As we let the Spirit guide our study of 3 Nephi 20–26. He will help us identify principles that could be particularly meaningful to each of us, our families, and people we may have the opportunity to teach.
History and Background
During the second day of His three-day ministry, the Savior endorsed and expounded on the prophecies of Isaiah and Malachi. He observed the extent of Isaiah’s prophecies as touching on “all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel” 3 Nephi 23:2. Jesus Christ personally examined the scriptural record for accuracy and caused that the fulfillment of Samuel’s prophesy of the Resurrection and the words of Malachi be included 3 Nephi 24:1; 26:1–2. Malachi’s words declare the blessings associated with the law of tithing and the role the prophet Elijah would have during the last days in preparation for the Second Coming.
The Lord commanded each of us to search the scriptures and the prophets 3 Nephi 23:5. The Savior declared it is wisdom that “these scriptures … should be given unto future generations” 3 Nephi 26:2. Every Latter-day Saint has a duty to diligently search the scriptures. Consider what it means to diligently search the scriptures and the prophets rather than merely reading them.
3 Nephi 20 On the second day of His ministry among the Nephites, Jesus Christ again administered the sacrament to the people. He testified that the covenants and promises of the Father would be fulfilled in the last days. Israel would be gathered, and all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
3 Nephi 21–22 As Jesus Christ continued to teach the Nephites, He explained that the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in the last days would be a sign that He had started gathering Israel and fulfilling His covenant with His people. Emphasizing His great love for His covenant people, the Savior quoted Isaiah’s prophecies about the restoration of the covenant people.
3 Nephi 23 After quoting the words of Isaiah, Jesus Christ commanded the Nephites to search this prophet’s words. He said that Isaiah’s words are a blessing because Isaiah “spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel”. He also said that all of Isaiah’s words had been or would be fulfilled. The Savior then commanded the Nephites to search the words of all the prophets and instructed them to add material to their records.
3 Nephi 24–26 Jesus Christ fulfilled a commandment from Heavenly Father to share with the Nephites some prophecies from the prophet Malachi. These prophecies taught that members of the house of Israel needed to repent and return to the Lord in preparation for the Savior’s Second Coming. Jesus Christ also expounded unto the Nephites “all things, even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory”. Mormon taught that those who believe the Book of Mormon will have even greater things manifested unto them.
Part One: 3 Nephi 20:25–41, 21:9–11, 22–29 In the latter days, God will perform a great and marvelous work.
The Savior spoke of “a great and a marvelous work” 3 Nephi 21:9 that His Father would do in the last days. He called the Restoration of the latter days “a great and marvelous work”. In the early days of the Restoration, the Savior said “a marvelous work is about to come forth” D&C 4:1.
President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of the miracle of the Restoration and of our responsibility to help move the work forward: “This glorious gospel was ushered in with the appearance of the Father and the Son to the boy Joseph. The dawn of the dispensation of the fulness of times rose upon the world. All of the good, the beautiful, the divine of all previous dispensations was restored in this most remarkable season. …“Do we really comprehend, do we understand the tremendous significance of that which we have? …“We of this generation are the end harvest of all that has gone before. It is not enough to simply be known as a member of this Church. A solemn obligation rests upon us. Let us face it and work at it. “We must live as true followers of the Christ, with charity toward all, returning good for evil, teaching by example the ways of the Lord, and accomplishing the vast service He has outlined for us” (Conference Report, Apr. 2004, 84–85; or Ensign, May 2004, 83–84).
The gathering of Israel primarily consists of the scattered remnants of the house of Israel coming to believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as the Savior of the world by being baptized and becoming members of His Church. For some of the house of Israel it also includes gathering to a particular land of inheritance.
What do we learn about that work as we study these passages from the listed chapters?
25 And behold, ye are the children of the prophets; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
26 The Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant—
27 And after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed—unto the pouring out of the Holy Ghost through me upon the Gentiles, which blessing upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty above all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel.
28 And they shall be a scourge unto the people of this land. Nevertheless, when they shall have received the fulness of my gospel, then if they shall harden their hearts against me I will return their iniquities upon their own heads, saith the Father.
29 And I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people; and I have covenanted with them that I would gather them together in mine own due time, that I would give unto them again the land of their fathers for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land unto them forever, saith the Father.
30 And it shall come to pass that the time cometh, when the fulness of my gospel shall be preached unto them;
31 And they shall believe in me, that I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and shall pray unto the Father in my name.
32 Then shall their watchmen lift up their voice, and with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye.
33 Then will the Father gather them together again, and give unto them Jerusalem for the land of their inheritance.
34 Then shall they break forth into joy—Sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Father hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
35 The Father hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of the Father; and the Father and I are one.
36 And then shall be brought to pass that which is written: Awake, awake again, and put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city, for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
37 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
38 For thus saith the Lord: Ye have sold yourselves for naught, and ye shall be redeemed without money.
39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that my people shall know my name; yea, in that day they shall know that I am he that doth speak.
40 And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!
41 And then shall a cry go forth: Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch not that which is unclean; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
9 For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them.
10 But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.
11 Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant.
22 But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance;
23 And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.
24 And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem.
25 And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.
26 And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem.
27 Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name.
28 Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance.
29 And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward.
What did the Savior say would happen in a future day? 3 Nephi 20:30–32, 39–41; 21:22–29 (Click the link to read)
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?
The Prophet Joseph Smith helped fulfill the Lord’s great and marvelous work.
How did the Lord “give unto him power that he shall bring [the gospel] forth unto the Gentiles”? 3 Nephi 21: 11 (click the link to read)
11 Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant.
Why is it important to know that Joseph Smith’s ministry was foretold by the Savior? 2 Nephi 3. (click the link to read)
How do you see yourself in the great work foretold in these chapters? 3 Nephi 20:25–27 (click the link to read or see above passage)
When we make covenants with the Lord, we become the seed of Abraham. The phrase “seed of Abraham” can refer to people who are literal descendants of Abraham. It can also refer to people who, by accepting and obeying the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ, receive the fulness of the gospel, the blessings of the priesthood, and the same promises and covenants that God made with Abraham. Therefore as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are of the seed of Abraham and with that comes great responsibility, particularly in the gathering of Israel
How can we as the descendants of Abraham, (that includes us), bless “all the kindreds of the earth”?
President Russel M Nelson taught: “Ours is the responsibility to help fulfill the Abrahamic covenant. Ours is the seed foreordained and prepared to bless all people of the world [see Alma 13:1–9]. That is why priesthood duty includes missionary work. After some 4,000 years of anticipation and preparation, this is the appointed day when the gospel is to be taken to the kindreds of the earth. This is the time of the promised gathering of Israel. And we get to participate!” (Russell M. Nelson, “Covenants,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 88).
He further taught:
“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).
The importance of fulfilling our responsibility to help gather Israel is paramount to the commandments and plan of the Father.
What can we do individually and as a family to improve in our responsibilities and understand the Great and Marvelous Work?
Part Two: 3 Nephi 23, 26:1–12 The Savior wants us to search the scriptures.
During the second day of His three-day ministry, the Savior endorsed and expounded on the prophecies of Isaiah and Malachi. He observed the extent of Isaiah’s prophecies as touching on “all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel” Jesus Christ personally examined the scriptural record for accuracy and caused that the fulfillment of Samuel’s prophesy of the Resurrection and the words of Malachi be included. Malachi’s words declare the blessings associated with the law of tithing and the role the prophet Elijah would have during the last days in preparation for the Second Coming.
The Lord commanded each of us to search the scriptures and the prophets. The Savior declared it is wisdom that “these scriptures … should be given unto future generations” Every Latter-day Saint has a duty to diligently search the scriptures. Consider what it means to diligently search the scriptures and the prophets rather than merely reading them.
Why did the Lord want the people to search the words of Isaiah? 3 Nephi 23:2–3.
2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.
3 And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.
What else the Savior commanded the people to give heed to and search? read 3 Nephi 23:4–5
4 Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles.
5 And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things.
The Savior commands us to give heed to His words and to search diligently the words of the prophets.
What is the relationship between the Savior’s words and the words of His prophets? Doctrine and Covenants 1:38.
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same
Why do you think it is important to search their words diligently? 1. The scriptures serve many purposes for mankind. 2. The scriptures promise great blessings to those who follow the teachings found therein. 3. The prophets of this dispensation describe many benefits that come to those who study and love the scriptures. 4. Through scripture study you may hear the voice of the Lord.
While gospel study does not require formal academic training, it does involve reason and mental exertion. The Lord expects us to “seek … diligently.” In our search for truth, we read, analyze information, weigh its reliability, and take time for deliberate pondering. We examine others’ assumptions, as well as our own, and seek to place words and facts in their proper context. We are discerning and careful, always remembering that our knowledge is incomplete but growing.
In what ways is diligently searching the words of Jesus Christ and the prophets different from only reading their words?
“As one would expect, there is a difference between diligent searching or “pondering over the scriptures” and casual reading. A Church history story illustrates the difference.
A small six-year-old boy wandered away from his handcart company during a storm and was lost. When the storm subsided, Robert and Ann Parker realized their boy was missing and began searching. For two days an organized search was unsuccessful. The decision was made that the company must move on because of the approaching winter.
A pioneer journal records the following: “Ann Parker pinned a bright [red] shawl about the thin shoulders of her husband and sent him back alone on the trail to search again for their child. If he found him dead he was to wrap him in the shawl; if alive, the shawl would be a flag to signal her. Ann and her children took up their load and struggled on with the company, while Robert retraced the miles of … trail, calling, and searching and praying for his helpless little son.”
One suspects that he did not just casually look behind a few trees or leisurely walk along the trail, but that he vigorously investigated every thicket, every clump of trees and gully or wash.
“At last he reached a … trading station where he learned that his child had been found and cared for by a woodsman and his wife. [The boy] had been ill from exposure and fright. [But] God had heard the prayers of his people.
“Out on the trail each night Ann and her children kept watch and, when, on the third night the rays of the setting sun caught the glimmer of a bright red shawl [above her husband’s head], the brave little mother sank in a pitiful heap in the sand. … [She] slept for the first time in six … days.”
The story illustrates the difference between just looking and searching diligently. A casual, infrequent exposure to the scriptures will generally not open the door to the whisperings of the Spirit or provide insights into the Savior’s life and character. We need to search the scriptures with the same vigor that Robert hunted for his son and with the consistency of the mother searching the horizon if we expect to hear his voice and know his words. President Howard W. Hunter of the Council of the Twelve in a general conference address stated the following:
“Those who delve into the scriptural library … find that to understand requires more than casual reading or perusal—there must be concentrated study. … One who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one who devotes considerable time one day and then lets days go by before continuing.” Coming Unto Christ By Searching The Scriptures Merrill J. Bateman Of the Second Quorum of the Seventy
What scripture study methods best help you make searching the words of Jesus Christ, Isaiah, and other prophets a meaningful part of your life? Many helpful tips are provided in a lesson from a Church Institute Manual Scripture Study—The Power of the Word Manual click the title to read and for more information.
**Points to Ponder: President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Always remember, there is no satisfactory substitute for the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. These should be your original sources. Read and ponder more what the Lord said, and less about what others have written concerning what the Lord said” (The Gospel Teacher, 5).
President Marion G. Romney, who was a Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “I don’t know much about the gospel other than what I’ve learned from the standard works. When I drink from a spring I like to get the water where it comes out of the ground, not down the stream after the cattle have waded in it. … I appreciate other people’s interpretation, but when it comes to the gospel we ought to be acquainted with what the Lord says and we ought to read it” (untitled address at CES coordinators convention, 13 Apr. 1973, 4).
President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “The reading of our scriptures, for me, is not at the pursuit of scholarship. Rather, it is a love affair with the work of the Lord and that of his prophets. …“I do not concern myself much with reading long commentary volumes designed to enlarge at length upon that which is found in the scriptures. Rather, I prefer to dwell with the source, tasting of the unadulterated waters of the foundation of truth—the word of God as he gave it and as it has been recorded in the books we accept as scripture. … Through reading the scriptures, we can gain the assurance of the Spirit that that which we read has come of God for the enlightenment, blessing, and joy of his children” (“Feasting upon the Scriptures,” Ensign, Dec. 1985, 45).
Part Three 3 Nephi 24:1–6 The Lord is like a refiner’s fire.
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. (“Refiner’s Fire and Fuller’s Soap,” New Era, June 2016, 6–7.)
How can we compare this story to how the Savior purifies us? 3 Nephi 24:1–6
1 And it came to pass that he commanded them that they should write the words which the Father had given unto Malachi, which he should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were written he expounded them. And these are the words which he did tell unto them, saying: Thus said the Father unto Malachi—Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
2 But who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap.
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger, and fear not me, saith the Lord of Hosts.
6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Jesus Christ fulfilled a commandment from the Father 3 Nephi 26:2 to give the Nephites some of the prophecies of Malachi, an Old Testament prophet who lived in the Holy Land about 170 years after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem. Malachi prophesied that Jesus Christ would purify the world at His Second Coming. As part of this purification, the wicked will be destroyed. He expounded unto the people “all things, even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory.” Mormon then taught that those who believe the Book of Mormon would have greater things manifested unto them 3 Nephi 26:9.
As He recited some of the prophecies of Malachi to the Nephites, Jesus Christ referred to the images of fire and soap. Imagine a glowing fire and a piece of soap. Think about what these two objects might have in common as purifying or cleansing agents.
Jesus Christ is compared to a refiner’s fire and fuller’s soap because of what He will do at His Second Coming. In 3 Nephi 24:3, He is compared to a silversmith, who purifies silver. To understand these verses, it is helpful to know that the process for refining silver. As mentioned above the refiner has to watch the silver closely, for if the silver is left even a moment too long in the flames, it will be destroyed. A fuller is a person who cleans garments or whitens them using soap. The “sons of Levi” were those who held the priesthood in ancient Israel; this term can apply to all of the Lord’s people today.
What does this imagery suggest will take place at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? At His Second Coming, Jesus Christ will purify His people.
What does this mean for us now? Are we being purified?
The Savior is our refiner. Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained: “His mission is to cleanse, purify, and refine the human soul so that it can return to his Father’s kingdom in purity, free from dross. (3 Ne. 27:19–21.) His cleansing power ‘is like a refiner’s fire, … And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver’ in that great day when he comes to judge the world. (Mal. 3:2–3; 3 Ne. 24:2–3; D.&C. 128:24)” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 624).
A fuller’s “work was to cleanse garments and whiten them” through the use of soap (Bible Dictionary, “Fullers,” 676). The Atonement of Jesus Christ acts like “fuller’s soap” to cleanse us from our sins and prepare us to stand pure and spotless before the judgment seat. (Book of Mormon Student Manual)
Part Four: 3 Nephi 24:7–18 God is merciful to those who return to Him.
In these verses, we are reading about tithing. The teachings about tithing in 3 Nephi 24:8–12 are in response to the question in verse 7: “Wherein shall we return [to the Lord]?”
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.
What is the relationship between returning unto the Lord and paying tithing? Those who live the law of tithing show their faith in God. Obedience to this law brings the blessings stated in 3 Nephi 24:10–12.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shared five reasons why every member of the Church, in any kind of circumstance, should obey the law of tithing: “I … suggest five reasons why all of us, rich or poor, longtime member or newest convert, should faithfully pay our tithes and offerings. “First, do so for the sake of your children. … Teach your children that many of the blessings of the Church are available to them because you and they give tithes and offerings to the Church. …“Second, pay your tithing to rightfully claim the blessings promised those who do so. …“Third, pay your tithing as a declaration that possession of material goods and the accumulation of worldly wealth are not the uppermost goals of your existence. …“Fourth, pay your tithes and offerings out of honesty and integrity because they are God’s rightful due. …“This leads to a fifth reason to pay our tithes and offerings. We should pay them as a personal expression of love to a generous and merciful Father in Heaven. Through His grace, God has dealt bread to the hungry and clothing to the poor. At various times in our lives, that will include all of us, either temporally or spiritually” (Conference Report, Oct. 2001, 39–41; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 33–35).
How have you received the blessings listed in verses 10–12 as you have paid tithing?
President Harold B. Lee described one of the blessings we can receive from paying tithing: “The promise following obedience to this principle is that the windows of heaven would be open and blessings would be poured out that we would hardly be able to contain. The opening of the windows of heaven, of course, means revelation from God to him who is willing thus to sacrifice” (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. Williams [1996], 206).
President Heber J. Grant testified that God will bless those who obey the law of tithing with increased wisdom: “I bear witness—and I know that the witness I bear is true—that the men and the women who have been absolutely honest with God, who have paid their tithing … , God has given them wisdom whereby they have been able to utilize the remaining nine-tenths, and it has been of greater value to them, and they have accomplished more with it than they would if they had not been honest with the Lord” (Conference Report, Apr. 1912, 30).
Elder Dallin H. Oaks addressed the statement some people give when faced with whether or not they will be obedient to the commandment to pay tithing: “Some people say, ‘I can’t afford to pay tithing.’ Those who place their faith in the Lord’s promises say, ‘I can’t afford not to pay tithing.’ “Some time ago I was speaking to a meeting of Church leaders in a country outside of North America. As I spoke about tithing, I found myself saying something I had not intended to say. I told them the Lord was grieved that only a small fraction of the members in their nations relied on the Lord’s promises and paid a full tithing. I warned that the Lord would withhold material and spiritual blessings when his covenant children were not keeping this vital commandment. “I hope those leaders taught that principle to the members of the stakes and districts in their countries. The law of tithing and the promise of blessings to those who live it apply to the people of the Lord in every nation. I hope our members will qualify for the blessings of the Lord by paying a full tithing” (Conference Report, Apr. 1994, 44; or Ensign, May 1994, 34).
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.
What would you say to someone who feels that life is easier or better for those who do not keep the commandments?
According to 3 Nephi 24, how does the Lord bless those who serve Him? See also 3 Nephi 22 Mosiah 2:41; Alma 41:10 (Click the link to read)
How could these truths be helpful to someone who is struggling to pay tithing? 3 Nephi 24:16–18
How do we become one of the Lord’s jewels? A jewel is a precious stone measured by its intrinsic and extrinsic value in the marketplace. Malachi and other prophets used the imagery of jewels symbolically to refer to people who “feared the Lord”—those who show respect for Him, keep His ordinances, and have their names in “a book of remembrance” (3 Nephi 24:16–18; see also D&C 60:4; 101:3; Exodus 28:15–21). Thus, to become one of the Lord’s jewels, you must faithfully keep the covenants associated with every ordinance regardless of worldly pressure. By doing this you show that you love the Lord, and your name will be recorded in the book of remembrance. (Book of Mormon Student Manual)
Part Five: 3 Nephi 25:5–6 Our hearts should turn to our ancestors.
These verses in Chapter 25 teach us about remembering our ancestors.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Why will the Second Coming be a blessing to those who are faithful to Jesus Christ? 3 Nephi 25:1–3
1 For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall.
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of Hosts.
The word root in verse 1 refers to ancestors, and branch refers to posterity. Thus, in the next life the wicked will not enjoy the blessings of being sealed to either their ancestors or to their posterity. The calves that “grow up … in the stall” are a symbol for children who are protected, cared for, and have all things necessary for them as they grow up.
The Savior shared with the Nephites what Malachi wrote about an event that would take place before the Second Coming and would involve the Old Testament prophet Elijah.
What did Malachi teach that Elijah would do to help prepare the world for the Lord’s coming? 3 Nephi 25:5–6 (click link to read or see above passage)
Elijah’s return to the earth was an essential part of the Restoration of the gospel. On April 3, 1836, Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the newly dedicated Kirtland Temple D&C 110. He conferred upon them the sealing power of the priesthood, making it possible for families to be sealed throughout the generations.
What do you think the statement that “he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” 3 Nephi 25:6 means?
These verses teach that as our hearts are turned to our fathers, we are helping to prepare the earth for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
How does this work relate to the gathering of Israel? President Russel M Nelson taught: “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).
One of the most recent conference talk from our beloved Prophet of God was October 4 2020 concerning the importance and meaning of the gathering of Israel. Click the link to video to listen: Gathering of Israel
Conclusion
Though our times are hard we are in the midst of a marvelous work and wonder all for our benefit from the Love of God and His Son Jesus Christ. The Lord is our refiner and is merciful to those he is refining and those who return unto him to be refined. He wants us to search the scriptures that he may teach us and help us through this process of refinement and preparing ourselves to meet Him. Part of this work that we must do in meeting him is to remember our ancestors and learn more in depth of the gathering of Israel that we have greater understanding and can then, help the work move along. This is our time to, like Jacob of the Old Testament, Let God Prevail. May we each following these teachings and admonitions that we may do so and remain ever faithful as Latter-day Covenant Israel.
Resources
Book of Mormon Student Manual
Seminary Manual
Conference Reports
Ensign
Holy Bible King James LDS
Doctrine and Covenants
Church Broadcast Devotionals
The Teachings of Harold B Lee
CES
Gospel Teacher
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