“3 Nephi 28: Desiring to Bring Others to Jesus Christ,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)
“3 Nephi 28,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual
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.
Helping students learn to rely on Jesus Christ. As students strive to follow Jesus Christ, they may feel uncertain about their abilities to fulfill their duties or assignments. Remind students that as they act in faith, they will be strengthened by the Lord. Encourage them to seek guidance and courage by turning to Heavenly Father in prayer.
Student preparation: Invite students to think about experiences they have had sharing the gospel and what helped them desire to do what they did.
Possible Learning Activities
What do you desire?
Consider inviting students to ponder the following questions.
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How would you respond if Jesus appeared to you and asked, “What is it that ye desire of me?”
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Why would you choose what you did?
Consider inviting a few students who are comfortable doing so to share their answers.
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.
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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.
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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.
Consider displaying the following activity and inviting students to quietly evaluate themselves. Do not ask students to share their responses with the class.
Respond to each of the following statements with one of these answers: “regularly,” “sometimes,” or “rarely.”
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I look for opportunities to tell people about Christ.
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I pray for opportunities to find people to talk to about Christ.
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I feel a desire to help others follow Jesus Christ.
Increasing your desire to help others come unto Christ
In addition to students drawing the following picture in their study journals, you could draw it on the board.
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.
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What blessing did Jesus give them in verses 7–8 so they could fulfill their desires?
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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.
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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.
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Why do you think bringing souls unto Jesus Christ is a source of joy?
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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.
Display the following verses. Give students time to study these or other verses or statements by Church leaders they find on their own.
Invite students to share what they learned from their studies. In addition to asking the following question, you could invite them to write the truths they discovered around the drawing on the board.
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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?
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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.
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.
Consider testifying of the strength we can receive and the love of God we can feel as we act on the desire to help others come unto Jesus Christ.