40 I Am the Law, and the Light

I Am the Law, and the Light

I Am the Law, and the Light

Book of Mormon Videos https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/videos-and-images/book-of-mormon-videos?lang=eng  

Jacob 4:5 These people had looked forward to the coming of Jesus Christ; and they had kept the law of Moses, which pointed to Him. In the Sermon on the Mount, while Jesus lived in mortality; and in the Sermon at the Temple Bountiful, where Jesus visited the people after His resurrection; He taught them His higher law.

3 Nephi 12:48 Jesus told his disciples, “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” (Prior to this, during His mortal ministry, the record just to Heavenly Father; but, after His resurrection, Jesus was whole, complete, and perfect.) It is only through Him that we will gain perfection; and while we strive for that, it will not happen in our mortal lives.

3 Nephi 12:3 He truly invites us to come unto Him, and promises us the kingdom of Heaven if we do.

3 Nephi 12:20 We are invited to live His higher law, “Come unto Me and be saved.” Just as Moses taught, Jesus is the only one that can save us.

3 Nephi 15:9 “Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.” 

The main thing we need to remember is to have faith in Jesus Christ, to press forward in that faith and seek to do the will of the Father, and never give up.

I can be a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
3 Nephi 12–14

Summarize the given verses with this format: “True disciples of Jesus Christ …”

Sample verse: 3 Nephi 13:1–8 “True disciples of Jesus Christ don’t seek public praise for doing good.”

3 Nephi 13:1–8; 12:3–16; 12:38–44; 13:19–24; 14:1–5; 14:21–27 True disciples of Jesus Christ 

See notes in scripture chapters below. What do you feel inspired to do as a true disciple?

3 Nephi 12:48 

Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually

Moroni 10:32–33 It is only through God’s grace and the gift of the Atonement that we can be given the gift of perfection, in and through Jesus, and Eternal Life.

The Challenge to Become

Lord, I Would Follow Thee

Video: Jesus Christ Teaches How to Live the Higher Law: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2022-07-0300-jesus-christ-teaches-how-to-live-the-higher-law-3-nephi-12-14?lang=eng

For kids:

I can be a good example by following Jesus.
3 Nephi 12:14–16

Read 3 Nephi 12:14–16 together. Emphasize the words “you” and “your” as you include the children in these verses.

When others see the light in you, when they see you doing good works, they will want to follow Jesus like you do.

“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.”

I Am like a Star

3 Nephi 12:15 Remember not to hide your light.

Jesus taught the people you don’t light up a room be hiding a candle. We don’t need to light candles for people to see our light; we need to follow Jesus, and do good works.

How can you let your light shine when you are at home? How can you let it shine on the playground, or at the park, or when you play sports? How can you let it shine when you are at school?

As you serve others and as you are honest, kind, and happy, and as you help others to make good choices, you are letting your light shine, and you are being a good disciple of Jesus Christ.

Blessed are those who believe without seeing.
3 Nephi 12:1–2; 15:23–24; 16:1–6

Very few mortals have had the privilege of seeing the Savior, as these people did at this time. The heard his voice, after his crucifixion, and later many saw him as they gathered together at the Temple Bountiful.

3 Nephi 12:2 But we are blessed when we believe the testimonies of those who have heard and seen and been with the Savior. I have been blessed because I believe in the testimony of the prophets and apostles and witnesses who have heard and seen, and also because of the witnesses I have received through His Spirit by the power of the Holy Ghost.

2 And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.

15:23 Receiving testimony from the Holy Ghost is a sure witness of the reality of Jesus Christ and His resurrection.

16:4–6 All who receive the testimony of Jesus Christ from those who have seen Him and heard Him and been with Him, can know for themselves by the power of the Holy Ghost. It was necessary to have the testimonies of the prophets, apostles, and disciples as recorded in both The Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, so that we can invite others to come unto Him, learn and follow His doctrine, and be gathered safely home by Him.

Faith in Jesus Christ and trust in the testimony of those who have carried the message of Him has blessed my life and my family’s lives in countless ways.

John 20:26–29 Jesus told Thomas, “because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
2 Nephi 26:12–13 Jesus can manifested Himself to all those who believe in Him by the power of the Holy Ghost. He has done this for me.

12 And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God;

13 And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith.

Alma 32:16–18 We are blessed when we exercise faith and move forward, making covenants and living the gospel, before we have a full understanding and knowledge.

I can strive to purify the desires of my heart.
3 Nephi 12:21–30; 13:1–8, 16–18; 14:21–23

Jesus has invited us to live the higher law by being righteous in our thoughts, desires, and in our heart; not only in our actions.

3 Nephi 12:21–26 The Savior speaks of contention: We shouldn’t be angry without a cause. We need to be able to see our brother as ourselves and leave judgment in the Lord’s hands. We shouldn’t hold people in derision. We should think about our own faults and work on what we can improve. We should be civil and try to work things out. We should ask for forgiveness and reconciliation from others and extend that, and not just think the Lord will continually forgive us if our hearts are not changing to become more like Him.

3 Nephi 12:27–30 immorality: If we look on others to lust after them, we have committed adultery in our hearts. We should not allow our minds and our desire stray to see others in that way (those who we are not in a covenant relationship with). So we should also guard against pornography, explicit music and movies.

3 Nephi 13:5–8 prayer: Don’t pray to be viewed as someone above others, or to make yourself look good. Be humble in your prayers and keep your thoughts, communications, and interactions with the Lord personal and private. Don’t be boastful. Also, in your service, callings, and ministering be humble; and do these things with the desire to invite others to come closer to Jesus Christ (not to you).

3 Nephi 13:16–18 fasting: Keep the fast between yourself and the Lord. Dress and look appropriate for you normal day tasks and/or worship. Fast in faith with real intent, trusting your Father to bless you and others according to your desires and according to His wisdom and love.

For kids:

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven
3 Nephi 13:19–21

3 Nephi 13:19–21 How do we lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven? How can we learn to value sacred things now? What are your most special treasures? Family, friends, love from Heavenly Father and Jesus, scriptures, prophets and teachers, testimony.

Plan a treasure hunt, looking for things that bring us lasting joy.

For kids:

Heavenly Father answers my prayers.
3 Nephi 14:7–11

3 Nephi 14:7 “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (lift hands or make prayer hands for ask; use binoculars for see; knocking motion for knock)

What things can we ask for in our prayers? What are you seeking to know or to find?

3 Nephi 14:7–11 Heavenly Father will always give good gifts to His children that seek Him and ask. Sometimes He might give us something different than we ask for; but, it will be better for us.

Heavenly Father will give me good things as I ask, seek, and knock.
3 Nephi 14:7–11

3 Nephi 14:7–11 The Savior invites us to ask for things from our Heavenly Father. What might the Savior want you to ask for? As you learn to pray with the Spirit and with real intent, the Holy Ghost will teach you want to prayer for and help to purify and sanctify your heart.

Isaiah 55:8–9  ¶ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

These scriptures remind me to trust in Heavenly Father’s wisdom and the good gifts that He bestows upon me.

Helaman 10:4–5 Because Nephi didn’t seek his own will, but he preached the gospel and did the Lord’s will, the Lord had complete trust in Him. Nephi was blessed with more power, so that he could share the gospel and teach more. He was even given the sealing power. Heavenly Father knew that Nephi wouldn’t abuse the gifts He gave to him.

Moroni 7:26–27, 33, 37 There are still miracles on the earth today. If we have faith, we will see them and know that they are from God. As we seek Him and serve Him and do His will, He will sustain and protect us and give us answers to our prayers.

33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.

Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9 When we are looking for directions from Heavenly Father, it is important that we study and weigh options and share our opinions too. When we put in effort and counsel with Him, He’ll help us to know what to do.

88:64 The Lord is eager to bless us with what we need.

64 Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you

Ask, Seek, and Knock

For kids:

The Savior wants me to hear and do what He teaches
3 Nephi 14:21–27; 15:1

Help the children visualize and understand the parables.

Read 3 Nephi 14:24–27 When we hear Jesus’s teaches and then apply them and keep His commandments, we are like the wise man who built his house upon a rock.

Read 15:1 Why is it so important to do?

The Wise Man and the Foolish Man (Watch the video)

What if we just let our left legs represent hearing and our right legs represent doing? Try to only use your left leg and not to right. You heard Jesus words, but you aren’t ready to keep them. How long can you walk forward with just one leg? What will happen if a great big wind comes by?

Now try doing whatever you want without listening to Jesus’s words. Now you can only use your right leg. What happens?

What about if you both listen and then obey what Jesus says? Can you walk easier with both legs? Can you run better? Do you feel stronger?

What does Jesus ask us to do in the following scriptures?

3 Nephi 12:3–12, 21–26 Beatitudes: I should be humble and come unto Jesus; I should go to Heavenly Father in prayer when I am mourning, and I should be willing to mourn with others who are mourning; I should be humble, gentle, and not showy; I should crave and desire for righteousness, in myself, more than food; I should be merciful, forgiving, and kind; I should have righteous desires and intents and be pure in heart; I should try to resolve conflicts, not stir up anger, and be a peacemaker; I need to be willing to bear persecution as a Christian for Jesus’s sake; I should not hold on to any anger or hate, but forgive my brother and think of him as myself; before I go before the Lord, I should follow His Spirit and guidance to try to make things right with others; I should not impose my rightness on other, but I should be agreeable in the way that I behave.

 

13:5–8 Seek a quiet, remote place, away from others and from distractions as a place to pray and commune with God; I shouldn’t be repetitive and trite in my prayers, but I should follow the promptings of the Spirit and yield my heart to God.

 

 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/12?lang=eng

Jesus calls and commissions the twelve disciples—He delivers to the Nephites a discourse similar to the Sermon on the Mount—He speaks the Beatitudes—His teachings transcend and take precedence over the law of Moses—Men are commanded to be perfect even as He and His Father are perfect—Compare Matthew 5. About A.D. 34.

Vs 1-2 All those who believe in the teaching of ordained ministers of Jesus Christ and enter the waters of baptism will receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Beatitudes:
12:3–16 True disciples of Jesus Christ do all the following things: [I should be humble and come unto Jesus; I should go to Heavenly Father in prayer when I am mourning, and I should be willing to mourn with others who are mourning; I should be humble, gentle, and not showy; I should crave and desire for righteousness, in myself, more than food; I should be merciful, forgiving, and kind; I should have righteous desires and intents and be pure in heart; I should try to resolve conflicts, not stir up anger, and be a peacemaker; I need to be willing to bear persecution as a Christian for Jesus’s sake; I should not hold on to any anger or hate, but forgive my brother and think of him as myself; before I go before the Lord, I should follow His Spirit and guidance to try to make things right with others; I should not impose my rightness on other, but I should be agreeable in the way that I behave.] 

Vs 13-16 Be a peacemaker, one who publishes peace, one who shares the gospel of Jesus Christ, and publishes salvation. How can you increase in your desire to be the salt of the earth and reflect His light among the people?

Vs 17-18 Jesus gave the Law to Moses and according to prophesy, He came to fulfill that law. He came with a higher law for the people to embrace and be blessed by. It is only through believing in Him and keeping His commandments that we can be saved.

Vs 26 (earlier) Be a peacemaker. Be forgiving. Love your neighbor as yourself and learn to see others as just as important to God as you are.

Vs 27-30 Sexual purity is important. Deny yourself of everything contrary to the commandments of God, so that you can be given salvation and exaltation. Sexual sin is bondage.

Vs 31-32 Divorcing for selfish reasons is wrong.

Vs 37 Don't swear to things which you have entirely no control over. Just answer affirmatively or negatively to questions asked of you.

12:38–44 True disciples of Jesus Christ 

Vs 42-45 Do not seek revenge, but return good for evil. Love you enemies. Become the children of your Father; be a peacemaker.

Vs 46-47 Jesus gave us a higher law and greater expectations so that we could become perfect like our Heavenly Father through Him, who Jesus who is also perfect.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/13?lang=eng

Jesus teaches the Nephites the Lord’s Prayer—They are to lay up treasures in heaven—The twelve disciples in their ministry are commanded to take no thought for temporal things—Compare Matthew 6. About A.D. 34.

3 Nephi 13:1–8 True disciples of Jesus Christ 

Vs 1-4 When you give offerings to help other people do so secretly or anonymously.

Vs 8 Pray to your Heavenly Father in secret and pray with a sincere heart and with real intent. (I need to work on this.)

Vs 9-13 The Lord's prayer. His Kingdom had already come at this time. He had fulfilled the prophesies and established His Church. He was also resurrected, whole, and perfected.

Vs 14-15 Forgiveness is an important gift for your own development and progress, and it can be so too for those whom you forgive.

Vs 16-18 Be humble and discrete about your fasting. This is a chance to pour out your heart to God in prayer and to seek heaven's favor. It is between you and the Lord.

13:19–24 True disciples of Jesus Christ 

Vs 19-21 Learn to value and treasure the things of God and not earthly distractions. Put God first in your life. Let God prevail. Live the first great commandment and love God with all your heart, might, mind, soul, and strength. Treasure the salvation that has come to you. Love your neighbor and share these heavenly gifts.

Vs 22-23 Keep your eye single to the glory of God.

Vs 24 Spend more time asking yourself and asking the Lord what He would have you do.

Vs 29-24 The Lord will provide for His chosen servants and for those who are sharing the gospel and ministering to His children.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/14?lang=eng

Jesus commands: Judge not; ask of God; beware of false prophets—He promises salvation to those who do the will of the Father—Compare Matthew 7. About A.D. 34.

14:1–5 True disciples of Jesus Christ 

Vs 4-5 Remember your own faults and seek the Lord's help to repent and progress; don't think you are so much better than everyone.

Vs 6 Guard those things that are sacred and special to you.

Vs 7-11 Heavenly Father is eager to bless those who ask of Him.

Vs 12 Golden Rule.

Vs 16-20 The Doctrine of Christ provides us the direction to the gate. We need to be baptized. Then we need to stay on the covenant path and follow the prophet, not blind or deceptive guides.

14:21–27 True disciples of Jesus Christ 

Vs 21-27 There are many who call on the Lord and worship Him in their own way; but, he requires that we follow His doctrine, participating in His ordinances and living by His principles.

The Wise Man Built his House upon a Rock.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/15?lang=eng

Jesus announces that the law of Moses is fulfilled in Him—The Nephites are the other sheep of whom He spoke in Jerusalem—Because of iniquity, the Lord’s people in Jerusalem do not know of the scattered sheep of Israel. About A.D. 34.

Vs 1 We need to remember the words spoken by Jesus and follow His teachings. If we do, He raise us up to Eternal Life.

Vs 6-8 Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses which He gave. He still supports all the prophecies of all His prophets, and those things which they spake shall surely come to pass.

Vs 9 Jesus has always been the Law and the Light. It has always been through Him that we can return to our Father and with Them have Eternal Life.

Vs 10 Keeping His commandments is the law and the prophets. We aren't forsaking the prophets of old, but embracing the Way that always has been fast and sure and true.

Vs 17-24 Jesus explains to the Nephite Twelve that they are the leaders of the people and they need to be a light to them to keep them in the right way. He explains that they are of the other sheep talked about who have been led away to other lands of promised because of the iniquity of the Jewish people. He planted His people in many different parts of His vineyard to give them the chance to worship Him.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/16?lang=eng

Jesus will visit others of the lost sheep of Israel—In the latter days the gospel will go to the Gentiles and then to the house of Israel—The Lord’s people will see eye to eye when He brings again Zion. About A.D. 34.

Vs 4-5 The Nephites are commanded to write the words of the Lord so that at a future time they will have converting power to bring the Israelites back to the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Vs 6 The blessings of the Lord will be with the believing Gentiles in the last day. After the Gentiles are so richly blessed, if they forsake Jesus, He'll take His gospel from among them and establish it again with the Jews. It would be best to be part of the gathering and not part of the scattered.

Vs 13-15 If we are among the believing of the Gentiles, then we will find place and have the blessings of the covenant along with the children of Israel. If not, we will be driven out.

Vs 16-20 Zion will be built upon the American Continent. It will be saved by the power of the Lord. All nations shall see this happen.