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3 Ne 1:1-5
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 1
Questions
- The people saw many signs before the day and night and day of light. Shouldn't the previous signs be enough to convert those people? Why or why not?
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3 Ne 1:6-10
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 1
Questions
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Lexical notes
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Exegesis
- This is one of many examples in the scriptures where believers are threatened to be put to death. Other examples include Dan 3:20 (Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego), Dan 6:7 (Daniel and the decree against praying), Acts 7:59 (Stephen), Acts 12:2 (James the brother of John), Acts 14:19 (Paul), Alma 14:8 (wives and children in Ammoniahah),Alma 25:7-8 (children of Amulon kill believing Lamanites), 4 Ne 1:31ff (disciples 200 years after Christ appears), and D&C 101:1 (cf. HC 1: 458—464, early Saints in Missouri).
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3 Ne 1:11-15
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 1
Questions
Verse 14
- Of the Father and of the Son. What does Christ mean when he says that He came to do the will both of the Father and the Son?
- Because of me." Why does Christ say he has come to do the will of the father because of himself?
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Verse 14
- Of the Father and of the Son.
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3 Ne 1:16-20
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 1
Questions
- Verse 16 tells us that many people fell down when they realized that their plan to destroy those who believed in Christ was frustrated. Why do people in the Book of Mormon fall down so much?
- How did seeing the sign humble the wicked?
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Exegesis
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3 Ne 1:21-25
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 1
Questions
- In verse 23, what does it mean when it says Nephi was "baptizing unto repentance"? Is this a literal baptism or are the people simply repenting?
- Why would some people believe that the law of Moses had been done away with when Christ was born?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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3 Ne 1:26-30
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 1
Questions
- In verse 29, what does the phrase "that they became for themselves" mean?
Lexical notes
- Verse 29. Possible interpretations of the phrase "that they became for themselves" include:
- they had reached an age where in their culture they were taken to be completely responsible for their own actions, e.g. something like turning 18 in our culture.
- they no longer listened to their parents.
Exegesis
Verse 28 tells us that there were many dissenters of the Nephites who went to join the Gadianton robbers. 3 Ne 3:4 tells us that these people believed that they had been wronged by the Nephites, and 3 Ne 3:10 tells us that they believed they had a right to the government. It looks like there was some struggle at this time over who should control the government and that this struggle ultimately lead to these dissenters joining the Gadianton robbers. It is interesting that it was also due to a struggle over who should control the government that gave rise originally to the Gadianton robbers (see Helaman chapters 1 & 2).
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3 Ne 2:1-5
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 2
Questions
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3 Ne 2:6-10
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 2
Questions
- Verse 8: Why do the people (who seem mainly to not believe in Christ at this time) begin to reckon time from his birth?
- In verse 9 it is mentioned that Nephi, who was the father of Nephi, never returned to the land of Zarahemla. Why is this mentioned again in this chapter when it was already mentioned in 3 Ne 1:3? Why is it necessary to mention it again?
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3 Ne 2:11-15
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 2
Questions
- Verse 15 tells us that curse of the Lamanites was suddenly removed and that their skin became white like the Nephites. Was this a literal change in their skin color?
Lexical notes
Verse 15
- White: Although many believe the mark of the Lamanites was a darker skin color because of their unrighteousness. However, there is little textual evidence in the Book of Mormon suggesting that skin color is related to righteousness. Here, the change in skin color is listed as a separate event, presumably a result of their intermarrying with the Nephites, than their becoming more righteous. (For more on this see the Tvedtnes article below.)
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Verse 15
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3 Ne 2:16-19
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 2
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3 Ne 3:1-5
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 3
Questions
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3 Ne 3:6-10
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 3
Questions
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3 Ne 3:11-15
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 3
Questions
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3 Ne 3:16-20
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 3
Questions
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Exegesis
- vs. 19 - It's interesting to note that during times of righteous living, the Nephites appointed prophets to be the commanders of their armies. This is not the only place in the scriptures where something like this is mentioned. In Alma 2:16 it talks about how Alma the younger led the army of the Nephites during battle. Also, in Alma 43:23 it mentions that Captain Moroni (although he wasn't the prophet) caused his men to go and ask Alma the younger (the prophet) to inquire of the Lord as to how the Nephites should best defend themselves. Even in times of wickedness, the Nephite armies appointed Mormon to be their leader (see Mormon 2:1). In modern times, this has occurred as well, such as when Joseph Smith was appointed to leadership in the Nauvoo Legion. Wouldn't it be nice if leaders of armies today were prophets or consulted with prophets for guidance?
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3 Ne 3:21-26
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 3
Questions
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3 Ne 4:1-5
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 4
Questions
- How can the information in these verses be applied to our struggles with the Adversary?
- The Nephites had enough provisions to last them 7 years. How is this similar to the story of Joseph in Egypt?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
The robbers couldn't provide for themseleves. They were dependent upon the Nephites for crops. It is similar to the relationship that a parasite has with its host.
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3 Ne 4:6-10
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 4
Questions
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Exegesis
Verses 7-10
Before the ferocious appearance of the Lamanites, the Nephites began to cry unto the Lord for deliverance from their enemies. This however, gives the impression to Giddianhi's armies that the Nephites are terrified and will be an easy victory. But as verse 10 describes, the armies of Giddianhi "were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection." The Nephites relied solely on the Lord for their deliverance and conquered the robbers while on the other hand, the robbers relied on their own strength and intimidation in order to try and defeat the Nephites. This shows the importance of trusting the Lord in an hour of need.
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3 Ne 4:11-15
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 4
Questions
Verse 13
- Why did the Nephites only pursue the Gadianton Robbers to the border of Nephite territory?
Verse 15
- What metaphorical places of safety do we (or should we) retreat to while preparing for assaults on our faith?
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3 Ne 4:16-20
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 4
Questions
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Exegesis
Verse 18
- In this verse can be seen the power of food storage. When the Nephites gathered together in the lands of Zarahemla and Bountiful, they took with them provisions that would last them seven years (see v. 4). Due to this preparation, the Gadianton robbers were unable to effectively lay siege on the Nephites. And having no provisions themselves, the robbers eventually ended up having to abandon their plan.
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Verse 18
- In our day, the First Presidency has said, "Through careful planning, most Church members can, over time, establish...a year’s supply of essentials." (from a letter dated 20 January 2002, sent to Priesthood leaders - see Liahona, Apr. 2003)
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3 Ne 4:21-25
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 4
Questions
- Why wouldn't Gidgidoni want the Robbers to just run away? Why would he send out his army to attack them? Does this offer a model for how we should deal with evil and temptations that we encounter?
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See Alma 50 for a similar tactic of the Nephites preventing their enemies from fleeing to regroup--Moroni heading off Morianton.
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3 Ne 4:26-30
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 4
Questions
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Lexical notes
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Exegesis
Note in verse 30 the two conditions that the people identify in their request in this verse for perpetual protection: 1) that the people are righteous--they only ask the Lord to protect them in righteousness; 2) that they continue to ask God for protection.
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3 Ne 4:31-33
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 4
Questions
3 Ne 4:32
- Why the emphasis here on God as the "Most High"? What does that mean?
3 Ne 4:33
- Why were humility and repentance essential to the Nephite's victory?
- Verse 33 tells us that the Nephites knew they were delivered "from an everlasting destruction" because of their repentance and their humility. Does this everlasting destruction refer to the everlasting physical destruction of Nephites? Or is this a reference to the spiritual destruction we all face without repentance and humility? Or, does it refer to both at once?
Lexical notes
- In the KJV the phrase "Most High God" is consistently translated from the Hebrew title El Elyon. Given this, it is likely that the phrase here was translated from this same title. El Elyon refers to Elohim or God the Father, as opposed to Yahweh (Jehovah) who is Jesus Christ..
- The phrase "God Almighty" is probably a translation of the Hebrew title El Shaddai.
- El Elyon and El Shaddai are ancient titles for God closely associated with stories of the Patriarchs--and are appropriately used here where the Nephites are thanking the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see verse 30).
- Curiously, the term shaddai means "female breasts" and some have interpreted this to mean that God is the provider of all that is sufficient, just as a mother's breast provides all that is sufficient for an infant. Others have noted that shaddai has Semitic cognates that refer to mountains--which might indicate that El Shaddai is the God of the Mountain, the [Most High] God that rules from Mount Zion.
Exegesis
- It is when we recognize God's hand in all things that we are truly humble, such as the Nephites are here.
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3 Ne 5:1-5
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 5
Questions
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3 Ne 5:6-10
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 5
Questions
Verse 8
- If these things are great and marvelous that came to pass, why can't and shouldn't they be written in the Book of Mormon? Is it because there's not enough room to write them, or some other reason?
Verses 9-10
- Why might Mormon have chosen to follow the record that Nephi kept and not other records?
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3 Ne 5:11-15
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 5
Questions
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Lexical notes
Verse 13
- Disciple. The word disciple has two definitions according to the Encarta Dictionary: (1) "Somebody who strongly believes in the teachings of a leader, a philosophy, or a religion, and tries to act according to them." and (2) "One of the 12 original followers of Jesus Christ, according to the Bible." A similar definition is given in Webster's 1828 Dictionary.
Exegesis
Verse 13
- Useful for missionaries. This scripture is useful for missionary purposes. In a couple of lines it states who we are (disciples of Christ), where we get our calling or authority from (Christ) and why we are here (to preach unto all so they can have eternal life).
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Verse 13
See Elder Maxwells talk on becoming a disciple.
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3 Ne 5:16-20
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 5
Questions
Verse 18
- Why are there many things that "according to their language" they cannot write? What about their language prevents them from writing things?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
Verse 20
- Mormon mentions that he is a pure descendant of Lehi. That may contain both physical and spiritual connotations of his genealogy and his faithfulness.
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3 Ne 5:21-26
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 5
Questions
Verse 23
- Who is Mormon prophesying of here?
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Verse 23
- See here for other uses of the term remnant in the scriptures.
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3 Ne 6:1-5
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 6
Questions
- Why might adversity brings people together, while peaceful prosperity pulls them apart?
v.2 "both on the north and on the south, both on the land northward and on the land southward." What is the geographic or other significance of essentially repeating what appears to be minor information?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
The fact that the Nephites still had food left over shows us how industrious they were before the siege and just how much food they really had piled up. The extra food that they had after the war was probably needed while they reconstructed their farms and planted new crops.
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3 Ne 6:6-10
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 6
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3 Ne 6:11-15
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 6
Questions
Verse 13
- When are we justified in standing up for ourselves and when should we take a railing from others? Since we are commanded to turn the other cheek, are we supposed to just let people walk on us?
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3 Ne 6:16-20
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 6
Questions
- In verse 17 it mentions that the people were in an awful state of wickedness. The pride cycle is very much a part of the lives of the people in the scriptures. How is it that repentance is possible when the same sins are being commited over and over again? Wouldn't this mean they lack true penitence for their sins?
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3 Ne 6:21-25
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 6
Questions
- The Nephite government became corrupt and turned against the laws of liberty and justice that were established in the first place. Can we see that happening in our government today?
Verse 23
- Why would the government want to assassinate the prophets secretly?
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3 Ne 6:26-30
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 6
Questions
- How do the Nephites keep learning about the works of darkness?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
Verse 30
- These judges were not successful in establishing a king over all the land, but only a king over their own band (see 3 Ne 7, verse 1 and verse 10).
- The devil has a corrupt version of everything that is sacred. We make sacred covenants in the temple. We can see that the devil organizes his own covenants and works of darkness.
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3 Ne 7:1-5
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 7
Questions
Verse 1
- Why were the judges here so anxious to establish a king (cf. 3 Ne 6:30)? Why were they only able to establish a king over their own band (cf. v. 10)? One motive for their desire to overthrow the government and establish a king may've been a lust for power (cf. 3 Ne 4:29). If this were the case, did they end up with more power after the government was overthrown or before it was overthrown when they were judges?
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3 Ne 7:6-10
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 7
Questions
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3 Ne 7:11-15
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 7
Questions
Verse 11
- What is it that motivates the people of the secret combinations at this time? Why do they enter into a covenant to destroy the government?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
Verse 11 tells us that the only thing uniting the tribes of people was their common hatred of those who entered into secret combinations. Hatred of evil, in and of itself, is a good thing. It was given to us by the Lord in Genesis 3:15.
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3 Ne 7:16-20
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 7
Questions
- Verses 17-19 suggest that many people without faith saw the miracles that Nephi did. How does this relate to Ether 12:6 where Moroni tells us that we receive no witness until after the trial of our faith?
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3 Ne 7:21-26
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The Book of Mormon > Third Nephi > Chapter 7
Questions
- In verse 21, it says that there were few that were converted unto the Lord. Why do these people not fear God after witnessing his power? How dare they continue to live in sin?
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