THIS IS MY GOSPELGospel Doctrine Book of Mormon Lesson 42

3 Nephi 27-28, 4 Nephi 1

INTRODUCTION➤ Recap from last week

➤ Christ teaches again, babes speak marvelous things

➤ The twelve begin to teach and the church grows

➤ 3 Ne 26:17-19

➤ With growth, comes need for clarification

➤ Importance of a name

➤ In Jewish tradition, giving something/someone a name was the last step in the creation process

➤ They want to know what to call themselves.

THE SAVIOR COMMANDS HIS NEPHITE DISCIPLES TO CALL THE CHURCH AFTER HIS NAME

➤ 3 Ne 27:1-3

➤ The apostles don’t stop teaching just because they have a question, they fast and pray and move forward.

➤ Why does he ask them what they want? In 28:6 he reads their thoughts. Surely he knew what they were fasting and praying about. Why not now?

➤ What’s the issue? They want to know what they should call themselves

➤ 3 Ne 27: 4-5, 8

➤ What is he teaching them?

➤ Where should we turn when there is disputation?

➤ Two important factors: it will be in his name, it will be built on his gospel

➤ What other foundations can they be built on?

➤ 3 Ne 27:11, what is the result of a poor foundation?

➤ What types of things do we do ‘in His name’?

➤ President Packer quote (next slide)

“ “Every prayer we offer is in His name. Every ordinance performed is in His name. Every baptism, confirmation, blessing, ordination, every sermon, every testimony is concluded with the invocation of His sacred name. It is in His name that we heal the sick and perform other miracles of which we do not, cannot, speak.

In the sacrament we take upon ourselves the name of Christ. We covenant to remember Him and keep His commandments. He is present in all that we believe”

Boyd K. Packer “The Peaceable Followers of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 1998, 64

“ "If a man fully realized what it means when he partakes of the sacrament, that he covenants to take upon him the name of Jesus Christ and to always remember him and keep his commandments, and this vow is renewed week by week—do you think such a man will fail to pay his tithing? Do you think such a man will break the Sabbath day or disregard the Word of Wisdom? Do you think he will fail to be prayerful, and that he will not attend his quorum duties and other duties in the Church? It seems to me that such a thing as a violation of these sacred principles and duties is impossible when a man knows what it means to make such vows week by week unto the Lord and before the saints." (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:346)

-President Joseph Fielding Smith

THE SAVIOR EXPOUNDS HIS GOSPEL➤ We often testify that “the Church is true” or that “the Gospel is true” but what does that

mean? Christ was able to explain his Gospel in just a few verses

➤ 3 Ne 27:13-14

➤ 4 Gospel Verities (Marion G. Romney, Apr 1955)

➤ 1. (13) Divinity of Christ

➤ 2. (14) Atonement

➤ 3. (14) Resurrection

➤ 4. (14) Judgement

➤ 3 Ne 27:16

➤ Basic principles are outlined: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost

➤ 3 Ne 27: 21-22

➤ We believe in an active gospel. We must do!

➤ Gordon B. Hinckley quote (next slide)

“ “You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others… In this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, you can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. You can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right.”

-Gordon B. Hinckley

THE SAVIOR EXPOUNDS HIS GOSPEL➤ 3 Ne 27:27

➤ Who is he talking to? The 12 who will be judges.

➤ How can we follow his example in judgements we make?

➤ 3 Ne 27:28-29

➤ It seems unfair since our ‘asking’ doesn't always result in ‘getting’

➤ ATOT: Praying for Whipple to return, it’s been 4 days and he’s still not home. I am knocking but it seems like no one is answering.

➤ We tend to read this independent of the other verses. We need to string it together to understand the meaning

➤ When we are doing all the things the disciples have been learning about (baptism, repentance, relying on the holy ghost, enduring to the end, doing good works, judging righteously) we will naturally ask for things in Harmony with Him.

➤ ATOT: The door did open. It’s not a dog, it’s patience, appreciation, an opportunity to build relationships with my neighbors, etc.

THE SAVIOR GRANTS THE DESIRES OF HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES. THREE OF THE DISCIPLES CHOOSE TO REMAIN ON THE EARTH UNTIL THE SECOND COMING

➤ 3 Ne 28:1, Why did he speak to them one-by-one?

➤ 3 Ne 28:2, They all ask to return with Him after their ministry

➤ 3 Ne 28: 3, How does the Savior feel about this? He grants it and calls them blessed

➤ 3 Ne 28:4-5, Why are they nervous? Their request was unconventional

➤ 3 Ne 28: 7, 9-10, How does the Savior feel about this? He grants it and calls them more blessed

➤ Both choices were good. The other nine didn’t switch camps. They all felt good about their decisions.

➤ What does that teach us about fitting into the ‘mold’ at Church? The Savior can work with our ideas/personalities (Brother of Jared story).

➤ ATOT: Planning #LIGHTtheWORLD. The kits are so different from each other but they all lead to Him so they are ‘good’

THE SAVIOR GRANTS THE DESIRES OF HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES. THREE OF THE DISCIPLES CHOOSE TO REMAIN ON THE EARTH UNTIL THE SECOND COMING

➤ Their lives aren’t easy (vs 16-22). They are imprisoned, buried, fed to animals, etc.

➤ That doesn’t make them question their decision. Why not? D&C 15:6, 18:10-16

➤ The three Nephites are transfigured and translated. What’s the difference?

➤ Transfiguration is temporary (Peter, James and John)

➤ Their bodies are changed so they “could behold the things of God”

➤ Translation is a state held until the Second Coming (like John)

➤ 28:7-8, They never ‘taste’ death (they’re not immortal - resurrected - yet)

➤ 28:38, They won’t feel physical pain

➤ 28:18, Their purpose is clear, they teach

➤ 28:19-22, They can’t be killed or harmed in any way

➤ 28:39, Satan cannot tempt them

➤ 28:39, They will be resurrected and received into the Kingdom of God

➤ Lots of stories circulate about them. Treat them like patriarchal blessings. If we encounter these servants of God we should share it very carefully and with our close family.

AFTER MANY YEARS OF PEACE, THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE DWINDLE IN UNBELIEF AND REJECT THE GOSPEL

➤ 4th Nephi contains Mormon’s abridgment of 300 years of history.

➤ The first 200 years were peaceful

➤ 4 Ne 1:1-2, Within two years, they all convert, and were all converted in their hearts (this will happen again in the millennium)

➤ The most mentioned trait is the lack of contention (2, 4, 13, 15-18). How is this possible?

➤ 4 Ne 1:15-17, the love of God changes men, they are one

➤ 4 Ne 1:5, they weren’t without struggle, illness or pain so how did they stay so cheerful? (1:12, they rely on each other)

➤ 4 Ne 1:17, They weren’t divided

THRIVE WHERE WE ARE PLANTED

➤ How do you think Mormon felt when he wrote this section?

➤ He must have longed for this time and wondered why he was stuck in his.

➤ Jacob 5:21-22, The allegory of the Olive Tree.

➤ When we feel we are stuck in the nethermost part of the vineyard, we can be assured we were planted there for a purpose

➤ He is nourishing us

THE END OF THE LONG ERA OF PEACE

➤ Yr 201 changes everything. What contributed to the downfall of such a happy people?

➤ How many of these can we see in our society today? What can be done?

➤ 4 Ne 1:20, 26, Division of classes

➤ 4 Ne 1:23-25, Pride and greed

➤ 4 Ne 1:26-29, They profess to know Christ but deny his Gospel

➤ 4 Ne 1:31, Hardheartedness

➤ 4 Ne 1:29-34, Persecution of Christ’s followers

➤ 4 Ne 1:38, Parents teaching children not to believe in Christ

➤ 4 Ne 1:29, Parents teaching children to hate

➤ 4 Ne 1:42,46, Secret combinations emerge

CONCLUSION➤ One theme that stands out in 3 Nephi is

our ability to affect the feelings of Christ

➤ We often assume he knows all and therefore won’t ‘feel’ anything

➤ The scriptures teach us that He weeps, groans and rejoices because of what we do in this life

➤ 3 Ne 27:30-31

➤ Why does it cause Christ such joy when none are lost?

➤ How often did that happen in a people?

➤ We are ‘numbered’ (Isaiah)

➤ When we bring ourselves, our families, our stewardships, our neighbors, our friends to him, we cause joy