Mormon 3

“Ye Must All Stand Before the Judgment-Seat of Christ”

Have you ever wondered what the Final Judgment might be like? As Mormon watched the wickedness of his people, he taught about who will judge us and how we will be judged in this Final Judgment. This lesson can help prepare you to stand with confidence and joy before Jesus Christ at the Final Judgment.

The final exam

Imagine you were asked to take a final assessment related to your study of the Book of Mormon today that included questions such as the following:

1. How many verses are there in the Book of Mormon?

2. How many times is Christ mentioned by one of His names or titles in the Book of Mormon?

3. How many Lamanites were converted by the teaching of Nephi and Lehi in Helaman 5?

Think about whether you could answer these questions accurately without preparation.

• How might your feelings about the test be different if your teacher told you about it beforehand and gave you a study guide designed to prepare you for it?

• Although we won’t be asked to share random facts from the scriptures in the Final Judgment, in what ways could the Final Judgment be compared to a test we will all take one day? In what ways will it be different than taking an academic test?

Ponder how prepared you feel for the Final Judgment. Do you know how to prepare for it? Why do you want to be prepared for it?

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you and have given the scriptures to help you know about and prepare for the day when you will “stand before the judgment-seat of Christ” (Mormon 3:20). As you study, look for truths that can help you be prepared to stand with confidence and joy before Jesus Christ at the Final Judgment.

Mormon taught about the Final Judgment

Mormon loved the Nephites and led them in battle many times. He pled with them to repent of their wickedness and turn to the Savior. However, they rejected the Lord and boasted in their own strength, swearing with sacred oaths that they had been taught never to use, so Mormon refused to lead them for a time (see Mormon 3:10–16). He then taught about the Final Judgment that all mankind would face.

1. Create and complete the following chart as your assignment for this lesson. Add to it as instructed throughout the remainder of the lesson and as you are inspired by the Holy Ghost.

   On the left side of your chart, make a list of questions you have about the Final Judgment such as the examples provided.

Questions I have about the Final Judgment	Answers, insights, and impressions I received
Questions I have about the Final Judgment Who will judge me?	Answers, insights, and impressions I received
Questions I have about the Final Judgment When will I be judged?	Answers, insights, and impressions I received

Read Mormon’s words in Mormon 3:18–22; 6:17–22 to search for answers to the questions you listed. List insights you find on the right column of your chart, including the scripture reference where you found each insight.

The judgment seat of Christ

One truth we learn from these passages is that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged of our works, whether they be good or evil. Consider marking phrases that teach this truth in Mormon 3:20.

• Why might it be comforting to know that the Savior is our Judge? (Record your answer in the right column of your chart).

For help answering the previous question, you could read Alma 7:11–13, looking for what the Savior experienced that allows Him to understand us perfectly at the Judgment. You could also listen to a statement from President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency in “The Great Plan” from time code 14:06 to 14:51 available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

You may still have questions and concerns about the Final Judgment. Search for additional answers and insights using the resources below or other divine sources. List insights you discover in the right column of your chart.

• Guide to the Scriptures entry under “Judgment, the Last”

• Topical Guide entry under “Judgment, the Last”

• Mosiah 3:10; 3 Nephi 27:13–20

• Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5; 58:42–43; 137:9

You may also want to listen to other teachings from President Oaks about the Final Judgment in “Divine Love in the Father’s Plan” from time code 1:44 to 3:32, or “Cleansed by Repentance” from time code 8:09 to 12:03, both available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• What truths about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, repentance, and the Final Judgment would you share with someone who is nervous about the Final Judgment? Why?

Confidence on Judgment Day

Think about how you have felt during this study. Do you feel more or less confident and joyful about the Final Judgment than you did prior to this lesson? Why do you feel the way you do? What is the Holy Ghost prompting you to do?

In your study journal, make a plan to begin preparing more intently for the Final Judgment. Ponder and decide on one action you can take to help you feel more confidence and joy as you prepare to stand before Christ. For example, daily, sincere repentance is a powerful way to find “happiness and peace of mind.” (See Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 67.) Commit to following through on your plan.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Mormon 3:17–22. Who will be involved in our judgment?

The scriptures teach that there will be at least five sources that will be part of our judgment:

1. Ourselves (see Alma 41:3–7)

2. Scriptures (see 2 Nephi 25:18; 29:11; 33:14; 3 Nephi 27:25–26)

3. Apostles (see Matthew 19:27–30; 1 Nephi 12:9; 3 Nephi 27:27; Mormon 3:18; Doctrine and Covenants 29:12)

4. Jesus Christ (see John 5:22; 2 Nephi 9:41; 3 Nephi 27:14)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained the Savior’s role as Judge.

There will be a whole hierarchy of judges who, under Christ, shall judge the righteous. He alone shall issue the decrees of damnation for the wicked. (Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man [1982], 520)

What will our judgment be based on?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency explained:

The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become. (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2000, 32)

How can repentance prepare us for the Final Judgment?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

Our ultimate quest in life is to prepare to meet our Maker. We do this by striving daily to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we do that as we repent daily and receive His cleansing, healing, and strengthening power. (Russell M. Nelson, “Opening Message,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 6)