This lesson covers the Savior's teachings among the Nephites. It focuses on his teaching to his 12 apostles. He teaches them the fundamentals of His gospel and what to call His church. It also covers the 'three nephites' and how their request to tarry impacted the work. Lastly, it covers the Zion society that existed for 200 years after Christ was among them as well as the next 100 years when the Nephites began to lose their testimonies and decline.

1. THIS IS MY GOSPEL
Gospel Doctrine Book of Mormon Lesson 42
3 Nephi 27-28, 4 Nephi 1

2. INTRODUCTION
➤ Recap from last week
➤ Christ teaches again, babes speak
marvelous things
➤ The twelve begin to teach and the
church grows
➤ 3 Ne 26:17-19
➤ With growth, comes need for
clarification
➤ Importance of a name
➤ In Jewish tradition, giving
something/someone a name was
the last step in the creation process
➤ They want to know what to call
themselves.

3. THE SAVIOR COMMANDS HIS NEPHITE DISCIPLES TO CALL THE CHURCH AFTER HIS NAME
➤ 3 Ne 27:1-3
➤ The apostles don’t stop teaching just because they have a question, they fast and pray
and move forward.
➤ Why does he ask them what they want? In 28:6 he reads their thoughts. Surely he
knew what they were fasting and praying about. Why not now?
➤ What’s the issue? They want to know what they should call themselves
➤ 3 Ne 27: 4-5, 8
➤ What is he teaching them?
➤ Where should we turn when there is disputation?
➤ Two important factors: it will be in his name, it will be built on his gospel
➤ What other foundations can they be built on?
➤ 3 Ne 27:11, what is the result of a poor foundation?
➤ What types of things do we do ‘in His name’?
➤ President Packer quote (next slide)

4. “
“Every prayer we offer is in His name. Every ordinance
performed is in His name. Every baptism, confirmation,
blessing, ordination, every sermon, every testimony is
concluded with the invocation of His sacred name. It is in His
name that we heal the sick and perform other miracles of
which we do not, cannot, speak.
In the sacrament we take upon ourselves the name of Christ.
We covenant to remember Him and keep His commandments.
He is present in all that we believe”
Boyd K. Packer
“The Peaceable Followers of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 1998, 64

5. “
"If a man fully realized what it means when he partakes of the sacrament,
that he covenants to take upon him the name of Jesus Christ and to
always remember him and keep his commandments, and this vow is
renewed week by week—do you think such a man will fail to pay his
tithing? Do you think such a man will break the Sabbath day or disregard
the Word of Wisdom? Do you think he will fail to be prayerful, and that
he will not attend his quorum duties and other duties in the Church? It
seems to me that such a thing as a violation of these sacred principles
and duties is impossible when a man knows what it means to make such
vows week by week unto the Lord and before the saints." (Doctrines of
Salvation, 2:346)
-President Joseph Fielding Smith

6. THE SAVIOR EXPOUNDS HIS GOSPEL
➤ We often testify that “the Church is true” or that “the Gospel is true” but what does that
mean? Christ was able to explain his Gospel in just a few verses
➤ 3 Ne 27:13-14
➤ 4 Gospel Verities (Marion G. Romney, Apr 1955)
➤ 1. (13) Divinity of Christ
➤ 2. (14) Atonement
➤ 3. (14) Resurrection
➤ 4. (14) Judgement
➤ 3 Ne 27:16
➤ Basic principles are outlined: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Gift
of the Holy Ghost
➤ 3 Ne 27: 21-22
➤ We believe in an active gospel. We must do!
➤ Gordon B. Hinckley quote (next slide)

7. “
“You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You
must be good for something. You must contribute good to
the world. The world must be a better place for your
presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to
others… In this world so filled with problems, so
constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, you can
and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. You
can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that
which is right.”
-Gordon B. Hinckley

8. THE SAVIOR EXPOUNDS HIS GOSPEL
➤ 3 Ne 27:27
➤ Who is he talking to? The 12 who will be judges.
➤ How can we follow his example in judgements we make?
➤ 3 Ne 27:28-29
➤ It seems unfair since our ‘asking’ doesn't always result in ‘getting’
➤ ATOT: Praying for Whipple to return, it’s been 4 days and he’s still not home. I am knocking
but it seems like no one is answering.
➤ We tend to read this independent of the other verses. We need to string it together to
understand the meaning
➤ When we are doing all the things the disciples have been learning about (baptism,
repentance, relying on the holy ghost, enduring to the end, doing good works,
judging righteously) we will naturally ask for things in Harmony with Him.
➤ ATOT: The door did open. It’s not a dog, it’s patience, appreciation, an opportunity to build
relationships with my neighbors, etc.

9. THE SAVIOR GRANTS THE DESIRES OF HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES. THREE OF THE DISCIPLES CHOOSE TO REMAIN ON THE EARTH UNTIL THE
SECOND COMING
➤ 3 Ne 28:1, Why did he speak to them one-by-one?
➤ 3 Ne 28:2, They all ask to return with Him after their ministry
➤ 3 Ne 28: 3, How does the Savior feel about this? He grants it and calls
them blessed
➤ 3 Ne 28:4-5, Why are they nervous? Their request was unconventional
➤ 3 Ne 28: 7, 9-10, How does the Savior feel about this? He grants it and calls
them more blessed
➤ Both choices were good. The other nine didn’t switch camps. They all felt
good about their decisions.
➤ What does that teach us about fitting into the ‘mold’ at Church? The
Savior can work with our ideas/personalities (Brother of Jared story).
➤ ATOT: Planning #LIGHTtheWORLD. The kits are so different from each other
but they all lead to Him so they are ‘good’

10. THE SAVIOR GRANTS THE DESIRES OF HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES. THREE OF THE DISCIPLES CHOOSE TO REMAIN ON THE EARTH UNTIL THE
SECOND COMING
➤ Their lives aren’t easy (vs 16-22). They are imprisoned, buried, fed to animals, etc.
➤ That doesn’t make them question their decision. Why not? D&C 15:6, 18:10-16
➤ The three Nephites are transfigured and translated. What’s the difference?
➤ Transfiguration is temporary (Peter, James and John)
➤ Their bodies are changed so they “could behold the things of God”
➤ Translation is a state held until the Second Coming (like John)
➤ 28:7-8, They never ‘taste’ death (they’re not immortal - resurrected - yet)
➤ 28:38, They won’t feel physical pain
➤ 28:18, Their purpose is clear, they teach
➤ 28:19-22, They can’t be killed or harmed in any way
➤ 28:39, Satan cannot tempt them
➤ 28:39, They will be resurrected and received into the Kingdom of God
➤ Lots of stories circulate about them. Treat them like patriarchal blessings. If we encounter
these servants of God we should share it very carefully and with our close family.

11. AFTER MANY YEARS OF PEACE, THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE DWINDLE IN UNBELIEF AND REJECT THE GOSPEL
➤ 4th Nephi contains Mormon’s abridgment of 300 years of history.
➤ The first 200 years were peaceful
➤ 4 Ne 1:1-2, Within two years, they all convert, and were all
converted in their hearts (this will happen again in the
millennium)
➤ The most mentioned trait is the lack of contention (2, 4, 13,
15-18). How is this possible?
➤ 4 Ne 1:15-17, the love of God changes men, they are one
➤ 4 Ne 1:5, they weren’t without struggle, illness or pain so how
did they stay so cheerful? (1:12, they rely on each other)
➤ 4 Ne 1:17, They weren’t divided

12. THRIVE WHERE WE ARE PLANTED
➤ How do you think Mormon felt
when he wrote this section?
➤ He must have longed for
this time and wondered
why he was stuck in his.
➤ Jacob 5:21-22, The allegory of
the Olive Tree.
➤ When we feel we are stuck
in the nethermost part of
the vineyard, we can be
assured we were planted
there for a purpose
➤ He is nourishing us

13. THE END OF THE LONG ERA OF PEACE
➤ Yr 201 changes everything. What contributed to the downfall of such a
happy people?
➤ How many of these can we see in our society today? What can be done?
➤ 4 Ne 1:20, 26, Division of classes
➤ 4 Ne 1:23-25, Pride and greed
➤ 4 Ne 1:26-29, They profess to know Christ but deny his Gospel
➤ 4 Ne 1:31, Hardheartedness
➤ 4 Ne 1:29-34, Persecution of Christ’s followers
➤ 4 Ne 1:38, Parents teaching children not to believe in Christ
➤ 4 Ne 1:29, Parents teaching children to hate
➤ 4 Ne 1:42,46, Secret combinations emerge

14. CONCLUSION
➤ One theme that stands out in 3 Nephi is
our ability to affect the feelings of Christ
➤ We often assume he knows all and
therefore won’t ‘feel’ anything
➤ The scriptures teach us that He weeps,
groans and rejoices because of what we
do in this life
➤ 3 Ne 27:30-31
➤ Why does it cause Christ such joy
when none are lost?
➤ How often did that happen in a
people?
➤ We are ‘numbered’ (Isaiah)
➤ When we bring ourselves, our families,
our stewardships, our neighbors, our
friends to him, we cause joy