3 Nephi 8–10

The Voice of the Savior in the Darkness

In the Americas, extreme destruction and darkness marked the Savior’s crucifixion. Sometime during the three days of penetrating darkness, Jesus Christ spoke to the people. Then and now, natural disasters, suffering, and trials can be opportunities to learn about and turn to Jesus Christ. This lesson will identify characteristics of Jesus Christ that can help you feel greater love for and trust in Him.

Encouraging students to focus on Jesus Christ. Help students center their gospel learning on Jesus Christ so the Holy Ghost can strengthen their understanding and appreciation of Him. One way to do this is to ask questions that will help students look for evidence of His power, mercy, and atoning mission.

Student preparation: Invite students to read 3 Nephi 8, imagining what it would have been like to be present during these events.

Possible Learning Activities

“A great storm”

Ask students if any of them have been in a scary, violent storm or experienced another type of natural disaster. Invite one or two to share what their experience was like, or you could share an experience you have had.

When Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem, a terrible storm and earthquake in the Americas caused great destruction. These events fulfilled Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecies about the signs of the Savior’s death (see Helaman 14:20–27).

To learn about the details of these destructive events, read 3 Nephi 8:5–22. You could also watch the video, “Jesus Christ Appears in the Ancient Americas,” from time codes 0:00–3:19. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• What might you have been thinking or feeling if you had experienced these things?

In the years leading up to this destruction, most of the Nephites had turned from the Lord and cast out the prophets that God had sent to preach to them (see 3 Nephi 7:7–8, 14, 21).

Read 3 Nephi 8:23–25, looking for how survivors reacted after experiencing these destructive events.

• How would you describe their feelings?

Truths about Jesus Christ

As the people mourned in the darkness, they heard the voice of Jesus Christ speaking to them. He named many cities and explained that those cities and people had been destroyed because of their wickedness. He then taught the people many important truths about Himself.

In addition to having students create the list described in the following paragraph, consider also creating a list that could be prominently displayed for your class throughout your study of 3 Nephi. You could use a large poster board or piece of paper to write the title listed below in italics. Around this, record students’ discoveries about Jesus Christ found during this lesson and in subsequent lessons.

To help you organize these truths, create a heading in your study journal titled: Learning about Jesus Christ in 3 Nephi. You may want to reserve multiple pages in your study journal so you can add truths to this list during your study of the Savior’s ministry among the Nephites over the next few weeks.

Be sure to give students sufficient time to have a meaningful experience studying the Savior’s words in the following verses. It may be beneficial to play reverent instrumental music and allow them to study individually.

You could also divide students into small groups and assign each group to study and discuss one of the following scripture passages: 3 Nephi 9:13–18; 3 Nephi 9:19–22; 3 Nephi 10:4–7; and 3 Nephi 10:8–12. Members from each group could be invited to share what they learned about Jesus Christ from the verses they studied.

Read 3 Nephi 9:13–22 and 10:4–12, looking for what Jesus Christ taught these people about Himself. Write these truths under the heading in your study journal.

After students have had sufficient time to study, discuss what they learned. Give multiple students an opportunity to share their insights and feelings about Jesus Christ. Use questions like the following to help guide this discussion.

• What did the Savior teach about Himself that was especially significant to you? Why?

  Students could identify many truths about Jesus Christ. You may want to make sure students notice the following: Jesus Christ’s arm of mercy is extended to us (3 Nephi 9:14); Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world (3 Nephi 9:18); Jesus Christ asks that we offer to Him a broken heart and a contrite spirit (3 Nephi 9:20); Jesus Christ desires to gather and protect us (3 Nephi 10:4–7).

  Consider writing these truths on the board. You could invite students to find other accounts in the scriptures in which Jesus Christ demonstrates one or more of the truths they have identified about Him.

  For ideas about how you might spend more time on some of the Savior’s specific teachings from these verses, see the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section.

• How can the truths you have learned about Jesus Christ impact your love for and trust in Him?

• What situations have you been in, or might you be in, where remembering one or more of these truths will be important?

Testify of the truths you have discussed today. Encourage students to continue looking for important truths about Jesus Christ as they continue to study His ministry among the Nephites.

Commentary and Background Information

Will Jesus Christ really forgive me when I have made big mistakes?

President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized:

Letters come from those who have made tragic mistakes. They ask, “Can I ever be forgiven?”

The answer is yes!

The gospel teaches us that relief from torment and guilt can be earned through repentance. Save for those few who defect to perdition after having known a fulness, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no offense exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. (Boyd K. Packer, “The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 19)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

God doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Best Is Yet to Be,” [Brigham Young University devotional, Jan. 13, 2009], 27, speeches.byu.edu)

3 Nephi 9:20. What does it mean to have a broken heart and contrite spirit?

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught the following concerning a broken heart and contrite spirit:

True repentance involves a change of heart and not just a change of behavior (see Alma 5:13). Part of this mighty change of heart is to feel godly sorrow for our sins. This is what is meant by a broken heart and a contrite spirit. God’s gifts are sufficient to help us overcome every sin and weakness if we will but turn to Him for help. Most repentance does not involve sensational or dramatic changes, but rather is a step by step, steady and consistent movement toward godliness. (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 71.)

Elder Bruce D. Porter (1952–2016) of the Seventy explained:

The Savior’s perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Christ’s example teaches us that a broken heart is an eternal attribute of godliness. When our hearts are broken, we are completely open to the Spirit of God and recognize our dependence on Him for all that we have and all that we are. The sacrifice so entailed is a sacrifice of pride in all its forms. Like malleable clay in the hands of a skilled potter, the brokenhearted can be molded and shaped in the hands of the Master. …

… Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment. We cease doing things our way and learn to do them God’s way instead. (Bruce D. Porter, “A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 32)

Supplemental Learning Activities

3 Nephi 9:14. “Mine arm of mercy is extended towards you”

Consider inviting students to think about the false perceptions people who have turned from God might have about Him or His feelings toward them. Students’ responses could be listed on the board. Then invite students to read 3 Nephi 9:13–14, 22, looking for words from the Savior that could help correct these false perceptions or ideas. These words or phrases could also be written on the board. Invite students to discuss how understanding the Savior’s words in these verses could influence their behavior after they have made mistakes.

3 Nephi 9:18. “I am the light and the life of the world”

As you invite students to read the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi 9:18, invite them to think about why His message would have been especially meaningful to the Nephites in the physical environment they were in. You could also discuss why the Light of the World is an appropriate title for Jesus Christ. Consider inviting students to study some or all of the following scriptures to deepen their understanding of this truth: John 8:12; 3 Nephi 18:16, 24; Doctrine and Covenants 6:21; 88:7–13.

3 Nephi 9:20. “A broken heart and a contrite spirit”

It may be helpful to remind students that before the Savior came to the earth, His followers were commanded to sacrifice animals as part of the law of Moses. These sacrifices were symbolic of the future sacrifice of the Son of God (see Moses 5:5–8).

Invite students to read 3 Nephi 9:19–20, looking for a new commandment the Savior gave related to sacrifice. To help students understand the phrase “ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 9:20), consider using the statement by Elder Bruce D. Porter in the “Commentary and Background Information” section.

Discuss why students think the Savior would ask us to offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit to Him as a sacrifice. Encourage them to think of experiences they have had where they have felt a broken heart and a contrite spirit and what helped them feel that way. It may be helpful to share your own examples as well.

The following statement by Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles could be used as part of this discussion:

“Real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us [the natural man] upon the altar and letting it be consumed!” (Neal A. Maxwell, “Deny Yourselves of All Ungodliness,” Ensign, May 1995, 68).

3 Nephi 10:6. “How oft will I gather you”

Consider displaying the following image and inviting students to look at it as they study 3 Nephi 10:4–7. What truths do you think Jesus Christ is hoping the people will understand and feel about Him from these verses? Why might these truths be meaningful for you when you experience times of difficulty?