Easter and 3 Nephi

I have been teaching a freshman Book of Mormon class this year. This semester has been the second half of the book (Alma 30 to the end). I have loved the opportunity to study and teach from this remarkable book of scripture. For Easter, I want to share an insight from this semester. The key to this insight is that Jesus' ministry among the Nephites and Lamanites can be thought of as a type from which we can learn how to approach the Savior. I will not review every detail, but I will give an outline that may prompt some ideas as you study these remarkable chapters in 3rd Nephi for yourself.

The following is a brief outline of the series of events and teaching during this visit of the Savior:

• Jesus defines His doctrine, given to Him by His Father. It is, in essence, to believe, repent, be baptized and receive the record of the Father through the Holy Ghost. (See 3 Nephi 11:32-39, also note that this topic is elaborated upon in 2 Nephi 31-32.)
• We are commanded to accept and follow this doctrine as we become as a little child (See 3 Nephi 11:37-38)
• Chapter 12 starts with beatitudes (3 Nephi 12:2-11). Imagine these statements like two cities on a road to a destination. For example, "Blessed are those who pass through Filmore for they shall see St. George." Notice that these cities identify I-15 heading south from Provo or Salt Lake. The cities of Filmore and St. George are not the entire route. But, by driving through Filmore and on to St. George you will be traveling along Interstate 15 going south. Along the way, you will pass through towns like Meadow, Beaver, Parowan and Cedar City. Similarly, if we follow the statement, "Blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God," we will not just suddenly be pure in heart and see God. We must become pure in heart through repentance, baptism and the Holy Ghost. Then we must do things, like attend the temple with the promise that the Lord is there, and we will see Him (See Psalms 24:3-4 and 3 D&C 97:16). In essence, we can use the scriptures to see how each beatitude defines a path by observing what it is that brings us to the state of being and how that leads to the promised blessing. All of the promised blessings are associated with being where God is.
• After teaching us of the characteristics (ways of being) that we should have, Jesus teaches that our motivation for action is at least as important as our actual obedience of the commandments (see 3 Nephi 12:19-45). For example, not only must we not kill, we must not get angry. Not only must we not commit adultery, we must not lust. In other words, our motivations and desires that precede action must come into alignment with the Lord's teachings.
• In 3 Nephi 13, Jesus turns to a new theme. In this chapter he teaches us to be motivated by our relationship with the Father, rather than looking to the approbation of others for approval. For example, we should do our alms (acts of service or giving) out of love for the Father and His children, not to be seen of others as a good person (3 Nephi 13:1-4). Similarly, we should fast in secret as a way of reaching out to the Father rather than looking miserable and hungry in order to be seen fasting by others (3 Nephi 13:16-18). This entire chapter focuses us on doing what we do in service of the Father and approaching the Father appropriately in prayer. We must seek for a relationship with the Father such that our self-worth comes from Him, not from putting on a show for the approval of others around us.
• Chapter 14 includes the command to ask, seek and knock (see 3 Nephi 14:7-11). I do not think that these are three words that all mean ask. Let me illustrate with a very short story. I go to an are of an old city where homes are surrounded by walls and yards are entered through doors in the walls. I am looking for a feast but cannot seem to find the location of the feast. I ask someone how to find the address. They indicate that I should go up three streets, turn right, then take the second left. The home I am seeking is on the right side of the street. Now, I have asked and found out where the home is and how to get there. Am I there yet? No. Now I need to seek. Along the way I may forget whether it was two streets and then three or three streets followed by two after the turn. In other words, I may need to ask again. After successfully seeking out the house, I knock at the door in the wall around the yard and am admitted to the feast. Thus, we must ask, seek and knock, to obtain what the Lord offers.
• Chapters 15 and 16 contain teachings about "other sheep." The decedents of Lehi find that they are the "other sheep" Jesus spoke of to his disciples in Jerusalem. But, those disciples never learned of Lehi's family because they never asked after Jesus told them about the other sheep. So, the Father told Jesus to say no more (3 Nephi 15:17-21). Next, Jesus explained that he had yet other sheep (3 Nephi 16:1-3). Now, those who were listening had just been told that the disciples in Jerusalem never learned about the other sheep because they did not ask. Then after explaining this, Jesus said there are yet other sheep (hint, hint, hint) and by the end of chapter 16 nobody asked about them. So, Jesus said, "I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words ..." (3 Nephi 17:2). He taught them to ask, seek and knock. He told them about how the disciples at Jerusalem didn't learn because they didn't ask. Then he gave them something to ask about, and they didn't ask. It seems that the people were not ready to learn about Jesus' sheep (the family of Israel).
• Jesus does not just leave in disappointment. Rather, He was filled with compassion and healed all of the sick or afflicted among them (3 Nephi 17:6-9). Then he asked for all their little children to be brought and he stood in their midst and prayed for all the people using words that cannot be written. Imagine the joy of this experience! These people witnessed the miracles that Jesus performed in mortality, and more.
• In Chapter 18 Jesus institutes the sacrament, commands the people to pray, to be a light to the world, and to teach others of Jesus Christ. He gave the disciples the power to give the Holy Ghost. and then ascended into Heaven. These things He did to prepare the people for what would happen the next day, and beyond.
• Those who were there the first day went home to gather everyone else to the temple for the return of Jesus the next day. In the morning the disciples taught what Jesus had taught the day before. Then all were baptized and received the Holy Ghost. Thus prepared, Jesus returned and stood in their midst. Everyone kneeled down and prayed. Jesus moved off a little way and prayed thanking the Father for giving these people, whom He had chosen, the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 19:20). Then, returning He finds that they are praying as directed by the Spirit and they are coming to have the same countenance as Jesus. He went a little way off again and thanked the Father for purifying these people (3 Nephi 19:28). Finally, he prays to the Father that these may all be one with Him and the Father. After observing them again, He prays using words that cannot be recorded (this reminds me of things in the temple that are too sacred to speak or record).
• In 3 Nephi 20:10 he says that people are ready and he will finish the commandment of the Father that he could not complete back in chapter 17 when He saw that the people were not ready. We can learn great lessons from this sequence. The things that happen in chapters 17, 18 and 19 are hints at the things that need to happen in our own lives for us to be ready to be taught about the covenant of the Father with Israel. That is the topic of chapters 20-26 which cover the rest of Jesus' teachings during this visit.

Let me give a more concise review of these items in sequence:

• Jesus' teaching begin with the doctrine of Christ.
• We begin as little children, but He will teach us to grow up to be part of the family of Israel.
• Jesus teaches us the characteristics we should have.
• Jesus teaches us that our motivations and thoughts matter as much as our actions.
• He commands us to ask, seek and knock.
• He begins to teach about Israel by discussing the "other sheep." But, he finds that the people are not ready to learn of the covent between the Father and His People. So, Jesus prepares the people.
• Jesus heals sickness and affliction, gathers the little children, prays for the people, and gives power to give the Holy Ghost. Then He departs.
• More people believe the witness of those who saw Jesus and are gathered together.
• The disciples teach the words of Jesus, baptize and the Holy Ghost falls on the people.
• Jesus returns. He observes the people and prays to thank the Father for giving the Holy Ghost. Jesus observes the people again and prays to thank the Father for purifying the people. Jesus observes the people again and prays to ask the Father that they might all be unified and one, just as Jesus and the Father are one.
• With the people thus prepared, Jesus teaches them of the covenant of the Father with Israel. A discussion of chapters 20-26 is a topic for another time, but it is very important. The ultimate outcome of this teaching is a zion-like society by the end of 3 Nephi. 

I have felt the voice of the Spirit often as I have studied 3 Nephi this semester. I love this record of a personal ministry of the risen Lord. This scripture is a compelling witness that the death and resurrection that we celebrate on Easter is real. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He lives and His work continues. The events of 3 Nephi point the way for us to come unto Christ and become one with Him and the Father.

Know the Lord

There is a wonderful and profound prophecy in the book of Jeremiah. It is in the 31st chapter and is as follows:

  31 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

  32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:

  33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Recall the earlier history of Israel and their interaction with God. After Moses brought Israel out of Egypt, the invitation was made to Israel to enter the presence of the Lord and to know Him at Sinai. They were to prepare themselves to meet the Lord in the mountain. But when the Lord came down to meet them, the people pulled back, as described in Exodus 20:

  18 ¶ And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

  19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

They declined the opportunity to personally know their God and, instead, sent Moses to speak to God and deliver God’s word. Having rejected the opportunity to come into the presence of God, and after making the golden calf, Israel lost the higher priesthood and ordinances necessary to enter God’s presence. They were left to follow a law of outward observances and to be reliant on prophets, as intermediaries, to teach them of God. Still, Moses longed for a day when Israel would receive knowledge of the Lord when he said in Numbers 11: 29, “ … would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!”

Jeremiah’s prophecy indicates that the day will come when Israel will accept the Lord’s covenant and come to know the Lord. In fact, each and every person alive will know the Lord. All will know the Lord and will know their sins have been forgiven. Imagine living among such people!  Each and every person you come in contact with would already know the Lord and have the promise of eternal life, as indicated by John 17: 3. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

At a very practical level a society like this would enjoy very different interactions. There would be no need for a prophet or apostle to say, “Know the Lord” because each member of the society, from the least to the greatest, would already know the Lord. Imagine what the church might be like if everyone already knew the Lord. A Bishop would still hold the keys of certain ordinances. He would still call people to serve in the ward organization. But, he would not need to worry about building the faith of people. Rather, he could just count upon each member of his ward being willing to serve wherever needed. Similarly, a relief society president would count on not just the visiting teachers, but on all of the other sisters to see to the needs of ward members out of a pure motivation of charity. Nobody would need the recognition of a calling or visible service. All members of this society would find their satisfaction in their personal knowledge of the Lord and His acceptance of their service.

There would still be the two lines of communication discussed by Elder Oaks (“Two Lines of Communication,” General Conference, October 2010). There would still be a church line of authority to see to the running of the church, the provision of ordinances, and the official communication of revelation from heaven. And, in addition, there would be regular personal communication from heaven. Neither line would contradict nor supersede the other. Both would make the other more effective. We would have an entire society, and church, filled with the kind of people described by President Dieter Uchtdorf in the analogy he made to his favorite pen (“Pride and the Priesthood,” General Conference, October 2010).

I once owned a pen that I loved to use during my career as an airline captain. By simply turning the shaft, I could choose one of four colors. The pen did not complain when I wanted to use red ink instead of blue. It did not say to me, “I would rather not write after 10:00 p.m., in heavy fog, or at high altitudes.” The pen did not say, “Use me only for important documents, not for the daily mundane tasks.” With greatest reliability it performed every task I needed, no matter how important or insignificant. It was always ready to serve.

In a similar way we are tools in the hands of God. When our heart is in the right place, we do not complain that our assigned task is unworthy of our abilities. We gladly serve wherever we are asked. When we do this, the Lord can use us in ways beyond our understanding to accomplish His work.

I have illustrated what this organization might be like in the picture below. This society would be made up of individuals. Some of these individuals would be in callings in the church. The church could still include the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Quorums of Seventy, Stake Presidents and all Stake auxiliary leaders, Bishops and all ward leaders, etc. Each of these would be a source of revelation for their area of responsibility. Each will serve well because of their own knowledge of the Lord and their joy being found in His service.

In addition to the church, there would be the rest of the men and women in the society. Each of these would personally know the Lord and, thus, have their own personal line of communication with God. When asked, they would serve willingly and ably in any position, great or small, in the church. When not in a calling they would serve one another in ways that would lift burdens, bring joy, create unity, etc. Each and every individual in this society would find their joy and their sense of acceptance to God through the personal line. And, when asked, would serve in the church as needed.

It is important to remember that no amount of revelation will cause us to graduate from, or move beyond, the Church of Jesus Christ. This is the place where we have the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price and the Bible. In addition, we have the temple and the ordinances through which the power of godliness is manifest. As we come to know the Lord, that knowledge should be manifest in how we lift and serve others. We should not become impatient with others who are in the church and still trying to find their way. The more we know of Jesus Christ, the better we should be able to teach of Him and live as an example of a believer.

Music and Zion

Imagine that it is time for the ward choir to sing in sacrament meeting.  The pianist plays an introduction.  The choir director signals the start of the signing and the choir sings. There is only one problem.  One member of choir is singing a different song!  What a cacophony!  The conflicting song is in a different key, at a different tempo, and clashes badly.  Why does this happen?  The one member of the choir felt that the other song was a better choice for that meeting.

In reality this hypothetical scenario is almost unimaginable.  Once the choir director chooses a song and helps the choir rehearse they sing in beautiful unity. There is a wonderful message in this.  Once the person with the authority to lead makes a decision, there is little to be gained from public discord.  We might compare the choir to the ward council.  The council meets together to discuss the needs of the ward.  They contribute ideas and insight.  The bishop listens carefully and learns from the members of the council.  But, once a decision is made and the bishop signals that it is time to move forward, complaints and actions inconsistent with the decision made in council is much like singing a different song than the rest of the choir because you didn't get your way.

The lessons to be learned from music extend to singing hymns in sacrament meeting.  Remember the Lord's statement on singing in D&C 25:

  12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

Just as with the ward choir, it would be quite disruptive to sing a different song than the rest of the ward.  We join in, not because the current hymn is our favorite or the one we would have selected, but because it is being sung in praise and worship.  It is a unified prayer for the congregation and brings the spirit into the hearts of those attending.  When we sing hymns we are experiencing a type of unity.  There can be people in the congregation who have differences.  They may even have hard feelings in some areas.  Yet, while the hymn is being sung they are praying and praising God in unity, and being blessed for it.  In a small way, the singing of hymns is an experiential lesson preparing us for Zion.  As the Lord taught in Moses 7:

18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; 

The hope is that we can take the wonderful spirit and attitude of unity that we feel while singing hymns and extend that to all of our service to one another in the church.  The singing of hymns is a type of experiential learning about Zion, where we will be of one heart and one mind.  Learning this lesson will help us learn of Zion.