3 Nephi 15-17

Lamani complex Temple

Our Conference on 3 Nephi 15-17 started with Brother John Grant, our keynote speaker.  He gave us a wonderful 30 to 40 minutes of thought-provoking questions on the physical and religious context of the Saviours' visit. 

The first question was to consider the logistical requirements of the day. We started by looking at images of Mayan empire buildings or "temples" and contemplated how much physical space would be required for the sermon at Bountiful Temple - how large a space was required for 2,500 people?

The next question we contemplated was the order of events for the day - and how long it took? Starting with "when did the day start?".  Another question, for example is: how much time did it take for the multitude to personally touch the Saviour, to feel the tokens in His hands and side? How long did the healing of the sick take?  How long did the ministering to the children by the Saviour and the Angels take? The sermon part possibly didn't take more than an hour (certainly that block of scripture can be read aloud in less than an hour). What preparations had the Saviour made? Whatever we do know, we are aware that the first days' visit by the Saviour ended before nightfall so that people could "noise abroad" the news of His visit.

Our class members then shared a combination of topical speeches and testimonies.  Meg, Pam and Garry spoke about the concept of "the law being fulfilled in Christ".  Meg noted that the people had no trouble accepting this teaching in part because it had been taught to them throughout preceding generations.  Pam noted that the Saviour restored a fullness which was had before Moses, and Garry reminded us that the law was fulfilled in Christ but not destroyed.

Lost No More - Greg Olsen

Several class members spoke about the Saviours' teaching of "other sheep have I".  Gloria noted the teaching, with Garry adding that the Book of Mormon was a record of some of the other sheep.  Tony contributed the thought from Amos 3:7 that the lost sheep are gathered through hearing and responding to the Shepherds' voice.

Helen noted that in 3 Nephi 17:17, individuals served, out of compassion, in the Saviours' stead and that we, as Visiting and Home Teachers likewise served in the Saviours place.

Eujeanie spoke about the gentiles, who were blessed for being believing, and reminded us that when we do the right thing our enemies have no power over us and that the Saviour would find His sheep (among the gentiles).

Charlie and Christie  both bore testimony how the reading of the Book of Mormon changes lives, and leaves us filled with His light.

The session closed with a closing address by Mandy on the God the Father in 3 Nephi 15-17.

A wonderful spirit and conference was enjoyed, and we look forward to our next Institute mini-conference!

God the Father in 3 Nephi 15-17

Our mortal existence is, in reality, a journey to eternal life and this is essentially a quest to understand who God is and for us to return to live with Him (Golden, 2013). The Savior in praying to His Father said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
In the Book of Mormon, the doctrine of the Father and the Son stands in majestic testimony (Golden, 2013). During the Saviour’s three day ministry on the American continent, He is recorded as mentioning His Father 122 times (Golden, 2013).

While there is much to learn about the Father from these chapters, I will focus my time on the concept of our relationship with the Father. In the sermon at the Temple, the Saviour repeatedly emphasised that God is our Father and that we should approach him as a father. (Ludlow 2010)

The Lord admonished the people to pray to the Father. In 3 Nephi 17:3 He said “ask the Father in my name, that ye may understand”. This emphasises the Father’s position as the “literal Father of the spirits of all men” (Ludlow, 2010).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote “All men are the children of deity … He begat them in the pre-existence.” President David O McKay (1967) spoke about the Father-child relationship this way: “We accept God as indeed our Father. Christ taught us to address him as “our Father which art in heaven”. To us he is so real that we accept his appearance in this dispensation as an expression of love for his children.”

Although we are the literal spirit children of an exalted being, this does not automatically ensure that we will inherit exaltation with our Father in His kingdom. For that reason, our Father “ordained and established the plan of salvation. He is the one who was once as we are now. The life he lives is eternal life, and if we are to gain this greatest of all the gifts of God, it will be because we become like him (McConkie 1982).” This teaching is expounded by Alma in Mosiah 27:25-26: “Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God,changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God”.

When we are spiritually reborn and make and are faithful to our covenants with our Father, then we are his children indeed and will be worthy to inherit His kingdom (Ludlow, 2010). Elder Bruce R. McConkie, speaking about this aspect of our relationship with our Father said: “Our relationship with the Father is one of parent and child. He is the one who gave us our agency. It was his plan that provided for a fall and an atonement. And it is to him that we must be reconciled if we are to gain salvation.”

This in no way diminishes the significance of the Saviour. As Elder McConkie (1982) said: “It is the Father’s gospel, it became the gospel of the Son by adoption, and we call it after Christ’s name because his atoning sacrifice put all of its terms and conditions into operation.”

“Our relationship with the Father is supreme, paramount, and preeminent over all others. He is the God we worship. It is his gospel that saves and exalts. He ordained and established the plan of salvation.” (McConkie, 1982).

As latter-day saints, and as Christians, we believe in and have a strong and deep faith in God the Eternal Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. God the Father is the ultimate Creator, Ruler, and Preserver of all things. He is perfect, has all power, and knows all things (LDS, 2015). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said: “I bear personal witness this day of a personal, living God, who knows our names, hears and answers prayers, and cherishes us eternally as children of His spirit” (Holland, 2003).

Along with President Ezra Taft Benson I believe that, “Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father [in Heaven] and how familiar his face is to us.” In the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Resources
Benson, Ezra T., “Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,” in Speeches of the Year, 1974 (1975), 313; see also “Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,”Ensign, Dec. 1988.

Golden, Christoffel Jr., “The Father and the Son” in Ensign, May 2013.
Holland, Jeffrey R., “The Grandeur of God”, in Ensign, November 2003.
LDS gospel topics., “God the Father”, 2015
Ludlow, Jared W., “The Father in the Sermon on the Mount” in The Sermon on the Mount in Latter-day Scripture, (proceedings of the 39th Annual Brigham Young University Sidney B. Sperry Syposium), 2010.
McKay, David O., “Making God the Center of Our Lives” in Conference Report, April 1967.
McConkie, Bruce R., “Our Relationship with the Lord”, BYU Speeches, 02 March 1982.