© 1995 Gary L. Kapp
Understanding the Scriptures
3 Nephi 13
| Alms (vv. 1–4) | Good deeds, donations |
| Hypocrites (vv. 2, 5, 16) | People who say one thing and do another |
| Closet (v. 6) | A private place in your house |
| Vain repetitions (v. 7) | The same words repeated over and over without any thought or feeling |
| Heathen (v. 7) | People who do not accept the gospel |
| Hallowed (v. 9) | Holy, sacred |
| Countenance (v. 16) | Appearance, face |
| Single (v. 22) | Focused on righteousness, not distracted |
| Mammon (v. 24) | Riches, worldliness |
| Raiment (vv. 25, 28) | Clothing |
| Sow (v. 26) | Plant |
| Reap (v. 26) | Harvest |
| Cubit (v. 27) | A unit of measurement (about 18 inches or 46 centimeters) |
| Stature (v. 27) | Height |
| Toil (v. 28) | Work |
| Spin (v. 28) | Make cloth |
| Arrayed (v. 29) | Beautifully dressed |
| Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof (v. 34) | Each day has enough trouble of its own |
3 Nephi 13:25–34—Do Not Worry about What You Eat, Drink, or Wear
Many people have misunderstood the Savior’s counsel to “take no thought for your life” in Matthew 6:25–34. Some have thought it meant they were not to worry about having a job and supporting themselves. The Nephite version of this sermon helps us to understand that this counsel was specifically given to the Twelve Apostles and to the twelve Nephite disciples, who were to forsake their worldly pursuits and devote all their energies to their calling. All Church members, however, could apply these principles to themselves by focusing more on spiritual matters and less on worldly cares.
Studying the Scriptures
Do one of the following activities (A–C) as you study 3 Nephi 13.
Give a Modern Example
Review 3 Nephi 13:1–24 and list the four examples Jesus gave of doing the right thing for the wrong reason. After each example, give a modern example of how a person could do those things for the right reasons.
More Meaningful Prayer
Write about ways you would use 3 Nephi 13:5–15 to teach a short lesson on prayer to a class of young children. Include all of the ideas you would want to share from these verses and how they apply to the members of the class.
Think of an Application
Describe at least two situations common to people your age that involve making many decisions. In what ways might the Savior’s counsel in 3 Nephi 13:19–20, 33 help to make righteous decisions?
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