Lesson 38: Peace among the Nephites
Purpose To encourage each child to seek the peace and happiness that come from living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I Feel My Savior s Love 1. I feel my Savior s love In all the world around me. His Spirit warms my soul Through ev rything I see. 2. I feel my Savior s love; Its gentleness enfolds me, And when I kneel to pray, My heart is filled with peace. 3. I feel my Savior s love And know that he will bless me. I offer him my heart; My shepherd he will be. 4. I ll share my Savior s love By serving others freely. In serving I am blessed. In giving I receive. Chorus He knows I will follow him, Give all my life to him. I feel my Savior s love, The love he freely gives me. Words: Ralph Rodgers Jr., 1936 1996; K. Newell Dayley, b. 1939; and Laurie Huffman, b. 1948 Music: K. Newell Dayley, b. 1939 1978, 1979 by K. Newell Dayley.
Our Opening Prayer will be given by (Enter Name Here)
Try to imagine what it would be like to have the Savior live with your family for a week What do you think it would be like to be in that home for that week?
Let s read 4 Nephi 1:15 16. 15 And it came to pass that there was no a contention in the land, because of the b love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. 16 And there were no a envyings, nor b strifes, nor c tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of d lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a e happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
These verses describe how the people in America treated each other after Jesus Christ s visit. What do you think it would be like to live under these conditions?
How would our lives be different if everyone obeyed the commandments? (We would have no need for locks, keys, police officers, and so on.) One of the most important keys to happiness is how we treat other people.
By living the teachings of Jesus Christ, we will treat our families and friends with more kindness and less selfishness, and we will find greater peace and happiness.
Lesson 38: Peace among the Nephites
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One day when the disciples were together fasting and praying, Jesus Christ came to them.
The disciples asked him what they should name the Church. Jesus said it should be named after him because it was his Church.
Jesus explained to his disciples that Heavenly Father had sent him to earth to give his life for all people.
He said everyone who repents, is baptized in his name, and obeys his commandments will be held guiltless before Heavenly Father.
The Savior told his disciples to do the things they had seen him do. He had set the example for them.
He also told them to write down what they had seen and heard so that others could know about it.
Jesus asked his disciples what they would like from him. Nine of them wanted to be with him after their lives on earth had ended.
Jesus promised them that when they were 72 years old, they would go to him in heaven.
The other three disciples did not dare ask for what they wanted, but Jesus knew. They wanted to stay on the earth and teach the gospel until Jesus came again.
The Savior promised them that they would not suffer pain or sorrow and would not die. They would teach people the gospel until he returned.
Jesus touched each disciple except the three who would stay on the earth. Then he left.
The three disciples were taken to heaven, where they saw and heard many wonderful things. They were better able to understand the things of God.
Their bodies were changed so they would not die.
The three disciples returned to earth and began preaching and baptizing.
Wicked Nephites threw the three disciples into prison and into deep pits, but God s power helped them escape.
When they were pushed into furnaces and into dens with wild animals, they were also protected by the power of God.
The three disciples continued to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Nephites. They are still preaching his gospel.
After Jesus returned to heaven, his disciples set up his Church throughout the land.
The people who repented of their sins were baptized and received the Holy Ghost.
Soon all the Nephites and Lamanites were converted. They did not argue and everyone was honest.
No one was rich or poor. The people shared everything, and they all had what they needed.
The disciples performed many miracles in the name of Jesus Christ. They healed the sick and brought the dead back to life.
The people built new cities where others had been destroyed.
They obeyed God s commandments. They fasted and prayed and met together often to hear the word of God.
The people were happy.
There were no robbers, no liars, no murderers. The people were no longer divided into Nephites and Lamanites but were all one, the children of Christ.
The Lord blessed the people in everything they did.
They lived in peace for 200 years. The people became very rich.
Discussion Time
What did Jesus Christ s disciples desire of him? (3 Nephi 28:2, 4 7.) Why were the three disciples allowed to remain on earth until its end? (3 Nephi 28:6, 9.) What changes were made in their bodies that made it possible for them to do this? (3 Nephi 28:38 39.)
How were the three disciples protected as they taught the people? (3 Nephi 28:18 22.) What did Mormon record about these three disciples? (3 Nephi 28:24 26. ) Mormon lived about 350 years after Jesus Christ.
What did the disciples do after the Savior left them? (3 Nephi 28:18.) What did the people do when they heard the disciples words? (4 Nephi 1:1 2.)
How many of the people were converted? The people were no longer divided into Nephites and Lamanites but were united.
What do contention and disputation mean? (4 Nephi 1:2.) o Quarreling or arguing. How have you and your family been blessed when you have had no contention? How can you be a peacemaker and help your family avoid contention?
What does it mean that the people had all things common among them? (4 Nephi 1:3.) What would you like about living in this way? Why do you think it might be hard?
What miracles did Jesus Christ s disciples perform? (4 Nephi 1:5.) How were the people blessed?
Why was there no contention in the land? (4 Nephi 1:15.) What does it mean to have the love of God in our hearts? When have you felt the love of God in your life? How can we share this love with others?
What caused a change in this happy society? (4 Nephi 1:23 29.) How did the people treat the disciples? (4 Nephi 1:30 34.) What is pride? How can we overcome pride in our lives?
What does it mean to wilfully rebel against the gospel of Christ as these people did? (4 Nephi 1:38.)
What was the condition of the people three hundred years after Christ s visit? (4 Nephi 1:45 46.)
Enrichment Activities
These Phrases from 4 Nephi explain why the people were living in peace and hapiness Every man did deal justly one with another There were no... Tumults (Roitings) The love of God... Did dwell in the hearts of the people
President Ezra Taft Benson, the thirteenth President of the Church, said the following: The Lord warns us in the Doctrine and Covenants, Beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old (D&C 38:39) (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, p. 3; or Ensign, May 1989, p. 4).
President Benson taught us that we can overcome pride in our lives and be humble, meek, and submissive by Loving Heavenly Father and putting him first in our lives. Not worrying about what others think of us but only what Heavenly Father thinks of us. Not gossiping or criticizing. Not envying or living beyond our means. Not arguing or fighting in our families. Helping others feel good about themselves. Accepting counsel from our leaders. Forgiving those who have offended us. Being unselfish. Serving others.
Let s review these statements again. Tell how the principle can help us overcome pride in our families. Loving Heavenly Father and putting him first in our lives. Not worrying about what others think of us but only what Heavenly Father thinks of us. Not gossiping or criticizing. Not envying or living beyond our means. Not arguing or fighting in our families. Helping others feel good about themselves. Accepting counsel from our leaders. Forgiving those who have offended us. Being unselfish. Serving others.
Let s try role playing. Imagine you are living like the Nephite society we just learned about with no contentions Can we have two volunteers? o Let s imagine that you both want to be the first person on line to a concert here in town. How would you handle the situation? Can we have two more volunteers? o Let s imagine that you both want to play with the same toy. How would you handle the situation?
Let s read and discuss the following statement from Elder Marvin J. Ashton: How can you tell if someone is converted to Jesus Christ? The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, p. 25; or Ensign, May 1992, p. 20).
Let s try to Memorize the thriteenth Article of Faith. 13 a We believe in being b honest, true, c chaste, d benevolent, virtuous, and in doing e good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul We believe all things, we f hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to g endure all things. If there is anything h virtuous, i lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Read and discuss Doctrine and Covenants 19:23. 23 a Learn of me, and listen to my words; b walk in the c meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have d peace in me.
Testimony I want to bear my testimony that we can experience peace and happiness if we humbly live as the Savior has taught us to.
Our Closing Prayer will be given by (Enter Name Here)
THE END
3 Nephi 28:2, 4 7 2 And they all spake, save it were three, saying: We desire that after we have lived unto the age of man, that our ministry, wherein thou hast called us, may have an end, that we may speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom. 4 And when he had spoken unto them, he turned himself unto the three, and said unto them: What will ye that I should do unto you, when I am gone unto the Father?
3 Nephi 28:2, 4 7 5 And they sorrowed in their hearts, for they durst not speak unto him the thing which they desired. 6 And he said unto them: Behold, I a know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which b John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me. 7 Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall a never taste of b death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the c powers of heaven. Return
3 Nephi 28:6, 9 6 And he said unto them: Behold, I a know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which b John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me. 9 And again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the a sins of the world; and all this will I do because of the thing which ye have desired of me, for ye have desired that ye might b bring the souls of men unto me, while the world shall stand. Return
3 Nephi 28:38 39 38 Therefore, that they might not taste of death there was a a change wrought upon their bodies, that they might not b suffer pain nor sorrow save it were for the sins of the world. 39 Now this change was not equal to that which shall take place at the last day; but there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Satan could have no power over them, that he could not a tempt them; and they were b sanctified in the flesh, that they were c holy, and that the powers of the earth could not hold them. Return
3 Nephi 28:18 22 18 But this much I know, according to the record which hath been given they did go forth upon the face of the land, and did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the church as would believe in their preaching; baptizing them, and as many as were baptized did receive the Holy Ghost. 19 And they were cast into prison by them who did not belong to the church. And the a prisons could not hold them, for they were rent in twain. Return
3 Nephi 28:24 26 24 And now I, a Mormon, make an end of speaking concerning these things for a time. 25 Behold, I was about to write the a names of those who were never to taste of death, but the Lord forbade; therefore I write them not, for they are hid from the world. 26 But behold, a I have seen them, and they have ministered unto me. Return
3 Nephi 28:18 18 But this much I know, according to the record which hath been given they did go forth upon the face of the land, and did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the church as would believe in their preaching; baptizing them, and as many as were baptized did receive the Holy Ghost. Return
4 Nephi 1:1 2 1 AND it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were a baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost. 2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. Return
4 Nephi 1:2 2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. Return
4 Nephi 1:3 3 And they had a all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly b gift. Return
4 Nephi 1:5 5 And there were great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, insomuch that they did a heal the sick, and b raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of c miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus. Return
4 Nephi 1:15 15 And it came to pass that there was no a contention in the land, because of the b love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. Return
4 Nephi 1:23 29 23 And now I, Mormon, would that ye should know that the people had multiplied, insomuch that they were spread upon all the face of the land, and that they had become exceedingly a rich, because of their prosperity in Christ. 24 And now, in this * two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in a pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.
4 Nephi 1:23 29 25 And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more a common among them. 26 And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up a churches unto themselves to get b gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.
4 Nephi 1:23 29 27 And it came to pass that when * two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did a deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been b forbidden because of unworthiness.
4 Nephi 1:23 29 28 And this church did multiply exceedingly because of iniquity, and because of the power of a Satan who did get hold upon their b hearts. 29 And again, there was another church which denied the Christ; and they did a persecute the true church of Christ, because of their humility and their belief in Christ; and they did despise them because of the many miracles which were wrought among them. Return
4 Nephi 1:30 34 30 Therefore they did exercise power and authority over the disciples of Jesus who did tarry with them, and they did cast them into a prison; but by the power of the word of God, which was in them, the prisons were rent in twain, and they went forth doing mighty miracles among them. 31 Nevertheless, and notwithstanding all these miracles, the people did harden their hearts, and did seek to kill them, even as the Jews at Jerusalem sought to kill Jesus, according to his word.
4 Nephi 1:30 34 32 And they did cast them into a furnaces of b fire, and they came forth receiving no harm. 33 And they also cast them into a dens of wild beasts, and they did play with the wild beasts even as a child with a lamb; and they did come forth from among them, receiving no harm.
4 Nephi 1:30 34 34 Nevertheless, the people did harden their hearts, for they were led by many priests and a false prophets to build up many churches, and to do all manner of iniquity. And they did b smite upon the people of Jesus; but the people of Jesus did not smite again. And thus they did dwindle in unbelief and wickedness, from year to year, even until two hundred and thirty years had passed away. Return
4 Nephi 1:38 38 And it came to pass that they who rejected the gospel were called Lamanites, and Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites; and they did not dwindle in unbelief, but they did wilfully rebel against the gospel of Christ; and they did teach their children that they should not believe, even as their fathers, from the beginning, did dwindle. Return
4 Nephi 1:45 46 45 And it came to pass that when three hundred years had passed away, both the people of Nephi and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked one like unto another. 46 And it came to pass that the robbers of a Gadianton did spread over all the face of the land; and there were none that were righteous save it were the disciples of Jesus. And gold and silver did they lay up in store in abundance, and did b traffic in all manner of traffic. Return