3 Nephi 21:1–21. The Book of Mormon Is Instrumental in the Gathering of Israel Read 3 Nephi 21:1–2, 7 with students. You may need to explain that in verse 2, the phrase “these things which I declare unto you” refers to the Book of Mormon. •What sign did the Lord say would show that the gathering of Israel had begun? •In addition to being a sign of the gathering, how does the Book of Mormon help people gather to the Lord’s Church? Have students turn to the title page of the Book of Mormon. Ask a student to read the second paragraph. •What does the Book of Mormon declare to members of the house of Israel? Have a student read the following statement by Elder C. Scott Grow of the Seventy, explaining the role of the Book of Mormon in the latter-day gathering: “Jesus Christ gave us the Book of Mormon as the instrument to gather scattered Israel [see 3 Nephi 21:7]. … “The Book of Mormon is its own witness to the people of Latin America and of all nations. Its very coming forth in these latter days bears witness that God has once again begun to gather scattered Israel. … “… The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is the means whereby people from all nations shall be gathered into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2005, 35–36; or Ensign, Nov. 2005, 35; italics in original). •How has the Book of Mormon helped you come unto Christ? •How can we use the Book of Mormon as we participate with Heavenly Father in the gathering of His children? Have students read 3 Nephi 21:9–11. As they read, explain that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles identified the “servant” in these verses as Joseph Smith (see Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [1997], 287–88). •What consequence will come to those who reject the Book of Mormon and the words of Jesus Christ as revealed through Joseph Smith? Have students read Deuteronomy 18:18–19 and Acts 3:20–23, and encourage them to cross-reference those passages with 3 Nephi 21:11. •How can these verses help us understand 3 Nephi 21:11? 3 Nephi 22:1–13. The Lord Remembers His Covenant People with Mercy and Everlasting Kindness Ask a student to read 3 Nephi 22:5–6. Ensure that students understand that in these verses, the phrase “thy husband” refers to the Savior and the phrase “a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth” refers to scattered Israel. Ask a student to read 3 Nephi 22:7–10. •What does this teach us about the Savior and His role in the gathering? To summarize this principle, you may want to have students read the information about 3 Nephi 22 on page 329 in the student manual. 3 Nephi 22:14–17. God’s People and Kingdom Will Triumph in the End Invite a student to draw a tent on the board. Have a student read 3 Nephi 22:2. •How could you enlarge a tent? •What is meant by “lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes”? Explain that anciently, when people wanted to make a small tent larger, they pulled up the stakes, moved them farther from the center pole, and added more stakes—thus creating additional space beneath the tent. This is what was meant by lengthening the cords and strengthening the stakes. Read the following insight from President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994), the 13th President of the Church: “The term stake is a symbolic expression. Picture in your mind a great tent held up by cords extended to many stakes that are firmly secured in the ground. The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. The tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently, Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion” (“Strengthen Thy Stakes,” Ensign, Jan. 1991, 2). •How are stakes of the Church like the stakes of an ancient tent? Invite a student to read the statement by President Gordon B. Hinckley on pages 329–30 in the student manual. This statement is also available on the companion DVD A. Ask students if they have ever had to defend their faith from attacks by those who oppose the Church and its teachings. Invite a few students to briefly share their experiences. Tell students that 3 Nephi 22:14–17 contains information concerning these kinds of experiences. •What principles can you find in 3 Nephi 22:14 that help us deal with opposition to the Church? •What promises are given in 3 Nephi 22:15, 17? How can these promises help us when we face opposition? Bear testimony that the Lord blesses us through our challenges and that the enemies of the Church will never succeed in their efforts to destroy it.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 13:52:42 +0000
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