ON THE MORROW COME I INTO THE WORLD

Gospel Doctrine Book of Mormon Lesson 36 3 Nephi 1-7

INTRODUCTION

➤ Ezra Taft Benson

"In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p59)

➤ This pattern teaches us about patience & obedience

➤ This lesson focuses on opposition faced by the Nephites.

➤ Some endure and grow

➤ Some give way

➤ How can we learn to stay faithful despite trials and temptation?

THE SIGNS OF THE SAVIOR’S BIRTH VINDICATE THOSE WHO HAVE ENDURED IN FAITH

➤ The believers are facing a bunch of obstacles

➤ Hel 16:7-8, Samuel is gone

➤ 3Ne 1:2-3, Nephi (son of Helaman) is gone

➤ 3Ne 1:5, Timing is in question

➤ 3Ne 1:6, Non-believers are getting cocky

➤ 3Ne 1:7, They’re dealing with sorrow & doubt

➤ 3Ne 1:9, Their lives (and their kids lives) are on the line

➤ How do the the true believers overcome it?

➤ 3Ne 1:8, They watch steadfastly.

➤ Imagine what that’s actually like. Did they go in their garden and watch the sunset each night? What would their prayers have sounded like?

➤ Have you felt that kind of hope mixed with fear? How do you overcome it?

➤ I tend to turn to the scriptures

➤ ATOT: Facing Jason’s surgery, D&C 122:9

NEPHI PRAYS FOR HIS PEOPLE➤ Nephi is feeling the pressure too

➤ Remember Samuel and Nephi’s Father are gone, he is leading the charge of hope

➤ 3Ne 1:11-14, He cries unto the Lord all day. When does the answer come?

➤ S. Micheal Wilcox, Education Week Talk

➤ The 4th Watch, When My Prayers Feel Unanswered (Mark 6:48, 3am-sunrise)

➤ He tends to come when we are exhausted from rowing (JSH 1:15-16, pg 49)

➤ We doubt in the 2nd/3rd watch (We think he’s not listening or we’re not worthy)

➤ “Patient endurance permits us to cling to our faith in the Lord and our faith in His timing when we are being tossed about by the surf of circumstance. Even when a seeming undertow grasps us, somehow, in the tumbling, we are being carried forward, though battered and bruised” (Neal A. Maxwell, “Endure It Well,” Ensign, May 1990, 34).

➤ 3Ne 1:15-16

➤ The prophesies were fulfilled

➤ A night without darkness, a new star (Nibley: Supernova)

➤ Result? Rebellious are frozen with fear. Many convert.

THE GADIANTON ROBBERS COME TO BATTLE AGAINST THE NEPHITES

➤ 3Ne 1:22, Satan stirs up doubt and the Gadianton robbers reemerge

➤ 3Ne 2:1-2, How does Satan talk us out of revelation?

➤ We forget, lose astonishment, harden our hearts, become blind to spiritual things, begin to disbelieve

➤ ATOT: Going to the temple wanting a witness that I was known to the Lord. All the baptisms were for my name. Over time, I justified all of it and forgot.

➤ How can we combat Satan’s strategies?

➤ Forget: Journal

➤ Lose astonishment: Humble ourselves

➤ Hard heart: Serve

➤ Become blind: Testify

➤ Disbelieve: Pray for peace & faith (D&C 6:22-23)

GIDDIANHI WRITES TO LACHONEUS

➤ 3Ne 2:3-19 (summarize) Gadianton robbers gain strength. Nephites & Lamanites unite to fight against them. Giddianhi is the leader of the Gadianton robbers.

➤ Lachoneus is the righteous chief judge

➤ Giddianhi tries many strategies to intimidate Lachoneus.

➤ 3:2, Flattery

➤ 3:3, Belittling

➤ 3:4, Fear

➤ 3:7, Pretends he wants peace

➤ 3:8, Threatening (it took 2 yrs)

➤ 3:10, Ultimatum

THE NEPHITES PREPARE FOR BATTLE

➤ 3Ne 3:11-12, What is Lachoneus’ response? We don’t negotiate with terrorists

➤ He could not be frightened, so he did not ‘hearken’ (listen and obey)

➤ His first move was to have the people pray!

➤ When we are threatened, is that our first response?

➤ 3Ne 3:13-14, After prayer, he prepares (7 yrs of food) and sets guards. Why would he do this if he isn’t afraid?

➤ 3Ne 3:15-16, After he built up fortifications he tells the people to repent and “exert themselves”. Why is that a critical step?

➤ 3Ne 3:21, The people want to go up the hill. Why don’t they do it?

➤ 3Ne 3:25, They unite in Zarahemla and choose righteousness

BATTLE ENSUES WITH THE GADIANTON ROBBERS

➤ 3Ne 4:1-3, The robbers are forced through famine to go to open battle. The Nephites had 7 years of rations ready.

➤ 3Ne 4:7, They come soaked in blood

➤ 3Ne 4:8, The Nephites fall in faith. They don’t grab their weapons or armor. They’ve been taught to trust in God.

➤ The Gadianton robbers are thrilled. They think they're scared

➤ 3Ne 4:10, ATOT: Matrix Neo Moment when the walls bend

➤ They stand and battle! They beat them back and pursue them in the wilderness.

➤ Over time, they defeat the army by starving them out and battling day and night

➤ 3Ne 4:31-33, How do they respond to victory? Gratitude and humility.

THE NEPHITES LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY AND PROSPER, BUT PRIDE AND DISSENSIONS ARISE

➤ The Nephites defeat the Gadianton robbers in the 21st year after the birth of Christ.

➤ The Savior comes in 13 more years.

➤ The Nephites re-settle their lands and begin to prosper

➤ 3Ne 6:10, 12-13, the church is ‘broken up’ due to inequality. We must be one!

➤ “Education, like the priesthood, is a blessing of God given to his servants that they might reach out and lift and exalt others. It is no less congruent for the educated to despise the unlearned than it is for those who hold the priesthood or spurn and disdain those who do not hold that sacred authority. The priesthood can be magnified only as it is used to lift and bless others. To attempt to hoard the blessings of the priesthood or to revel in an office or calling is to lose the authority and power of the priesthood. So it is with education. To fail to use it properly and providently, to the edification and blessing of others, is to become narrow and ignorant.” McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol., 4:27

➤ 3Ne 6:20, 23, The righteous are secretly put to death by the judges and lawyers.

➤ Society starts to be ‘broken up’ as well. Secret combinations emerge.

➤ The chief judge is murdered and the government is overthrown. The people divide into tribes.

NEPHI IS A TYPE OF CHRIST

➤ Nephi continues to teach, heal and prophesy

➤ 3Ne 7:15-16, How does Nephi react to the prophets being stoned and killed?

➤ He testifies boldly

➤ 3Ne 7:18-20

➤ This happened at the same time Christ was performing miracles and despised for it.

➤ 7:15 How much did he see of Christ’s ministry?

➤ Result: A small pocket of believers is formed. 3Ne 7:21

CONCLUSION

➤ The Savior will come again

➤ The signs are already being revealed

➤ What type of believer will we be?

➤ How can we fortify ourselves?

➤ How can we ‘truly signify’ (7:21) what we know to be true?

➤ How can we be patient in the process?

➤ D&C 98:1-3

➤ Rejoice and know that your prayers have been heard