Understanding the Scriptures
3 Nephi 20
| Remnant (vv. 10, 13, 16) | Remaining part |
| Inheritance (vv. 14, 29, 33, 46) | Possession (usually it refers to something passed on from a parent or other ancestor) |
| Treadeth down (v. 16) | Walks on |
| Sheaves (v. 18) | Stalks of grain bundled together |
| The floor (v. 18) | Threshing floor |
| I will make thy horn iron and thy hoofs brass (v. 19) | I will make you very strong in the last days |
| Consecrate their gain (v. 19) | Make their wealth sacred by dedicating it |
| Kindreds (vv. 25, 27) | Families |
| Scourge (v. 28) | A whip (symbolic of trials and trouble) |
| Made bare his holy arm (v. 35) | Shown His power |
| Uncircumcised (v. 36) | Those who have not made covenants with the Lord |
| Naught (v. 38) | Nothing of value |
| Bear the vessels of the Lord (v. 41) | Do the Lord’s work, carry that which is sacred |
| Rearward (v. 42) | Protection |
| Extolled (v. 43) | Praised |
| Visage (v. 44) | Appearance, image |
| Marred (v. 44) | Damaged, spoiled, blemished |
3 Nephi 21
| Dispersion, dispersed (vv. 1, 26–27) | Scattering, scattered |
| Wrought (v. 5) | Done |
| Behooveth (v. 6) | Becomes necessary for |
| Soothsayers (v. 16) | People who claim to tell the future or work other miracles but are not from God |
| Groves (v. 18) | Places where people worshipped idols in Old Testament times |
| Priestcrafts (v. 19) | Preaching for money and praise (see 2 Nephi 26:29) |
| Vengeance (v. 21) | Fierce justice, punishment |
3 Nephi 21:6—Gentiles Become Numbered with the House of Israel
President Joseph Fielding Smith taught: “Every person who embraces the gospel becomes of the house of Israel. In other words, they become members of the chosen lineage, or Abraham’s children through Isaac and Jacob unto whom the promises were made” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:246; see also 2 Nephi 30:1–2).
3 Nephi 21:22–25 (see also 3 Nephi 20:22)—The New Jerusalem
The city of New Jerusalem will be built in Jackson County, Missouri, and will be called the city of Zion (see D&C 45:64–68; 57:1–3; Moses 7:62).
3 Nephi 22
| Barren (v. 1) | A woman who has no children |
| Travail (v. 1) | The labor pains of giving birth |
| Desolate (vv. 1, 3) | Lonely, left alone, empty, abandoned |
| Reproach (v. 4) | Shame and disgrace of previous sins |
| Sapphires, agates, carbuncles (vv. 11–12) | Valuable gems and stones |
| Smith (v. 16) | Blacksmith (one who shapes metal into useable objects) |
3 Nephi 22:2—Curtains, Cords, and Stakes
Isaiah compared the house of Israel to a tent. The longer the cords and curtains and the stronger the stakes, the bigger the tent can be.
Studying the Scriptures
Do two of the following activities (A–D) as you study 3 Nephi 20–22.
The Gathering of Israel
The gathering of Israel is not just for other people in other places; it involves us and our day. Study 3 Nephi 20:13, 18–19, 29–33; 21:1, 20–28; 22:13–14, 17, and list what the Lord said about why He would gather Israel and what would happen when He did.
Blessings from the Lord
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1.
According to 3 Nephi 20:25–26, what is one of the ways the Lord has blessed, and continues to bless, the “children of the covenant”?
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2.
According to 3 Nephi 20:27, in what ways has the Lord blessed the gentile nations?
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3.
How have these two blessings helped you in your life? (See the introduction to 3 Nephi 20–22 and the “Understanding the Scriptures” section for help, if needed.)
A Message for the Gentile Nations
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1.
In your own words, explain what the Lord said in 3 Nephi 21:14–21 about what will happen if the gentile nations do not repent? Use some modern examples of what was said.
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2.
What did the Lord say in 3 Nephi 21:22–25 about Gentiles who do repent and are gathered to the New Jerusalem?
Liken the Words of Isaiah
In 3 Nephi 22, the Savior quoted Isaiah 54, which is a poetic testimony of the Lord’s love for His people as He fulfills His covenant to gather them together and into the presence of God.
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1.
Throughout the scriptures, the Lord has often compared His covenant relationship with His Church to a marriage relationship. He is the Husband, and the Church is the wife. Consider some qualities of the Lord’s being a good husband to His Church, such as being a righteous example and providing love, material needs, comfort, and protection for His family. For each of these responsibilities, find at least one phrase from 3 Nephi 22 that shows how the Lord is the perfect “husband” to the Church.
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2.
How might the message of 3 Nephi 22 comfort a new convert? How might we use what the Lord said in 3 Nephi 22 to help us care for new converts?
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