Seminary: 81 3 Nephi 8-10

Background: The chief judge of the land was murdered. Instead of appointing a new chief judge, the people divided up into tribes. There was no longer a central government. They had a common code of conduct between the different tribes to prevent wars among them though they were free to make their own laws as they saw fit.


Have the students close their eyes.

Read: 3 Nephi 8:5-23

What most impressed you about these verses?

What did you feel while listening to the verses?

What do you imagine the people who experienced this destruction felt?

Who can tell what happened in Jerusalem at Christ’s death?

Matthew 27:45-54

What similarities are there between these two events?

Why do you think darkness and destruction accompanied Christ’s death?

John 8:12

What does Jesus say that he is?

How did these events affect the righteous, the wicked?

What reasons did the Lord have for destroying the wicked?

At the second coming there will be destruction and calamities. We can be blessed and protected during these times.

How can we be blessed and protected?

3 Nephi 11:1

Where did the people congregate after the calamities?

Why do you think this was the case?

Elder Lance B. Wickman:

“Climbing atop the Mount of Olives with his disciples, the Savior prophesied the cataclysmic events that would precede the destruction of Jerusalem and his second coming. He then issues this portentous admonition to his disciples, ancient and modern: ‘Then you shall stand in the holy place; whoso readeth let him understand’ (Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:12; italics added; see also Matthew 24:15). Latter-day revelations provide understanding. They teach that in out day, amidst strife and catastrophe and pestilence, there are two kingdoms locked in grim struggle for the souls of men-Zion and Babylon. More than once they repeat the injunction to ‘stand in holy places’ for a refuge from these storms of latter-day life (D&C 45:32; see also D&C 87:8; 101:16-23). Prominent among such holy places, and key to all the others, is the temple of the Lord.” (Ensign, Nov. 1994, 82-83).

Why is the temple so important in our lives?

What safety can it bring?
While it was still dark, the people heard a voice.

3 Nephi 10:3-8

What did the voice tell them?

What was the people’s reaction?

Why did they have this reaction?