3 Nephi 8–10

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tornado traveling through field

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lightning storm

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hurricane rains and wind hit a town

Think about times when you have experienced violent storms or natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornados. What are these experiences like?

When Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem, a terrible storm and earthquake in the Americas caused great destruction. These events fulfilled Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecies about the signs of the Savior’s death (see Helaman 14:20–27).

To learn about the details of these destructive events, read 3 Nephi 8:5–22. You could also watch the video, “Jesus Christ Appears in the Ancient Americas,” from time codes 0:00–3:19. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• What might you have been thinking or feeling if you had experienced these things?

In the years leading up to this destruction, most of the Nephites had turned from the Lord and cast out the prophets that God had sent to preach to them (see 3 Nephi 7:7–8, 14, 21).

Read 3 Nephi 8:23–25, looking for how survivors reacted after experiencing these destructive events.

• How would you describe their feelings?

As the people mourned in the darkness, they heard the voice of Jesus Christ speaking to them. He named many cities and explained that those cities and people had been destroyed because of their wickedness. He then taught the people many important truths about Himself.

To help you organize these truths, create a heading in your study journal titled: Learning about Jesus Christ in 3 Nephi. You may want to reserve multiple pages in your study journal so you can add truths to this list during your study of the Savior’s ministry among the Nephites over the next few weeks.

Read 3 Nephi 9:13–22 and 10:4–12, looking for what Jesus Christ taught these people about Himself. Write these truths under the heading in your study journal.