Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband: “When I have counseled individuals … I have explored their decisions made over the years which led them to forget sacred experiences, to weaken, and to doubt. I encouraged them, as I encourage you now, to recall, especially in times of crisis, when you felt the Spirit and your testimony was strong; remember the spiritual foundations you have built. I promise that if you will do this, avoiding things that do not build and strengthen your testimony or that mock your beliefs, those precious times when your testimony prospered will return again to your memory through humble prayer and fasting. I assure you that you will once again feel the safety and warmth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/10/lest-thou-forget)
President Ezra Taft Benson: “I have been deeply impressed with the beauty and power of this scriptural account in 3 Nephi, and with its great value for our time and our generation. The record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior’s visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Savior’s second coming” (April 1987 GC).
What do these verses teach about the danger of forgetting spiritual experiences?
President Henry B. Eyring: “The young people of the Church … hold the future in their hands. The Church has always been one generation away from extinction. If a whole generation were lost, which will not happen, we would lose the Church. But even a single individual lost to the gospel of Jesus Christ closes doors for generations of descendants, unless the Lord reaches out to bring some of them back” (“We Must Raise Our Sights” [address to Church Educational System religious educators, Aug. 14, 2001], 1).
“The palest ink is better than the best memory.” Chinese Proverb
President Russell M. Nelson: “Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation” (April 2018, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”).
Elder Tad R. Callister: “Recording spiritual promptings results in at least the following blessings:
Elder Richard G. Scott: “…strong impressions began to flow to me again. I wrote them down. … After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own life.
“… I was then impressed to ask, “Was there yet more to be given?” I received further impressions, … Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was. … I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance.
“What I have described is not an isolated experience. It embodies several true principles regarding communication from the Lord to His children here on earth. I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you.” (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng)”
Aspects of Giddianhi’s Letter:
To withstand the onslaught of the Adversary:
Elder Boyd K. Packer: “Oh, youth, the requirements of the Church are the highway to love, with guardrails securely in place, with help along the way. How foolish is the youth who feels the Church is a fence around love to keep him out. How fortunate is the young person who follows the standards of the Church, even if just from sheer obedience or habit, for he will find rapture and a joy fulfilled” (Quoted in Bruce C. Hafen, “The Gospel and Romantic Love,” New Era, Feb 2002, 10).
Discussion Questions:
Year Summary
26 A.D. Returned to homes (6:1).
26-27 A.D. “Began to prosper” (6:4).
29 A.D. “Some were lifted up unto pride…” (6:10).
“Distinguished by ranks” (6:12).
“Became a great inequality in all the land” (6:14).
“They did willfully rebel against God” (6:18).
29-30 A.D. The cause of iniquity … pride … seek power, authority, riches, and the vain things of the world (6:15).
31 A.D. “Divided into tribes” (7:14)
31-32 A.D. Quick return from righteousness unto wickedness (7:15).
31-32 A.D. “Nephi did minister with power and with great authority (7:17).
Ideas for teaching:
President Ezra Taft Benson: “I have been deeply impressed with the beauty and power of this scriptural account in 3 Nephi, and with its great value for our time and our generation. The record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior’s visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Savior’s second coming” (April 1987 GC).
What do these verses teach about the danger of forgetting spiritual experiences?
- ‘A new star did appear according to the word’ (3 Nephi 1:21).
- Peace in the land (3 Nephi 1:23-24).
- ‘Signs which did come to pass’ (3 Nephi 1:26).
- Peace ‘save it were for the Gadianton robbers’ (3 Nephi 1:27).
- ‘Many dissenters … did cause much sorrow to the Nephites’ (3 Nephi 1:28-29 ).
- ‘Decrease as to their faith and righteousness because of the wickedness of the rising generation’ (3 Nephi 1:30).
- ‘Began to forget those signs and wonders … And began to be less and less astonished a sign or a wonder from heaven insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts’ (3 Nephi 2:1-3).
President Henry B. Eyring: “The young people of the Church … hold the future in their hands. The Church has always been one generation away from extinction. If a whole generation were lost, which will not happen, we would lose the Church. But even a single individual lost to the gospel of Jesus Christ closes doors for generations of descendants, unless the Lord reaches out to bring some of them back” (“We Must Raise Our Sights” [address to Church Educational System religious educators, Aug. 14, 2001], 1).
“The palest ink is better than the best memory.” Chinese Proverb
President Russell M. Nelson: “Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation” (April 2018, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”).
Elder Tad R. Callister: “Recording spiritual promptings results in at least the following blessings:
- it preserves the integrity of the message.
- it preserves the feelings of the moment.
- it plants spiritual seeds.
- it facilitates future sharing.
- it enhances future revelation.”
Elder Richard G. Scott: “…strong impressions began to flow to me again. I wrote them down. … After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own life.
“… I was then impressed to ask, “Was there yet more to be given?” I received further impressions, … Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was. … I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance.
“What I have described is not an isolated experience. It embodies several true principles regarding communication from the Lord to His children here on earth. I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first promptings that come to you.” (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/10/to-acquire-spiritual-guidance?lang=eng)”
Aspects of Giddianhi’s Letter:
- Flattery (3:2)
- Insincere (3:2)
- Sarcastic (3:2)
- Skeptical (3:2)
- Threat (3:3)
- Arrogance (3:3)
- Intimidation (3:4)
- Accusation (3:4)
- Mockery (3:4)
- Taunting (3:4)
- Entrapment (3:7)
- No other alternative (3:8)
- False testimony (3:29)
To withstand the onslaught of the Adversary:
- Don’t fear (3:12).
- Don’t hearken to them (3:12).
- Cry unto the Lord for strength (3:12).
- Gather together (3:13).
- D&C 101:21-22 – defense.
- D&C 87:8 – to stand in holy places.
- 124:36 – for refuge.
- 115:6 – for a defense and for a refuge from the storm.
- Build fortifications around you (3:14).
- D&C 20:53 – Teachers’ duty.
- 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Satan is like a lion and prowling around..Guards watch over the church always (3:14).
- Guards watch over the church always (3:14).
- D&C 20:53 – Teachers’ duty.
- 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Satan is like a lion and prowling around.
- Repent (3:13).
- Listen and “exert [yourselves] in [your] might to do according to the words of [the prophet] (3:16, 19).
- Choose as our leaders those who have the “spirit of revelation and also prophecy” (3:19).
- “Prepare ourselves in the center of our lands” – in our homes! (3:21).
- “Make weapons of war of every kind” (3:26). See D&C 27:15-17 – Put on the whole armor of God!
Elder Boyd K. Packer: “Oh, youth, the requirements of the Church are the highway to love, with guardrails securely in place, with help along the way. How foolish is the youth who feels the Church is a fence around love to keep him out. How fortunate is the young person who follows the standards of the Church, even if just from sheer obedience or habit, for he will find rapture and a joy fulfilled” (Quoted in Bruce C. Hafen, “The Gospel and Romantic Love,” New Era, Feb 2002, 10).
Discussion Questions:
- How can you fortify your home against the attacks of the adversary?
- How does gathering together in families, branches, or wards provide protection for us?
- Why is daily scripture study a vital way to strengthen yourself?
- When has prayer helped you gain spiritual strength against adversity or danger?
- Why do you think it is especially important today to follow those who have the spirit of prophecy and revelation?
Year Summary
26 A.D. Returned to homes (6:1).
26-27 A.D. “Began to prosper” (6:4).
29 A.D. “Some were lifted up unto pride…” (6:10).
“Distinguished by ranks” (6:12).
“Became a great inequality in all the land” (6:14).
“They did willfully rebel against God” (6:18).
29-30 A.D. The cause of iniquity … pride … seek power, authority, riches, and the vain things of the world (6:15).
31 A.D. “Divided into tribes” (7:14)
31-32 A.D. Quick return from righteousness unto wickedness (7:15).
31-32 A.D. “Nephi did minister with power and with great authority (7:17).
Ideas for teaching:
- Celebrate Christmas among the Nephites.
- Teach the value of writing spiritual experiences.
- How will you apply the principles in 3 Nephi 3 to prepare to withstand the onslaught of the Adversary?
- “Hang on!”