3 Nephi 12-16

 

3 Nephi 12

Jesus had called twelve other men just like Nephi

As his twelve apostles with power to baptize.

“You’ll be blessed if you heed the words of these twelve men

“They will minister to you and be your servants.

“After they baptize you with water you will see—

“You will be baptized with the Holy Ghost by me.”

Then Jesus began sharing the beatitudes,

Teaching each of us how to act and what to do.

If we’re poor in spirit, we’re mourning or we’re meek,

If we’re merciful, pure in heart or we make peace,

If we will thirst and hunger after righteousness,

Or we’re persecuted, Jesus said we’ll be blessed.

“You should be the salt of the earth,” our Savior said,

“But salt only stays good if it stays separate.

“If it gets mixed with other items it’s impure.

“Then it’s good for nothing!  It loses its savor.

“You’re to be the light of this people,” He then said,

“Like a city set on a hill cannot be hid,

“Let your light so shine with your good works unto men

“Who will then glorify our father in Heaven.

“With my coming the Law of Moses is fulfilled

“So the law will change, like this one, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’

“It is no longer enough to abstain from murder

“Being Christlike means you’ll avoid feeling anger.

“If there is contention then resolve it quickly

“So I can receive you when you come unto me.

“It is not enough to avoid adultery.

“Guard your heart—don’t lust after anyone you see.

“Watch your language.  Your words will not change anything.

“My disciples strive to use language that is clean.

“Though the Law of Moses said an eye for an eye,

“Turn the other cheek if someone hits you—don’t fight.

“Be generous.  Give of your time and belongings.

“It’s no longer okay to hate your enemy.

“Love your enemies, bless and do good unto them.

“Pray for them!  It sets you apart as God’s children.

“Even as I am you should strive to be perfect.”

We can only do this using His atonement.

 

3 Nephi 13

“When you help the poor don’t do it so you’ll be seen

“As the hypocrites do for praise and for glory.

“Keep it to yourself what you do for charity

“Heavenly Father will reward you openly.

 

“Likewise, pray in secret, not to be seen of men.

“You’ll be rewarded by our father in Heaven.

“When you pray use simple language, not big, long words

“Like the heathen who only pray so they’ll be heard.”

Then he shared the manner in which we all should pray.

It is just an example of what we should say.

We start by addressing our Father in Heaven

And ask in humility that His will be done.

We should ask for forgiveness and then we should plead

For deliverance from temptations when we need

After, we express gratitude.  Our prayers should end

In the Savior’s name, after which we say, “Amen.”

“If you forgive men, you will be forgiven, too.

“But if you do not the Lord will not forgive you.

“Keep it to yourself, don’t look dreary or downcast

“Try to look your best whenever you choose to fast.

“Do not set your hearts on the treasures of this earth.

“Lay up for yourselves treasures of heavenly worth.

“If you remain focused only on God’s glory

“You’ll be filled with light since that’s all your eyes have seen.

“If you focus on evil just the opposite

“Will then be the case; you will be filled with darkness.

"No man can serve two masters.  He’ll only love one.

“Do not be deceived!  You can’t serve God and Mammon.

“Remember my words, I want you to minister

“And I will take care of you as you share my words.

“Don’t obsess over what you wear or what you eat

“Life is so much more than the latest trends or meat.

“God cares for his servants.  Just like birds and lilies,

“He’ll provide.  He already knows your wants and needs.”

“If you put God first and it’s His kingdom you seek.

“He has promised that you’ll be blessed with all you need.”

 

3 Nephi 14

Jesus continued, “Judge not so you won’t be judged.”

We should still be careful and protect the ones we love.

This means final judgments—we don’t have all the facts.

We can still make righteous judgments with love and tact.

“Take care of your own flaws before any others’.

“First remove your beams, then you can help your brother.

“Don’t share sacred things with unkind or cruel men.

“It’s like giving pigs pearls. They will just trample them.

“Ask and you’ll receive; knock and it will be opened.

“Seek and you will find, God will answer His children.

“When you deal with others, follow the golden rule:

“‘Do unto them as you’d have them do unto you.’

“Enter in the gate that is both narrow and straight.

“You will be destroyed if you take the easy way.

“Watch out!  False prophets are like wolves wearing sheep suits.

“If you stay alert you will know them by their fruits.

“Those who hear and do all the things that I have shared

“Are like a wise man who built his house and prepared.

“When the rain and floods came his house endured the shock,”

That’s because it was built on Jesus Christ, our rock.

“If you don’t listen you’re just like a foolish man

“Whose house will collapse because it was built on sand.”

 

3 Nephi 15

“The Mosaic Law is fulfilled, all things are new

“I’m the one who gave the Mosaic Law to you.

“Look to me for I am the law, I am the light.

“Endure to the end and you’ll have eternal life.”

Then he told the twelve men chosen as apostles,

“I want you to act as a light to this people.

“I spoke of your people while in Jerusalem

“When I declared, ‘Other sheep I have’ unto them.

“They were too stiffnecked to understand my words.

“One day you’ll join them, there’ll be one fold, one shepherd.”

 

3 Nephi 16

“There are other lands where I plan to go and preach.

“When they hear my voice they’ll be numbered as my sheep.

“Write my words so that the Gentiles may someday be

“Brought to a knowledge of their Redeemer, of me.

“For a long time the House of Israel will forget

“All about the gospel and they’ll be afflicted.

“They will be cast out.  They’ll be trodden under foot.

“Till the house of Israel will again find the truth.

“Then the unbelieving Gentiles will be trodden

“Unless they repent.  Then they will be forgiven.”

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes