42 Ye Are the Children of the Covenant

Ye Are the Children of the Covenant

Ye Are the Children of the Covenant

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

In the latter days, God will perform a marvelous work.
3 Nephi 20–22

According to the world I am a Gentile; according to my covenants and my lineage, I am of the House of Israel. Sometimes the Nephites felt disconnected from their Jewish history. They had never lived in that Country or even on that continent.

Alma 26:36 Yet, they were “a branch of the tree of Israel, and [had] been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.”

1 Nephi 15:12 The House of Israel has been compared to an olive tree. “..are we not broken off from the house of Israel, and are we not a branch of the house of Israel?”

Jesus wanted these people, and He wants His covenant people to know that He loves us and is mindful of us.

3 Nephi 20:25 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.

As a member of Jesus Christ’s Church, it is wonderful to realize that these blessings are meant for me and my posterity, and those who accept my invitation to Come unto Christ.

3 Nephi 20:27 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.

And now, hopefully, to the Gathering of Israel, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the ordinances found therein.

We all need to wake up and join in this great Latter-day work of gathering Israel and building Zion, in preparation for the Lord’s Second Coming.

3 Nephi 20:36 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.

We need to understand that He will be with us and He will help us fulfill the commission that He has given us.

3 Nephi 22:10 10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

In the latter days, God will perform a marvelous work.
3 Nephi 20–22

The Savior prophesied about the future of His covenant people:

3 Nephi 20:30–32, 39–41 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.

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.

21:9–11, 22–29 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.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

18 Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

The blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ have come to all of us because of the work of faithful missionaries. I am thankful for those who taught my parents and grandparents, and that they taught me. I have been blessed to be born in the covenant and to make the necessary covenants for both my salvation and the exaltation of my family. The promises of the Lord are great to all of us, if we are faithful to Him and in keeping our covenants with Him.

Tithing has been a wonderful blessing of spiritual safety and financial security for Bob and me and for all of our family members who keep this law.

The Gathering of Scattered Israel “We are among the covenant people of the Lord. Ours is the privilege to participate personally in the fulfillment of these promises. What an exciting time to live!” (President Nelson).

God is merciful to people who return to Him.
3 Nephi 22; 24

The Savior quotes words from Isaiah and Malachi that are full of vivid images and comparisons—coals in the fire, purified silver, marriage, the windows of heaven:

3 Nephi 22:7–8, 10–17 7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.

8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.

10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

14 In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee.

15 Behold, they shall surely gather together against thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

24:10–12, 17–18 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.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

18 Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

The Lord loves us and delights to bless us. We have every reason to be faithful to Him, because He is the keeper of every covenant and every promise.

The Lord has blessed us so powerfully. We have always had more than sufficient for our needs, and He has blessed us in times of need. He has comforted us and sustained us. He has blessed us with children who are among the noble ones of the earth. He has blessed us with faith in His Son and with power from on High in the ordinances His given us. He has rebuked the devourer for our sakes and blessed us with employment and homes to live in.

The Lord has answered my prayers in very particular. He blessed me to have toothache pain removed entirely during the pandemic, until I felt ready to go to a dentist again. He has blessed us even with our cars have been broken into, that the damage has not been severe and that nothing has been stolen. When we were at Bolsa Chica, we know that this was entirely miraculous; and that somehow, the thief was chased away.

He blessed us with Robby’s life and he blessed us in His death to be connected still with Him and with the powers of heaven.

He blessed us in Cathy’s life and with health decisions and priesthood power for her good.

He blessed us in the physical challenges that both Tom and Christine faced as well, and He healed them both.

He has blessed us to heal hurts and wrongs within our own family, and He has helped us individually grow to live better with our sensory issues and personal limitation; strengthening us beyond them.

He has given each of us the gift of knowledge and the ability to teach and testify.

He blessed both Tom and Whitney to have the desire to be baptized into the Church again. And we need to have faith that they will become action again and allow their children the privilege of being members of the Church and also receiving the blessings of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, the Priesthood, and being endowed with power from on high. We need to be faithful and pray with desire for this blessing to be with all of our children and grandchildren.

Video: The Refiner’s Fire: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-11-0010-the-refiners-fire?lang=eng

For kids:

I can search the scriptures diligently.
3 Nephi 23:1, 5

Read 3 Nephi 23:1, 5 Listen for the word “search.”

1 And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.

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.

How important is it for us to learn to read the scriptures? We need to be able to read, in order to search! What are we searching for?

Jesus told us that if we search for Him with all are hearts, we will find Him. Isn’t that a wonderful promise?

How does searching the scriptures and following Jesus’s teaching by accepting ordinances, keeping our covenants and His commandments, and serving others help us find Jesus?

If with All  Your Hearts Ye Truly Seek Me: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/if-with-all-your-hearts?lang=eng

Hide some favorite scripture verses and then have a treasure hunt for them and read them together.

Recording spiritual experiences can bless my family.
3 Nephi 23:6–13

3 Nephi 23:6–13 In these verses, Jesus questions the people about the what happened at the time of His resurrection among them. Didn’t many saints rise and appear unto many and minister unto them? The people recalled that these things indeed did happen. Jesus asked why they hadn’t written an account of these things and commanded them that this should be included in their records.

Ask yourself what things the Lord might want you to include in your own journals. Are you keeping a journal of your personal experiences, testimonies, and spiritual growth?

3 Nephi 26:2 Some of the things that we record will be important for our posterity to read.

The Savior wants me to search the scriptures.
3 Nephi 20:10–12; 23; 26:1–12

How does the Savior feel about the scriptures? 23; 26:1–12 (See notes below)

3 Nephi 20:10–12 Jesus reminds us that because we have the scriptures, we should search them. If we are familiar with them, we will recognize the prophecies being fulfilled.

3 Nephi 23:1 The Lord wants us to do far more than read the scriptures through once. He was us to search in them, to understand them, to ponder them and make connections that help our knowledge of Him to develop. He reminds us that the words of Isaiah are very important, especially for our day, and that understanding them will help us be prepared, stable, and capable servants in these last day.

If with all you heart, ye truly seek me, ye shall every surely find me; thus saith our Lord: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/music/songs/if-with-all-your-hearts?lang=eng

For kids:

Paying tithing opens the windows of heaven.
3 Nephi 24:8–12

Read 3 Nephi 24:8–12 with the children, and help them complete this sentence: If I pay tithing, the Lord will … .provide me with food to eat; He’ll shower blessings upon me; He’ll stop the devourer from destroying my work and my property; people will see that I am blessed; if our nation pays tithing, all nations will call us blessed and our land will be delightsome.

Tell about how paying tithing has blessed you.

Teach what a tenth is using money or other objects.

How does the Lord use tithing to bless us?

Paying tithing opens the windows of heaven.
3 Nephi 24:7–12

God has always commanded His people to pay tithing.

Genesis 14:17–20 The righteous paid tithing in the days of Melchizedek and Abraham.

Malachi 3:8–11 God is ever reminding His people when they stray that tithing belongs to Him. If we know this commandment and aren’t keeping it, we are robbing God.

3 Nephi 24:7–12 Tithing brings blessings: If I pay tithing, the Lord will … .provide me with food to eat; He’ll shower blessings upon me; He’ll stop the devourer from destroying my work and my property; people will see that I am blessed; if our nation pays tithing, all nations will call us blessed and our land will be delightsome.

3 Nephi 24:7–12 God asks us to pay tithing, so that He can bless us. It is a principle of faith. When we pay tithing, and when we take our worries and concerns before the Lord, He will bless us. We will have what we need financially, and we will be blessed abundantly according to His love for us and His understanding of what is best for us.

Doctrine and Covenants 119 In our dispensation, we have been told to pay a tenth of our income. This section says “interest”, but that word does not mean what we earn on our savings. Tithing is a first fruits sacrifice. Tithing should be 1/10 of our income, no matter how much we make.

Tithing “Tithing funds are always used for the Lord’s purposes—to build and maintain temples and meetinghouses, to sustain missionary work, to educate Church members, and to carry on the work of the Lord throughout the world.”

“As with members of many other faiths, Latter-day Saints believe that the payment of tithing shows gratitude to God and brings both spiritual and temporal blessings.”

The Windows of Heaven

Video: “Jesus Teaches about the Widow’s Mite”: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-10-0009-jesus-teaches-about-the-widows-mites?lang=eng

For kids:

Heavenly Father wants me to learn about my ancestors.
3 Nephi 25:5–6

Help children learn to love their ancestors. Help them learn how to use Family Search and prepare to do baptisms for the dead.

Read 3 Nephi 25:5–6 . Put your hand over your hearts every time you read the word heart.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16 Explain that Elijah did return with the keys of the sealing power, so that families can be together forever.

Tell about how you heart has turned to your family living and dead. Explain that we are all connected as children of our Heavenly Parents and as descendants of Adam and Eve. Tell about how your heart has grown when you have experienced the love of family and when you’ve extended that love to others through ordinance work and through forgiveness and service.

Share experiences you’ve had with family members in the temple and in sacred interaction, as prompted by the spirit.

Create a family tree together. Share stories about grandparents, as far back as you can.

Why are families important in Heavenly Father’s Plan?

The Lord sent Elijah to turn my heart to my ancestors
3 Nephi 25:5–6

How has your heart been turned to your children? How has your heart been turned to your fathers and mothers, through family history and temple work?

3 Nephi 25:5–6 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.

Doctrine and Covenants 110:13–16 13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:

14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—

15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—

16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.

Families Can Be Together Forever

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/20?lang=eng

Jesus provides bread and wine miraculously and again administers the sacrament unto the people—The remnant of Jacob will come to the knowledge of the Lord their God and will inherit the Americas—Jesus is the prophet like unto Moses, and the Nephites are children of the prophets—Others of the Lord’s people will be gathered to Jerusalem. About A.D. 34.

Vs 3-5 Jesus again gave the sacrament to the people.

Vs 6-9 The sacrament is so important that he wanted those who had not been there the previous day to have the opportunity to take of it as well. He provided the bread and the wine. After the multitude had partaken of the sacrament, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, as He'd promised.

3 Nephi 20:10–12 Jesus reminds us that because we have the scriptures, we should search them. If we are familiar with them, we will recognize the prophecies being fulfilled.

Vs 20-22 Jesus prophesies of the day of the gathering, which day we are in. It is important that I stay on the covenant path so that I will be numbered with Israel when the days of great calamity come upon all the Gentiles throughout all the nations of the earth, if they don't repent. Jesus is our hope and salvation; therefore, our trust needs to be in Him. I'll read Isaiah again soon too.

Vs 23-27 Moses told about Jesus who should come. All the prophets have testified of Him. We are the children of the prophets. We have the commission to take the gospel to the world, so that all nations can be brought to blessing by us. We have been raised up to the Father through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance, through baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost; now it is imperative that we keep the commandments and stay on the covenant path. The Gentile people have been greatly blessed with the pouring out of the Holy Ghost upon them in their day. We are among them as well as adopted into covenant Israel.

Vs 34-40 The Gentiles who have been blessed, will be cursed if they turn from God. Though they have scattered Israel, Israel will be gathered again and through the preaching of the gospel, they will again become the Lord's covenant people and be blessed with power from on High in the temples. They will sing in gratitude, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him He publishes peace," and they will know that Jesus Christ is their God and the God or the whole earth.

Vs 45-46 Jeruzalem and the New Jerusalem shall become places of protection and peace for the righteous. Jesus will fulfill the covenants that He made with our fathers and bring us safely home to the lands of our inheritance and, if we are faithful to Him, to eternal life.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/21?lang=eng

Israel will be gathered when the Book of Mormon comes forth—The Gentiles will be established as a free people in America—They will be saved if they believe and obey; otherwise, they will be cut off and destroyed—Israel will build the New Jerusalem, and the lost tribes will return. About A.D. 34.

Vs 6-19 We live in this day. We have been taught the gospel and we are instruments in the hands of the Lord to take the gospel to the remnant of Lehi's descendants and to all the world. If we are faithful to Jesus Christ and keep our covenants, we will be numbered among the House of Israel, and we will have great favors shown unto us. As we assist in the work of the gathering, we and our families will be blessed with protection from heaven.

Vs 24-29 Those who will not repent will be cut off. Those who repent will assist in the work of the gathering and will be a part of and see the fulfillment of prophesy!

 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/22?lang=eng

In the last days, Zion and her stakes will be established, and Israel will be gathered in mercy and tenderness—They will triumph—Compare Isaiah 54. About A.D. 34.

Vs 4-17 The Lord will make everything right and pleasant for covenant Israel. We will be favored above all the earth, and be given our inheritances of our Father. The Lord will show us loving kindness. He will show that He has never forgotten us. It is totally worth remembering Him.

Vs 13 This is the first (in this chapter) that Bob read the night Robby was born and then returned to His Father in Heaven. He broke down in tears, and then he heard Robby saying, "Dad, Dad." At this day will we be comforted in having our son again, and he will grow up unto the Lord in peace, security and happiness.

We love you, Robby. Thank you Jesus and Heavenly Father.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/23?lang=eng

Jesus approves the words of Isaiah—He commands the people to search the prophets—The words of Samuel the Lamanite concerning the Resurrection are added to their records. About A.D. 34.

How does the Savior feel about the scriptures? 23

Vs 5 Search the scriptures. Take notice of Isaiah particularly. The words of Isaiah and the words the Lord asked the Nephites to record are His words. If we hearken to the Lord's words, repent, and are baptized, we will be saved. Search the prophets. They all tell us this. It is the doctrine of Christ.

Vs 6-13 The witness that many saints rose after Christ's resurrection and ministered to many people was an important witness to record. Samuel had prophesied this would happen; it did happen; and Jesus commanded that it should be included in their scriptures.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/24?lang=eng

The Lord’s messenger will prepare the way for the Second Coming—Christ will sit in judgment—Israel is commanded to pay tithes and offerings—A book of remembrance is kept—Compare Malachi 3. About A.D. 34.

Vs 4-6 Angels prepared the way for the Lord to again establish His Church and His doctrine upon the earth, and to fulfill all the commandments of the Lord given through His prophets.

Vs 16-18 Choose to serve God. Stop comparing your circumstances with those who take delight in the things of the world. Stay on the covenant path. Your name will then be written in the Book of Remembrance as a daughter of God.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/25?lang=eng

At the Second Coming, the proud and wicked will be burned as stubble—Elijah will return before that great and dreadful day—Compare Malachi 4. About A.D. 34.

Vs 4-6 What am I doing to strengthen my family ties on both sides of the veil? What can I do? That I should do.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/26?lang=eng

Jesus expounds all things from the beginning to the end—Babes and children utter marvelous things that cannot be written—Those in the Church of Christ have all things in common among them. About A.D. 34.

How does the Savior feel about the scriptures? 26:1–12

Vs 1-3 Jesus explained everything to the people from the beginning of the world, until he returns to the earth in His Second Coming. Heavenly Father commanded Jesus to give the people the words of Malachi, and those things that they needed to have to teach their people and future generations.

Vs 4-5 He explained further what would happen beyond that. That all men should stand at the judgment seat and be judged according to their works and deeds.

It is important for us to follow the doctrine of Christ and always remember Him and keep our covenants and His commandments.

Vs 8-12 Mormon recorded these teachings for our benefit, and so that we would teach them to the Lamanite descendants and others of the House of Israel. There are many other things that Jesus told these people that are recorded that we have NOT been given yet. We need to do better with that which we already have, and then greater things will be manifested unto us.

Vs 13-16 These people were privileged to be visited and taught by the Lord for three days. Babies and young children were given the abillity to speak and they spoke even greater things to the people. The people were healed of all manner of afflictions and a man was raised from the dead.

Can a lasting impression of such great import fade with time? It is important for us to record, to read, and to live, and to remember.

Vs 20-21 Jesus did establish His church among the people before He again ascended into heaven. They taught, baptized and lived by His teachings. They did all things in His name. They had all things in common.