3 Nephi 1-7

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Friend March 1988 “Scriptural Giants” Lachoneus and Gidggidoni

Book of Mormon Stories “Chapter 41: The Signs of Christ’s Birth” Images and Video

Lesson

Lesson 32: Signs in America of Jesus Christ’s Birth

A new star appeared when Jesus Christ was born.

3 Nephi 1:4–15, 19–21

Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 32: Signs in America of Jesus Christ’s Birth”  Tell the children that you are going to give them some clues about an event that took place many years ago. Ask them to raise their hands when they know what event the clues are describing.

  • Angel
  • Shepherd’s staff
  • Donkey
  • Star
  • Manger
  • Baby

Come Follow Me for Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

Before class, place a star on the wall. Invite the children to look for something on the wall that usually isn’t there. Tell the children that the Nephites saw a new star in the sky when Jesus was born.

Show the children a picture of the Savior’s birth Help the children understand that the Nephites were far away from where Jesus was born, but they knew He was born because of the signs they saw. Testify that even though we did not see the Savior’s birth, the Holy Ghost can help us know that the stories about it in the scriptures are true.

Friend September 2020 “Family Night Fun”

Friend December 1988

Friend December 1988

Friend September 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read 3 Nephi 1:19 and help your little ones say, “I’m so glad Jesus was born!” Then visit children.ChurchofJesusChrist.organd watch the sing-along videos for “Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus,” “He Sent His Son,” “God’s Christmas Gift,” or other songs about the birth of Christ.

The prophets’ words are always fulfilled.

3 Nephi 1:4–21

Primary 4: Book of Mormon “Lesson 32: Signs in America of Jesus Christ’s Birth”  Verse by verse questions

  • (3 Nephi 1:5–6.) 
  • What were some of the people saying about Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecies?
  • (3 Nephi 1:7.)
  •  How did the believers react to the unbelievers?
  • (3 Nephi 1:8.) 
  • What sign were they looking for?
  • (3 Nephi 1:9.
  • What threat did the unbelievers make to those who believed?
  • (3 Nephi 1:12.) 
  • What did Nephi do when he saw the wickedness of the people?
  • (3 Nephi 1:13–14.)
  • What was the answer to Nephi’s prayer? Why did Jesus Christ say he was coming into the world?
  • (3 Nephi 1:15, 19.) 
  • How was the prophecy fulfilled?
  • Read the account in verses 11–15 and suggest ways to complete this sentence: “The lesson of this story is …” How can we show our trust in God when we are worried or discouraged?
  • (3 Nephi 1:18.)
  • Why were the unbelievers so afraid when they saw the signs that the prophecy was fulfilled?
  • (3 Nephi 1:21.)
  • What sign did the Nephites see that was also seen in Bethlehem?
  • (3 Nephi 1:22.) 
  • What did Satan do to try to keep the people from believing the signs?
  • (3 Nephi 1:22–23.)
  •  How did the people show their belief in the Lord?
  • (3 Nephi 1:29–30.) 
  • What happened that caused the people’s faith and righteousness to decrease?
  • (3 Nephi 1:29–30.)
  • Why is it important to follow the righteous example and teachings of our parents? 
  • (3 Nephi 2:1–2.)
  • What was the attitude of the people toward the many signs they saw?
    What can we learn about the strength of testimonies that are based on signs? What can we do to strengthen our testimonies?
  • (3 Nephi 2:3, 11.) 
  • What were the results of the Nephites’ unbelief?
  • (3 Nephi 2:12.) 
  • What did the righteous Nephites and Lamanites do to protect themselves? How does being with other Church members and worshiping Heavenly Father help us grow stronger?
  • (3 Nephi 2:17–19.)
  • What finally happened to the people because of their wickedness?
  • (3 Nephi 1:20.)
  • How do you know that the prophecies of Jesus Christ’s second coming will be fulfilled? What kind of a person do you want to be when he comes? What can we do now to prepare for the Second Coming?

Come Follow Me for Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

Show pictures that depict how God has spoken through prophets, such as Noah and other prophets. Invite the children to share what they know about these stories. Read to the children 3 Nephi 1:20, and share your testimony that the words of prophets are always fulfilled.

  • Share something that our living prophet has promised us. What can we do to show our faith that the prophet’s words came from God?

Friend December 2020 “I Can Play It: Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus” Printed song and Sing-Along Video

Forgetting spiritual experiences makes me vulnerable to Satan’s temptations.

3 Nephi 1:222:1–3

The Nephites started to fall into wickedness as they let themselves forget the signs of the birth of Jesus Christ and the miracles they had seen. Similarly, if we forget our spiritual experiences, it will be easier for us to drift away from the gospel. Ensign September 2020 “Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon—Support Articles and Activities September 7–13”

Ask the children if any of them would like to share a spiritual experience they have had. Ideas could include answers to prayers, warm feelings when reading the scriptures, etc.

What can you do to better remember the past spiritual experiences you have had? Consider writing them down. You could also share them with your family (Sharing your experience can bring back the Spirit. It can also help the other person to feel the Spirit). Ensign September 2020 “How can we keep from forgetting spiritual experiences?”

Jared’s Journal.” In this Friend story, Jared learns he can color in a journal to remember important things.

Scripture Journal.” This activity idea from the Friend can help your children start writing what they learn from the scriptures. Includes a doorknob tag to print and cut out.

Ensign September 2020 “Family Study Fun: Remembering Jar”

Read 3 Nephi 2:1–3 together and talk about how some people “began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard.” Then play an activity to help your family remember God all week.

  1. Label a jar “God loves me.”
  2. Give each family member a small piece of paper and ask them to write down a blessing God has given them. Put the papers in the jar.
  3. Encourage family members to add more papers to the jar as they notice blessings during the week.
  4. At the end of the week, pick a handful of papers to read out loud and talk about.

Discussion: Why do you think the adversary wants us to forget the spiritual “wonders” we notice in our lives? How can we remember God every day?

We are stronger when we gather together.

3 Nephi 2:11–123:13–14, 24–26

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

To help your family learn how Satan can deceive us, draw a body, and as your family reads 3 Nephi 2:1–3 and 6:15–17, mark the different parts of the body mentioned. According to these verses, what are some of the ways Satan tempts us to forget God and turn to sin?

3 Nephi 4:7–12, 30–33 What did the Nephites do when they saw the Gadianton robbers coming? What can our family learn from the Nephites when we face difficult situations? What can we learn from the Nephites’ words after the Lord helped them in their time of difficulty?

Come Follow Me for Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

The Nephites had to gather together for physical safety. How can you help the children see that gathering together with righteous friends can also give them spiritual strength?

Possible Activities

  • Read with the children the following verses, and invite them to look for reasons why the Nephites gathered together and the blessings that came to them: 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? How can gathering make us spiritually stronger?
  • Use an object lesson to teach that we are stronger together than we are apart. For example, invite the children to 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 paper? How can we strengthen each other when we gather together in our families or at church?

I can follow Jesus Christ.

3 Nephi 5:13

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

3 Nephi 4:30–335:12–266:147:15–26

Come Follow Me for Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

Read 3 Nephi 5:13, and invite the children to repeat the phrase “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.” Teach them that a disciple of Jesus Christ tries to follow Him. Share a few things Mormon did to be like Jesus, such as teaching God’s word and obeying God’s commandments (see 3 Nephi 5:13–18). Help the children think of ways they can be disciples.

On a piece of paper, help the children trace their hand and cut it 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 (you might need to help them think of ideas). Sing together a song about following the Savior, such as “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79).

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 “3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

Read 3 Nephi 5:13 and Doctrine and Covenants 41:5, and discuss what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Maybe family members could talk about times when they noticed each other being disciples. If you have small children, you might make a badge that says, “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ,” and let them wear the badge whenever you notice them following the Savior.

Latter Day Kids Video and lesson ideas about following Jesus