How do you minister to people during troubled times? Nephi lived in a time of intense persecution, war, and corruption in government. But like his father, he remained steady. He prayed on behalf of the believers when they were threatened with death. (See 3 Nephi 1:10-15.) He maintained and added to the sacred records entrusted to him by his father. (See 3 Nephi 1:2-3, 3 Nephi 2:9, 3 Nephi 5:9.) He preached repentance, performed miracles, baptized many people, and ordained others to preach and baptize as well. (See 3 Nephi 1:23, 3 Nephi 7:15-26.)
Like Nephi, we can accomplish great things, even in difficult circumstances, by focusing on gospel fundamentals, including prayer, scriptures, repentance and ordinances and covenants.
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these chapters:
Outline
- 3 Nephi 1 – The Sign of Christ’s Birth
- 3 Nephi 2 – Nephites and Lamanites Unite Against the Gadianton Robbers
- 3 Nephi 3 – Giddianhi and Lachoneus
- 3 Nephi 4 – Gadianton Robbers Defeated Twice
- 3 Nephi 5 – Editorial Note: “I Am a Disciple of Jesus Christ”
- 3 Nephi 6 – The Government Becomes Corrupted
- 3 Nephi 7 – The Government Collapses; the People Divide into Tribes
Key Themes
- God’s words will all be fulfilled, but not necessarily on our timeline.
- Miracles can motivate us to take the actions which will strengthen us spiritually, but we must choose to take those actions in order to experience the growth.
- We must not allow fear to cloud our judgment or dampen our courage. God can help us face intimidating experiences without fear.
- A disciple is a devoted student who strives not only to follow the teacher’s words but also to emulate the teacher’s actions.
- Inequality and pride lead to contention, which destroys peace and prosperity.
Connections
- The ancient prophet Balaam referred to the Savior as a Star. (See Numbers 24:17.) The wise men who visited the Savior at His birth may have been influenced by this prophecy. (See Matthew 2:2.) In the Americas, the people also saw a new star when the Savior was born, as prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite. (See 3 Nephi 1:21, Helaman 14:5.)
- Psalm 118 contains the following plea: “Please, LORD, please save us. Please, LORD, please give us success” (Psalm 118:25, New Living Translation). The Hebrew word for “please save us” transilerates into English as “Hosanna.” When the Nephites were delivered from the Gadianton robbers, they shouted, “Hosanna to the most high God. Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the most High God” (3 Nephi 4:32). They repeated this expression of pleading and praise about twelve years later, when the Savior visited them.
Applications
- Seek personal revelation about the challenges we face and the decisions you need to make.
- Let your priorities and your plans be guided by the needs of those you serve, not by your own ego.
- Strive to maintain a sense of childlike wonder at Heavenly Father’s works in the world and in your life.
- Work to be unified with the people around you, including family, neighbors, and fellow church members. We need to bring people together, to find common ground, and to unify rather than to divide. Contracting circles of trust impoverish all of us.
- When you are attacked, resist the temptation to retaliate.
Recommended Posts
- Why Is Light an Appropriate Symbol for the Birth of Christ?
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Corruption?
- What Should I Do About Economic Inequality?
Good Cheer
Multiple times during His mortal ministry, Jesus counseled people to be of good cheer. When Nephi prayed for his people the night the Savior was born, he received the same counsel. Calmness and cheerfulness are manifestations of our trust in Jesus Christ.
“Seek, and Ye Shall Find”
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught that the Savior’s statement, “Seek, and ye shall find,” is more than a promise. It is a statement of fact. We rarely find things that we aren’t looking for. If we want to experience joy, we need to look for it, every day.
Plundering, Prayers, and Paradigms
The robbers who attacked the Nephites interpreted their prayers as weakness. However, those prayers were a source of strength. Empathy not only helps us show compassion; it also helps us navigate interpersonal relationships more intelligently.
“I Am Mormon”
Mormon tells us three things when he introduces himself in 3 Nephi 5: 1. The origin and significance of his name 2. His calling and purpose 3. His multigenerational perspective
“They Granted Unto Those Robbers…Lands” – 3 Nephi 6:3
Trust is always a leap of faith. When the Gadianton robbers were defeated, those who promised to stop fighting the Nephites were not only set free, they were also given the resources to build a better life. Enduring peace begins with generous trust.
“Like the Dog to His Vomit”
In describing the Nephites’ rapid fall from righteousness to sin, the narrator paraphrases a metaphor from the book of Proverbs about dogs and vomit. Progress isn’t linear, and we all experience setbacks, but God is always willing to forgive when we repent
Leave a Reply