God can help him to sanctify his family. Story of picking Dad up from nursery. “My business, my business. Mankind was my business.” Moses 7:18 they were of one heart and one mind "A vital principle of the gospel is unity. In fact, it is a principle of the celestial kingdom, and Zion cannot be built up until we adhere to all of the laws. "This problem of unity is one of the great challenges to the Church today, since the gospel net gathers God's children from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Each of us in the Church and each of those who would join the Church lives in a different world from every other person. In some instances the differences are striking; in other instances the differences may be rather subtle. Whatever the degree, though, each of us has inherent differences, and each of us is influenced by differing forces-cultural, geographic, economic, social, and on and on. "And yet out of this diversity must come unity, oneness, and love. "Unless we are 'united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom,' (D&C 105:4) this people will not be sanctified and prepared to receive Christ." ("Editorial: Unity in Diversity," Ensign, Aug. 1971, 89) Moses 7:18 there was no poor among them "The commandment to reestablish Zion became for the Saints of Joseph Smith's day the central goal of the Church. But it was a goal the Church did not realize because its people were not fully prepared. In the wisdom of God, who comprehends the end from the beginning, the redemption of Zion will assuredly come as promised, but not until he has a prepared people who can live by Zion's laws. "So it becomes vitally important for us to consider (1) the law of consecration and operation of the united order, (2) why the 1831-34 effort to implement this order failed, and (3) how the Lord is now preparing a people for Zion's eventual redemption." (William O. Nelson, "To Prepare a People," Ensign, Jan. 1979, 18-19) ...it must needs be that there be an organization of my people... for the poor of my people, both in this place and in the land of Zion- For a permanent and everlasting establishment and order unto my church, to advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the salvation of man and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven; That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things; For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you. (D&C 78:3-7) Hugh Nibley The law of consecration is expressly designed for the establishment of Zion, where "they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." (Moses 7:18.) For that, we must consecrate everything we have to the whole; and yet we lose nothing, for we are all one. To consecrate means to set apart, sanctify, and relinquish our own personal interest in the manner designated in the book of Doctrine and Covenants. It is the final, decisive law and covenant by which we formally accept the Atonement and merit a share in it. ("The Atonement of Jesus Christ, Part 4," Ensign, Oct. 1990, 27) Gordon B. Hinckley If we are to build that Zion of which the prophets have spoken and of which the Lord has given mighty promise, we must set aside our consuming selfishness. We must rise above our love for comfort and ease, and in the very process of effort and struggle, even in our extremity, we shall become better acquainted with our God. (Ensign, Nov. 1991, 59) Spencer W. Kimball As we travel and visit throughout the world, we recognize the great temporal needs of our people. And as we long to help them, we realize the vital importance of their learning this great lesson: that the highest achievement of spirituality comes as we conquer the flesh. We build character as we encourage people to care for their own needs. As givers gain control of their desires and properly see others' needs in light of their own wants, then the powers of the gospel are released in their lives. They learn that by exercising the principle of love they ensure not only temporal salvation but also spiritual sanctification. And as a recipient receives with thanksgiving, he rejoices in knowing that in its purest form-in the true Zion-one may partake of both temporal and spiritual salvation. Then they are motivated to become self-sustaining and able to share with others. Isn't the plan beautiful? Don't you thrill to this part of the gospel that causes Zion to put on her beautiful garments? When viewed in this light, we can see that Welfare Services is not a program, but the essence of the gospel. It is the gospel in action. ("And the Lord Called His People Zion," Ensign, Aug. 1984, 3-4) Story of talking with Rachel about tithing (HAS, retirement). “I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He just wants to know that if He were to ask, you’d give it all.” Moses 7:19 he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion Hugh Nibley The best news-indeed the only wholly good news that can come to the inhabitants of this wicked earth-is the bringing again of Zion to bless the earth with the only order of society acceptable to God and unreservedly beneficial to man. Zion is any society in which the celestial law is operative, "and though we cannot claim these promises which were made to the ancients, for they are not our property," the Prophet Joseph reminded his people, "... yet if we are ... called with the same calling ... and embrace the same covenant ... we can ... obtain the same promises ... because we, ourselves, have faith ... even as they did." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 66.) Zion is a glorious ideal, albeit a rare reality, in the world's history; it is "the Holy Order that God has established for his people in all ages of the world when he has had a kingdom on the earth. We may call it," said Brigham Young, "the Order of Enoch, the Order of Joseph, the Order of Peter, or Abraham, or Moses, and then go back to Noah ..." who, of course, takes us to Enoch. (Journal of Discourses, 17:113.) (Hugh Nibley, "A Strange Thing in the Land: The Return of the Book of Enoch, Part 12," Ensign, June 1977, 81-82) Harold B. Lee To be worthy of such a sacred designation as Zion, the Church must think of itself as a bride adorned for her husband, as John the Revelator recorded when he saw in vision the Holy City where the righteous dwelt, adorned as a bride for the Lamb of God. Here is portrayed the relationship the Lord desires in His people in order to be acceptable to our Lord and Master, even as a wife would adorn herself in beautiful garments for her husband. The rule by which the people of God must live in order to be worthy of acceptance in the sight of God is indicated by the revelation found in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 82. This people must increase in beauty before the world and have an inward loveliness that may be observed by mankind as a reflection in holiness and in those inherent qualities of sanctity. The borders of Zion, where the righteous and pure in heart may dwell, must now begin to be enlarged; the stakes of Zion must be strengthened-all this so that Zion may arise and shine by becoming increasingly diligent in carrying out the plan of salvation throughout the world. (See D&C 82:14.D&C 73:1) (D&C 11:111, p. 138) (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], 409) Brigham Young We have no business here other than to build up and establish the Zion of God. It must be done according to the will and law of God, after that pattern and order by which Enoch built up and perfected the former-day Zion, which was taken away to heaven, hence the saying went abroad that Zion had fled. By and by it will come back again, and as Enoch prepared his people to be worthy of translation, so we, through our faithfulness, must prepare ourselves to meet Zion from above when it shall return to earth, and to abide the brightness and glory of its coming I have Zion in my view constantly. We are not going to wait for angels, or for Enoch and his company to come and build up Zion, but we are going to build it. We will raise our wheat, build our houses, fence our farms, plant our vineyards and orchards, and produce everything that will make our bodies comfortable and happy, and in this manner we intend to build up Zion on the earth and purify it and cleanse it from all pollutions. Let there be an hallowed influence go from us over all things over which we have any power; over the soil we cultivate, over the houses we build, and over everything we possess; and if we cease to hold fellowship with that which is corrupt and establish the Zion of God in our hearts, in our own houses, in our cities, and throughout our country, we shall ultimately overcome the earth, for we are the lords of the earth; and, instead of thorns and thistles, every useful plant that is good for the food of man and to beautify and adorn will spring from its bosom. (Discourses of Brigham Young, selected and arranged by John A. Widtsoe [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1954], 443) Story of patterns, copying, walk like you, talk like you. Walk with me. James’ dance. Caroline teaching her son.

3 Nephi 17-19 Institute Lesson

 Institute Lesson 3 Nephi 17-19

 

Overview of Savior’s visit

8-10 Destruction

11 Christ appears

12-14 Sermon at the temple

15-16 His discourse on the House of Israel, Jews, how gospel will progress, overwhelming as far as people staying focused, quotes a short section of Isaiah – Show picture of hen intimately protecting chicks 3 Nephi 10:5-6

 

3 Nephi 17

Vaughn J. Featherstone: "Let me tell you the greatest experience I believe I have had in all my readings of the scriptures-and I am sharing something that is very tender with me. I remember the night that I read 3 Nephi the 17th chapter. That is when I discovered the Lord Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, the Lord of lords, the King of kings, my Savior, my personal Savior; and I believe that is where I finally found the description of the Savior as I thought him to be.

 

These chapters are neat because they help us know what it would be like and will be like when we encounter the Savior.

Hugh Nibley: 3 Nephi 17:1, is that the people, if they are going to comprehend what he has said, must ponder, must go home and think about the things that have been said and done. I think that’s an important instruction. Jesus instructs his people that that’s what he wants them to do with this text. It’s not just a matter of doing, listening, and remembering, but also pondering and internalizing and thinking about very deeply. 

17:2  Do we feel weak? If so, then we are to follow His counsel about increasing our understanding through pondering, prayer, and mental preparation.

"Their difficulty in understanding the gathering seems to have had more to do with their lack of intellectual understanding of the doctrine itself.  The gathering of Israel is a profound doctrine filled with implications about God, his plan, and our place in it.  It reminds members of the kingdom of God that they are a covenant people and implies that they will be saved only by keeping those covenants." (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, 3 Ne 9-30, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 212)

Even as a resurrected God, He still obeys His Father. He is not just a commandment giver. He is a commandment keeper. There is no hypocrisy because he asks nothing of us that He doesn’t hold himself to. He did it in the premortal realm, his ministry and He does today.

He is responsive to the needs of the people he is speaking to. How can we be better at reading the needs of family, friends, students we speak to?

President Monson “There is not a problem to be solved that’s more important than a person to be loved.”

3 Ne 17:3 go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said

When we don’t understand something, why are we told to ask in the name of Christ?

Of all the recipes designed to increase our spiritual understanding, this must be the greatest. Directly from the Savior, we are given a three-step instruction: 1) ponder, 2) pray for understanding, and 3) prepare your minds for more. Oliver Cowdery is famous for failing to translate because he skipped steps 1 and 3, Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me (DC 9:7-8, italics added).

"An analogy might help. The scriptures are like a symphony. The problem with a symphony, if it can be called a problem, is that there is so much going on at the same time that an inexperienced listener feels bewildered, not knowing what to listen for, or how to make sense of everything. But the music lover knows what to do. He picks out a theme carried by the string section, compares it to a variation on that theme by the oboes, and hears the composer being playful or reflective or joyful. Unlike the novice, he hears and feels the effects of the details that give the symphony, in all its complexity, its power and impact." (Dennis and Sandra Packard, "Pondering the Word," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, p. 51)

President Hinkely: "'Ponder.' What do we mean by 'ponder'? Well, I think it simply means kind of quietly thinking things through. Ponder what you have read. Ponder your life. Are you worthy, are you living the commandments...?" (Church News, 01/06/96)

Before going to the temple, a mechanic cleans his hands by scrubbing dishes.

17:4 God is aware of all His children

17: 5 They wept in 5, He wept in 21

3 Ne 17:8 The Lord perceives their desires

He perceived that some wondered about the fulfillment of the Law of Moses (3 Ne 15:2), he perceived that they did not understand the words of Isaiah (v. 2), he perceived that they did not want him to go (v. 5), he perceived that they wanted to know what miracles he had performed in Jerusalem (v. 8), and he perceived that their faith was sufficient to be healed. Thus, there was a two-way communication. Jesus understood their thoughts and desires so completely, that vocalization was not needed. For the multitude, the whole experience must have been breathtaking.

17:5–9, Jesus then calls the people to bring any of the sick or afflicted that they might have so that Jesus can bless them. We have then the touching scene of Jesus blessing all of those in this multitude who had any affliction or handicap or any kind of illness. A comparable function, I suppose, is served in our own temples by the prayer roll, which is placed on the altar for any of the sick or afflicted or any people who need special blessings. It seems to me that Jesus turns to a similar function. It is interesting to me, although this is certainly not a part of any kind of ritual that would then be given by Jesus to the people, but they turn around and reciprocate to him with the washing of the feet—not with ordinary water, but they wash his feet in their tears because of the gratitude and the love that they have felt for him, having spent this day or whatever time it was with him.

We are children of a God who can do great things.

Jesus then turns to bless the parents and the children. The first thing Jesus does is to call the parents, and he blesses them. He turns to the parents and says, “Behold your little ones.” It seems to me—and again I just suggest this for your pondering—that Jesus is doing something more here than simply saying: look at your little kids—aren’t they cute? Aren’t they cute little guys? He’s saying “behold your little ones.” In some sense now I think they see their little ones, in a sense that they weren’t prior to the time this blessing was given. 

How does Jesus Christ feel about children? How do we feel as a society about children? You don’t need to be a parent to nurture. Thought that I should pray for my children and the children I am called to serve, one by one.

 “the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon.” Of course, one of its purposes is that we might know the covenants and know that we are not cast off. That’s right on the title page, so perhaps we need to attend much more to the understanding of the covenant relationship that the Book of Mormon is trying to create between us and our Father in Heaven and Christ. 

"All of this complex pattern of meaning comes together most dramatically in the physical act of stepping forward and kneeling before the Savior, the experience of literally coming unto Christ, of touching and being touched.  That the physical and the spiritual are intertwined should come as no surprise to members of a church that places extraordinary emphasis on ordinances-those small occasions and gestures that allow all of us to participate in the great drama of salvation.  To collapse the whole matter of our purpose in this life into one symbolic act would bring us an experience very close to that of the Nephites':  'And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears' (3 Nephi 17:10).  Isn't this truly what it means to come unto Christ to be invited to come forth, and, because of the preparations of both the Savior and the saved, to be accepted, literally and completely, doing-acting out what the words themselves describe?" (Neal E. Lambert, Book of Mormon Symposium Series, 3 Ne 9-30, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 204)

17:11 it does teach that children need to learn the significant things of the kingdom.

"God's children share with all of us the divine right to spiritual enlightenment. ("Behold Your Little Ones," Ensign, Nov. 1992) Even people with limited understanding should be taught basic gospel truths.

Story: Teaching Doctrine and Covenants in Primary. Not wanting to take advantage of innocence by telling made up stories. Uncomfortable and praying about it. Watching Elder Holland speak to Harvard students. Starting out by saying. “We believe in angels”. 

What are ways you have been able to connect with children? Ideas of ways we can share our love with children.

3 Ne 17:14 I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel

It is not too hard to imagine what the Savior may have been thinking about in his sorrow. As the multitude knelt down, perhaps the Savior had time to think about how small the group was. He who would have gathered them as a hen gathereth her chickens must have grieved at how many of that generation had been lost. Alternatively, he may have seen the wickedness which was to come. He later mourned, behold, it sorroweth me because of the fourth generation form this generation, for they are led away captive by him even as was the son of perdition (3 Ne 27:32).

 

3 Ne 17:20-21 my joy is full. And when he had said these words, he wept

When have you felt joy? What was it like? Remember how the best way you could describe the love you felt on mission where the only way to describe it was the feeling of Christmas

Elder Kearon: We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ. We are members of the church of joy! And nowhere should our joy as a people be more apparent than when we gather together each Sabbath in our sacrament meetings to worship the source of all joy! Here we assemble with our ward and branch families to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, our deliverance from sin and death, and the Savior’s powerful grace! Here we come to experience the joy, refuge, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and belonging found through Jesus Christ!

Elder Godoy: When I was a student in dental school, the financial outlook of our local economy was not very encouraging. Inflation dramatically decreased the value of currency from one day to the next.

I remember the year when I was to enroll in surgery practices; I needed to have all the necessary surgical equipment before enrolling that semester. My parents saved the needed funds. But one night something dramatic happened. We went to buy the equipment, only to discover that the amount of money we had to buy all the equipment now was sufficient to buy only a pair of surgical tweezers—and nothing else. We returned home with empty hands and with heavy hearts at the thought of my losing a semester of college. Suddenly, however, my mother said, “Taylor, come with me; let’s go out.”

We went downtown where there were many places that buy and sell jewelry. When we arrived at one store, my mother took out of her purse a small blue velvet bag containing a beautiful gold bracelet with an inscription that read, “To my dear daughter from your father.” It was a bracelet that my grandfather had given her on one of her birthdays. Then, before my eyes, she sold it.

When she received the money, she told me, “If there is one thing I am sure of, it is that you are going to be a dentist. Go and buy all the equipment you need.” Now, can you imagine what kind of student I became from that moment on? I wanted to be the best and finish my studies soon because I knew the high cost of the sacrifice she was making.

3 Ne 17:24 angels...came down and encircled those little ones

"Can we imagine anything more lovely, more touching, and more glorious, than this scene must have been? Can we conceive the joy that must have filled the hearts of these Nephites as they beheld the angels of Heaven descending from the Courts of Glory and ministering to their little ones? How deep must have been their love for the Savior. Who had brought these blessings to them? How strong must have grown their faith in Him? We cannot recall a circumstance in recorded history that draws Earth nearer to Heaven than this, or that seems to bind the ties so strongly that unite the Powers of Eternity with the children of mortality." (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 7, p. 175)

 

In chapter 18 we turn then to point 45, where Jesus will give the people a new name. The new name that they are given is the name of Christ, which they take upon themselves by way of covenant…they covenant and witness that they will keep the commandments which he had given them this day. We usually think of the sacramental covenant only in connection with our baptismal covenants. But as I understand it, when we partake of the sacrament every Sunday, we renew whatever covenant we have ever made with God, and so it is the full range of covenant relationship that’s being renewed and enriched and represented by that. 

 

3 Ne 18:1-11 The importance of the Sacrament

Jewish Traditional Betrothal (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/music/savior-of-the-world/historical-and-cultural-background?lang=eng)

The process of betrothal began when the prospective groom and his father or a close male relative came to the bride’s house to meet with her father and determine the conditions of the marriage contract. Once the terms of the marriage were agreed upon, the groom could formally “propose” to his prospective bride. He would present her with a ketubah, a beautifully decorated formal document that specified the marriage terms and stated his intent to consecrate himself to his bride-to-be. The groom then offered her a gift of value, a possession symbolic of his esteem for her and his willingness to sacrifice in her behalf. Often this gift was a gold ring because the circle symbolized eternity.

Then the groom made a ritual statement, such as the one found in Hosea 2:19–20, formally consecrating himself to his bride. The use of five virtues in this particular statement—“in righteous, in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies, . . . in faithfulness”—symbolizes God and invites Him into the covenant being made.

The groom then poured a cup of wine for the prospective bride. Because Jewish law stated that a woman could not be forced to marry a man distasteful to her, the bride was ultimately allowed to choose whether to accept or reject the groom’s proposal. If she drank the cup he offered, they were betrothed. The groom would formally accept his bride with another ritual statement, often “Thou art set apart (or consecrated) for me according to the law of Moses and Israel.” Interestingly, the same word for “set apart” was also used to describe a dedicated temple; the bride was considered a temple now set apart for her husband. From this point on, the bride would wear a veil over her hair in public to indicate her status as a betrothed or married woman.

 

Elder Christofferson said, God has covenanted with us, that He will sustain us, save us, and sanctify us through Jesus Christ.

 

Jeffrey R. Holland "...every ordinance of the gospel focuses in one way or another on the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and surely that is why this particular ordinance with all its symbolism and imagery comes to us more readily and more repeatedly than any other in our life. It comes in what has been called 'the most sacred, the most holy, of all the meetings of the Church' (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:340).

Do we see it as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?

"With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions. As such it should not be rushed. It is not something to 'get over' so that the real purpose of a sacrament meeting can be pursued. This is the real purpose of the meeting. And everything that is said or sung or prayed in those services should be consistent with the grandeur of this sacred ordinance." (Conference Report, Oct. 1995, "This Do in Remembrance of Me")

3 Ne 18:7 if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you

One of the laws of heaven states that if we remember the Savior, we will be blessed with his Spirit. The importance of this promise cannot be overstated. The entire challenge of mortality, is that we live with a veil of forgetfulness, away from the presence of God. But as long as we enjoy his Spirit, we are redeemed from the Fall, for we are no longer cast out of his presence. We may bask in the peaceful assurance of redemption through his Spirit. Furthermore, we may be guided by this same Spirit as long as we retain the Lord in remembrance. Unfortunately, retaining him in remembrance can be a challenge because, spiritually speaking, our short-term memory is great, but our long-term memory suffers frequent lapses.

Remembering pre-earth life – possibly covenants

Sister Tanner: Not only are we remembering miracles and mercies in this life but also tender teaching from our premortal life. “Perhaps the special, evocative powers of scriptures are bound up with our flashes of memory from the premortal worlds or at least call forth our predispositions nurtured for so long there.” Elder Maxwell

Melvin J. Ballard

"We must come, however, to the sacrament table hungry.  If we should repair to a banquet where the finest of earth's providing may be had, without hunger, without appetite, the food would not be tempting, nor do us any good.  If we repair to the sacrament table, we must come hungering and thirsting after righteousness, for spiritual growth." ("The Sacramental Covenant," Improvement Era, October 1919, pp. 1025)

 

What does hunger feel like? How does this compare with spiritual hunger?

 

3 Ne 18:20 whatsoever ye shall ask...which is right...ye shall receive

There are a few promises in the Book of Mormon that are repeated over and over again. Apparently, we don't learn without repetition. This promise is a marvelous promise with grand and eternal implications too often taken for granted. It is taken for granted because the reader does not really believe what the Lord has promised. This is the famous tendency to believe in Christ but not to believe Christ, "The real question is 'Do we believe Christ?' It is one thing to believe in him and quite another to believe him (Robinson 8-12)." (Book of Mormon Symposium Series, edited by PR Cheesman, MS Nyman, and CD Tate, Jr., 1988, p. 178).

 

David E. Sorensen "Christ taught the Nephites that prayer is more than just a means to receive our Father in Heaven's generosity; rather, prayer itself is an act of faith as well as an act of righteousness...This is because the act of prayer itself can change and purify us, both individually and as a group. As our Bible Dictionary states, 'The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them' (p. 753). In other words, prayers bring our desires and the desires of our Father into harmony, thus bringing us both the blessing we are seeking and also the blessing of greater unity with the Father.

 

18:22 Elder M. Russell Ballard observed: Limiting or withholding our fellowship seems to me to be contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ.... We might ask ourselves how the newcomers in our wards would be treated if we were the only ones they ever met.  Every member of the Church should foster the attributes of warmth, sincerity, and love for the newcomers....

18:24 How do we hold up Christ in our lives? When people see us, do they see Him? How have you seen or felt His love in others?

Elder Holland, “Never let our faith be difficult to detect.

18:32 Elder Maxwell: “Real love is felt even when it is poorly expressed.” 

Elder Wada: As I was about to return to the room where the missionaries were waiting, I heard the voice of one of the missionaries. I heard my name. Instead of opening the door, I listened to the voice on the other side of the door. I was stunned. They were simply praying to Heavenly Father. The one saying the prayer was pleading to God that He would hear my prayer. Though his Japanese was not fluent, hearing his sincere prayer softened my heart. I wondered why they cared about me so much. Then I realized that their prayer in my behalf was a reflection of Heavenly Father and the Savior’s love for me. That love gave me hope, and afterward I did ask God in faith and with real intent. When I did, I felt a joyful and peaceful feeling that I was indeed a child of God and that I had a divine potential and destiny. The plan of salvation sank deep into my heart.“He butchered the queen’s English but we could have warmed our hands by the fire of his testimony” Elder Packer’s story of Swedish immigrant 

2 Cor. 12:9

18: 34 Elder Duncun: Many years ago, while I was mending a fence, a small sliver of wood entered into my finger. I made a meager attempt to remove the sliver and thought I had done so, but apparently I had not. As time went on, skin grew over the sliver, creating a lump on my finger. It was annoying and sometimes painful.

Years later I decided to finally take action. All I did was simply apply ointment to the lump and cover it with a bandage. I repeated this process frequently. You cannot imagine my surprise when one day, as I removed the bandage, the sliver had emerged from my finger.

The ointment had softened the skin and created an escape for the very thing that had caused pain for so many years. Once the sliver was removed, the finger quickly healed, and to this day, there remains no evidence of any injury.

In a similar way, an unforgiving heart harbors so much needless pain. When we apply the healing ointment of the Savior’s Atonement, He will soften our heart and help us to change. He can heal the wounded soul (see Jacob 2:8).

 

 

Family relationships can be some of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences we encounter. Many of us have faced a fracture of some sort within our families. Such a fracture developed between two heroes of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days. Parley and Orson Pratt were brothers, early converts, and ordained Apostles. Each faced a trial of faith but came through with an unshakable testimony. Both sacrificed and contributed greatly for the cause of truth.

 

During the Nauvoo era, their relationship became strained, culminating in a heated, public confrontation in 1846. A deep and prolonged rift developed. Parley initially wrote to Orson to resolve the rift, but Orson did not reply. Parley gave up, feeling that correspondence was over forever, unless initiated by Orson.

 

Several years later, in March 1853, Orson learned about a project to publish a book on the descendants of William Pratt, the brothers’ earliest American ancestor. Orson began to weep “like a little child” as he glimpsed this treasure trove of family history. His heart melted, and he determined to repair the breach with his brother.

Orson wrote to Parley, “Now my dear brother, there are none among all the descendants of our Ancestor, Lieut[enant] William Pratt, who have so deep an interest in searching out his descendants as ourselves.” Orson was one of the first to understand that Latter-day Saints have an obligation to research and compile family histories so that we can perform vicarious ordinances for our ancestors. His letter continued: “We know that the God of our fathers has had a hand in all this. … I will beg pardon for having been so backward in writing to you. … I hope you will forgive me.” Despite their unshakable testimonies, their love for their ancestors was the catalyst to heal a rift, mend a hurt, and seek and extend forgiveness.

When God directs us to do one thing, He often has many purposes in mind. Family history and temple work is not only for the dead but blesses the living as well. For Orson and Parley, it turned their hearts to each other. Family history and temple work provided the power to heal that which needed healing.

18:36,38 What would it be like to be touched by the Savior as he speaks to you?

Touch, sight, sound and attention. 

Sitting on Grandpa’s lap, feel the holes form the shrapnel. This represents love, sacrifice, courage. This was done for you. “Protect, protect, protect.”

 

3 Nephi 19:3 Prepare for success. What efforts do I make to be where the Savior is? What does it take to get dinner on the table? What does it take to be on time for church, temple? Clean clothes?  

3 Ne 19:2 it was noised abroad among the people immediately

One can only imagine the excitement which must have spread like a tidal wave throughout the rest of society. This night must have been sleepless, filled with anticipation, exceeding anything they had ever experienced. Even those old enough to remember the night without darkness which heralded Christ's birth over thirty-three years earlier were to have a night of even greater anticipation. How could they sleep when they were soon to see the resurrected Lord?

Hugh Nibley

"Now there's a reminder of that exciting passage from Thycidides where it says 'that night, no man slept.' It's like Christmas Eve-the tremendous excitement about the great thing that's going to happen tomorrow. Everybody is rushing around spreading the news: The Lord has finally come. He's going to be here tomorrow...The multitude dispersed. Everybody went home, but they didn't go to bed...A great thing is going to happen; we're going to receive a great gift tomorrow. We're going to get the gospel tomorrow. They're all excited about it. As I said, not a man slept." (Teachings of the Book of Mormon, lecture 85, p. 355)

 

19:8 My book. What are the most important words a man can say? Oath, covenants? In His name? 16,17 Kneel- why kneel?

 

3 Ne 19:9 they did pray for that which they most desired...the Holy Ghost

 

A young father was literally sinking. He, his two children, and his father-in-law had gone for a walk around a lake. They were surrounded by majestic pine-covered mountains, and the sky was blue, filled with soft white clouds, emanating beauty and serenity. When the children grew hot and tired, the two men decided to put the children on their backs and swim the short distance across the lake.

It seemed easy—until the moment when the father began to feel pulled down, everything becoming so heavy. Water pushed him to the bottom of the lake, and a frantic feeling came over him. How was he going to keep afloat—and do so with his precious young daughter on his back?

His voice disappeared in the distance as he called out; his father-in-law was too far away to answer a desperate plea for help. He felt alone and helpless.

Can you imagine feeling as alone as he felt, unable to reach anything to hold on to and struggling in a desperate situation for your life and your child? Unfortunately, all of us experience some degree of this feeling when we are in situations where we desperately need to find help in order to survive and to save those we love.

Near panic, he realized that his water-saturated shoes were weighing him down. While working to stay afloat, he began to attempt to get his heavy shoes off his feet. But it was as if they were held on with suction. The laces were swollen with water, cinching the grip even tighter.

In what may have been his last moment of desperation, he managed to pry the shoes from his feet, and at last the shoes released their hold, quickly falling to the bottom of the lake. Free from the heavy weight that had been dragging him down, he immediately propelled himself and his daughter upward. He could now swim forward, moving toward safety on the other side of the lake.

At times we may all feel as if we are drowning. Life can be heavy. We live in “a noisy and busy world. … If we are not careful, the things of this world can [drown] out the things of the Spirit.”

How do we follow the example of this father and kick off some of the weight of the world we carry, so we can keep our children’s heads and our own worried minds above the water? How can we, as Paul counseled, “lay aside every weight”? How can we prepare our children for the day when they can no longer cling to us and our testimonies—when they are the ones swimming?

An answer comes when we recognize this divine source of strength. It is a source often underestimated, yet it can be used daily to lighten our load and guide our precious children. That source is the guiding gift of the Holy Ghost.

Jeffrey R. Holland "As Christ had not yet appeared to them for this second day (and because the Father and Son could not permanently be with them-or us-in a telestial world), the next best companionship came from that member of the Godhead who can be with mortals permanently-the Holy Ghost. In their ministry these newly called apostles could not always have the daily, physical presence of the Savior with them. Nevertheless, because they were to lead the Church of Jesus Christ in righteousness and be witnesses of his name throughout the Nephite world, they would surely need the prompting, the protection, the revelation, and the comfort of that One who is the spiritual extension and telestial representative of the Father and the Son.

"In our own time the Prophet Joseph Smith was asked wherein The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differed from other religions of the day. He replied that the distinction lay in 'the gift of the Holy Ghost' and that all other considerations 'were contained in that gift.'  In light of these experiences-ancient or modern, Old World or New-perhaps all disciples of Christ, all members of his true Church, should pray for the influence and guidance of the Holy Ghost as that heavenly gift 'which they most desire.'" (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 278)

Bruce R. McConkie: "I suggest this as the goal which all men in this world should follow-Seek the Spirit: desire above all things in this life to be guided by the Holy Ghost." (BYU Speeches, September 29, 1964, p. 2)

Elder Parley P. Pratt answered this question when he described the extraordinary characteristics of this remarkable power:

'The gift of the Holy Ghost . . . quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them by the gift of wisdom to their lawful use. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.' (Key to Theology, 1978, pp. 101-2)" (Especially for Missionaries, vol. 4, p. 2-3)

 

3 Nephi 19:19 As Paul stated, For there is...one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim 2:5).

'Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him-

Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.' (DC 45:3-5)

 

3 Ne 19:23 I pray unto thee for them... that we may be one

"From the Savior's language, we see clearly it is the Holy Ghost that provides such unity, a doctrinal point not so clearly communicated in the New Testament account." (Christ And The New Covenant, p. 280)

Joseph Smith stated, 'Unity is power'  (History of the Church, 6:198), when speaking about stability in governments. Just so, unity adds power in the Church and in our families.

What keeps us from being united?

Standard Bearer

3 Ne 19:24 it was given unto them what they should pray

Neal A. Maxwell

"Our prayers will be better if they are in fact inspired prayers." (Men and Women of Christ, p. 98)

Elder Christofferson: The author recounted the following:

“When I was young, our little family lived in a one-bedroom apartment on the second floor. I slept on the couch in the living room. …

“My dad, a steelworker, left home very early for work each day. Every morning he would … tuck the covers around me and stop for a minute. I would be half-dreaming when I could sense my dad standing beside the couch, looking at me. As I slowly awoke, I became embarrassed to have him there. I tried to pretend I was still asleep. … I became aware that as he stood beside my bed he was praying with all his attention, energy, and focus—for me.

“Each morning my dad prayed for me. He prayed that I would have a good day, that I would be safe, that I would learn and prepare for the future. And since he could not be with me until evening, he prayed for the teachers and my friends that I would be with that day. …

“At first, I didn’t really understand what my dad was doing those mornings when he prayed for me. But as I got older, I came to sense his love and interest in me and everything I was doing. It is one of my favorite memories. It wasn’t until years later, after I was married, had children of my own, and would go into their rooms while they were asleep and pray for them that I understood completely how my father felt about me.”

Have you ever had what you should pray for be given to you? Example of Mary feeling like she should put my name on prayer roll at temple.

19:24-25, 30 Smile! What does this tell us about the disposition of our Savior? 

3 Ne 19:25 they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus

Having just been surrounded by angels, filled with the Holy Ghost, and having just prayed again, the Twelve were transfigured such that their entire bodies exuded the brilliance of resurrected beings. Truman Madsen explains this process:"Artists have often depicted this recognition of light as divine beauty by the halo, the nimbus, and the golden circle above the head. But that is at best a token of the promise and the actuality. For 'whole bodies' are promised illumination, and the light not only hovers over but also surrounds and engulfs the entire personality until it is gloriously beautiful. It was, after all, every one of the multitude, and all of each of them, even the seams of their clothing, that became scintillant with white light in the presence of Christ during that 'ineffable outpouring of prayer,' as Elder James E. Talmage calls it, in the 3 Nephi narrative (see 3 Nephi 19:25). Modern men and women of God who have witnessed such radiance of soul say it is 'like a search light turned on within.' It is 'the same glorious spirit,' the Prophet once wrote, 'gives them the likeness of glory and bloom. ... No man can describe it to you-no man can write it.' (Teachings, p. 368 (Truman G. Madsen, The Radiant Light, p. 26-7)

“How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing, it is irresistible”

― C.S. Lewis

19:27 Dr. Ulrich draws an analogy to how we heal physical cuts: the wound would be cleaned, then an ointment would be applied to aid in healing, and then a bandage is secured. The washing, anointing, and holy garments we receive in the initiatory ordinance offers a similar healing to our spiritual wounds.

“It’s hard to live in this world without getting cut and hurt spiritually or … emotionally, and symbolically sort of bleeding all over ourselves. Or other people get hurt and they bleed all over us because they don’t know what they’re doing either,” Dr. Ulrich says. “And so we come in [to the temple] prepared to be filled with the Spirit, to be washed and anointed as they would wash and anoint and clothe priests in the ancient temples of Israel.”

 

3 Ne 19:28 I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen

Querido Presidente: Brothers and sisters, as you can see, acting on these mental gymnastics of “what works for me” versus doing “what always pleases the Lord” is not a new trend that is unique to our day. It is an age-old mentality that has crossed the centuries and often blinds the wise-in-their-own-eyes and confuses and exhausts many of God’s children. This mentality is, in fact, an old trick of the adversary; it is a deceptive path that carefully leads God’s children away from the true and faithful covenant path. While personal circumstances such as genetics, geography, and physical and mental challenges do influence our journey, in things that truly matter, there is an inner space where we are free to choose whether or not we will decide to follow the pattern the Lord has prepared for our life. Truly, “He marked the path and led the way, and ev’ry point [defined]…. I pray that each of us, in our time and turn, will be able to declare, with covenant confidence, to our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ that “what works for Thee, works for me.”

 

3 Ne 19:33 their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts

We put our hearts on the alter. When is a time my heart has been open?

President Harold B. Lee used those two words in this contrasting sense when he said: 'When we understand more than we know with our minds, when we understand with our hearts, then we know that the Spirit of the Lord is working upon us' (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], p. 92)." (Pure in Heart, Preface)

 

Attributes of Savior: 

My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee Song