Understanding the Scriptures
3 Nephi 24
| Abide (v. 2) | Live through, bear |
| Refiner (vv. 2–3) | Person who melts rock to get the pure metal out (This symbol is used to teach that people will be cleansed of their impurities and sins at Christ’s Second Coming.) |
| Fuller (v. 2) | A person who makes cloth white |
| Purify, purge (v. 3) | Make clean |
| Sorcerers (v. 5) | People who practice Satan-led magic and corrupt behavior |
| Oppress the hireling (v. 5) | Cheat or take advantage of employees |
| Consumed (v. 6) | Destroyed |
| Devourer (v. 11) | Destroyer |
| Stout (v. 13) | Bold, strong |
| Vain (v. 14) | Of no value or benefit |
| Set up (v. 15) | Successful |
| Tempt God (v. 15) | Provoke the Lord by disobeying His commandments |
| Feared (v. 16) | Revered, loved, and obeyed |
3 Nephi 24:3–4—The Sons of Levi
Under the law of Moses, the members of the tribe of Levi held the priesthood and administered the ordinances of the law for the people. Today we call the priesthood they held the “Aaronic Priesthood” (see D&C 13:1; 84:31–32; 128:24).
3 Nephi 24:10–12—The Blessings of Tithing
Speaking of the spiritual and temporal blessings of tithing, President Heber J. Grant said: “Prosperity comes to those who observe the law of tithing. When I say prosperity I am not thinking of it in terms of dollars and cents alone. … What I count as real prosperity … is the growth in a knowledge of God, and in a testimony, and in the power to live the gospel and to inspire our families to do the same. That is prosperity of the truest kind” (Gospel Standards [1941], 58).
3 Nephi 25
| Stubble (v. 1) | The dry stalks of the grain that are left in the field after the grain has been harvested |
| Root nor branch (v. 1) | Parents, grandparents (ancestors), nor children (descendants) |
| Statutes (v. 4) | Laws |
| Great and dreadful day of the Lord (v. 5) | The Second Coming of Jesus Christ |
3 Nephi 25:5–6—The Lord Will Send Elijah
In fulfillment of this promise of the Lord through Malachi, Elijah returned to the earth in 1836 in the Kirtland Temple and committed keys of the priesthood making it possible to perform saving ordinances for those who have died (see D&C 110:13–16). He restored what is sometimes referred to as the sealing power of the priesthood. It is this power whereby families are sealed together for eternity.
Studying the Scriptures
Do activity A and activity B or C as you study 3 Nephi 24–25.
Who Will and Who Won’t Survive the Second Coming?
Make two columns in your notebook. In one column, write the words and phrases from 3 Nephi 24–25 that describe who will not “abide the day” and what will happen to them. In the other column write what these two chapters say about who will “abide the day,” what will happen to them, and what they will do.
The Blessings of Tithing
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1.
What did the Lord say in 3 Nephi 24:8–9 about those who do not pay their tithing?
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2.
From verses 10–12, write what the Lord said about those who do pay their tithing.
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3.
Compare Doctrine and Covenants 64:23 to 3 Nephi 25:1 and write what the Lord promised faithful tithe payers. In addition to tithing, what else might we sacrifice to the Lord in preparation for His Second Coming?
How Has It Influenced You?
Write about the most significant ways you think the fulfillment of 3 Nephi 25:5–6 has influenced your life.
