3 Nephi 24-27

3 Nephi 24-27 Study Guide – to be discussed January 15
Day 1: Read 3 Nephi 24:1-6; Bible Dictionary entry “Malachi,” D&C 128:24, D&C 84:31-34
1. From the Bible Dictionary, what does the name “Malachi” mean? When was the prophecy recorded by Malachi received? List some themes from the second part of Malachi’s prophecy, as identified in the Bible Dictionary. Why didn’t the Nephites have these scriptures?



2. What was the significance to the people gathered at Bountiful regarding Malachi’s prophecy that the Lord – the “messenger of the covenant” (v.1) – would suddenly come to his temple? What is the significance to us today?



3. Using D&C 128:24 and D&C 84:31-34, and remembering both Moses and Aaron were descended from Levi (the tribe from which all priests came anciently), who are the “sons of Levi” and what might their “offering in righteousness” be?



Day 2: Read 3 Nephi 24:7-18; D&C 64:23; D&C 85:9-11
4. How has Israel robbed God? List promised blessings to all who pay tithes and offerings. (See also D&C 64:23.)



5. Rephrase the complaint of the wicked in 3 Nephi 24:14-15. How did the Lord answer?



6. Whose names will be written in the “book of remembrance” mentioned in 3 Nephi 24:16? (See also D&C 85:9-11.)



Day 3: Read 3 Nephi 25; D&C 110:13-16
7. What do you think it means to be left with neither root nor branch?



8. In what way(s) might the Savior be thought of as having “healing in his wings”? Who will benefit from this healing?



9. Read D&C 110:13-16. How has Malachi’s prophecy been fulfilled in this dispensation?



Day 4: Read 3 Nephi 26:1-11; Daniel 12:1-3
10. Why was Jesus instructed to give Malachi’s prophecies to the Nephites? How much of the earth’s history did he expound (or explain)?



11. Using Daniel 12:2, what is another term for the “resurrection of damnation”?

12. Why was this “lesser part” included in Mormon’s abridgement?



Day 5: Read 3 Nephi 26:12-21; D&C 128:17-18
13. List what the Lord did for the people, as recorded in 3 Nephi 26:13-14.



14. Why do you think the Savior opened the mouths of babies as part of his mission? Read D&C 128:17-18. In the last part of verse 18, the Lord declared through Joseph Smith that babes and sucklings would again reveal glorious things in this dispensation. How are these miraculous events related to Malachi’s message?



15. List steps the people took to become more perfect, as recorded in 3 Nephi 26:17-21.



BONUS: If you could be present on only one of the three days of Christ’s visit to the people at Bountiful, which day would you choose and why?


Day 6: Read 3 Nephi 27:1-16; Acts 10:34-43
16. List the things the disciples were doing when Jesus “again showed himself unto them.”



17. Why do you think there were “disputations” among the people concerning the name of the church?



18. What elements of the gospel are outlined in 3 Nephi 27:13-16?



BONUS: Read Acts 10:34-43. Compare your answer in question 18 above with the elements of the gospel taught by Peter in the Old World at around the same time.


Day 7: Read 3 Nephi 27:17-33
19. Compare 3 Nephi 27:11 with 3 Nephi 27:17. What common warning was given to those who build on the works of men and those who do not endure to the end?



20. How can we become sanctified?



21. Why did the Lord rejoice over the generation of saints he visited at Bountiful? How would his visit to their descendants in the fourth generation differ from the visit recorded here?