Teenage Challenge Questions – 3 Nephi 11

Teenagers and young adults love to be challenged and think at a deeper level than the trivia questions require.

Questions For Discussion

Why was there a great multitude gathered together round about the temple? Was the temple in Bountiful the only temple? Why were they marveling and wondering? Why were those in Helaman 5:49 told to marvel not neither should they doubt? Does marveling and doubting interfere with faith? What was the great and marvelous change which had taken place in the land of Bountiful?

1 And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place.

Why were they talking about Jesus Christ? What was the sign of Jesus Christ's death? Which prophets had prophesied of His death? How had the sign been given?

2 And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.

Why didn't they understand the voice? If the voice came out of heaven, why were they looking round about? Were they looking at each other? Were they still talking to each other? How is the voice described? What does it mean “it did pierce them that did hear to the center”? What kind of message or voice would pierce you to the center? Where is your center? Where is your soul? What part of them was burning?

3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.

How could they hear the voice and not understand it?

4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.

What is the significance of the number three? When God says something three times, what does it mean? What did they need to do to hear the voice? What does it mean “open their ears to hear it”? Where were they looking when they understood the voice? What does it mean to look steadfastly? Why did they need to look towards heaven instead of round about? Why did they need to look where the sound was coming from?

5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.

What does it mean to both hear and understand? Had the voice been repeating this same message three times?

6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:

What does it mean to be beloved? Beloved: Loved; greatly loved; dear to the heart. Is Beloved a title? Is Son a title? Are these titles we are to receive? Why was God well pleased in His Beloved Son? How did He glorify His Name through His Son? Who is this voice introducing the Son? Who has been speaking up to this time?

7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.

Why couldn't they see a Man descending out of heaven until they understood the voice? What was He wearing? Where was Jesus standing? Where did they look? What is the significance of Jesus standing in the middle with all eyes on Him? Why wouldn't they dare open their mouths? Why did they stop talking? Why didn't they know what this manifestation meant? Hadn't they been talking about the sign of Jesus Christ's death? Then why did they think it was an angel when the voice introduced Him as God's Beloved Son?

8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.

What does it mean when he stretched forth his hand? What was this a sign of?

9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:

What is Jesus asking them to look at? How does Jesus Christ fulfill the words of His prophets?

10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

What does it mean to be the light and the life of the world? What is the bitter cup? How did it glorify the Father when Jesus took upon him the sins of the world? What does it mean to suffer the will of the Father in all things from the beginning? Which beginning? Why did Jesus need to declare these things?

11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

Why did the multitude fall to the earth when the realized who Jesus was?

12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

Why do they need to thrust their hands into his side and feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet? How does this give them sure knowledge that he is the God of Israel? How does this give them sure knowledge that he the God of the whole earth? How does this give them sure knowledge that He has been slain for the sins of the world? Can you have knowledge of God without this manifestation?

13 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:

14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

What does it mean to thrust? Thrust: To enter by pushing; to squeeze in. What is the significance of them going forth one by one? Is redemption ever a group event? How did seeing and feeling give them a sure knowledge? What does it mean to bear record? Bear: To show or exhibit; to relate; to carry, to convey; to withstand something difficult or painful, to support or hold up; sustain, cause to be born, bring forth, provide evidence for.  Record: To cause to be remembered; an authentic account of any facts and proceedings

15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

What does it mean to witness for themselves? Why is it essential that each one has this witness of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to cry out with one accord? Accord: Agreement; harmony of minds; consent or concurrence of opinions or wills.

16 And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:

Notice they started on the ground (verse 12), arose (verse 14), fell back down to the ground (verse 17). What does Hosanna mean? Hosanna: [Heb. save, I beseech you.] An exclamation of praise to God, or an invocation of blessings. Who is the Most High God (Alma 26:14)? Who do we worship?

17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.

Who is Nephi? Why is Jesus calling him forth?

18 And it came to pass that he spake unto Nephi (for Nephi was among the multitude) and he commanded him that he should come forth.

Is kissing His feet a fitting response when coming before the Lord? Do we show this same reverence when we pray to Him?

19 And Nephi arose and went forth, and bowed himself before the Lord and did kiss his feet.

Would Nephi have preferred to bow before the Lord if not commanded to arise? No matter how unworthy he felt, must Nephi obey?

20 And the Lord commanded him that he should arise. And he arose and stood before him.

Does Jesus touch Nephi to give power to baptize? Why does Jesus tell him to baptize the people after Jesus ascends into heaven? Why doesn't he baptize them while Jesus is there?

21 And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.

Does Jesus give power to baptize by speaking words? Why are there to be no disputations? What are disputations? Disputation: The act of disputing; a reasoning or argumentation in opposition to something, or on opposite sides; controversy in words; verbal contest, respecting the truth of some fact, opinion, proposition or argument.

22 And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. And he said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you.

What is sin? What sins need to be repented of? How are sins repented of through words? What does it mean to be baptized in His name? What is His name?

23 Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.

What is Jesus asking them to look at? What is the significance of calling them by name?

24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:

Who gives authority to baptize? In whose name do they baptize? Does this name have three parts?

25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Why is baptism by immersion essential? What is the meaning of this baptism?

26 And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.

What is His name? What is he asking them to look at? Is Jesus explaining His name? What does He mean the father and the Son and the Holy Ghost are one? How is He in the Father and the Father in Him? What does it mean to be one? Does His name include the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost?

27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.

Can we be one in Him when we have disputations among us? Why are there disputations concerning the points of His doctrine? How do disputations work against the doctrine of Christ?

28 And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.

Why do I argue about Christ's gospel and His doctrine? Does all contention come from the devil? Is arguing about the gospel of Jesus Christ an oxymoron? Does the devil care what we are stirred up to anger about, or just that we are stirred up to anger? Who is the father of contention? What does that mean?

29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

How are men stirred up to anger one against one another? Why are such things to be done away? How are such things done away?

30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.

Why is Jesus declaring His doctrine?

31 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine.

Who gave Him this doctrine? How does Jesus bear record of the Father? How does the Father bear record of Him? How does the Holy Ghost bear record of the Father and Jesus? Why does the Father bear record of Jesus and Jesus bears record of the Father but they do not bear record of the Holy Ghost? Why must Jesus bear record of the Father's commandment? Of what are all men everywhere commanded to repent? Why is it necessary to believe in Jesus?

32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.

Is believing in Jesus and being baptized the only requirements to be saved? Why will these saved ones inherit the kingdom of God? What does it mean to believe in Jesus? Is baptism a symbol of belief?

33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.

What does it mean to be damned? What signifies we believe in Jesus Christ? Why are we damned if we don't believe in Jesus Christ?

34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.

Why can Jesus claim this doctrine which has been given from the Father as His own? If we believe in Jesus who will we also believe in? How will the Father bear record of Jesus? How will the Father visit those who believe in Jesus? What does this fire do to us and for us? Does the fire come from the Father or the Holy Ghost? Why is the presence of the Holy Ghost necessary when someone is visited with fire?

35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

How is the Father bearing record of Jesus? Why must the Holy Ghost bear record unto him of the Father and Jesus? What does it mean “the Father, and I , and the Holy Ghost are one”?

36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.

In this verse what must we repent of and do? What does it mean to become as a little child? Why do the learned and proud refuse to be childlike? Again what is the significance of baptism? What things will you receive if you become as a little child and are baptized?

37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

Notice the order is reversed. . . be baptized and become as a little child? When the exact words are repeated with this one difference should it draw our attention to it? What is being communicated?

38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

What is His rock? What does it mean to build upon His rock? What if I build on a foundation that is not true? Can I build anything on a sandy foundation that will stand up to the tests of time and eternity? What are the gates of hell?

39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.

What if more or less than this is required for baptism? Is it a valid baptism? Why does it come of evil? If we don't understand and build upon the doctrine of Christ what will happen? Why is knowledge of correct doctrine essential? Why do the gates of hell stand open to receive the ignorant? What are the floods and winds?

40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

What's the importance of declaring these words to others?

41 Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.