The Name of Christ and the Power of Using It and Not Using It

Reading: 3 Nephi 27-28; 4 Nephi

After the Savior left the disciples to teach His gospel, an issue came up that they decided to fast and pray about.  In answer to their pleadings, Jesus Christ appeared to them again:

3 Nephi 27:2-5
There are two points here that are worth discussing before we talk about what the Savior wanted the name of his church to be:
1. There were disputations among the people
2. The Lord asked: why do you need to murmur and dispute about this issue?
3. Have they not read the scriptures (answers come in the scriptures)
These things are significant because the name of a church is an important thing, but Jesus told them they shouldn't be fighting about it, especially because the answer is in the scriptures!

The doctrine of taking on the name of Christ:
3 Nephi 27:6-10
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TAKE UPON US THE NAME OF CHRIST?
• Take the name of Christ AND endure to the end
• Whatever you do, do it in the name of Christ and the church will be blessed for his sake
• Take on the name of Christ is building yourself upon his gospel
• If ye call upon the Father in his name, he will hear you.
• If we are built upon His gospel, the Father will show forth his own works
The scriptures are replete with declarations that the name of Jesus Christ is “the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men.” ( Moses 6:52; see also  Acts 4:12;  2 Ne. 25:20;  2 Ne. 31:21;  Mosiah 3:17.)
o Moses 6:52 And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.
o John 6:66-69 -  66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

Elder Oaks talks about the meaning of “taking upon us the name of Christ” in the sacrament prayer.  He points out that we witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Christ which indicates that something else needs to happen in order to actually take upon us the name of Christ:

1. It causes us to renew the covenant we made in the waters of baptism to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ and serve him to the end.
2. We also take upon us his name as we publicly profess our belief in him, as we fulfill our obligations as members of his Church, and as we do the work of his kingdom.
3. But there is something beyond these familiar meanings, because what we witness is not that we take upon us his name but that we are willing to do so. In this sense, our witness relates to some future event or status whose attainment is not self-assumed, but depends on the authority or initiative of the Savior himself.
4. Scriptural references to the name of Jesus Christ often signify the authority of Jesus Christ. In that sense, our willingness to take upon us his name signifies our willingness to take upon us the authority of Jesus Christ in the sacred ordinances of the temple, and to receive the highest blessings available through his authority when he chooses to confer them upon us.
5. Finally, our willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ affirms our commitment to do all that we can to be counted among those whom he will choose to stand at his right hand and be called by his name at the last day. In this sacred sense, our witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ constitutes our declaration of candidacy for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Exaltation is eternal life, “the greatest of all the gifts of God.” (D&C 14:7.) “Taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ,” Oaks, April 1985

When I consider the importance of doing things in the name of Christ and the power it invokes, I tend to approach my prayers a little more carefully, because I would not want to offend God by flippantly or thoughtlessly thanking or asking for things in the name of His beloved Son.

His name wouldn't mean anything if it were not for the gospel as He explains it:
3 Nephi 27:13-15
• Submission to the will of the Father (v13)
• The gospel is the atonement (v14)
• Resurrection v(14-15)
• Judgment (v14-15)

As a part of the gospel, what do we do to access the atonement?
3 Nephi 27:16-17
• Repentance
• Baptism
• Endure to the end
• Vs 20 adds “sanctified by the Holy Ghost”
• Vs 22, reward for obedience

In verses 23-26 The Savior confirms that those who read these words will be judged by them.

Chapter 28
The Savior's 12 disciples are good examples of those who have taken these words and lived by them.  In this chapter, we discover the desires of the 12 Nephite disciples; nine desire to live with Christ after their mortal ministry and three don’t want their ministry to end.  These three are infamously coined “the three Nephites” within in the church.  I realize there are many faith-promoting stories about the 3 Nephites, but 3 Nephi 28:25-28 indicates that we won't know the names of the three and we won't know who they are.  So, why is it the account of the three translated Nephites was included in The Book of Mormon?

3 Nephi 28:1-5; 6-10; 11-15
WHAT DOCTRINES OF THE GOSPEL DO WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE?
• Individual attention: He asked them ONE BY ONE: What is it that ye desire of me?  How would you answer this question?
• Communication with the Savior: he knows our thoughts and our hearts.  Why do we have to ask/pray then? For our learning and growth.
• Connecting the testaments and individualizing the gospel: informed of John the Beloved’s same desire and D&C 7 also notifies us that Peter desired what the nine desired.  Both were appropriate because “both joy in that which ye have desired.”
• There is no competition between desires, what you get is appropriate for you, what another gets is appropriate for them.
• This seems to be a good example of “asking not amiss,”  “for thou shalt not ask for that which is contrary to my will,” (see Helaman 7).  I suspect that their desires were prompted by aligning themselves with the Lord, or a spiritual prompting to ask these particular things.
• The fact that these three were translated illustrates the power that Christ has over life and death, pain and sickness and temptations (v8-9)
a. Translated beings never taste of death or endure the pains of death (3 Nephi 28:7–8, 38).
b. When the Savior comes in His glory, they will be “changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality” (3 Nephi 28:8).
c. Except for the sorrow they feel for the sins of the world, they do not experience pain or sorrow (3 Nephi 28:9, 38).
d. They help people become converted to the Lord (3 Nephi 28:9, 18, 23, 29–30). They had the “convincing power of God” to do “great and marvelous works.”
e. They cannot be killed or harmed in any way (3 Nephi 28:19–22).
f. Satan cannot tempt them or have any power over them (3 Nephi 28:39).
g. They remain in a translated state until the Judgment Day, when they will be resurrected and received into the kingdom of God (3 Nephi 28:40).
• Incredible display of charity: to work as long as necessary to “bring the souls of men unto [Christ], while the world shall stand.”
• (v 10) Helping the Lord accomplish his work brings fullness of joy.  The Lord gets joy from doing the work his Father gave him and the Father receives joy from his work.
• Because of their desire, they were granted the ability to see unspeakable things. Which things are not recorded for us, to try our faith and desires.

3 Nephi 28:34-35 Mormons summation of the Lord’s visit: Please believe in Christ, if you don't, it would be better that you had not been born.  Pretty serious stuff both for those who are learning and those who are preaching.

The Nephites take this messages to heart and people throughout all the land were converted (those who saw the Savior were only a small portion of the Nephites).  All were baptized and received the Holy Ghost.  In 4 Nephi we learn that the people lived in peace for 200 years after the Savior’s visit.  And here is the reason why:

4 Nephi 1:15
15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

This begs the question: How much do we love God?  When I am frustrated with my children and bring contention, is God my first thought.  Honestly, no. But it comes shortly after contention and I'm so glad He forgives me when I ask and try harder.

Speaking of contention, that is the reason the Nephite, after 200 years began to deteriorate from peace.  The Sunday School manual gives a good list of the reasons why, from 4 Nephi 1:

a. Division and the creation of classes (4 Nephi 1:20, 26, 35)
b. Pride and greed because of riches (4 Nephi 1:23–25, 41, 43; see also 3 Nephi 27:32)
c. Churches that professed to know Christ but denied most of His gospel (4 Nephi 1:26–29, 34)
d. Churches built up to help people get gain (4 Nephi 1:26–29, 41)
e. Hard-heartedness (4 Nephi 1:31)
f. Persecution of Christ’s followers (4 Nephi 1:29–34)
g. Parents teaching children not to believe in Christ (4 Nephi 1:38)
h. Parents teaching children to hate (4 Nephi 1:39)
i. Secret combinations (4 Nephi 1:42, 46)

Lesser and Greater Things

Reading: 3 Nephi 22-26

There are a few things that are always talked about in these chapters: 1) Jesus tells the Nephites (and us) that we are to search the words of Isaiah - good counsel, 2) Jesus reminds Nephi that some of Samuel's (a prior prophet) prophecies were not written down and he commands them to write them (many lessons on journaling), and 3) the peace that the people begin to experience because of Jesus' visit.  All great topics.

I am always curious though about why Jesus quotes the prophets Isaiah and Malachi.  In fact the quotations from Malachi are in all four of the standard works (books of scripture) used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They must be pretty important.  These quotations are about the gathering of Israel, paying tithing, Elijah returning before the second coming of the Lord and more.  Why do we need to know all this stuff?

First off, we are told that we don't have ALL the information (3 Ne 26:8-11):

8 And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.
 9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.
 10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.
 11 Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.

We don't have all the information because the Lord wanted to try our faith.  Not knowing the answers to everything, but still persisting in belief is a trial, to me anyway.  I think it is especially a trial right now because the demand to know everything is very high.  We want to know everything about a scandal, everything about disasters that happen, everything in politics, we want answers for behaviors, answers for health issues and it's frustrating to not get the answers!  But will you believe anyway?  Will you believe that there is a promise to know everything?  If we can believe the "lesser things" then the "greater things" will be made manifest.  Can we be satisfied with not knowing everything?  I hope so.  Here are some of the lesser things taught in the chapters the Savior quotes:

Tithing:  Can we live the law of tithing?
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee?  In tithes and offerings." 3 Nephi 24:8-12


Sealing by the power of the priesthood of the Son of God: Can we be obedient enough to be worthy of a temple sealing (wether you have the option or not to have a spouse, are you worthy of it?)

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;
 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." 3 Ne 25

Search the prophets: Can we search the scriptures daily and know what modern prophets have told us and do we follow their teachings?

"And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah." 3 Ne 23:1-5

He mentions many more things we can do, but these three things and others in the books of scripture He says are "lesser things" compared to what we can know.  So if we cannot do these lesser things, there may be some adjustments to be made.  I think he tells us these things because accompanying this information is information about judgment and the second coming.  So, if we had any questions on how to prepare for that great event, we now know what lesser things we need to do in order to prepare for greater things.  And I'm going to take a guess that when the Lord says "greater" it's greater than we can comprehend. We have nothing bad to lose by trying to live these principles.

Understanding the Point of Gathering Israel

Reading: 3 Nephi 16, 20-21

  

We have been reading and discussing the Savior’s visit to the Nephite people.  Mormon included quite a lot of doctrine that the Savior taught the Nephites, but we are told not everything was recorded.  What was recorded also went through the screening process of Mormon.  So the 22 chapters that we do have must be extremely important!  Of the 22 chapters that span Christ’s visit, seven of those chapters, nearly a third of our record of His visit, are dedicated to the scattering and gathering of Israel and the last days.  We had better figure out why.

First we need to define some terms and do a little review of events and meanings:

There are two main groups of people in the house of Israel that the Savior talks about in regards to their scattering and gathering: the Jews and the Gentiles

The Jews are defined as those having the lineage of Judah and also those who claim to belong to that nationality.  For instance: Lehi is from the lineage of Joseph (one of the ten lost tribes), but he claims himself a Jew because he is from Jerusalem.

The Gentiles are pretty much anybody who is not a Jew, which means a Gentile can be someone from the other 11 tribes.  For instance, Joseph Smith is declared to be from the pure line of Ephraim, but because he belonged to a Gentile nation, is considered a Gentile (and is therefore the prophesied Gentile to bring forth The Book of Mormon).

Throughout our reading today, we will discover that there are believing Gentiles and unbelieving Gentiles.  Those who believe are adopted into the House of Israel, but may still be called Gentiles.

Elder Russell M. Nelson summarized the scattering well

As descendants of Abraham, the tribes of ancient Israel had access to priesthood authority and blessings of the gospel, but eventually the people rebelled. They killed the prophets and were punished by the Lord. Ten tribes were carried captive into Assyria. From there they became lost to the records of mankind. (Obviously, the ten tribes are not lost to the Lord.) Two remaining tribes continued a short time and then, because of their rebellion, were taken captive into Babylon. 5 When they returned, they were favored of the Lord, but again they honored Him not. They rejected and vilified Him. A loving but grieving Father vowed, “I will scatter you among the heathen,” 6 and that He did—into all nations.  “The Gathering of Scattered Israel,”  Oct 2006, Ensign.

Abraham received the covenant personally and then The Lord made a covenant with Abraham, that this same covenant would be offered to his posterity and the offering of such a covenant would gather them together again.

Why was it necessary to make a covenant that a gathering would take place?  If the Lord wanted to gather people, couldn’t he do it without making a covenant to Abraham?

• A covenant is an acknowledgement from God to His people and an acknowledgement of God from people.
• The testimony of holy writ is that whenever the Lord has a people that he acknowledges as his own, that acknowledgement comes in the form of a covenant. “Our Destiny, The Call and Election of the House of Israel,” Millet, Robert L., McConkie, Joseph Fielding, pg 85.
• Covenant comes with education/revelation
• It is a system of worship
• Gives direction and hope
• Education about God
• It is a family affair
• Covenants come because of righteousness
• Evidence that there is a plan for individuals and groups of people
• Provides accountability and responsibility

It is, in fact, the loss of these covenants and their attendant blessings from the Biblical record that caused and continues to cause so much stumbling and misdirection.
Covenants are the plain and precious truths that the Savior restores throughout The Book of Mormon and most definitively in his visit to the New World:

·      He begins his visit with instruction about baptism: the first covenant we make, followed with the gift of the Holy Ghost to help us keep that covenant and more

·      He introduces the sacrament to help people remember their covenants and the author of covenants

·      He sets apart and confers the blessing of the Priesthood, another covenant.

·      It has been theorized that all that he teaches the people during his visit leads up to the temple covenants, though the actual covenants are not recorded

To further emphasize the importance of Jesus Christ and covenants:

·      The title page of The Book of Mormon says its purpose is for “the House of Israel to know the covenants of the Lord; that they are not cast off forever.”

·      Malachi 3:1 called Christ “the messenger of the covenant”

He proclaims Himself THE messenger that Moses prophesied about and indicates what being part of a covenant people means:

According to this passage, what is the opportunity or blessing of being a child of the covenant?

3 Nephi 20:23-26

·      Being a child of the covenant give you a change to turn from your iniquities, by being given directions from the doctrines of the gospel.

·      Verses 23-24 are quoted in all of our standard works

·      Through the Nephites, the whole world will be blessed

So, a gathering needs to occur in order for all the people of the earth (ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEIL) to know what the covenants of the Lord are, to make those promises so everyone can have chances to turn from iniquity by using the only mediator who can expiate our wrongs.

Let’s get some information then, about the scattering and gathering to help us know what to look for and do.

The beginning of the scattering of Israel started around 975 B.C.

Is the scattering over?

Sometimes we mistakenly suppose that because the restoration of the gospel formally began with the Church’s organization in 1830, the apostasy ended at the same time.  The first ray of light does not chase away the darkness of night; it simply stands as a harbinger of more light to come.  At the present time many aspects of the apostasy are alive and well.  They hold sway in every sphere of mortal activity that does not enjoy the full influence of gospel light.  So it is with the scattering of Israel: it did not end at the moment that the great labor of the gathering began.  The remnant of Jacob is at this very moment of time still being scattered.

Similarly, the assault on the concept of a covenant people has not ended.  Like all other aspects of the apostasy, it is alive and well.  In various shades of darkness it creeps into the thinking of the Latter-day Saint people.  We need to be reminded that should we as a people lose either our understanding of the covenant God made with our ancient father or our faith in its application and relevance today, then we will lose with it its train of attendants – revelation, prophets, priesthood, and temple blessings. Such is the lesson of history. “Our Destiny, The Call and Election of the House of Israel,” Millet, Robert L., McConkie, Joseph Fielding, pg13.

Who is doing the scattering?  Non-believing Gentiles.  The gentiles have a dual role to play in this plan of scattering and gathering.

3 Ne 16:7-9

·      “their” = believing Gentiles (v7)

·      v 8 talks about unbelieving Gentiles

·      v8 mentions scattering, which refers to physical scattering, but mostly spiritual scattering

·      BUT he causes the scattering for a reason – to make us humble and teachable!

The other role Gentiles play:

3 Ne 21:1-7

·      “you” = Nephites

·      “them” = Gentiles (believing)

·      The Book of Mormon will come forth from the Gentiles that the Lord may “show forth his power unto the Gentiles,” “so that they may repent and be baptized and know the true points of doctrine.”

·      The gentiles are, after all from the House of Israel and have believing blood.

·      The Book of Mormon is used as a tool of gathering and also as a sign of the COMMENCEMENT of gathering

3 Ne 21:9-10 about Joseph Smith.  Remember the Title Page of The Book of Mormon mentioned that it will “come forth in due time by way of the Gentile.”

What does the gathering mean?  Just as the scattering was a physical and spiritual event, the gathering will be a spiritual and physical gathering.  Prophets and apostles today have indicated that we are to gather to the lands we are already in.  Spiritual gathering is happening now.  Let’s read about what that means.

3 Ne 20:11-12  gathering = fulfilling covenant (Abrahamic and individual). You can be gathered and feel gathered even if it’s just you and the Lord.  But there is great strength when there is a group of people with the same belief and goal that you belong to.

The Lord tells us shat happens when covenants are fulfilled:

3 Ne 16:11-12  covenant = Gentiles (unbelievers) shall not overpower you.

            3 Ne 20:27  the Holy Ghost makes them mighty above all.

27 And after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed—unto the pouring out of the Holy Ghost through me upon the Gentiles, which blessing upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty above all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel.

At this point the prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled

3 Ne 20:40-41

·      Because of the covenants that provide all the things listed on the board, people will say “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings.”

o   “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace,” refers to those who spread the Lord’s gospel, but that it more specifically refers to the Savior Himself: “These familiar passages, written first by Isaiah but spoken of and inspired by Jehovah himself, are often applied to anyone—especially missionaries—who bring the good tidings of the gospel and publish peace to the souls of men. There is nothing inappropriate about such an application, but it is important to realize—as the prophet Abinadi did—that in its purest form and original sense, this psalm of appreciation applies specifically to Christ. It is he and only he who ultimately brings the good tidings of salvation. Only through him is true, lasting peace published. To Zion, in both the old and new Jerusalems, it is Christ who declares, ‘Thy God reigneth!’ It is his feet upon the mountain of redemption that are beautiful’ [3 Nephi 20:40]” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 286).

·      

And then we will get to work!  We are to remain clean and share the covenants the Lord has made and will fulfill so that others will receive the hope and direction that is possible for them.

The Hope of Healing

Reading: 3 Nephi 17-19

These chapters are some of the sweetest chapters in all of The Book of Mormon, in my opinion.  In fact, I usually can't read them without crying.  I was asked to read the verses about the Savior healing the sick people and I cried, barely finishing the passage aloud.  There is much to discuss in these three chapters.  I will only highlight a few things and trust that you will read them yourself, because I believe these chapters affect different people differently.  Find out how they affect you.

Here are the verses in chapter 17 that bring me such great hope:

 5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
 6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.
 7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
 8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.
 9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.
 10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.

The Savior was so perceptive of their needs and wants and discerned that the people had the faith to be healed of their physical problems.  I look forward to the day when I will be healed of my physical issues too.  Do I not have enough faith now?  Maybe. But maybe I can feel healed while actually being rid of my disease.  I believe this to be a truth in my life.  Do I believe that if it was the will of the Lord to heal me, he would? Absolutely.  And why wouldn't he want to heal me?  Of course he wants to heal me!  But not right now.  And I'm good with that.  Having a disease is certainly not easy, it's a 24/7 gig, with multiple ups and down daily. And while sometimes I wish it would all go away, I've made peace with the fact that this is one way to help me learn and make me humble.  Certainly he wants me to learn and be humble too.  But to know that someday I will have a complete healing is a hopeful and peaceful thought.

After this period of healing he brought the little children forward and blessed them, a time which was not fully recorded because of the sacredness of the experience and I think because each experience was so individual.  This is what happens after:

20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.
 21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

His joy was full because of their faith in him, to the point of making him weep.  He's done so much for us, we can at least try to have abiding faith in him, so that his joy will be full.

In chapter 18, Jesus introduces the sacrament to help them remember the sacrifice of his blood and body.  We do this every week in sacrament meeting.  The Father must have known that we forgetful humans would need a weekly reminder that for true happiness we are dependent upon him.  After the sacrament He gives these words of wisdom that need no explanation:

 15 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.

In chapter 19 the 12 Disciples start to teach and baptize the people.  This is a re-baptism for some.  Why?  Because this is a new church.  The authority was the same that existed with the Mosaic Law, but the covenants and ordinances are different simply because the Law was fulfilled by Christ and therefore hold different meaning.

And then Jesus offered this touching and almost yearning prayer, which to me is more of a pattern of prayer than "the Lord's Prayer" that is quoted in the New Testament and also earlier in 3 Nephi:

 19 And it came to pass that Jesus departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed himself to the earth, and he said:
 20 Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world.
 21 Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words.
 22 Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.
 23 And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one.