Post  #257 --  Come, Follow Me --- Week # 40 -- October 12–18 -- 3 Nephi 20–26 -- “Ye Are the Children of the Covenant”

Dear Family and Friends

I just had my birthday this weekend. I am now 63 and I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to live another year. He has also allowed me to spend more time with my children, my grandchildren. As well as giving me time to get to know my great grandchildren. 

I am struggling a bit with my vision. I wear trifocals and i can not seem to reach the place that i need to be to see, this has been very frustrating. I have also noticed that I may be going through some depression since this last diagnosis. And no, it is not the birthday syndrome either. 

For me, my birthday has usually been just another day. My husband would always give me a card when he remembered. My children make my day cheery and bright, we all try to get together if we can. Those who have to work, they work and those who live far away call or text. 

My children came to visit throughout the day all except my oldest daughter who was working out of the area. We all had a wonderful day. And like I said before I am truly grateful for this past year which the Lord has given me. I pray that I will have many more birthdays yet to come. 

I pray that when your birthday comes around that you too are ever grateful for your special day as I am for mine:)it certainly seems to have been a very long week. I hope you are all ready for this week’s lesson, I am a little excited about it myself . i am not very good at family history but do try to work on it now and again:)

As you are studying these chapters please let the spirit guide you through to what can be the most meaningful passages or verses in these chapters. If you ask the spirit to be with you as you study He will help you, he will direct you to the principles of most importance to you and your family members and friends. 3 Nephi 20–26. 

The following comes to you directly from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual: When speaking of the scriptures, Jesus often used the word search (see 3 Nephi 20:11; 23:1, 5). When you read 3 Nephi 20–26, what will you search for?

 

 

 When you hear people use terms like house of Israel, do you feel like they’re talking about you? The Nephites and Lamanites were literal descendants of Israel—their story even begins in Jerusalem—but to some of them, Jerusalem must have seemed like “a land which is far distant, a land which we know not” (Helaman 16:20). Yes, they were “a branch of the tree of Israel,” but they were also “lost from its body” (Alma 26:36; see also 1 Nephi 15:12). But when the Savior appeared to them, He wanted them to know that they were not lost to Him. “Ye are of the house of Israel,” He said, “and ye are of the covenant” (3 Nephi 20:25). He might say something similar to you today, for anyone who is baptized and makes covenants with Him is also of the house of Israel, “of the covenant,” no matter who you descend from or where you live. In other words, when Jesus speaks of the house of Israel, He is talking about you. The instruction to bless “all the kindreds of the earth” is for you (3 Nephi 20:27). The invitation to “awake again, and put on thy strength” is for you (3 Nephi 20:36). And His precious promise, “My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed,” is for you (3 Nephi 22:10).

 After you and your family members and friends have finished reading together the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi 23:1,you might ask you family members and friends what they have read during this week, what did they search for as they read through or listened to the scriptures this week.what did you find? What did they find?

3 Nephi 20:25–41; 21:9–11, 22–29

In the latter days, God will perform a great and marvelous work.

We find in 3 Nephi 21:9 that the Savior spoke of “a great and marvelous work” that His Father wouold do in the last days. Maybe you and / or your family members and friends could share what you and / or they have earned as you and they have studied these chapters together and individually in your home.

This could be a good time for discussion as well as a few questions, which could inspire your discussion or even add to it if it flows naturally. What did the Savior say would happen in a future day? (see especially 3 Nephi 20:30–32, 39–41; 21:22–29). Why would He call these things “great” and “marvelous”? What evidence do we see that this work is taking place? How do we participate in it?

Do you know how the Prophet Joseph helped fulfill the Lord’s great and marvelous work? One thing that might help you and your family members to better understand this might be to get out a picture of the Prophet Josepoh Smith and then ask your family members and friends to read together 3 Nephi 21:9–11

As you are reading through these passages you should be looking for any words and phrases that might remind you and/or them of the life and ministry of Joseph Smith. Like how did the Lords “give unto him power that he shall bring the [gospel] forth unto the Gentiles:? 

Read verse 11. Why is it so important to know that Joseph Smith’s ministry was foretold by the Savior as we see in  2 Nephi 3. You could also see yourself as well as your family members and friends in the great work which was foretold in these chapters by reading 3 Nephi 20:25–27 this passage together with them. 

You may not realize it but we become the seed of Abraham when we make covenants with the Lord through our baptism and becoming a member of His church here on earth.  How can we as the descendants of Abraham bless “all the kindreds of the earth”? (verse 25).  You and your family members and friends can ponder on this question as you as you read President Russell M. Nelson’s statement below: 

You can be part of something grand.

President Russell M. Nelson declared:

“These surely are the latter days, and the Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it. You can be a big part of something big, something grand, something majestic!

“When we speak of gathering, we are simply saying this fundamental truth: every one of our Heavenly Father’s children, on both sides of the veil, deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. …

“… Think of it! Of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, we are the ones who get to participate in this final, great gathering event. How exciting is that! …

“This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth” (“Hope of Israel” [worldwide devotional for youth, June 3, 2018], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Are you ready to get started with the following ideas for individual scripture study? The rest of my writing I suppose is to help you in teaching the lesson to your family members and friends. The following comes to you directly from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

Ideas for Individual Scripture Study

3 Nephi 20–22

In the latter days, God will perform a great and marvelous work.

The Savior gave the multitude some remarkable promises and prophesied about the future of His covenant people—and that includes you. As President Russell M. Nelson said: “We are among the covenant people of the Lord. Ours is the privilege to participate personally in the fulfillment of these promises. What an exciting time to live!” (“The Gathering of Scattered Israel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 79).

Look for prophecies about the last days in the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi 20–22. Which of these prophecies are especially exciting to you? What can you do to help fulfill the prophecies in these chapters?

Note that 3 Nephi 21:1–7 indicates that the coming forth of the Book of Mormon (“these things” in verses 2 and 3) is a sign that God’s promises have already begun to be fulfilled. What are those promises, and how does the Book of Mormon help fulfill them?

See also Russell M. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” (worldwide devotional for youth, June 3, 2018), broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

3 Nephi 23; 26:1–12

The Savior wants us to search the scriptures.

What do the Savior’s interactions with the Nephites reveal about the way He feels about the scriptures? One way to answer this question and to help you and your family members and friends find out might be to divide them into two groups. After you have divided them you can ask one group to read 3 Nephi 23 together. 

Then have your second group read through 3 Nephi 26:1–12 together. When both groups are finished you can ask them to share with one another just what they found as they read through their passage or chapter. Another thing you could have them do is to have them also share any ideas they might have.

These ideas are as to how to show the Lord that the scriptures are important to you and your family members and friends. Here is a sample question followed by a verse of scripture to find the answer:  what is the difference between searching the scriptures and simply reading them? 3 Nephi 23:1.

1 And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.

I believe these are good words for you and your family members and friends -- that we ?ought to search these things” and then the commandment follows : “that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.’The following comes to you directly from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

3 Nephi 20:10–12; 23; 26:1–12

The Savior wants me to search the words of the prophets.

Jesus’s words and actions throughout these chapters reveal how He feels about the scriptures. What do you learn about the scriptures in 3 Nephi 20:10–12; 23; and 26:1–12? What do you find in these verses that inspires you to “search these things diligently”? (3 Nephi 23:1).

3 Nephi 24:1–6

The Lord is like a refiner’s fire.

You know sometimes an object seen has more power than the words we speak and when you put the two together they are even more powerful. In this section showing something like a silver coin or maybe a bar of soap as you are having your discussion of 3 Nephi 24:1–6 may be very beneficial.

Reading these verses together to find out just how the silver coin and the bar of soap are related to the Savior and His mission.You could also share with the class the explanation of silver refining and fuller’s soap here below Or you could show the video “The Refiner’s Fire” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). 

Refining and purifying.

Silver is found mixed with other minerals in deposits of ore. Anciently, a refiner of silver would extract the silver by placing the ore in a furnace heated to extreme temperatures. This would cause dross (impurities or unwanted minerals) to emerge on the surface of the molten ore. The refiner would scrape the dross away, leaving pure silver, which could be identified by its distinctive glow.

A fuller was someone who cleansed and whitened cloth. The cloth would be immersed in water mixed with “fuller’s soap,” which was designed to remove oil and dirt. While the cloth was soaking, the fuller would beat or stamp it to remove impurities. (See “Refiner’s Fire and Fuller’s Soap,” New Era, June 2016, 6–7.)

Let’s look in verse 2 to find out how the Lord is “like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap”? What do these examples teach us about how the Savior purifies each one of us?  Remember that your Heavenly Father is merciful! He loves all of His children and that includes each one of you and me too!!!

3 Nephi 24:7–18

God is merciful to those who return to Him.

In this next section you may want to share with your family members and friends that the teachings here about tithing in 3 Nephi 24:8–12 are in response to this question which we find in verse 7: “Wherein shall we return [to the Lord]?”

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye say: Wherein shall we return?

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 

9 Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts.

12 And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Here are a few more questions about tithing: What is the relationship between returning unto the Lord and paying tithing? You and your family members and friends should now search through verses 10–12. You will be searching for the blessings you have received, which are found in these verses.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts.

12 And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts.

After you have finished your search in these verses for the blessings which you have received the blessings which are listed in these versus as you have paid tithing. And another question: How could these truths be helpful to someone who is struggling to pay tithing?

Sometimes people think that life is easier when you do not keep the commandments. What would you and your family members and friends say to someone who tells you that they feel life is easier for people who do not keep the commandments. What attitude described in 3 Nephi 24:13–15 is often found in today’s world?  

13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say: What have we spoken against thee?

14 Ye have said: It is vain to serve God, and what doth it profit that we have kept his ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts?

15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

According to 3 Nephi 24, how does the Lord bless those who serve Him? You might also encourage them to find examples in 3 Nephi 22.you might also search through the following scriptures Mosiah 2:41; Alma 41:10.The following comes to you directly from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

Ideas for Individual Scripture Study

3 Nephi 22; 24

God is merciful to those who return to Him.

In 3 Nephi 22 and 24, the Savior quotes words from Isaiah and Malachi that are full of vivid images and comparisons—colorful foundation stones, coals in the fire, purified silver, the windows of heaven. It might be interesting to make a list of them. What does each one teach you about God’s relationship with His people? For example, 3 Nephi 22:4–8 compares God to a husband and His people to a wife. Reading about these images might prompt you to think about your own relationship with the Lord. How have the promises in these chapters been fulfilled in your life? (see especially 3 Nephi 22:7–8, 10–17; 24:10–12, 17–18).

3 Nephi 25:5–6

Our hearts should turn to our ancestors.

In this section we will be learning about turning our hearts to our ancestors. To help your family members and friends better understand this concept you might want to ask your family study group to come to the front of the room and turn away from the rest of the group. 

While this family member or friend is turned away from the group, have them describe you and your family members and friends from memory. Things like what each person is wearing, where they are sitting, who is next to you.  Then he or she could turn back to the group and try again,

Here is yet another question for you to ask your family members and friends; What can this example teach us about turning our hearts to our ancestors through temple and family history work? It would be good for you to do some indexing with your family members and friends.

After reading 3 Nephi 25:5–6, perhaps you and your family members and friends could share how their hearts have turned to their ancestors. You can ask your ward’s temple and family history consultant to come and introduce your family members and friends  to some of the tools you can use in family history. 

It's time for your last question for you -- the last one for this section: How does this work relate to the gathering of Israel described by President Russell M. Nelson in the following statement?

You can be part of something grand.

President Russell M. Nelson declared:

“These surely are the latter days, and the Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it. You can be a big part of something big, something grand, something majestic!

“When we speak of gathering, we are simply saying this fundamental truth: every one of our Heavenly Father’s children, on both sides of the veil, deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. …

“… Think of it! Of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, we are the ones who get to participate in this final, great gathering event. How exciting is that! …

“This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth” (“Hope of Israel” [worldwide devotional for youth, June 3, 2018], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

I love doing family history work, even though I am stumped right now I can still help others by participating in the other activities on the familysearch.org web site. The following comes to you directly from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

Ideas for Individual Scripture Study

3 Nephi 25:5–6

My heart should turn to my ancestors.

The promised return of Elijah has been eagerly anticipated by Jews around the world for centuries. Latter-day Saints know that Elijah has returned, appearing to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple in 1836 (see Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16). The work of turning hearts to the fathers—temple and family history work—is well underway. What experiences have you had that helped turn your heart to your ancestors?

In the following chapters 3 Nephi 27–4 Nephi we read about the “[happiest] people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God” (4 Nephi 1:16). reading these chapters could help you and your family members and friends to learn how to find happiness for ourselves and our families.

it's time to work on planning a family home evening lesson or scripture study for you and your family members and friends. The following comes to you directly from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening

As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family. Here are some ideas.

3 Nephi 22:2

After reading this verse, maybe you could make a homemade tent and talk about how the Church is like a tent in a wilderness. What might it mean to “lengthen [its] cords” and “strengthen [its] stakes”? How do we invite others to find “shelter” in the Church? (see the video “Welcome” on ComeuntoChrist.org).

3 Nephi 23:6–13

If the Savior were to examine the records our family has kept, what questions might He ask us? Are there any important events or spiritual experiences that we should record? Now might be a good time to create or add to a family record and counsel together about what to include. Younger family members might enjoy decorating your record with photographs or drawings. Why is it important to record our family’s spiritual experiences?

3 Nephi 24:7–18

How have we experienced the blessings of paying tithing promised in these verses? Elder David A. Bednar’s message “The Windows of Heaven” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 17–20) could help family members recognize these blessings.

3 Nephi 25:5–6

How will you help your family members turn their hearts to their fathers? Maybe you could assign family members to learn about one of your ancestors and share with the rest of the family what they learn (see FamilySearch.org). Or you could work together to find an ancestor who needs temple ordinances and plan a temple trip to perform those ordinances.

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “Families Can Be Together Forever,” Children’s Songbook, 188.

These two 'Improve our Teaching' ideas come from the manual ‘Teaching in the Savior’s Way’ and we often find them at the bottom of the page at the end of our lesson. I hope they are helpful for each of you. The following comes to you directly from our Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:

Improving Our Teaching

Teach people, not lessons. “The way you treat people is just as important as what you teach them. Sometimes our preoccupation with presenting a lesson can prevent us from expressing our love for those we teach. If this happens to you, consider how you could focus on what matters most” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 6).

Improving Our Teaching

Live your testimony. “You teach what you are,” Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught. “Your traits will be more remembered … than a particular truth in a particular lesson” (“But a Few Days” [address to Church Educational System religious educators, Sept. 10, 1982], 2). If you want to teach a gospel principle, do your best to live that principle.

Well folks, I find that we are at the end of our lesson. I hope and pray that I have shared something that has uplifted you. Something that you didn't know before. Something that has motivated you to share what you are learning with your family members and friends. 

Please continue to remind yourself and your family members and friends that they are each one a child of God. you are each one so special and so important to your Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. They want each one of us to return to our Heavenly home and They will help us every step of the way.

We must reach out for our Savior's hand. He is ever reaching down to lift us up to safe ground. If we will put our trust in Him and change our lives for the better. He wants to help us --- each one of you and all of our cyber study buddies out there in cyberspace:)

Continue to say your prayers at least morning and night.

Please continue to study the Book of Mormon along with me and our cyber study buddies out there in cyberspace:) You will never be sorry for reading and studying the Book of Mormon. Until my next post, I challenge you to find 2 of your ancestors and if you have not begun your family history, now is a good time to get started:)