3 Nephi 27-4 Nephi: “There Could Not Be a Happier People” (October 19-25)

Unity is important to the Savior.

When He visited the American continent following His death and resurrection, He clarified how baptisms should be performed, “and there shall be no disputations among you,” He said (3 Nephi 11:22, 28).

Sometime later, His twelve disciples were grappling with a question which had caused some disagreements: what to call the church. The Savior appeared to them, answered their question, and then emphasized anew the core doctrines He wanted them to teach (3 Nephi 27).

For 160 years—from the time of the Savior’s visit in AD 34 until about AD 194, the people lived in peace and prosperity. “Surely there could not be a happier people,” wrote Mormon (4 Nephi 1:16). But in the fourth generation, the people began to divide into groups again, and the peace and happiness began to crumble (4 Nephi 1:24-26).

Here are some blog posts about the final chapters of 3 Nephi and the book of 4 Nephi:

“Ye Shall Call the Church in My Name”

• Using the correct name of the church reminds us that church members have taken upon themselves the Savior’s name: How Be It My Church Save It Be Called in My Name? – 3 Nephi 27:3-8.
• We take His name upon ourselves in multiple ways: Ye Must Take upon You the Name of Christ – 3 Nephi 27:5-6.

“This Is My Gospel”

• Repentance and baptism get us onto the path, but we must remain on that path in order to receive all of the blessings of the gospel: If He Endureth to the End – 3 Nephi 27:13-16.
• Because of the Savior’s willing sacrifice, we can be purified: What Does It Mean for Our Garments to Be “Washed White Through the Blood of the Lamb?”

“I Know Your Thoughts”

• God will bless us in unique ways. We should be open to receive the blessings He has for each of us: What Is It That Ye Desire? – 3 Nephi 28:1-7.
• Be honest about what you don’t know, and be true to what you do know: But This Much I Know – 3 Nephi 28:17-18

“Hearken, O Ye Gentiles”

• The gospel is inclusive—Jesus invites everyone to come unto Him, no matter what they’ve done: Turn, All Ye Gentiles, from Your Wicked Ways – 3 Nephi 30:2 
• We need to learn to respect and honor sacred things: Ye Need Not Any Longer Spurn – 3 Nephi 29:4-5 

“There Were No Contentions and Disputations Among Them”

• Righteous people are largely self-governing: They Had All Things in Common – 4 Nephi 1:2-3.
• Income inequality is a serious issue: They Had Become Exceedingly Rich – 4 Nephi 1:23-26.
• Love overcomes conflict: There Was No Contention in All the Land – 4 Nephi 1:15-18.
• A society with no contention is a society with strong and happy marriages: According to the Multitude of the Promises – 4 Nephi 1:11.
• We should reach outside of our comfort zone and befriend people different from ourselves: 4 Nephi 1:15-17 Nor Any Manner of -Ites.