3 Nephi 18

3 Nephi 18

Elder Gerald N. Lund of the Seventy once shared this story:

"Some time ago there was an interesting article about mountain climbing in a medical magazine...

"The article was about a man named Czenkusch (CHEN-kush) who runs a climbing school.

"He was describing to the interviewer the belay system in mountain climbing. This is the system by which climbers protect themselves from falls. One climber gets in a safe position and secures the rope for the other climber, usually around his or her own body. "You're on belay," means, "I've got you. If something happens, I will stop you from falling."

"Belaying has brought Czenkusch his best and worst moments in climbing. He once fell from a high precipice, yanking out three mechanical supports and pulling his belayer off a ledge. He was stopped, upside down, 10 feet from the ground when his spread-eagled belayer (Don) arrested his fall with the strength of his outstretched arms.

"Don saved my life," says Czenkusch. "How do you respond to a guy like that? Give him a used climbing rope for a Christmas present? No, you remember him. You always remember him."

• Why do you think the mountain climber felt that giving his rescuer material gifts would be an inadequate way to show thanks?

• How is always remembering the person who saved your life a better way to show love than giving that person a gift?

• What would you do to remember someone who saved your life?

Read 3 Nephi 18:1-6

In chapter 17, the Savior instructed the Nephites to return to their homes and prepare themselves for the next day when He would return and teach them additional truths. What did He do before He left?

Multiple Choice

According to these scriptures, what did the Savior do before He left?

• Performed the sacrament

• Read from the scriptures

• Blessed the children

• Performed baptisms

Multiple Choice

According to verse 6, how often were the Nephites to continue performing this ordinance?

• Once a year

• Once in a lifetime

• Occasionally

• Always

Read 3 Nephi 18:7-11 silently

As we partake of the sacrament, what are we witnessing to the Father that we will do?

Open Ended

How does partaking of the sacrament help us remember the Savior's sacrifice in our behalf?

Elder Holland's message "Always Remember Him"

Review 3 Nephi 18:7, 11

Look for the blessing Jesus promised to those who partake of the sacrament and always remember Him

Multiple Choice

What does the Lord promise us if we partake of the sacrament and always remember Him?

• We will always be healthy

• We will have his Spirit to be with us

• We will never go hungry

• We will receive revelation

Open Ended

Why do you think that always remembering the Savior helps us to have His Spirit to be with us?

What connections do you notice between these two scripture passages?

• 3 Nephi 18:12-14

• Helaman 5:12

Multiple Choice

Who or what is the "rock" in these passages?

• The apostle Peter

• It's just a rock

• Jesus Christ

• The prophets

Open Ended

How can regularly partaking of the sacrament help you make Jesus Christ the foundation upon which you build your life?

Read 3 Nephi 18:28-29

After the Savior spoke to the multitude, He then turned to the 12 disciples and instructed them on how to lead and direct the affairs of the Church. He gave them specific counsel regarding their responsibilities to monitor the worthiness of those who partake the sacrament.

So how do we know if we are worthy? Elder John H. Groberg taught:

• We are worthy if we desire to improve (which is to repent). . .

• . . . and are not under priesthood restriction

• IF, however, we have no desire to improve and no intention of following the guidance of the Spirit

• We must ask ourselves: are we worthy to partake, or are we making a mockery of the very purpose of the sacrament, which is to act as a catalyst for personal repentance and improvement?

Read 3 Nephi 18:30-32

What instructions were given to the disciples regarding those considered unworthy to partake of the sacrament?

What about nonmember visitors?

• The sacrament is for Church members. HOWEVER, bishoprics do not announce that it will be passed to members only.

• Nothing should be done to prevent any in attendance who are not members of the Church from partaking of it.

• If you invite a nonmember to church, you may want to take time beforehand to explain the sacrament and its symbolism so your friend may choose whether or not to partake of it.

Poll

So what do you do if you see an unworthy person partaking the sacrament?

• Tell them not to take it

• Nothing. It is up to the bishop to decide what to do

• Tell the bishop

• Take the tray away, or don't pass it to them

Of course, there is always opposition. . .

Open Ended

What are some common ways in which Satan seeks to tempt us to forget about the Savior and to disobey the Lord's commandments?

Read 3 Nephi 18:15-21 silently

What does the Savior teach us to do to resist temptation?

Multiple Select

In these scriptures, what did the Savior teach us to do to resist temptation?

• Ignore it

• Watch

• Sing hymns

• Pray always

Open Ended

What do you think the word "watch" means in 3 Nephi 18:15, 18?

Why do you think both watching and praying are essential to resisting temptation?

Read 3 Nephi 18:22-25

Some additional counsel

Multiple Select

According to these verses, what else should we do to help others come unto Him?

• Forbid no one from coming to our church meetings

• Tell unworthy people to go away

• Meet together often (in worship)

• Hold up your light (be an example of Christ)

• Pray for others

3 Nephi 19: Overview and Highlights

After the Savior completed his first visit to the Nephites, the news of HIs visit spread among the people all that night. Throughout the night, the people labored "exceedingly…that they might be on the morrow in the place" where the Savior would appear again. After the multitude gathered the next day, the twelve disciples prayed and taught the people.

Read 3 Nephi 19:10-12

What did Nephi (one of the 12 disciples) do after they finished praying?

Wait...hadn't the disciples and Nephites already been baptized? Why would they do it again?

• The Church among the Nephites before the coming of Christ was not in its fulness and was under the law of Moses.

• The Savior restored the fulness and gave to them all the ordinances and blessings of the gospel.

• Therefore, the Church actually became a new organization, and through baptism, the Nephites came into it.

And in our time…

Prior to the organization of the Church, the Prophet Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and several others were baptized. However, on the day the church was organized, all who had been previously baptized were baptized again--not for the remission of sins--but for entrance into the Church.

Read 3 Nephi 19:13-14

What happened after these baptisms?

Scriptural Symbolism

Fire = Purification; the cleansing power of the Holy Ghost