Questions for Review:

1. What kind of judgment are we going to receive from the Lord? (3 Nephi 14:2)

2. How can we detect false prophets? (3 Nephi 14:15-17)
 

Preparation for Christ's coming:

A complete end of the "old world" and its institutions and a total disruption of the customary flow of life: No central government; a new geography and topography; no highways; many cities disappeared and the remaining ones heavily damaged; a significant decrease in the population

Imagine yourself spending 3 days in a dark place (not a room) with absolutely no lights (no sun, no moon, no stars, no fire, nor lamps) hearing "tumultuous noises and feeling the earth tremble. After 3 days how "shaken up" do you think you might be?

Pay close attention to the description of his voice: not harsh, not loud, piercing to the very soul, caused their frames to quake, caused their hearts to burn

In the third time, all senses were focused on hearing the voice: open ears, eyes directed towards heaven. Any walking, talking, or other distracting actions are unlikely to occur at such a moment

Jesus comes down from heaven and introduces himself to the multitude (8-12; also read D&C 49:22-23)

Jesus allows the multitude to touch him and then to worship him (14-17)

That multitude of about 2,500 people (see 17:25) received a physical testimony--in a certain sense each one of those men, women, and children became a special witness of Jesus Christ

In my opinion, this is the correct place of a righteous Church leader--not cloistered in an office holding interminable meetings

This is an example of the proper protocol to approach the Lord on the day in which he will show himself to us  (Trust me: He will show himself to us one day; perhaps sooner than many among us might expect)

After reading this, what insights can we gain about our prayers?

Think about it: why didn't the Lord start teaching or organizing?  Why talk about baptism first?

The Savior Jesus Christ defines his doctrine (32-40)

An in-depth discussion of the "Sermon at the Temple" (i.e. the version of the "Sermon on the Mount" delivered to the Nephites and Lamanites) will be conducted in a New Testament class. For now, read the material in the Student Manual in connection with these chapters, and come to class prepared to share your favorite passages or insights on these chapters.

"I would that ye should be perfect"  (48)

President Brigham Young:

"It may appear strange to some of you, and it certainly does to the world, to say it is possible for a man or woman to become perfect on this earth. It is written, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." ... This is perfectly consistent to the person who understands what perfection really is.

If the ... passage I have quoted is not worded to our understanding, we can alter the phraseology of the sentence, and say, "Be ye as perfect as ye can," for that is all we can do, though it is written, be ye perfect as your Father who is in heaven is perfect. He cannot be any more perfect than he knows how, any more than we. When we are doing as well as we know how in the sphere and station which we occupy here, we are justified in the justice, righteousness, mercy, and judgment that go before the Lord of heaven and earth. We are as justified as the angels who are before the throne of God. The sin that will cleave to all the posterity of Adam and Eve is, that they have not done as well as they knew how." (Discourses of Brigham Young, p.89)

Copyright © 1994-2007 - Marcus H. Martins
This web page was published only as a support for classroom discussion.
For more information, contact Dr. Marcus Martins at: martinsm@byuh.edu