3 Nephi 2–5

“Prepared … in the Strength of the Lord”

the Nephites gathering all their people, substance and flocks together in one place to prepare for coming war

Minerva Teichert (1888-1976), The Answer of Lachoneus, 1949-1951, oil on linen affixed to masonite, 36 x 48 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art.

Just as we face challenges leading to the Savior’s return, the Nephites faced challenges in the years before He came to them. The Gadianton robbers threatened to destroy the Nephites. However, the Nephites “were prepared to meet them … in the strength of the Lord” (3 Nephi 4:10). Like the Nephites, we can overcome challenges by being prepared. This lesson can help you receive the Lord’s strength by being prepared spiritually and temporally.

Inviting students to take effective righteous action. As students study the scriptures, help them recognize the consequences of choices and actions recorded in the accounts. Encourage students to relate these lessons to their own lives and determine how they can faithfully follow the Savior.

Student preparation: Invite students to discuss with family members or Church leaders the blessings that come from being prepared temporally or spiritually.

Possible Learning Activities

Be prepared

The purpose of this activity is to help students see the importance of being prepared. Help students think of circumstances they need to prepare for. Consider sharing about a time when you were blessed for being prepared or when you struggled because you were unprepared.

Think about a time in your life when you felt prepared or unprepared.

• What was the situation, and why did you feel prepared or unprepared?

• If you felt unprepared, what have you done to prepare better for the future?

• What have you done to spiritually prepare for challenges you are facing or may face in the future?

As you study 3 Nephi 2–5, seek the guidance of the Spirit to know what you can do to prepare yourself temporally and spiritually for the future.

Preparations of Lachoneus

The prophet Samuel prophesied that there would be a night without darkness as a sign of Jesus Christ’s birth. When this prophecy was fulfilled (see 3 Nephi 1:15–19), “the more part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord” (3 Nephi 1:22). However, after a few years, some began to disbelieve.

For the following activity, you could divide the class in half or into pairs. Half of the students could read one of the following passages and report what they found to the class or their partner.

Read 3 Nephi 1:27–30 and 3 Nephi 2:1–3, looking for reasons some people strayed from the Lord.

• What lessons can we learn from these verses that can help us stay true to the Lord in our day?

The Gadianton robbers increased in numbers and fought against the Nephites. In response, “the Lamanites who had become converted unto the Lord did unite with their brethren, the Nephites” (3 Nephi 2:12). Giddianhi, the leader of the Gadianton robbers, wrote a letter to Lachoneus, the chief judge of the Nephites. In it, he threatened to destroy the Nephites if they did not surrender (see 3 Nephi 3:1–10).

Read 3 Nephi 3:11–12, looking for how Lachoneus responded.

• What evidence do you see of Lachoneus’s faith in the Lord?

Write Nephite Preparations on the board. Consider assigning the following passages to various class members or groups. Invite students to list on the board what the people did to prepare temporally and spiritually.

• 3 Nephi 3:13–16

• 3 Nephi 3:17–21

• 3 Nephi 3:22–26

• 3 Nephi 4:3–4

To help students recognize the temporal preparations, you could point out how the Nephites built fortifications, placed guards, and gathered supplies and food. For spiritual preparations, you could point out how they repented and prayed for deliverance.

• Which preparations do you think helped the most? Why?

• How do you think these preparations helped them rely on the Lord?

Read 3 Nephi 4:7–12, looking for how the Nephites were blessed because of their spiritual and temporal preparations.

• What principles can we learn from this account? (See 3 Nephi 4:10.)

One of the principles we learn from this account is as we prepare ourselves spiritually and temporally, the Lord will strengthen us to overcome or endure challenges.

Preparations in our day

Write Modern Parallels on the board, and help students create a list of preparations we can make in our day. These can be preparations similar to the Nephites’ or other preparations prophets have counseled us to make. Discuss specific challenges we face in our day and how these preparations can help us be prepared in the strength of the Lord. To help students think of ideas, consider showing the video “Temporal Preparedness Resources” (3:09), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• Pick one or more preparations from your list. How can it help us overcome specific challenges we face in our day?

• In what ways do you think our preparation allows the Lord to strengthen us?

The Gadianton robbers set up a siege that failed because the Nephites had divine help in their preparation. Eventually the Gadianton robbers retreated. They were cut off by the Nephite army and yielded themselves up as prisoners or were slain (see 3 Nephi 4:16–27).

Read 3 Nephi 4:30–33; 5:1–4, looking for how the people responded to being strengthened by the Lord.

• How did their response show their faith in God?

You may want to display the following invitation to reflect as well as the statement from President Nelson for students to ponder and reflect upon.

Reflect on a time when you may have felt the strength of the Lord by preparing temporally and spiritually.

President Russell M. Nelson testified of the blessings of being prepared:

President Russell M. Nelson

The adversary never stops attacking. So, we can never stop preparing! The more self-reliant we are—temporally, emotionally, and spiritually—the more prepared we are to thwart Satan’s relentless assaults. …

I am not saying that the days ahead will be easy, but I promise you that the future will be glorious for those who are prepared and who continue to prepare to be instruments in the Lord’s hands. (Russell M. Nelson, “Embrace the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 75–76)

As needed, share examples of what students may need to prepare for—for example, missionary service, educational opportunities, a career, natural disasters, or the Savior’s coming.

Think of a challenge, situation, or event you must prepare for. Reflect on how prepared you feel today. Seek the guidance of the Spirit as you answer these questions.

• What specific actions could you take to prepare?

• How can you include the Lord in your preparations?

Testify of the blessings that come from being prepared. Encourage students to talk with their families about challenges they may face and how to prepare temporally and spiritually.

Commentary and Background Information

How can we prepare?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

President Russell M. Nelson

We have been promised that “if [we] are prepared [we] shall not fear” [Doctrine and Covenants 38:30]. This assurance has profound implications today. The Lord has declared that despite today’s unprecedented challenges, those who build their foundations upon Jesus Christ, and have learned how to draw upon His power, need not succumb to the unique anxieties of this era. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 94)

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency declared:

President Dallin H. Oaks

We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult—the spiritual. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 9)

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

Elder David A. Bednar

Our efforts to prepare for the proving experiences of mortality should follow the example of the Savior, who incrementally “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” [Luke 2:52]—a blended balance of intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social readiness. (David A. Bednar, “We Will Prove Them Herewith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 9)

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Elder Quentin L. Cook

The storms and temptations of this life are often unpredictable. But this we know: they will come! In order to overcome the challenges and temptations that each of us inevitably faces, it will require righteous preparation and the use of divinely provided protections. We must determine to be temple worthy regardless of what befalls us. If we are prepared, we shall not fear. (Quentin L. Cook, “Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 39)

3 Nephi 2:15. What does it mean that “their curse was taken from them”?

In Nephi’s day, the curse of the Lamanites was that they were “cut off from [the Lord’s] presence … because of their iniquity” (2 Nephi 5:20–21). The curse lasted only as long as the people were wicked. When Lamanites later embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ, “the curse of God did no more follow them” (Alma 23:18). In 3 Nephi 2, the curse was taken away from the Lamanites who were converted to the Lord (see 3 Nephi 2:12, 15).

Supplemental Learning Activities

The Savior’s example of preparation

Students may benefit from seeing the Savior’s example of preparation. They could read Luke 2:52 and the statement by Elder David A Bednar in the “Commentary and Background Information” section. Discuss ways students can prepare in these areas. You could also invite students to refer to the Children and Youth personal development goals they may have set.

3 Nephi 2:1–3. Remember spiritual experiences

Consider discussing the importance of remembering our spiritual experiences. After reading 3 Nephi 2:1–3, you could discuss what happens if we forget spiritual experiences we have had. Then invite students to share what actions they take to remember and renew their witness of spiritual truths. They could also record previous spiritual experiences in their study journal.

For other information on this topic, see the following:

• Henry B. Eyring, “O Remember, Remember,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 66–69

• Ronald A. Rasband, “Lest Thou Forget,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 113–115

• Neil L. Andersen, “Spiritually Defining Memories,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 18–22

3 Nephi 3:2–12. Giddianhi tempts Lachoneus

This activity can help students see how Satan and his followers often use flattery, false promises, and threats to lead people astray. Read 3 Nephi 3:2–10, looking for words or phrases that illustrate the tactics Giddianhi used to try to weaken Lachoneus’s faith. Discuss how similar tactics are used against youth today. Then read 3 Nephi 3:11–12, looking for how Lachoneus responded. Discuss how righteous men and women do not need to fear the wicked or give in to their intimidation.

3 Nephi 5:23–26. The gathering of Israel

Students could liken the gathering of the Nephites in 3 Nephi 3–4 to the gathering of Israel. Read 3 Nephi 5:23–26 and discuss the gathering of Israel. Help students see that Israel is gathered as people come to “know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ” (3 Nephi 5:26).

See also Russell M Nelson and Wendy W. Nelson, “Hope of Israel” (worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018), supplement to the New Era and Ensign, ChurchofJesusChrist.org. It may be helpful to view the video of the broadcast from time code 29:50 to 33:36 and 38:18 to 45:09.