Book of Mormon II - Day 8

Thought:  “The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do. It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity. Unlike the Bible, which passed through generations of copyists, translators, and corrupt religionists who tampered with the text, the Book of Mormon came from writer to reader in just one inspired step of translation. Therefore, its testimony of the Master is clear, undiluted, and full of power. But it does even more. Much of the Christian world today rejects the divinity of the Savior. They question His miraculous birth, His perfect life, and the reality of His glorious resurrection. The Book of Mormon teaches in plain and unmistakable terms about the truth of all of those. It also provides the most complete explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement. Truly, this divinely inspired book is a keystone in bearing witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ.” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, November 1986 pg. 6)

Book of the Week: Lehi in the Desert and the World of the Jaredites-Nibley

Gary's "GREEN VERSES" Third Nephi 1-18

3 Nephi 1:13	Have you ever wondered how happy this announcement made each of us in our pre-earth estate?
3 Nephi 2:1	Problems begin when we forget. The cure is to continually have those same kind of experiences.
3 Nephi 3:12	Righteous people are not afraid of the demands or even the advances of Satan's hosts.
3 Nephi 4:33	Repentance and humility qualify us for God's deliverance from earthly & eternal destruction.
3 Nephi 5:13	I want to live my life so that others (especially Jesus) will recognize me as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
3 Nephi 6:5	Nothing can hinder us from prospering continually except falling into transgression.
3 Nephi 7:18	Jealousy is not an uncommon attribute of those who fight against the Kingdom of God.
3 Nephi 8:24	I wonder when He comes again, what will we say we wish we had done.
3 Nephi 9:20	Striving to have a broken heart and a contrite spirit & to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
3 Nephi 10:14	A shout-out from Mormon reminding us we have this Book to help us prepare for the 2nd coming.
3 Nephi 11:29	Next time through, count the warnings against contention in the Book of Mormon!
3 Nephi 12:20	If you think you are saved by grace alone, re-read the Sermon on the Mount.
3 Nephi 13:33	When we put God first we get Him on our team to help us with all else that He would have us have.
3 Nephi 14:21-23	It is not just what we profess, but what we DO.
3 Nephi 15:21	The secret is out, we found the "other sheep".
3 Nephi 16:13	Living Israel is even more important than being a descendent of Israel.
3 Nephi 17:3	Some key words; homes, ponder, ask, prepare your minds.
3 Nephi 18:21	A word of encouragement in support of Family Prayer.

 

3 Nephi 10-18

3 Nephi 9

Vs. 13 - "The greatest miracles I see today are not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls," (HBLee, CR, April 1973 p. 178)

Vs. 15 - Jesus the Creator. See John 1:3; Hebrews 1:1-3; Colossians 1:13-16; Moses 1:32-33; Mosiah 3:8; 4:2; Helaman 14:12; D&C 76:24; 93:9-10

Vs. 17 - becoming the sons of God. See Mosiah 5:7; 27:25; D&C 34:1-3; 39:1, 4.

Vs. 19 - No more sacrifices

Vs. 20 - James E. Talmage thought that Jesus died of a broken heart, thus when we offer up a broken heart, we imitate Jesus. The word contrite literally means crushed. Jesus was crushed for us in Gethsemane. (Skinner p. 15) "The sacrifice now required is to give yourself." (JRClark)

 

3 Nephi 10

Vs. 1 - The voice of the Savior to people in the dark saying, "I've been trying and I will continue to try. The phrase at the end of this verse has been seen by some as an indication that all of the women were killed in the great destructions. I do not personally agree.

Vs. 6 - The Savior's call is to Repent and Return with Full purpose of heart.

Vs. 12 - It was the MORE righteous part of the people who were spared.

Vs. 14 - An editorial message from Mormon to us, "Prophecies get fulfilled!"

Vs. 18 - Look at 3 Nephi 8:5 and this verse and determine how long after Christ's resurrection did He visit America.

3 Nephi 11

Vs. 1- "I promise you that with increased attendance in the temples of our God, you will receive increased personal revelation to bless your life as you bless those who have died. )ETB ensign, May 1987 p. 85)

Jesus' life and the temple: 1)Zacharias, 40 days, 12 years old, 2 cleansings, daily teaching, veil torn into two pieces at death, Apostles stay in Jerusalem at the temple until endowed with power from on high (Luke 24:49, 53), washing of feet, Book of Revelation, Acts 1:1-3; Infallible proofs=Gk, tekmeriois literally means sure signs and tokens. See 3 Nephi 17:15

Vs. 3 - "Dramatic and miraculous answers to prayer may come, but they are thee exceptions. Even at the highest levels of responsibility in this kingdom of God the voice ist still small. My testimony is that the Lord is speaking you! But with the deafening decibles of today's environment, all too often we fail to hear him. With TV, radio and tapes, what young person has time to listen? Listening is a challenge for all of us today. (Graham W. Doxey, CR Oct. 1991 p. 33)       "The still small voice is so quiet you won't hear it when you are noisy inside." (HBEyring, BYU Devotional Oct. 29, 1989)

Vs. 8 - When has the voice of Heavenly Father been heard since the fall?

Vs. 9-11 - To me (Skinner), however, the most significant thing in 3 Nephi is the way Jesus chose to introduce himself. (11:9-11) Of all the things he could have said, it was the bitter cup and suffering the will of the Father that he emphasized. . . Three times in Gethsemane Jesus pled for the removal of the bitter cup. (Matt. 26:39-44 see also D&C 19:16-19) Joseph Fielding Smith taught that Jesus' greatest suffering was not on the cross, but in the garden. (DS 1:130)

JESUS GOT EXACTLY WHAT WE DESERVE.

Vs. 13-17 - "The doctrine of the Resurrection is the single most fundamental and crucial doctrine in the Christian religion. It cannot be over-emphasized, nor can it be disregarded. Without the resurrection, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a litany of wise sayings and seemingly unexplainable miracles...with no ultimate triumph. No, the ultimate triumph is the ultimate miracle." (HWHunter, CR, April 1986 p. 18) Proofs of Jesus' resurrection; Luke 24:36-39; Acts 1:1-3.

Resurrection means to rise again or rise with power. It comes from the Latin resurgere and is related to words such as surge, resurgence. The Book of Mormon is the great witness of the resurrection and also the doctrine. See 2 Nephi 9:8-11, Alma 11:41-44; 3 Nephi 26:3-5; Mosiah 15:19-24)

Vs. 21to 3 Nephi 12:2 - Jesus mentions baptism 19 times

Vs. 23 - Spencer W. Kimball's baptism.

Vs. 29 - Contention and Anger - See Lynn G. Robbins GD April 5, 1998

Vs. 37-38 - When the Lord repeats himself...

Vs. 30, 31, 32, 35, 39, 40. - Christ's doctrine

 

3 Nephi 12-14 - The Temple Sermon on Exaltation

Psalms, Beatitude, Temple, Mountain, 3 Nephi 12:8; Psalm 24:3-6

12:4   - The Beatitudes: Pattern for Coming unto Christ  Robert E. Wells, Ensign, December, 1987 p. 9)"It may be that the pain and suffering at the death of loved ones is an essential part of our mortal experience that obliges us to face the question of the reality of the spirit world and the hope of the Resurrection. It is through suffering that we discover what is eternally important. It might be that it is a blessing for us to become more fully aware that God’s ways are not always our ways, and that we must trust him when things don’t go as we believe they should. When we can see the Lord’s purposes fulfilled in our sorrowful moments, the Holy Ghost can console us and the Atonement and Resurrection can become the cornerstones of our faith. Again, both the Joseph Smith Translation and the Book of Mormon accounts indicate that the mourner is truly blessed only if he comes unto Christ." 

12:13 - Salt is a symbol of the covenant men make with God. It doesn't lose it savor with time but by mixing.

12:16 - We do not let our light shine so people will glorify us!

12:20 - Saved by grace alone?

12:44 - "Besides loving God, we are commanded to do what for many is a more difficult commandment; to love all, even enemies. It is easier, of course, to be kind to those who are kind to us- the usual kind of friendly reciprocity. Whom would you bar from your circle? We might deny ourselves a nearness to our Savior because of our prejudices, attitudes that Christ would surely condemn. Love has no boundary, no limitation of good will." (DBHaight, Ensign Nov. 82 p. 10-12)

3 Nephi 13 - The secret of true religion is religion in secret. (Ivan J. Berrett)

Vs. 21 - "I believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and posterity" (DHOaks Ensign Nov. 1993, p. 75)

Vs. 33 -

3 Nephi 14 -

Vs. 1 - Unrighteous judgment comes when we compare others to ourselves.

Vs. 13-14 - The course leading to eternal life is both strait and straight. It is straight because it has an invariable direction - always it is the same. It is strait because it is narrow and restricted, a course where full obedience to the full law is required. Straightness has reference to direction. Straitness to width.

Vs. 21-23 - Another good faith with works scripture. See 15:1

3 Nehi 15

Vs. 4 - See 2 Nephi 25:27; Mosiah 13:27-31

3 Nephi 16

Vs. 2, 3 - Other other sheep

Vs. 13 - Anybody who will, may be of the House of Israel.

3 Nephi 17 - Many people's favorite chapter in all scripture. In this chapter Christ tells us how to be like him.

Vs. 9 - This is a line I would like to get in!

Vs. 20 - When has my joy been full?

Vs. 24-25 - "The Ministry of Angels" JRHolland, Oct. 2008 - God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face." Who do you think the angels were?

3 Nephi 18 - "The Institution of the Sacrament here may be a response to the desire of the Nephite to have Him stay with them longer (17:5) - Ted Gibbons.

1st Nephite Sacrament meeting. Read this chapter during sacrament and picture yourself there!

Vs. 7, 11 - We are presented with a fairly simple way to evaluate our sacramental experience. It we are experiencing the manifestations of the Spirit.

Vs. 12-13 - Worthily partaking of the Sacrament allows us to be built upon his rock, so WHEN trials come, we will be strong.

Vs. 15-18- How to keep the spirit of Sacrament with you always.

Vs. 21 - Family Prayer

Vs. 26, 28 - The leaders job to monitor Sacrament. When we partake of the Sacrament unworthily we are taking upon us the name of God in vain. (Ogden)

Vs. 29 - Damnation = a stoppage or half of progress. It blocks the channel of power.

Vs. 32 - How to treat the less active.

Vs. 39 - Jesus ascends.

 

Book of Mormon II Week 7

Thought:  As a 17-year-old boy reading the Book of Mormon for the first time, I focused on Moroni’s promise: “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 10:4). As I knelt in prayer, I received a powerful spiritual witness that the Book of Mormon is true. That witness has helped me chart my course through life. I exhort all people to read the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I especially ask the remnant of the house of Israel, the descendants of the people of the Book of Mormon, wherever you may be, to read and reread the Book of Mormon. Learn of the promises contained in the Book of Mormon. Follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. Make and keep covenants with the Lord. Seek for and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I close with the words spoken by Amaleki, another Book of Mormon prophet: “And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved” (Omni 1:26). As we come unto our Savior, Jesus Christ, and purify our hearts, we will all be instruments in fulfilling the mighty promises of the Book of Mormon. Of this I testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. (Elder Larry Echo Hawk, General Conference, Oct. 2012)

Book of the Week: Studies In Scripture Vol. 8-Jackson ; mormonchannel.org

Gary's "GREEN VERSES" Book of Helaman

Helaman 1:11	I find it interesting the a band of robbers swore by their maker.
Helaman 2:13	A description of their day; a warning for ours.
Helaman 3:20	This is the verse that tells about my personal Book of Mormon hero.
Helaman 3:35	A great verse telling about the process of sanctification.
Helaman 4:23-24	That's my goal to have my children remember my words & to speak memorable words to them.
Helaman 5:12	The best council that any of us could give to our children. Build a testimony on the rock of Jesus.
Helaman 6:20	What we should do when we find evil amongst us.
Helaman 6:37	What else we should do when we find evil people amongst us.
Helaman 7:16	Why do we follow Satan when he doesn't even like us and is only faithful to himself.
Helaman 8:12-13	Following some of God's prophets will not cut the mustard. We need to follow the old & the new.
Helaman 9:39-41	People react to the same miracle in a myriad of manners.
Helaman 10:4-5	We build God's trust in us by working with unwearyingness. (I love that word)
Helaman 11:23	Does knowing the doctrine, allow us to receive revelation?
Helaman 12:1	Mormon tells it like it is. We humans are unsteady and need the infinite goodness of our God.
Helaman 13:22	Do is spend more time "remembering" my God or my financial and worldly concerns?
Hel. 14:30-31	A great summary of the good and bad of how we use our agency.
Helaman 15:3	God chastens us because He loves us. We need to learn how to chasten those who we love with love.
Helaman 16:18	Secular Humanism alive and well 2000 years ago.

 

Third Nephi The book known to us as 3 Nephi was originally called "The Book of Nephi," The title "Third Nephi" was first added by Elder Orson Pratt in the 1879 edition to distinguish this book from the first two books in the Nephite record. It was originally called, "The Book of Nephi the son of Nephi, which was the son of Helaman"

Unique Contributions of 3 Nephi - 1. It testifies of the reality of Christ's resurrection. 2. It defines Christ's gospel. 3. It explains the purpose of the Law of Moses & Christ's role in its fulfillment. 4. Clarifies "other sheep" prophecy and doctrinal teaching on the gathering of Israel. 5. Provides a unique view of the attributes of the resurrected Christ. (DCBM 4:2) 

“In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America. By careful study of that time period, we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet.” (ETB, CR, Oct. 1986, p. 5)

Chapter synopsis

3 Nephi 1 – The First Christmas in the new world. Christ is born-Signs fulfilled

3 Nephi 2 - Gadianton Robbers begin war which threatens very existence of Nephites, who were forced to unite with Lamanites to protect themselves.

3 Nephi 3 – Blasphemous letter from Giddianhi to Lachoneus. Lachoneus’ response

3 Nephi 4 – Siege fails - Robbers destroyed

3 Nephi 5 – All believe, Mormon editorializes.

3 Nephi 6 – Corruption beginning with lawyers and judges

3 Nephi 7 – Tribes, a King named Jacob and a prophet named Nephi

3 Nephi 8 - Signs of the crucifixion of Christ

3 Nephi 9 - The voice of the resurrected Christ.

 

3 Nephi 1

Vs. 3 - As his Great Grandfather? (Alma 45:18-9) See also 3 Nephi 28 and TPJS p. 170.

Vs. 9 - Here we see a phenomenon which is repeated ad nauseam in the Book of Mormon: the wicked who refuse to believe dare not allow others to believe. There is no room in their tightly controlled system for faith or spirit or revelation or hope.(DCBM 4:5)

Vs. 12-14 - See DNTC 1:84-85 time of quickening, Divine Investiture of Authority; Mormon Doctrine p. 693-4; Mortal Messiah 1:349 footnote - the Spirit or an angel)

"3 Nephi 1:14 is perhaps the most significant of all the verses, but it is also the most confusing until one realizes that the premortal Jesus is here speaking in his role as Jehovah. He is telling Nephi that by coming to earth as the mortal Messiah, he will fulfill his other role as the living Christ. Thus, as Father Jehovah (the Israelites knew him as Father), he fulfills his own will by sending himself to earth, and he does the will of the Son when he takes up a physical body to become the earthly Christ. As the Son, it was also his desire to do the will of his actual Father, the mighty Elohim (Abraham 3:27; Moses 4:2). But in 3 Nephi, he was speaking as Father Jehovah before his mortal sojourn. (Skinner, 3rd Nephi, the 5th Gospel, p. 7)

 

Prophesied signs of Christ’s birth;

1. Great lights in the heavens resulting in a day, a night and a day w/out darkness. (Helaman 14:3)
2. A new and unique star (Helaman 14:5)
3. Many signs and wonders in heaven. (Helaman 14:6)
4. All shall fall amazed. (Helaman 14:7)

Vs. 19 - See Zechariah 14:7 - But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. (2nd coming)

Vs. 22 - "Signs flow from faith and, indeed, are a product of it. They strengthen the faithful but produce faith only in the spiritually responsive. Therefore, their chief purpose is not to produce faith, but to reward it. It is not an uncommon thing in scripture to see the most marvelous signs and evidences of God's power ignored or rationalized away by those without faith."(Book of Mormon Institute Student Manual)

Vs. 25 - Do you remember what a jot and tittle are?

Vs. 30 - How is our rising generation?

 

3 Nephi 2

Vs. 1&2 - People don’t lose their faith all at once– Began to forget=the opposite of remember

Conversion which comes as the result of an outward sign and requires no work has little staying power.

The unbeliever may say he desires a sign. These people, however, are generally sign seekers not because they would believe, but because they do not wish to do so. They use their demand for a sign as a way to taunt believers. (see 1 Nephi 16:37-38)

Vs. 8 - A new time reckoning - 1) Time that Lehi left Jerusalem 2) Reign of judges 3)Birth of Christ

Vs. 15 - "The dark skin was a sign of the curse. The curses was the withdrawal of the Spirit of the Lord. The dark skin is no longer considered a sign of the curse. (ATGQ 3:123)

3 Nephi 3

Vs. 1 - Compare Giddianhi's letter to Lachoneus to Ammoron's to Captain Moroni in Alma 54.

Vs. 2 - "When the Devil cannot overcome an individual through temptation to commit wickedness, when he sees that a person is determined to walk in the line and travel straight forward into the celestial kingdom, he will adopt a course of flattery, will strive to exercise a pleasing influence and move along smoothly with him, and when he sees an opportunity he will try to turn him out of the way, if it is only to the extent of a hair's breadth." (Discourses of Brigham Young p. 81)

"There are at least 3 dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false educational ideas, and sexual impurity." (Gospel Doctrine p. 312-13)

Vs. 10 - What would you do? Remember King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18-20)

Nephite response to Gadianton threat

              1. Don’t be afraid (3 Nephi 3:11)

              2. Cry unto the Lord (3 Nephi 2:12)

3. Gather people (3 Nephi 2:13)

4. Build fortifications (3 Nephi 2:14)

5. Repent of sins ((3 Nephi 2:15)

7. Exert to follow righteous leaders (3 Nephi 2:16)

8. Organize people (3 Nephi 2:17)

9. Appoint leaders with Spirit (3 Nephi 2:19)

10. Leaders promise Lord’s blessings (3 Nephi 2:21)

11. Made weapons of war (3 Nephi 2:26)

Vs. 11-26 - "The parallels between these conditions in the days before the Lord's first coming to ancient America and those shaping up in these last days-just before the Lord's 2nd Coming-are striking. (Ogden)

Vs. 21 – The warning against becoming an anti, or even an anti-anti.

3 Nephi 4

Vs. 5 - Bad guys need Good Guys. A parasite needs a host.

Vs. 28 - Zemnarihah found hanging around. "Jewish law required tree to be chopped down which a person was hanged on." (Welch, Reexploring the Book of Mormon p. 250)

3 Nephi 5

Vs. 1 100% believers!

Vs. 3-6 - robbers taught gospel-end of secret combinations.

Vs. 8 = "No scriptural record is complete, all scripture requires the Holy Ghost to carry our understanding beyond the written record. (DCBM 4:22)

Vs. 12 - The first time Mormon identifies himself by name.

Vs. 13 -“The word disciple is closely associated with the word discipline, and it might well be said that a disciple is a disciplined believer or adherent. The word literally means “a learner” and denotes one who follows the teachings of another. A disciple, however, is not merely a pupil but is an imitator of the teacher. In the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day a disciple of a rabbi would leave his home and move in with his teacher. He served the teacher in the most servile ways, treating him as an absolute authority. He was expected not only to learn all that his rabbi knew but also to become like him in character and piety. In turn, the rabbi provided food and lodging and saw his own distinctive interpretations transmitted through his disciples to future generations. When Mark says that Jesus chose twelve men “that they should be with him” (Mark 3:14), he accurately reflects contemporary understanding of how future leaders were trained. Inherent in such a call was the idea of a disciple’s total commitment. Such would be Mormon’s understanding of discipleship, for he knew full well the charge of the Savior to the twelve he chose from among the Nephites. Of them, he asked: “What manner of men ought ye to be?” And he answered his own question, “Verily I say unto you. Even as I am.” (3 Nephi 27:27) (DCBM 4:23)

Vs. 18 - See 1 Nephi 1:3; 14:30.

Vs. 20 - Lehi's departure a secret.

Vs. 21-26 - A reminder of the blessings and responsibilities of being Covenant Israel. Note vs. 25; the Book of Mormon a key to the house of Jacob coming to a knowledge of the covenant.

3 Nephi 6

Vs. 1 - Three years after the destruction of the robbers, the people returned to their lands.

Vs. 3 - Robbers given land.

Vs. 5 - Is this true today?

Vs. 10     “Pride gets no pleasure out of possessing something but possessing more of it than the next man…. It is the comparison that makes you proud; the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 109-110)

“Pride is the great stumbling block of Zion…. Pride is ugly; it says if you succeed I am a failure…. Pride is basically competitive in nature, when competition ends, pride ends. (ETB, CR, Apr. 89, p. 3-7)

Vs. 14 - What can we do to remove inequality in the Church? Perpetual Education fund...

Vs. 14 - Firm - Steadfast - Immovable

Vs. 18 - “There is a big difference between an honest mistake made in a moment of spiritual weakness and a willful decision to disobey persistently the commandments of the God. Those who deliberately choose to violate God’s commandments or ignore the standards of the Church, even when promising themselves and others that someday they will be strong enough to repent, are stepping into a dangerous slippery slope upon which many have lost their spiritual footing. (MR Ballard, Ensign Nov. 97, p. 40)

Vs. 21- Angry at testimonies of others?  “Most of us recognize a fool when we see one but, few of us recognize a fool when we are one. Often it is anger which blurs our vision. Letting off steam produces more heat than light.” (NA Maxwell, Ensign, Nov. 89. p. 82-84)

Vs. 28 - Satan's covenant given and administered by the devil. (See Moses 5:29-31)

Vs. 29-30 - "As the time approached for the rest of Samuel the Lamanite's prophecies to be fulfilled concerning the Savior's death and subsequent Resurrection, secret combinations increased in strength in the New World. Murders on the American continent also increased. We take this as a confirmation of the principle that whenever great righteousness or goodness is about to be manifest, great wickedness instigated by Satan will increase concomitantly." (Skinner p. 9)

3 Nephi 7

Vs. 5 & 14 - Just because there is no war doesn't mean there is no peace. There is not true peace without the Prince of Peace.

Vs. 6 - "Now I tell you it is time the people of the United States were waking up with the understanding that if they don't save the Constitution from the dangers that threaten it, we will have a change of government." (JFSmith CR April 1950 p. 159) "But whatever may be our fate, be assured that this [Constitution] will stand. We...face difficult days in this beloved land...It may cost us blood before we are through. It is my conviction, however, that when the Lord comes, the Stars and Stripes will be floating on the breeze over this people." (ETB, The Constitution A Heavenly Banner, Sept. 17, 1987)

Vs. 8 - See D&C 82:7

Vs. 9 - The name "Jacob" means to supplant or deceive.

Vs. 16-26  - When times get tough a prophet comes forth. It was a time of polarization. Sound familiar?

3 Nephi 8 "No single historical event in the whole Book of Mormon account is recorded in so great detail or at such extended length as the fulfillment of the signs signifying that Jesus had been lifted up on the cross and had voluntarily laid down his life for the world." (BRM, The Promised Messiah p. 542)

3 Nephi 9

Vs. 2 -  Look out for the Triple Wo!

Vs. 13 - The righteous were spare and told to return and repent so the Great Healer could heal them spiritually. "The greatest miracles I see today are not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls, those who are sick in soul and spirit and are downhearted and distraught, on the verge of nervous breakdowns." (HBL CR, April 1973, p. 178)

Vs. 17 - See Mosiah 5:7; 27:25; D&C 34:1-3; 39:1, 4

Vs. 19-20 - “It is difficult for us today to realize the tremendous revolution involved in altering the ritualism of the Law of Moses into the humble and lowly concept of worship, not with the sacrificial blood of animals, but with this broken heart and contrite spirit of the worshiper…[Animal sacrifice] was always a vicarious sacrifice, apparently with little actual sacrifice except for the value of the animal sacrificed, by the individuals themselves, to cancel the debit, so to speak, against their lives and living in the eyes of the Almighty One. The sinner seemingly, in general, took on no obligation and considered himself under no obligation to abandon his sins, but took on only the obligation to offer sacrifice therefore. But under the new covenant that came in with Christ, the sinner must offer the sacrifice out of his own life, not by offering the blood of some other creature; he must give up his sins, he must repent, he himself must make the sacrifice.” (JR Clark, Behold the Lamb of God, pp. 107-9) The sacrifice now required is to give yourself.

James Talmage believed that Jesus died of a broken heart (Jesus the Christ p.613).  When Jesus' disciples offer up a broken heart, they imitate their Master in a profound way. They choose to become like him.  (Skinner p. 15)

 

"We must be careful as we seek to become more and more godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope. Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road to Damascus, Enos praying far into the night, King Lamoni. Such astonishing examples of the power of change even those steeped in sin give confidence that the Atonement can reach even those deepest in despair. But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said "were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." (President Benson, "A Mighty Change of Heart," Ensign, Oct. 1989, pp. 2-5)