Kahivhen Q.

Casinillo Book of Mormon, Religion 122

Independent Study

Lesson 6
3 Nephi 1- 11

Complete assignments 2, 3, and one of the remaining assignments:

2. 3 Nephi 3–4. Gaining the Victory

Read 3 Nephi 3:12–26; 4:8–18; and the student manual commentaries “3 Nephi 3–4: Physical and Spiritual
Preparation” and “3 Nephi 4:10: Faith in God Overcomes Fear” (page 290). List five actions the Nephites took that led
to victory over the Gadianton robbers. Explain in writing how we can apply these actions to our lives today.

1. The Nephites cry and pray to the Lord for strength and protection against their enemies.
2. They build fortifications in the city to increase strength. They also sent guards round about to guard against
robbers night and day.
3. They cry and repent from their iniquities.
4. They have appoint chief captains or leaders who have spirit of prophecy and revelation.
5. They made preparations for war by making weapons, armor, shields and bucklers and they did gather together
their families and animals in one land.

In our lives, we can also prepare physically and spiritually against the troubles and challenges of our day, like the
Nephite’s preparations of impending war. We can apply this by always staying in holy ground either our homes,
church, temple or families. We fortify our own homes with the application of gospel habits like family prayer, family
scripture study, weekly partaking of the sacrament and active participation and magnifying of church callings and
assignments. We seek to help and assist those who needs us and remember our duties to others. We spend time
serving others and finding opportunities to help not only temporal but also spiritual welfare by doing missionary
work and visiting the less-active members of our wards. When we are preoccupied in seeking for the good to others,
we protect ourselves from the fiery darts of the adversary that will mislead us and deceive our true purpose here in
mortality.

3. 3 Nephi 8–10. Destruction

a. The people who survived the disasters described in 3 Nephi 8 heard the voice of Jesus Christ in the darkness. His
words are recorded in 3 Nephi 9–10. As you read 3 Nephi 9, write down the reasons the Lord gave for the various cities
being destroyed.

The Lord destroyed the cities of the Nephites because of their wickedness, iniquity and abominations. Also that
the blood of the prophets and saints will not come up anymore to Him against them. Their secret murders and
combinations that destroyed the peace of the Nephites were also the reason why the Lord destroyed them.

b. Outline what the Savior said those who were spared needed to do.
Those who were spared were commanded by the Savior to repent with a broken heart and contrite spirit, return
to Him and be converted.

c. Read the student manual commentary “3 Nephi 9:19–20: A Change in the Commandment to Sacrifice” (pages 296–
97). Write a paragraph about what is meant by “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” Identify in writing several ways
Elder D. Todd Christofferson said we may offer gifts to the Lord today.
 We offer gifts to the Lord today as we become converted and have a mighty change of heart. When we exercise
faith unto repentance, we strive to be obedient and change our wrong ways. Then we offer to Him a sacrifice, not with
shedding of animal sacrifice but instead our own sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit. Meaning we are being
submissive and repentant, becoming what God wants us to be and do.

d. Read 3 Nephi 10:1–8 and the student manual commentary “3 Nephi 10:5–6: ‘As a Hen Gathereth Her Chickens’”
(pages 297–98). Pay particular attention to the verb tenses. Write a short paragraph about what we can learn about
the Savior from His references to the past, present, and future.

We learn from the Savior His constant guidance throughout all generations from the past, present and future.
He gathers us like a Hen gathering her chickens. The Savior is always mindful of us and fulfill his purposes for us to attain
Eternal Life. In the meridian of time, just like the hen, He sacrificed himself just to save us and make it possible for us to
attain an inheritance back to Heavenly Father’s presence.

e. Read 3 Nephi 6:20, 23; 7:14, 23–26; 10:12–13. Read also the student manual commentary “3 Nephi 10:12: ‘They
Who Received the Prophets’” (page 298). Respond in writing to the following questions: • In general, who was spared
the destructions detailed in 3 Nephi 8? • How does our righteousness depend upon accepting the Lord’s prophets? •
What actions demonstrate acceptance of the Lord’s prophets today?

Those who were spared from the destruction were those people who received the prophets. They
listened and followed the prophets. Unlike those that were destroyed because they denied, stoned, cast them out and
killed them. Our righteousness greatly depends upon following the Lord’s prophets because every word of his servant
comes direcly from Him. If we listen to his servants, our safety, peace and happiness will reflect our righteous doings.
When we attend our weekly sacrament and listen and sustain our ward leaders, we are demonstrating acceptance. Also,
when we are eager to listen to general conferences and read the talks of our modern prophets, we are guided and
protected. Daily scripture study and prayer demonstrate our faithfulness in following our Lord’s prophets.

1. 3 Nephi 1–7. Are We Growing or Declining in Our Conversion?

a. Read the institute student manual commentary “3 Nephi 7:21–26: Full Conversion” (pages 293–94). Write a simple
definition for conversion. According to Elder Richard G. Scott, what is needed for conversion to deepen and increase?

Conversion is not simply accepting and believing the Savior, but doing His will and striving to be like Him. In
order for conversion to deepen and increase, one must go through trials and temptations and conquer it. It is the
consistent habits to choose the right in spite of difficulty and hardship. When one is converted, the spirit of God is their
constant companionship and miracles were performed because they were worthy to receive such.

b. As you study 3 Nephi 1–7, in the appropriate column list teachings, events, principles, and doctrines that you
discover. Write a paragraph summary from your list highlighting what beliefs and actions lead to conversion and a
separate paragraph highlighting what beliefs and actions destroy individual testimony and conversion. Attitudes,
Beliefs, and Actions That Lead to Individual Testimony and Conversion Attitudes, Beliefs, and Actions That Destroy
Individual Testimony and Conversion

Attitudes, Beliefs, and Actions That Lead to Individual Testimony and Conversion
1. Believing and following the prophets.
2. Humbly listens and prays for the Lord’s guidance.
3. Repenting, acknowledging their faults and confessing their sins.
4. Uniting and protecting each other.
5. Maintaining their rights, privileges, religion, freedom and liberty.
6. Seeking and depending upon the Lord for strength and wisdom.
7. Preparing for trials by fortifying and making armors physically and spiritually.
8. Firm, Immovable, diligent and steadfast in obeying the commandments of God.
9. Exercising humility and keeping covenants with God.
10. Preaching, testifying and teaching boldly of Christ’s life and Atonement.
11. Converting to the Gospel and inviting the Holy Spirit to perform miracles in their lives.
12. Inviting others to come unto Christ by remission and baptism.

Attitudes, Beliefs, and Actions That Destroy Individual Testimony and Conversion

1. Disbelieving and not following the prophets.

2. Hardening their hearts, lying and deceiving others.
3. Committing plunder and murders.
4. Forgetting and disbelieving the prophet’s words.
5. Continue in their wickedness and not repenting.
6. Spreading contentions and dissensions.
7. Denying the existence of a supreme Creator and seeks after his own will and strength.
8. Lifting their hearts in pride, boasting and persecuting others because of their riches.
9. Doing all manner of iniquity and wickedness, setting their hearts upon the vain things of the world.
10. They sin willfully and rebel against God.
11. Doing secret combinations and secret pledges and acts contrary to God’s law.
12. Yielding their hearts to the power of Satan.