Seminary
3 Nephi 8–11: Overview

“3 Nephi 8–11: Overview,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)

“3 Nephi 8–11,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual

3 Nephi 8–11

Overview

In the Americas, extreme destruction and darkness marked the Savior’s Crucifixion. Sometime during the three days of penetrating darkness, Jesus Christ spoke to the people. “He came down and stood in the midst of them” (3 Nephi 11:8). He taught them of His mission and all He had done for them. He invited the people to personally witness that He had been slain for the sins of the world. One by one they approached Him and felt the wound in His side and the prints of the nails in His hands and feet. He then declared His doctrine to them.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson.

3 Nephi 8–10

Lesson purpose: This lesson will identify characteristics of Jesus Christ that can help students feel greater love for and trust in Him.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to read 3 Nephi 8, imagining what it would have been like to be present during these events.

  • Video: “Jesus Christ Appears in the Ancient Americas” (16:43; watch from time code 0:35 to 3:19)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: In this lesson, students will start a list of things they are learning about Jesus Christ. This list will grow as they continue to study His ministry in the ancient Americas. Consider creating a collective class list that can be used throughout the coming lessons. This may be an electronic document or discussion thread that students can access and add to.

3 Nephi 11:1–11

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help increase students’ love and gratitude for Jesus Christ because of who He is and what He did for them.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to find a scripture or a statement from a Church leader that helps them understand more about what Jesus Christ has done for them.

  • Videos: “Jesus Christ Appears in the Ancient Americas” (16:43; watch from time code 11:19 to 13:29)

  • Content to display: Scripture references for students to study toward the end of the lesson

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider using the whiteboard feature to list what students learned about Jesus Christ from studying 3 Nephi 11:1–11. This could help students add to the list they were invited to begin in the previous lesson.

Doctrinal Mastery: 3 Nephi 11:10–11

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery passage and key scripture phrase for 3 Nephi 11:10–11, explain the doctrine taught in this passage, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in real-life situations.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to ask a family member or Church leader to explain why they have chosen to follow Jesus Christ.

  • Image: Jesus Christ appearing at the temple

  • Content to display: Chart about following others or following Jesus Christ

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: In addition to sharing reasons from the chart to help Jessica decide to follow Jesus Christ, students could be asked to use their surroundings. Consider inviting them to show something in their home that helps them remember their commitment to following Jesus Christ and the blessings they receive by doing so.

3 Nephi 11:12–17

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students obtain or strengthen their testimony that Jesus Christ is their personal Savior.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to read 3 Nephi 11:12–17 and imagine how they would have felt having this personal interaction with Jesus Christ.

  • Videos: “Choices for Eternity” (31:24; watch from time code 26:05 to 26:28); “Jesus Christ Appears in the Ancient Americas” (16:43; watch from time code 13:29 to 16:03)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: During the lesson, consider inviting students to visualize the events recorded in 3 Nephi 11:12–15. Encourage them to mute their microphones and turn off their cameras so they can properly engage in the activity and feel more comfortable. After a set amount of time, invite them to turn their microphones and cameras back on and share their thoughts and impressions.

3 Nephi 11:18–41

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students better understand and explain the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to learn about the doctrine of Christ before class. They could study the Savior’s teachings in 3 Nephi 11:31–41 or search “doctrine of Christ” in the Gospel Library app or at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

  • Handout: “The Doctrine of Christ Lesson Plan”

  • Content to display: Self-assessment questions at the end of the lesson

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Willing students could be invited to share their lesson with the entire class. You could also use breakout rooms and invite students to teach their lessons to a small group.