Third NephiThe Book of Nephi, the son of Nephi, who was the son of - PDF document

Third Nephi—The Book of Nephi, the son of Nephi, who was the son of Helaman—and Helaman was the son of Helaman who was the son of Alma who was the son of Alma, being a descendant of Nephi who was the son of Lehi… A Review of Who’s Who in the Book of Mormon 600 BC Nephi I, son of Lehi (I Nephi 2:1-5) Died approx. age 75 (Jacob 1:12) 173 BC - 91 BC Alma the Elder (Alma I) Priest of King Noah. Believed Abinadi (Mosiah 17:1-4 ). Lived 82 years (Mosiah 29:45). 125 BC - 73 BC Alma the Younger (Alma II). A “Juvenile delinquent.” An angel appeared to him and the four sons of Mosiah (Mosiah 27). He changed, became righteous, and went on a mission to the Lamanites. He disappeared (perhaps was translated?) in 73 BC (Alma 45:19) at age 52. 100 BC - 50 BC Helaman I, son of Alma the Younger (Al. 31:7). A prophet and military leader; He led 2,000 Stripling Warriors (Al. 53:22). Died 57 BC (Al. 62:52). 100 BC - 40 BC Helaman II, son of Helaman (Hel. 2:2). A righteous Chief Judge. Died 39 BC (Hel 3:37). 45 BC - 1 BC Nephi II, son of Helaman. Chief Judge. Prophet. (Hel 3:21-27) He delivered the judgment sent to Cezoram (Hel 5:1). He was contemporary with Samuel the Lamanite. He disappeared (perhaps was translated?) in 1 AD (3 Nephi 1:3). 1 AD - 50 AD Nephi III, son of Nephi (3 Nephi 1:2). He was one the of 12 chosen by Jesus (3 Nephi 19:4). 36 AD - 110 AD Nephi IV, probably a son of the disciple, therefore Helaman’s great grandson. He kept the record (4 Nephi 1:19).

Overview of 3 Nephi Chapters 1-5 1. During the 25 years following Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, both Nephites and Lamanites were bothered by Gadianton robbers. 2. By 13 AD they were so numerous, had killed so many people, and had destroyed so many cities that the Nephites and Lamanites united against them. (See 3 Nephi 2:11). 3. The righteous governor of the Land, (Lachoneus) gathered the people in Zarahemla and Bountiful and appointed Gidgiddoni to guide the Nephite army (3 Nephi 3:13-19). 4. The people repented of their sins in hopes the Lord would deliver them when their enemies came against them in battle (3 Nephi 3:25). 5. The Gadianton robbers were either captured or slain (3 Nephi 5:4-6). 6. Between 26 AD and 29 AD the Nephites again became prosperous. They preached to their prisoners. Those who repented and made covenants were set free to work their own lands. 7. Law and order was established (3 Nephi 6:4). Adapted from: Gary Lee Walker, “The Downfall of the Nephite Nation: Lessons for our time,” Studies in Scripture: Alma 30 to Moroni, Vol. 8, 1988, pp. 139-140.

“In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America. By careful study of that time period, we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet. From the Book of Mormon we learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war. From the Book of Mormon we see the evils of secret combinations portrayed in graphic and chilling reality. In the Book of Mormon we find lessons for dealing with persecution and apostasy. We learn much about how to do missionary work. And more than anywhere else, we see in the Book of Mormon the dangers of materialism and setting our hearts on the things of the world. Can anyone doubt that this book was meant for us and that in it we find great power, great comfort, and great protection?” --President Ezra Taft Benson, A Witness and a Warning, pp. 21-22.

“I have been reading again the marvelous account in the Book of Mormon of the visit of the resurrected Savior to the American continent. I have been deeply impressed with the beauty and power of this scriptural account in 3 Nephi, and with its great value for our time and our generation. The record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior’s visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Savior’s second coming. Pride became commonplace. Dishonesty and immorality were widespread. Secret combinations flourished… . ‘The people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning.’ (3 Nephi 6:12)…even as today.” --President Ezra T. Benson, A Witness and a Warning, pp. 37-38.

Why were the wicked Nephites given signs? 1. Since they sought to prove the prophets wrong, the Lord allowed them to be proved wrong. (Example: The five men who ran to check out Nephi’s prophecy about the Chief Judge in Hel. 9:2-4) 2. He “showeth no signs, only in wrath to their condemnation.” (D&C 63:11) The people were adulterous. The Savior stated, “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign.” (Matt. 12:39) Elder McConkie said, “Some sins cannot be separated; they are inseparably welded together. There never was sign seeker who was not an adulterer, just as there never was an adulterer who was not also a liar.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol 1, pp. 277-78) Joseph Smith said: “. . . The Lord had said to me in a revelation, that any man who wanted a sign was an adulterous person.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 278) 3. Signs are given under these conditions to vindicate the prophets. The sign given to Nephi, son of Helaman, concerning the death of the chief judge vindicated Nephi. (See Mosiah 20:21 “Are not Abinadi’s words fulfilled?”) 4. Signs leave the wicked without excuse for not believing. Therefore, they are totally responsible for what happens thereafter. The Lord has stated, “He that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation.” (D&C 63:7)

Characteristics of Lachoneus (3 Nephi Chapter 3): v. 12 The Governor was a just man. v. 12 He caused that his people should pray. v. 14 He gathered the people together and caused fortifications to be built and placed guards round about day and night. v. 15 He called upon people to repent or they would not be delivered from their enemies. v. 19 He had the spirit of prophecy which is the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:10). v. 21 He would not launch an offensive attack upon the enemy (He followed the Lord’s law of war [Alma 43:46-47]) Characteristics of Giddianhi (3 Nephi Chapter 3): v. 2 He was capable of much flattery v. 3,4 He was a braggart v. 5, 6 He insisted that he was full of concern for the Nephites, but his other words belie this. V. 7 He offered the Nephites a partnership if they would give in to his demands.

Essential Elements of a Gadianton Conspiracy (Hugh Nibley, Since Cumorah , pp. 407-408) Objectives: 1. Power and gain, the two being interactive. 2. Control or overthrow of the government, using political office to rule and do according to their will (Hel 7:5) Methods: 1. Secret agreements between individuals and groups – essentially an underground movement. 2. Assassination. These two things have been forbidden from the beginning (Ether 8:19) 3. Payola. (...letting the guilty go unpunished because of their money (Helaman 7:5)) 4. Skillful propaganda and public relations. (Flattering words) 5. A Hate Campaign. A stead outpouring of accusations and rumors (e.g. Amalickiah, Giddianhi) 6. Intimidation. “Breathing out many threatenings.” Great and terrible appearance” of their armies (3 Nephi 4:7) 7. Tight control of members (e.g. death penalties for betrayal, Helaman 1:11, Ether 8:14)

Attitude: 1. Totally partisan, the interests of the combination taking priority over all other laws and interests. 2. Ambition. 3. Highly competitive, feuding among themselves. 4. Projecting a noble image, with much talk of rights and wrongs, high courage, upright character. 5. Professed piety and religion, swearing their oaths by the “God of heaven” or their “everlasting Maker.” 6. Paranoia, always attributing troubles to the wickedness of others. Vengeance is their watchword. Ecology: 1. Flourish best in affluent business society, and wither in times of poverty. 2. Crystallize around ambitious individuals. 3. Readily combine with king-men, “nobility,” great families, ambitious local officials, that is, with anyone who opposes the Nephite government. 4. They have destroyed every New World civilization in which they have been allowed to thrive. 5. The cannot thrive or even survive without the acceptance and encouragement fo the society in general. Being predatory and non-productive, they cannot survive without a complacent society to host and support them. Such a society is on which accepts as desirable the Gadianton goals of power and gain.