3 Nephi 27, Part 1

Imagine the following scenario:

One day while sharing what they did over the weekend, Naomi mentioned to her friend Marco that she attended church on Sunday.

Marco asked, “You are a Mormon, right?”

Naomi said, “Sometimes people call us that, but we prefer to be called members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Marco replied, “That sounds like a mouthful. Why don’t you just say you belong to the Mormon church? Don’t you read from the Book of Mormon?”

• What are some ways Naomi could respond to Marco’s question?

Today, you will study some of the Savior’s teachings to His Nephite disciples recorded in 3 Nephi 27. As you study, look for truths Jesus taught about His Church that can help you when faced with situations like the one you just read about.

Soon after Christ’s visit to the Nephites, His twelve Nephite disciples united in fasting and prayer. They wanted to know what the name of the Church should be. As they were praying, the Savior appeared and began to teach them (see 3 Nephi 27:1–3).

Read 3 Nephi 27:4–7, looking for what the Savior taught His disciples about the name of His Church.

• What did the Savior say His Church should be called?

One truth we learn from these verses is that the true Church of Jesus Christ must be called by His name.

• What reasons did the Savior give for naming the Church after Himself?

President Russell M. Nelson shared reasons why it is important that we use the correct name of the Church:

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President Russell M. Nelson

The name of the Church is not negotiable. When the Savior clearly states what the name of His Church should be and even precedes His declaration with “Thus shall my church be called,” He is serious. And if we allow nicknames to be used or adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is offended.

What’s in a name or, in this case, a nickname? When it comes to nicknames of the Church, such as the “LDS Church,” the “Mormon Church,” or the “Church of the Latter-day Saints,” the most important thing in those names is the absence of the Savior’s name. To remove the Lord’s name from the Lord’s Church is a major victory for Satan. When we discard the Savior’s name, we are subtly disregarding all that Jesus Christ did for us—even His Atonement. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Correct Name of the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 87–88)

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icon, record

1. Answer the following questions:

   • What stands out to you from President Nelson’s statement?

   • How do you think our efforts to use the correct name of the Church could impact those who are not members of the Church?

In addition to emphasizing that His Church should be called by His name, the Savior taught His Nephite disciples another essential characteristic of His Church.

Read 3 Nephi 27:8–10, looking for this characteristic.

• What could you add from these verses to the bolded truth you identified earlier about the Savior’s Church?

One way we could summarize the Savior’s teachings you have studied so far is the true Church of Jesus Christ must be called by His name and be built upon His gospel.

• What do you think it means for the Savior’s Church to be built upon His gospel?

It may be helpful to understand that the word gospel means “good news” (see Bible Dictionary, “Gospels”).

To help you understand important aspects of the Savior’s gospel, draw a simple picture of a church building in your study journal, like the following. Be sure to save room to write words and phrases beneath the church.

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line drawing of meetinghouse

Read 3 Nephi 27:13–22, looking for what Jesus Christ said His gospel is. Write words or phrases you find in the space beneath your drawing.

• Based on the verses you studied, how would you describe what the Savior’s gospel is?