3 Nephi 28

Desiring to Bring Others to Jesus Christ

One of the greatest desires we can have in our lives is to help other people receive the blessings offered by Jesus Christ and His Atonement (see Doctrine and Covenants 15:6). Three of the Nephite disciples demonstrated this in a unique way when they desired to remain on the earth and bring souls to Jesus Christ until His Second Coming. This lesson is intended to help you feel an increased desire to bring others to Jesus Christ.

What do you desire?

• How would you respond if Jesus appeared to you and asked, “What is it that ye desire of me?”

• Why would you choose what you did?

During the Savior’s ministry among the Nephites, He asked this question to His disciples (see 3 Nephi 28:1).

Read 3 Nephi 28:2–6, looking for how the Nephite disciples responded to the Savior’s question.

• What did you find?

In verse 6, the Savior mentioned that three of the Nephite disciples desired the same thing John the Beloved had desired. Read Doctrine and Covenants 7:1–3, looking for John’s desire.

• Why do you think these three disciples desired to remain on earth?

Think about your own desire to bring people to Jesus Christ. The following self-evaluation can help you do this.

Respond to each of the following statements with one of these answers: “regularly,” “sometimes,” or “rarely.”

1. I look for opportunities to tell people about Christ.

2. I pray for opportunities to find people to talk to about Christ.

3. I feel a desire to help others follow Jesus Christ.

Increasing your desire to help others come unto Christ

In the middle of a page in your study journal, draw a small stick figure that represents a teenager who does not have a desire to share the gospel with others. In the blank space around the stick figure, write some of the reasons this teenager might not desire to share the gospel. Save room to write truths you learn as you study today.

As you continue to study, look for teachings that could help someone feel a greater desire to share the gospel.

Read 3 Nephi 28:7–10, looking for what the Lord promised the Nephite disciples who desired to remain on the earth to bring souls unto Him.

• What blessing did Jesus give them in verses 7–8 so they could fulfill their desires?

• What did the Savior promise His disciples they would receive in verses 9–10 because of their righteous desires?

In our dispensation, the Lord has promised blessings to those who seek to bring souls unto Him. Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:15–16, looking for blessings we can experience for bringing souls to Jesus Christ.

• What is a truth we can learn from these verses about how we can be blessed as we seek to bring souls to Jesus Christ?

One truth we can learn from these verses is as we make efforts to bring souls to Jesus Christ, we can experience joy. Consider writing this truth on the picture you created.

1. Answer the following questions:

   • Why do you think bringing souls unto Jesus Christ is a source of joy?

   • How could understanding this truth help someone feel a greater desire to share the gospel?

Search for other scriptures or statements by Church leaders that could help increase our desire to share the gospel. You could use study tools like Gospel Topics or the Guide to the Scriptures to search topics like “Missionary Work,” or you could study some or all of the following verses. Add truths you find to the picture in your study journal.

• 2 Nephi 2:8

• Doctrine and Covenants 33:8–10

• Doctrine and Covenants 84:88

• Doctrine and Covenants 123:12–14

2. Answer the following questions:

   • What are some teachings you found that could help someone feel a greater desire to share the gospel? Why do you think these teachings would help?

   • What experiences have helped you see the blessings that can be received when we share the gospel?

To see examples of how individuals were blessed through missionary efforts, consider watching “Your Day for a Mission” (3:31) or “By Small and Simple Things: Sharing the Gospel” (3:19). Both videos can be found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Your Day for a Mission

By Small and Simple Things: Sharing the Gospel

Think about what you have learned or felt today that may have influenced your own desire to help others come unto Christ. Record in your study journal any thoughts or spiritual impressions you have had and make a plan to act on your impressions.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Why is our desire to help bring others to Christ so important today?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

The gospel of Jesus Christ has never been needed more than it is today. Contention violates everything the Savior stood for and taught. I love the Lord Jesus Christ and testify that His gospel is the only enduring solution for peace.

His gospel is the only answer when many in the world are stunned with fear. … We have the sacred responsibility to share the power and peace of Jesus Christ with all who will listen and who will let God prevail in their lives. …

… The spiritual darkness in the world makes the light of Jesus Christ needed more than ever. Everyone deserves the chance to know about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Every person deserves to know where they can find the hope and peace that “[pass] all understanding” [Philippians 4:7]. (Russell M. Nelson, “Preaching the Gospel of Peace,” Liahona, May 2022, 6, 7)

Can others feel joy when I share the gospel?

Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy taught:

Hold Up Your Light

When a person learns the glorious purpose of life, comes to understand that Christ forgives and succors those who follow Him, and then chooses to follow Christ into the waters of baptism, life changes for the better—even when the external circumstances of life do not.

A radiantly happy sister I met in Onitsha, Nigeria, told me that from the time she learned the gospel and was baptized (and now I use her words), “everything is good for me. I am happy. I am in heaven.” Sharing the gospel kindles joy and hope in the souls of both giver and receiver. Truly, “how great shall be your joy” [Doctrine and Covenants 18:15] as you share the gospel! Sharing the gospel is joy upon joy, hope upon hope. (Marcus B. Nash, “Hold Up Your Light,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 71)

What is the difference between translation, transfiguration, and resurrection?

The three Nephite disciples were first transfigured in order to “behold the things of God” (3 Nephi 28:13–15) and then translated so they could remain on the earth until the Second Coming (3 Nephi 28:37–40).

The following definitions can help clarify the differences between translation, transfiguration, and resurrection.

• Translated beings. “Persons who are changed so that they do not experience pain or death until their resurrection to immortality” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Translated Beings,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Transfiguration. “The condition of persons who are temporarily changed in appearance and nature—that is, lifted to a higher spiritual level—so that they can endure the presence and glory of heavenly beings” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Transfiguration,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Resurrection. “The reuniting of the spirit body with the physical body of flesh and bones after death. After resurrection, the spirit and body will never again be separated, and the person will become immortal” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Resurrection,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).