3 Nephi 12-15 Jesus Teaches the Nephites

3 Nephi 12:1-12 “Blessed”

The word “blessed” appears 13 times in verses 1-12. Have students select three “blessed’s” that have special meaning to them and explain what blessings they have received as they have followed the Lord’s counsel.

3 Nephi 12:13-19 Salt and Light, Jots and Tittles

Have students read verse 19 and ask them to remember what Jesus taught about salt and light (see verses 13-16). How does repentance and having a broken heart and a contrite spirit make us like the salt and light Jesus spoke of?

3 Nephi 12:1-20 The Qualifications for Entering the Kingdom of Heaven

In 3 Nephi 12:20 the Lord declares, “Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. The commandments to the multitude up to this point have been:

1) Give heed to the words of the twelve Nephite disciples (3 Nephi 12:1)
2) Be meek and mild and come to Christ (3 Nephi 12:2-12)
3) Be the salt of the earth (3 Nephi 12:13)
4) Be the light of the Nephite people (3 Nephi 12:14-16)
5) Repent and come unto Christ (3 Nephi 12:17-20)

Invite students to read 3 Nephi 12:1-20 and list these commandments.

3 Nephi 12:21-48 Christ’s Commandments vs. The Traditions of the Leaders

For the remainder of 3 Nephi 12 and all of chapters 13 and 14, the Lord will explain the difference between his commandments and the traditions of the people. Assign students to pick out two or three of the commandments and explain how the Lord’s commandments are different from the traditions of the Nephites.

1) Murder vs. Anger (see 3 Nephi 12:21-26)
2) Adultery vs. Lust (see 3 Nephi 12:27-32)
3) Oaths vs. True Commitment (see 3 Nephi 12:33-37)
4) Vengeance vs. Graciousness (see 3 Nephi 12:38-42)
5) Hating Enemies vs. Loving Enemies (see 3 Nephi 12:43-48)

Have students read 3 Nephi 12:46-47 and explain what old things have been done away in Christ. What are some things we may do because of tradition that should be done away in Christ?

3 Nephi 13:1-24 How to Love People

Christ explains the difference between the old way of helping people and the new way he expects his disciples to follow. He talks about the following ideas:

1) How to give to the poor (3 Nephi 13:1-4)
2) How to pray (3 Nephi 13:5-15)
3) How to fast (3 Nephi 13:16-18)
4) How to set priorities (3 Nephi 13:19-24)

3 Nephi 13:25-34 Counsel to the Disciples

How does the Lord use examples from the life of the people (birds, clothing, and flowers) to help his disciples understand how the Father will watch over them in their ministry? How has the Father watched over you as you have served him in your callings?

3 Nephi 13:33 These Things?

Have students read 3 Nephi 13:33 and explain what the words “these things” refer to. See verses 25-34. Invite students to tell how putting God first in their lives has resulted in “these things” being added unto them.

3 Nephi 14:1-27 More Counsel to the Multitude

The Lord gives more counsel to the multitude on how to have peace in their relationships with each other. For example:

1) How to judge others (3 Nephi 14:1-5)
2) How to treat sacred things (3 Nephi 14:6)
3) How to treat people (3 Nephi 14:7-14)
4) How to recognize false prophets (3 Nephi 14:15-27)

Assign students to summarize the Lord’s counsel in their own words. How has following this counsel helped them come to Christ? How has this counsel helped them in their homes, in their church assignments, in their employement?

3 Nephi 15:18 Scripture Analysis

Write this verse on the board and have students explain the meaning of the highlighted words.

“And now, because of stiffneckedness [stubbornness] and unbelief they [the Jews in Jerusalem] understood not my [Christ’s] word; therefore [because the Jews in Jerusalem did not understand Christ’s words because the Jews were stubborn] I [Christ] was commanded to say no more of the Father [of what the Father desired to teach them through Christ] concerning this thing [that there were other members of the house of Israel who Jesus would appear to and teach] unto them [the Jews in Jerusalem].”

Are there things that are being held back by the Father because of our stubbornness and unbelief?