Seminary: 89 3 Nephi 18

Background: Christ taught the Nephites about the Sacrament and prayer. He also talked about how the sacrament and prayer can help us to have the spirit more fully in our lives.


Do you remember how many people the Lord had been teaching up to this point? (about 2,500)

We had talked about how he had sent the people home to prepare for his next message for them.

Imagine that you were to see the Savior tomorrow.

What emotions would you be feeling?

Would you want to tell others about His visit?

If you could, who would you invite to be there with you?

3 Nephi 19:1-3

How did the Nephites handle this scenario?

Who did they tell about the Savior’s visit?

How did they react?

Read: 3 Nephi 19:4-15

What preparations did they make?

• They followed the leaders Jesus had chosen.

• They prayed.

• They taught and learned the words that Jesus had previously spoken.

• They were baptized.

• They desired and received the Holy Ghost.

How could following this pattern help us prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord?

How does desire affect our ability to prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord?

Share testimony of the Savior and the need to prepare for His Second Coming.

Prayer is an important aspect of developing a relationship with the Lord.

Discuss:

• Use reverent titles and pronouns while praying (such as Thee, Thou, Thy, and Thine).

• Follow the basic pattern when praying (Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee….We ask Thee….In the name of Jesus Christ, amen).

• Pray from the heart.

• Pray regularly (every morning and night).
• Pray as directed by the Holy Ghost.

President Ezra Taft Benson:

“If we would advance in holiness-increase in favor with God-nothing can take the place of prayer….Give prayer-daily prayer, secret prayer-a foremost place in your lives. Let no day pass without it. Communion with the Almighty has been a source of strength, inspiration, and enlightenment through the world’s history to men and women who have shaped the destinies of individuals and nations for good” (God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [1974], 8).

Testify of the power of prayer and the need to pray daily.

To whom do we pray?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

“Jesus was present before them as the symbol of the Father. Seeing him, it was as though they saw the Father; praying to him, it was as though they prayed to the Father. It was a special and unique situation that as far as we know has taken place only once on earth during all the long ages of the Lord’s hand-dealings with this children. (The Promised Messiah: The first Coming of Christ [1978], 561).

In whose name do we pray?

What does that mean, “in whose name”?

Why do we pray to the Father in the name of the Christ?