3 Nephi 18-30

During His visit to the Nephites, the Savior instituted the sacrament and emphasized that the purpose of the

sacrament is to remember Him. He promised, “If ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be

with you” (3 Nephi 18:11). This same promise is part of the sacrament prayer. While you study 3 Nephi 18–19,
ponder what Jesus taught about the sacrament and about prayer and how these teachings can help you
deepen your discipleship of Christ so you can more fully enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

The hope of all righteous parents is that their descendants will come to know God for themselves
and be faithful to Him. God promised Abraham and his descendants that in the latter days their posterity
would have the blessings of the gospel and would be gathered to places of safety. The Father commanded
the Savior to teach these promises to the Nephites.

The principle of gathering involves more than assembling people together on certain lands. It

also includes a spiritual gathering that occurs when someone comes in contact with and joins the Church.
In their scattered condition, Israel lost the knowledge of their God, His gospel, the priesthood, the temple, and
the truths of salvation. The Father promised, however, that He would reach out to Israel in the last days and
offer them His gospel, His priesthood, the temple, and the path to eternal life. Heavenly Father wants to offer
the blessings of the gospel to all of His children and is helping to bring about this latter-day gathering.

During the second day of His three-day ministry, the Savior endorsed and expounded on the prophecies of

Isaiah and Malachi. He observed the extent of Isaiah’s prophecies as touching on “all things concerning my
people which are of the house of Israel” (3 Nephi 23:2).

Jesus Christ personally examined the scriptural record or accuracy and caused that the fulfillment of Samuel’s

prophesy of the Resurrection and the words of Malachi be included (see 3 Nephi 24:1; 26:1–2). Malachi’s words
declare the blessings associated with the law of tithing and the role the prophet Elijah would have during the
last days in preparation for the Second Coming.

The Lord commanded each of us to search the scriptures and the prophets (see 3 Nephi 23:5). The

Savior declared it is wisdom that “these scriptures . . .should be given unto future generations” (3 Nephi
26:2). Every Latter-day Saint has a duty to diligently search the scriptures. Consider what it means to
diligently search the scriptures and the prophets rather than merely reading them.

Near the end of His ministry to the Nephites, the Savior explained what constituted His gospel. This

block of scripture in 3 Nephi 27–30 also contains more information on translated beings (the three
Nephite disciples) than anywhere else in the scriptures.

Through studying chapter 28, you will better understand why the Lord chooses to translate some of

His mortal servants. Finally, 3 Nephi ends with Mormon describing the Book of Mormon’s role in the latter-day
gathering of Israel and the Lord (through Mormon) warning the Gentiles in the latter days to repent and
turn unto Him. This is a good opportunity to recommit to using the Book of Mormon in your life and in
inviting others to come unto the Savior.