Seminary: 80 3 Nephi 5-7

Background: The robbers petitioned the Nephites to join them, they did not but instead banded together with the Lamanites and gathered together in the land of Zarahemla. With the Lord’s help they defeated the robbers.

Write: Cause [Therefore] Effect (don’t write the middle word)

What do these words mean?

Write: “Therefore” between the two words with an arrow outlined around it.

Write 3 Nephi 5:3 under “Effect” and 3 Nephi 5:1-2 under “Cause”

3 Nephi 5:3

What “Effect” followed the word “therefore” in this verse? (the Nephites forsook their sins)

3 Nephi 5:1-2

What “caused” the effect? (they knew that the prophecies of Christ’s birth were fulfilled and that all things spoken by the prophets would be fulfilled).

3 Nephi 5:21-26 (read silently)

According to these verses what blessings come to the descendants of Jacob who are gathered in the last days? (Among other blessings, they came to “know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ”).

What can knowing our Redeemer do for us?

President Marion G. Romney:

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity-the pure live of Christ-will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Ensign, May 1980, 67).

Write: arthritis, cancer, chicken pox, heart disease, leprosy, malaria, rheumatic fever

What do you think is the most dreaded human disease?

Hugh Nibley:

“What we read about in the Book of Mormon is the ‘Nephite Disease’-and we have it!...We can be most grateful, therefore, regardless of how sick others may be, that God in the Book of Mormon has diagnosed our sickness for our special benefit, and prescribed a cure for us” (Huch Nibley, Since Cumorah [1967], 354).

What do you think was the “Nephite Disease”?

3 Nephi 6:10, 13, 15 (Pride)

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin:

“Pride and vanity, the opposites of humility, can destroy our spiritual health as surely as a debilitating disease can destroy health” (Ensign, Nov 1990, 65)

Ezra Taft Benson:

“Pride is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance (see Mosiah 3:11; 3 Nephi 6:18). In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous pride-it is always considered a sin. Therefore, no matter how the world uses the term, we must understand how God uses the term so we can understand the language of holy writ and profit thereby (see Nephi 4:15; Mosiah 1:3-7; Alma 5:61).

“Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.

“The central feature of pride is enmity-enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means ‘hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.’ It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us” (Ensign, May 1989, 4).

How does someone diagnose a sickness?

How can we diagnose a spiritual sickness?