“Lesson 18 Class Preparation Material: Becoming like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ,” Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Material (2021)
“Lesson 18 Class Preparation Material,” Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Material
Lesson 18 Class Preparation Material
Becoming like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
During His ministry to the Nephites and Lamanites, Jesus asked His twelve disciples, “What manner of men ought ye to be?” (3 Nephi 27:27). If the Lord asked you this question, how would you respond? How can you achieve your full potential? As you prepare for class, consider how the Savior’s teachings can help you answer these questions. Choose something specific you can do to become more like Him.
Section 1
Can I really become perfect like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
We read in the New Testament about Jesus delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which includes teachings that would ultimately help His disciples become perfect (see Matthew 5–7). Following His Resurrection, Jesus appeared in the land of Bountiful and delivered a similar sermon (see 3 Nephi 12–14).
Near the beginning of His message to the people, Jesus testified that those who would “give heed unto the words” of His chosen twelve disciples would be blessed (3 Nephi 12:1). He taught the Beatitudes, declared He had fulfilled the law of Moses, and delivered the higher law of the gospel.
Study in Preparation for Class
Read 3 Nephi 12:19–20, 46–48, looking for what we can become as we come unto Christ and strive to live His higher law.
Some people may feel confused or overwhelmed by the Savior’s commandment to be perfect. It may be helpful to know that in the scriptures, the word perfect can mean “complete, whole, and fully developed; totally righteous” and that “true followers of Christ may become perfect through His grace and Atonement” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Perfect,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Moroni 10:32–33, and look for how perfection requires both our effort and the Lord’s grace.
One way to define grace is this: “The word grace, as used in the scriptures, refers primarily to enabling power and spiritual healing offered through the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. … To receive this enabling power, we must obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. … The Lord promised that if we humble ourselves before Him and have faith in Him, His grace will help us overcome all our personal weaknesses (see Ether 12:27)” (“Grace,” Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven—we can’t “earn” it. Thus, the grace of Christ offers us not only salvation from sorrow and sin and death but also salvation from our own persistent self-criticism. …
… If we persevere, then somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and complete. …
… I testify that in this and every hour He is, with nail-scarred hands, extending to us that same grace, holding on to us and encouraging us, refusing to let us go until we are safely home in the embrace of Heavenly Parents. (“Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 41, 42)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
What does it mean to you to know that Jesus Christ is extending His grace to you and has prepared a way for you to become like Him and His Father?
Section 2
What can I do to become more like Jesus Christ?
As Jesus continued teaching the Nephites, He shared profound principles regarding how to live according to the higher law of His gospel. President Harold B. Lee said:
Christ came not only into the world to make an atonement for the sins of mankind but to set an example before the world of the standard of perfection of God’s law and of obedience to the Father. In his Sermon on the Mount the Master has given us somewhat of a revelation of his own character, which was perfect, … and in so doing has given us a blueprint for our own lives. (Decisions for Successful Living [1973], 55–56)
Study in Preparation for Class
Striving to live by these teachings will help each of us to eventually become perfect like the Savior. Briefly review the following list of topics addressed in 3 Nephi 12–14, and identify one or two areas that you would like to focus on.
After selecting your topic or topics, carefully study and ponder the associated scripture passages. To deepen your understanding of the topic, consider looking up the cross-references for the verses you are studying.
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Christlike Attributes (the Beatitudes) (3 Nephi 12:3–12)
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Anger (3 Nephi 12:21–24)
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Sexual Purity (3 Nephi 12:27–28)
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Honesty and Integrity (3 Nephi 12:33–37)
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Loving Enemies (3 Nephi 12:38–44)
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Serving for the Right Reasons (3 Nephi 13:1–4)
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Prayer and Fasting (3 Nephi 13:5–18)
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Treasures in Heaven (3 Nephi 13:19–24)
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Judging Others (3 Nephi 14:1–5)
Record Your Thoughts
Identify one or more principles taught in the passage or passages you read that can help you become more like the Savior. Record your impressions as you consider the following questions:
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How might living the principle in this scripture passage help me become more like Jesus Christ?
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How did Jesus Christ exemplify this principle?
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How has this principle blessed my life or the lives of others?
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What could I do to better apply this principle in my life?