3 Nephi 15–16

“One Fold, and One Shepherd”

As Jesus Christ taught the people in the land of Bountiful, He demonstrated His love for every individual. Each was invited to come and experience His love for themselves (see 3 Nephi 11). He then helped them understand that He feels this same love for all of God’s children. He desires every person everywhere to be numbered among His sheep. This lesson is meant to help you feel the Savior’s desire to gather you and everyone to Him.

Fostering an environment of acceptance and respect. Strive to learn about each student’s background and circumstances. You can help students feel a sense of belonging by inviting them to share their unique perspectives and letting them know that their contributions are valued.

Student preparation: Invite students to ponder how they would answer this question: “What evidence have you seen that the Savior wants to gather everyone to Him?”

Possible Learning Activities

Names and titles of Christ

Consider placing a picture of Jesus Christ in the center of the board. Invite students to work in small groups to see how many different names and titles for Him they can remember or find in two to three minutes. Then invite each group to select one of His names or titles that they would like to share with the class. Following are a few examples from the Book of Mormon.

Note: If your students would benefit from more active involvement, see “Alternate beginning to the lesson” in the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section.

• Master of the vineyard (Jacob 5:4)

• Rock (Helaman 5:12)

• Light (3 Nephi 11:11)

• What is one of your favorite names or titles for Him? What does it teach you about Him?

The Savior’s sheep

In 3 Nephi 15–16, Jesus continued teaching the people near the temple in the land of Bountiful. After explaining that the law of Moses had been fulfilled in Him, He shared a title for Himself that can help us understand our relationship with Him.

Read 3 Nephi 15:17 and consider marking the title that Jesus gave for Himself.

Consider replacing the picture of Jesus Christ on the board with a picture of Him as a shepherd, such as the one at the beginning of this lesson. Invite students to silently ponder His role as our Shepherd using prompts such as those in the following paragraph.

We are often compared to sheep who frequently wander away from Jesus and become lost and scattered. Ponder for a moment if that analogy has been accurate at times in your life. Have there been times that you have wandered away from your Shepherd, Jesus Christ, or do you have loved ones who have wandered away?

• How could understanding Jesus’s feelings toward His scattered sheep influence someone’s hope of returning to Him?

“Other sheep”

Consider displaying the following picture to help students visualize a “fold.”

Shepherds in the Savior’s day often created enclosed “folds,” like the one in this picture, to keep their sheep safe from predators and other dangers. The Savior’s Church is an example of a fold where He protects us from dangers in the world.

Consider displaying the following two scripture references and the questions that follow each of them. You could divide students into partnerships to read the passages and discuss the associated questions.

• John 10:14–16 (Jesus speaking to His “sheep” in ancient Israel)

  • What do you think it means that Jesus knows His sheep and is known by them?

• 3 Nephi 15:13–17, 21 (Jesus speaking to His “sheep” in the ancient Americas)

  • How do John 10:16 and 3 Nephi 15:21 relate to each other?

    After students have discussed the previous question, you might divide them into partnerships to role-play. They could imagine giving a Book of Mormon to a friend of another faith who is willing to accept it if they can show that the Book of Mormon people are mentioned in the Bible. Students could use John 10:16 and 3 Nephi 15:21 to explain that Jesus referred to the Book of Mormon people as He taught His disciples in Jerusalem. Listen to students’ explanations, and help them as needed.

    Then display the following reference and question for partners to discuss.

• 3 Nephi 16:1–3 (These “sheep” include “the lost tribes of Israel” [3 Nephi 17:4].)

  • What does Heavenly Father’s commandment in these verses teach you about Him?

The Good Shepherd

One truth we can learn from these chapters is that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ desire to gather everyone into the Savior’s fold.

• What modern dangers does Jesus protect us from in His fold?

You might write on the board some of the dangers that students mention.

Read 1 Nephi 22:25, 28 and 3 Nephi 16:11–13, looking for descriptions of our Shepherd’s work of gathering in our day.

• What words and phrases describe who our Shepherd desires to gather? What is required of us to accept His loving invitation?

Gathering to the Savior’s fold

As you study this section, you might keep a friend in mind who is not currently enjoying the full blessings that the Savior offers to those in His fold (the Church). They may have wandered away from His Church, or they may not yet be baptized.

Read the following scripture passages and the statement by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Or you might watch the video “Our Good Shepherd,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 3:13 to 4:44. Look for things you would want your friend to know about our Shepherd.

• Alma 5:60

• John 10:11

• Isaiah 53:4–6

As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ views disease in His sheep as a condition that needs treatment, care, and compassion. This shepherd, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing. …

The Savior’s mortal ministry was indeed characterized by love, compassion, and empathy. He did not disdainfully walk the dusty roads of Galilee and Judea, flinching at the sight of sinners. He did not dodge them in abject horror. No, He ate with them. He helped and blessed, lifted and edified, and replaced fear and despair with hope and joy. Like the true shepherd He is, He seeks us and finds us to offer relief and hope. (Dale G. Renlund, “Our Good Shepherd,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 30)

• What would you want your friend to know about our Shepherd from these passages and from Elder Renlund’s statement? Why?

• What are some examples of how the Savior has gathered people to Him? (This could include someone you know personally, people from the scriptures, or even you.)

Consider concluding class by singing, listening to, or reading the hymn “Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd” (Hymns, no. 221). Invite students to think about how the Savior feels about them. Then invite them to share how they know that the lyrics of the hymn teach truth (based on what they have felt, seen, or experienced).

Bear your testimony of the Savior’s desire to gather everyone to Him.

Commentary and Background Information

How do we enter the fold of God?

Elder Randy D. Funk of the Seventy taught:

There is only one way into the fold of God and only one way to be saved. It is by and through Jesus Christ.

We learn how to come into the fold from the word of God, which is the doctrine taught by Jesus Christ and His prophets. When we follow the doctrine of Christ and come into the fold through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism and confirmation, and continuing faithfulness, Alma promised four specific, personal blessings. You may (1) “be redeemed of God,” (2) “be numbered with those of the first resurrection,” (3) “have eternal life,” and (4) the Lord will “pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you” [Mosiah 18:9, 10]. (Randy D. Funk, “Come into the Fold of God,” Liahona, May 2022, 119–20)

What does the Savior offer those who enter His fold?

Elder Randy D. Funk of the Seventy said:

Within the fold of God, we experience [the Good Shepherd’s] watchful, nurturing care and are blessed to feel His redeeming love. He said, “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me” [Isaiah 49:16]. Our Savior has graven upon His palms our sins, pains, afflictions, and all that is unfair in life. All are welcome to receive these blessings, as they “are desirous to come” [Mosiah 18:8] and choose to be in the fold. (Randy D. Funk, “Come into the Fold of God,” Liahona, May 2022, 119)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternate beginning to the lesson

Before class, you could hide a few pictures or names of different people you love around the classroom. They could be of family members, ward members, or your students. Also, display on the board a picture of Jesus Christ as a shepherd, such as the one at the beginning of this lesson.

Ask students to help find all of your “scattered” loved ones and place them on the board near the Savior’s picture. Encourage them to find every one of them because of what they mean to you. (But don’t let this activity take too long.)

His sheep hear His voice

Consider showing the video “#HearHim: President Nelson Invites Us to Hear the Voice of the Lord” from time code 0:00 to 1:35.

Invite students to mark the phrases in each of the following verses that speak of Christ’s sheep hearing His voice: 3 Nephi 15:17, 21, 24; 16:2–3.

Then invite students to share different ways we can hear the voice of the Good Shepherd.

You may want to point out that we can hear His voice through the Holy Ghost (see 3 Nephi 16:6).

Consider showing one or more of the short Church videos with the hashtag #HearHim from the “Hear Him” collection.

Gathering Israel

To help students understand the teachings about the gathering of Israel in these chapters, consider using 3 Nephi 16:4–5, 11–13 to show that Israel is gathered as people are brought to a knowledge of their Redeemer and His gospel. You could discuss how the Savior visited various groups belonging to the house of Israel and how they are all known by the Father (see 3 Nephi 17:4).

Invite students to share ways they can help the Savior to gather Israel.