3 Nephi 1-3

3 Nephi 1-3 Study Guide: To be discussed October 16
Day 1: Read 3 Nephi 1:1-9, with headnote; Alma 45:18-19; D&C 63:7-10
1. Who wrote the book of Third Nephi? Who was his grandfather? His grandfather’s grandfather?



BONUS: According to Alma 45:18-19, how was Nephi’s departure similar to that of his great-grandfather?



2. How do you think the unbelievers could disregard the “greater signs and greater miracles” (v.4)? Read D&C 63:7-10. Which comes first, signs or faith?



3. Why were the believers sorrowful? Did they lack faith?



Day 2: Read 3 Nephi 1:10-19; Zechariah 14:6-9; 1 Nephi 1:5-12; Mosiah 26:12-17
4. Why was Nephi so sorrowful? List specific words and phrases from 3 Nephi 1:10-12 describing the intensity of Nephi’s prayer.



5. What answers did Nephi receive after his heart-felt prayer?



BONUS: Compare Nephi’s prayer and answer with Lehi’s prayer in 1 Nephi 1:5-12 and Alma’s prayer in Mosiah 26:12-17. How were these prayers similar?



6. In what year did the signs take place? Read Zechariah 14:6-9. When will a similar sign again occur?



Day 3: Read 3 Nephi 1:20-30; Review Helaman 14:3; Matt. 2:2; Moses 5:12-13
7. Why was a new star in the heavens a good way to signal the birth of the Savior?



8. Read Moses 5:12-13. Why did Satan ramp up the lies at this point in history? Was he successful? Why or why not?



9. Do you think the Gadianton robbers saw and understood the signs of Christ’s birth? What caused some of the youth of the church to be led away?



Day 4: Read 3 Nephi 2:1-9
10. How long did it take before the people began to “forget” the signs and wonders?


11. Why did the people begin to be “hard in their hearts and blind in their minds”?



12. What new system of recording years was initiated in the 100th year of the reign of the judges?



Day 5: Read 3 Nephi 2:10-19; 2 Nephi 5:20-24
13. What united the Nephites and Lamanites?



14. Read 3 Nephi 2:14-16 with 2 Nephi 5:20-24. What curse was removed from the righteous Lamanites?



15. According to 3 Nephi 2:18-19, why were the Nephites so sorely afflicted?



Day 6: Read 3 Nephi 3:1-10
16. What does Giddianhi’s letter tell you about his personality?



17. List the terms of Giddianhi’s truce.



18. Do you think Giddianhi would have honored his promises had the Nephites surrendered? Why or why not?



Day 7: Read 3 Nephi 3:11-26; D&C 98:33
19. From 3 Nephi 3:11-17, what can you tell about the character of Lachoneus? Can you apply his reaction to sin to how we can prepare ourselves against the adversary today?




20. What eternal principle did Gidgiddoni teach the people regarding defensive and offensive warfare? (See also D&C 98:33.)



21. From 3 Nephi 3:25, list three ways Lachoneus’ people “did fortify themselves against their enemies.”