Like Jesus’s disciples who gathered to hear the Sermon on the Mount in Galilee, the people who gathered at the temple in Bountiful had lived the law of Moses. They had followed it because it pointed their souls to Christ (see Jacob 4:5), and now Christ stood before them, declaring a higher law. But even those of us who have never lived the law of Moses can recognize that the standard Jesus set for His disciples is a high one. “I would that ye should be perfect,” He declared (3 Nephi 12:48). If this makes you feel inadequate, remember that Jesus also said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (3 Nephi 12:3). This higher law is an invitation—another way of saying “Come unto me and be ye saved” (3 Nephi 12:20). Like the law of Moses, this law points us to Christ—the only One who can save and perfect us. “Behold,” He said, “I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live” (3 Nephi 15:9).
Here’s one way to study and apply what the Savior taught in 3 Nephi 12–14: Pick a group of verses, and see if you can summarize them in one sentence that begins with “True disciples of Jesus Christ …” For example, a summary of 3 Nephi 13:1–8 might be “True disciples of Jesus Christ don’t seek public praise for doing good.” Try it with these passages:
After reading these verses, what do you feel inspired to do to follow Jesus Christ?
The commandment in 3 Nephi 12:48 can seem overwhelming—even impossible. What do you learn from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s message “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 40–42) that helps you understand the Savior’s words in this verse? According to Moroni 10:32–33, what makes it possible to be perfect like the Savior?
See also Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32–34; “Lord, I Would Follow Thee,” Hymns, no. 220; “Jesus Christ Teaches How to Live the Higher Law” (video), Gospel Library.
Use object lessons. The Savior taught profound truths by referring to familiar objects. You could do something similar as you study or teach about 3 Nephi 12. Looking at or holding some salt, a candle, or a coat could enhance a discussion about the eternal truths the Savior taught.
Very few of God’s children have seen the Savior and heard His voice, as the people at Bountiful did. Most of us are more like the people described in 3 Nephi 12:2; 15:23; and 16:4–6. What promises are made to such people in these verses? How have these promises been fulfilled in your life?
One theme you might notice in these chapters is the Savior’s invitation to live a higher law—to be righteous not only in our actions but also in our hearts. Look for this theme when the Savior speaks of contention (3 Nephi 12:21–26), immorality (3 Nephi 12:27–30), prayer (3 Nephi 13:5–8), and fasting (3 Nephi 13:16–18). What other examples can you find? What can you do to purify the desires of your heart?
Heavenly Father will give me good things as I ask, seek, and knock.
As you read the Savior’s invitation in 3 Nephi 14:7–11 to ask, seek, and knock, ponder what “good things” He might want you to ask for. The following additional scriptures may help you understand how to ask, seek, and knock. They may also help explain why some prayers are not answered the way you expect: Isaiah 55:8–9; Helaman 10:4–5; Moroni 7:26–27, 33, 37; and Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–9; 88:64. How might these passages affect the way you ask, seek, and knock?
See also Milton Camargo, “Ask, Seek, and Knock,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 106–8.
For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.
Sometimes children might not realize how much their examples can bless others. Use 3 Nephi 12:14–16 to encourage them to let their light shine. For example, when you read “you” or “your” in these verses, ask your children to point to themselves. Tell the children about the light you see in them when they follow Jesus Christ and how it inspires you to follow Him too. You could also sing together a song that encourages the children to shine like a light, such as “I Am like a Star” (Children’s Songbook, 163).
To encourage your children not to hide their light (see 3 Nephi 12:15), let them take turns hiding or covering a lamp or other light. They could uncover the light each time they name something they can do to be a good example to others.
Reading these verses could prompt a discussion about the things we treasure. Maybe you could lead your children on a treasure hunt to find things that remind them of treasures with eternal value.
As you read 3 Nephi 14:7, your children could do actions that represent each of the Savior’s invitations in this verse. For example, they could raise their hands (ask), make binoculars with their hands (seek), or pretend to knock on a door (knock). Help your children think of things they can say and ask for in their prayers.
Your children might enjoy a game in which they ask for something and receive something entirely different. In 3 Nephi 14:7–11,what did the Savior want us to know about our Father in Heaven?
The Savior wants me to hear and do what He teaches.
Think of ways you could help your children visualize the parable in these verses. Perhaps they could draw pictures, do actions, or build things on solid and sandy foundations. They could also substitute their names for “wise man” as they read 3 Nephi 14:24–27 or sing “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man” (Children’s Songbook, 281). Or they could stand up every time they hear the word “doeth” in 3 Nephi 14:21–27 and 15:1.
Here’s an object lesson you could try: ask your children to imagine that one of their legs represents hearing the Savior’s words and the other represents doing what the Savior taught. Invite your children to try to balance only on their “hearing” leg. What would happen if a strong wind blew through the room? Then you and your children could look for specific things the Savior taught us to do: see 3 Nephi 12:3–12, 21–26; 13:5–8.
For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.
