Christmas Break

For a scripture-based Christmas Quiz and some great Book of Mormon research, check out the website linked to the right, Book of Mormon Research. Search for Christmas Quiz or click here.

3 Nephi 21-23

3 Nephi 21-23 Study Guide: To be discussed January 8
Day 1: Read 3 Nephi 21:1-10; Isaiah 66:18-20
1. Read the chapter heading for 3 Nephi 21. Which verses in 3 Nephi 21:1-9 include the theme: “Israel shall be gathered when the Book of Mormon comes forth”? What is the “sign” mentioned in verses 1 and 7?



2. Read Isaiah 66:18-20. What “sign” of the last days is described by Isaiah?



3. According to the Savior, who will work a great and marvelous work in the latter days? What is that work?



BONUS: Read D&C 135:3. Who is the “servant” described in 3 Nephi 21:10? In what sense was he “marred” but not hurt?


Day 2: Read 3 Nephi 21:11-21; Bible Dictionary entry, “Grove”
4. List warnings to those who reject the Book of Mormon. Now list ways it is rejected.



5. Horses and chariots symbolize power, or military victory. Cities and strongholds symbolize safety. How do the warnings in 3 Nephi 21:14-19 illustrate the phrase “my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil”?



6. Look up “Grove” in the Bible Dictionary. What were “groves” and why would the Lord want to pluck them up?



Day 3: Read 3 Nephi 21:22-29; Isaiah 52:11-12
7. What does the Lord promise those who “repent and hearken” to his words?



8. What three groups of people will participate in building the New Jerusalem?



9. 3 Nephi 21 is a commentary on Isaiah 52. What do 3 Nephi 21:22-28 add to your understanding of Isaiah 52:11-12?



Day 4: Read 3 Nephi 22:1-8; Isaiah 54:1-8 with footnotes; Joel 2:26-27; Revelation 19:7-8
10. 3 Nephi 22 is a continuation of the Lord’s sermon, in which he quotes much of Isaiah 54. When is the “then” of 3 Nephi 22:1, when the once-barren Zion will sing and rejoice in her posterity?



11. List promises to Israel at that day. See also Joel 2:26-27, Revelation 19:7-8.
12. What is the great mercy and everlasting kindness of the Lord? (See also Genesis 49:26.)



Day 5: Read 3 Nephi 22:9-17; Isaiah 54:9-17 with footnotes; 2 Kings 56:15-16; 1 John 4:4; D&C 109:26
13. What visual context (object lesson?) did the Nephites have for the Lord’s promise in 3 Nephi 22:10? When nothing else is certain, on what may we depend?



BONUS: The phrase, “with fair colors” in 3 Nephi 22:11 is sometimes rendered “in hard mortar.” Read this verse with Revelation 21:19-22. What impresses you about this description of Zion?


14. According to 3 Nephi 22:14, what establishes our safety within Zion’s walls?



15. What is the heritage of the servants of the Lord? See also 2 Kings 6:15-16, 1 John 4:4, D&C 109:26.



Day 6: Read 3 Nephi 23:1-6; review 3 Nephi 20:10-15
16. According to 3 Nephi 23:2, how many subjects relating to the House of Israel did Isaiah teach about? To what other group did he speak?



17. What do you think Jesus meant when he commanded the people to “search the prophets”?



18. List similarities between 3 Nephi 23:1-5 and 3 Nephi 20:10-15 (the first and last passages in the Lord’s discourse).



Day 7: Read 3 Nephi 23:7-14
19. What fulfillment of Samuel’s prophecy had not been recorded? Why was it important to do so?



20. It is recorded that Jesus “expounded all the scriptures” to the people (vv. 6, 14). What do you think this means?



21. What was the Savior’s final commandment in 3 Nephi 23?



BONUS: Why should we study the words of Isaiah?

Promised Quote

Here is the quote we discussed in class:
Which covenants do you renew when you partake of the Sacrament?
According to our latter-day prophets and leaders, when you partake of the sacrament you renew
whatever covenants you have made with the Lord. For example, if you have been baptized only, that is
the covenant you renew. If you have received the Melchizedek Priesthood, you also renew that part of
the oath and covenant related to your having received that priesthood. If you have received your
endowment, you also renew the covenants associated with it. Further, if you have been sealed, you also
renew that covenant. In other words, when you partake of the sacrament, you renew all the covenants
you have made with the Lord. John E. MacKay, Ensign, Mar 1995, 66

3 Nephi 19-20

3 Nephi 19-20 Study Guide – to be discussed December 11
Day 1: Read 3 Nephi 19:1-12
1. Why do you think the multitude that had seen Jesus spent the night inviting others to come?


2. List the commandments given by the Savior the previous day which were specifically carried out by the twelve, as described in 3 Nephi 19:6-12.



3. What did the twelve most desire?


Day 2: Read 3 Nephi 19:13-26; Bible Dictionary entry, “Fire”
4. After the twelve were baptized, how was their greatest desire realized?



BONUS: Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Fire.” List what the fire that filled and surrounded the twelve may have symbolized.



5. Why do you think Jesus asked the people to kneel and pray? To whom did they pray?



6. List elements of the Lord’s prayer to the Father.



Day 3: Read 3 Nephi 19:27-36
7. How many times did Jesus use the word “purified” in his prayer? How can we become purified?



8. How did the multitude understand the words of Jesus’ prayer?


BONUS: Read John 17:5-10. Compare the Great Intercessory Prayer in John’s gospel with Christ’s prayer for the remnant of Joseph in 3 Nephi. How are they the same? How are they different?



9. What principle of the gospel allowed the people on this continent to witness tremendous miracles?



Day 4: Read 3 Nephi 20:1-9; John 6:30-35, 53-57
10. How can we “cease to pray,” but “not cease to pray” in our hearts in preparation for taking the sacrament?


11. Review 3 Nephi 18:1-4. On the second day of Christ’s visit, he did not ask the people to wait while bread and wine were procured, but produced the sacramental emblems miraculously. How had the people been prepared this time? Were there more people or fewer to provide for?



12. Read John 6:30-35, 53-57. Why will the soul that partakes of Christ’s body and blood never hunger or thirst? With what were the people filled?



Day 5: Read 3 Nephi 20:10-22
13. Whose prophecies did Jesus quote in his “sacrament meeting” talk?


14. Why will the Lord gather his people?



15. List promised blessings from 3 Nephi 20:14-22.




Day 6. Read 3 Nephi 20:23-35
16. What part of God’s covenant with Abraham was fulfilled when Christ taught of the Holy Ghost and purified the people?



17. In 3 Nephi 20:32-34, each verse begins with “Then….” From 3 Nephi 20:29-30, when is “then”?



18. Why will waste places sing? Why would the Father “make bare his holy arm”?



Day 7: Read 3 Nephi 20:36-46; D&C 113:8-10; D&C 84:88; D&C 88:74-75 Ezekiel 36:25; Isaiah 52:1-12, using footnotes
19. Read D&C 113:8-10. What is the strength of Zion? What are the bands around her neck and how are they loosed?



20. Whose feet bring good tidings and publish peace? Read D&C 84:88 and 88:74-75. What makes these feet beautiful?




21. Using the JST footnote for Isaiah 52:15a and Ezekiel 36:25, give two possible meanings for the word “sprinkle” in 3 Nephi 20:45.