In some ways, it was an exciting time to be a believer in Jesus Christ. Prophecies were being fulfilled—great signs and miracles among the people indicated that the Savior would soon be born. On the other hand, it was also an anxious time for believers because, in spite of all the miracles, unbelievers insisted that “the time was past” for the Savior to be born (3 Nephi 1:5). These people caused “a great uproar throughout the land” (3 Nephi 1:7) and even set a date to kill all the believers if the sign prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite—a night without darkness—did not appear.
In these difficult circumstances, the prophet Nephi “cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people” (3 Nephi 1:11). The Lord’s response is inspiring to anyone who faces persecution or doubt and needs to know that light will overcome darkness: “Lift up your head and be of good cheer; … I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets” (3 Nephi 1:13).
Becoming converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ requires patience and effort.
3 Nephi 1–7 describes people who were converted to the Lord and others who were not. What made the difference between these groups? A chart like the following might help you organize your thoughts:
Ask personal questions as you study. For example, while completing this chart, you could ask questions like “What is the lesson for me here?” This will bring inspiration from the Holy Ghost.
Because of Jesus Christ, I can “be of good cheer.”
Your Heavenly Father knows that your life will include moments that are difficult, even frightening. But He also wants you to experience joy. Read 3 Nephi 1:1–23 to learn about the reasons the faithful Nephites had to be afraid. What reason did the Lord give them to “be of good cheer”?
The Savior has used the phrase “be of good cheer” on several occasions—for example, in Matthew 14:24–27; John 16:33; Doctrine and Covenants 61:36; 78:17–19. What impresses you about these invitations? You might read surrounding verses to understand the circumstances in which the Savior said these words. In each case, what reasons did He give to help people face their fears? How has he done this for you?
Consider studying President Russell M. Nelson’s address “Joy and Spiritual Survival” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 81–84). What does President Nelson teach you about finding joy in any situation? Notice how many times President Nelson uses the word focus. Maybe you could compare focusing a camera or other lens to focusing on Jesus Christ. How will you focus on Him more?
Read 3 Nephi 1:4–7 and think about how you might have felt if you were one of the believers. What did they do to keep their faith strong? (see 3 Nephi 1:4–21 and 5:1–3). How were Samuel’s words fulfilled? (see 3 Nephi 1:19–21). How has the Lord fulfilled His words in your life?
Mormon declared, “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ” (3 Nephi 5:13). What does this phrase mean to you? Consider searching 3 Nephi 1:4–15; 5:12–26; 6:10–15; and 7:15–26, looking for qualities, beliefs, and actions of disciples of Christ.
When I exercise faith in Jesus Christ, I don’t need to fear.
The Nephites’ experience with bands of robbers may contain lessons that can help you with the spiritual dangers you face. Look for these lessons in 3 Nephi 2:11–12 and 3:1–26. For example, you could search Giddianhi’s words in 3 Nephi 3:2–10 and compare them to ways Satan might try to deceive you. What do you learn from the example of Lachoneus?
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
This week’s activity page can help your children learn about the miracles the Nephites witnessed when Jesus was born. You can also use “Chapter 41: The Signs of Christ’s Birth” (Book of Mormon Stories, 114–16) to teach them this story—or to help them tell it to you.
As you and your children read 3 Nephi 1:4–10, invite them to talk about how it might have felt to be one of the believers living at that time. Then, as they read the rest of the account in verses 11–15, they could suggest ways to complete this sentence: “The lesson of this story for me is …”
Maybe your children can help you think of other times when God fulfilled His promises given through His prophet. They might like to find pictures of these stories in the Gospel Art Book (see, for example, nos. 7–8 and 81). Let them share what they know about these stories, including how God’s promises were fulfilled. Read together 3 Nephi 1:20, and share your own witness of these truths.
Help your children discover why the Nephites gathered together and the blessings that came to them in 3 Nephi 2:11–12 and 3:13–14, 24–26. Why is it important for us to gather today in our families and at church?
Do you know of an object lesson that teaches about the strength of unity? Maybe your children could try breaking one stick and then a bundle of sticks or tearing one piece of paper and then a stack of papers. How are we like the sticks or the papers?
After reading together 3 Nephi 5:13, invite your children to repeat the phrase “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.” To learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, read together some of these examples: the converted Lamanites (see 3 Nephi 6:14), Mormon (see 3 Nephi 5:12–26), and Nephi (see 3 Nephi 7:15–26). You could also find ideas in a song like “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79).
On a piece of paper, help your children trace their hand and cut the tracing out. Write “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ” on one side, and invite them to draw something they can do to be a disciple on the other side.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
