Lesson 33: The Savior Appears to the Nephites
Purpose
To strengthen each child’s testimony that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God, that he is our Savior, and
that he lives today.
He Sent His Son
How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?
He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.
How could the Father show the world the pathway we should
go?
He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may
know.
How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?
He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.
What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?
Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their
way.
What does he ask? Live like his Son.
Words: Mabel Jones Gabbott, b. 1910
Music: Michael Finlinson Moody, b. 1941
© 1982 by Mabel Jones Gabbott and Michael Finlinson Moody. Arr. © 1989 IRI
Our opening prayer will be given today by
Enter name here
• Have you even been in a really scary,
violent storm?
• You know the kind, where the sky gets
really dark in the middle of the day.
• You know the kind, where the thunder is
so loud, it shakes the house.
• Have you ever been in one of these kinds
of a storm?
Would anyone like to share their
experience with this type of a storm
with the class?
At the time Jesus Christ was crucified in
Jerusalem, there was a terrible storm and great
destruction in America.
At that time he lived and died in what is now
called Israel.
That’s in this area
of the world.
Today’s lesson is about what happened in
America at the time of Jesus Christ’s Death
Lesson 33: The Savior Appears to the Nephites
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Thirty-three years had passed since the people had
seen the signs of Jesus Christ’s birth.
They now watched for the sign of his death: three
days of darkness.
Some did not
believe that the
sign would
come. They
argued with
those who did
believe.
One day a fierce storm came.
There was a terrible wind.
Lightning flashed, and thunder shook the
whole earth.
The city of Zarahemla caught on fire.
The city of Moroni sank into the sea..
The city of Moronihah was buried.
An earthquake
shook the
whole earth.
Highways were
broken up, and
buildings
crumbled
Many cities were destroyed, and many people
were killed.
The storm and the earthquake lasted about
three hours.
When the storm and earthquake stopped, thick
darkness covered the land.
There was no light anywhere.
The people could even feel the darkness.
The darkness
lasted for
three days
Candles would not burn, and the people could
not see the sun, moon, or stars.
The people cried because of the darkness,
destruction, and death.
They were sorry they had not repented of their
sins.
Then the people heard the voice of Jesus Christ.
Jesus told them about the terrible destruction in
the land.
He said that the most wicked people had been
killed.
He said that those who had not been killed needed
to repent.
If they did and
came unto
him, he would
bless them.
The people were so amazed after hearing the voice
that they stopped crying.
Everything was silent for many hours.
Then Jesus spoke again, saying he had often tried to
help the people.
If they would repent now, they could still return to
him.
After three days the darkness left. The people
rejoiced and joyfully thanked the Lord.
Many Nephites
gathered at the
temple in
Bountiful.
They were amazed at the great changes
in the land.
The people were talking about Jesus
Christ and the sign of his death.
While they
were
talking,
they heard
a quiet
voice from
heaven.
It made
their hearts
burn.
At first they did not understand the voice, but when
it spoke the third time, they understood it.
The voice was
Heavenly Father’s.
It introduced Jesus Christ and told the people to
listen to him.
Jesus Christ came
down from heaven
and stood among the
people
They were afraid to
speak because they
did not understand
what was happening
They thought Jesus
was an angel.
He told them he was Jesus Christ, the one the
prophets had said would come.
Jesus told the people to come and feel the marks in
his side and in his hands and feet, where he had
been nailed to the cross.
Jesus wanted
the people to
know that he
was their God
and that he had
died for their
sins.
One by one the people felt the marks in Jesus’
side, hands, and feet.
The people knew he was the Savior.
Then the people praised Jesus and fell at
his feet and worshiped him.
Jesus called Nephi and 11 other men to him.
He gave them
priesthood
power and
taught them the
right way to
baptize.
He told the Nephites to believe in him, repent, and
keep the commandments
If they did not, they could not enter
his kingdom.
He taught the
Nephites how to
pray to Heavenly
Father.
He also taught them about fasting and said they
would be forgiven if they forgave one another.
After teaching the people many things, Jesus told
them to go home and think and pray about what he
had said.
The Nephites began to cry..
They did not want Jesus to leave yet.
Jesus loved the Nephites.
He told them to bring the people who were sick or
hurt to him so he could heal them.
Jesus healed
these people..
Everyone bowed down and worshiped him.
Discussion Time
What had Samuel
the Lamanite
prophesied to the
Nephites about
the Savior’s death?
(Helaman 14:20–
27
Why was he trying
to prepare them?
(Helaman 14:28-29.)
How were these
prophecies
fulfilled?
(3 Nephi 8:5–25.)
What did the Savior say was the reason the people
had been killed? (3 Nephi 9:2, 12.)
What did he say to
the people who had
not been killed?
(3 Nephi 9:13–14.)
What does it mean to come unto Christ? What
blessings will we receive as we become more like
the Savior?
What did Jesus teach the people about his
mission? (3 Nephi 9:15–17.)
Why is it important for us to know that Jesus Christ
is the Son of God?
What did Jesus say
was the reason he
came into the world?
(3 Nephi 9:21.)
What must we do to
be saved from our
sins? (3 Nephi 9:22.)
How did understanding
the Atonement make
the people feel?
(3 Nephi 10:10.)
How many times did the people at the temple in
the land Bountiful hear the voice from heaven and
not understand it? (3 Nephi 11:3–4.)
What did the people do
so they could
understand the voice?
(3 Nephi 11:5–6.)
What does it mean to “open their ears to hear it?”
(We must listen and be ready to receive what
Heavenly Father wants us to hear.)
What did the people hear Heavenly Father tell
them the third time? (3 Nephi 11:8)
What Important things do we learn from this
introduction
(We learn that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,
they are two separate beings, the father loves
the Son, and we are to hear or listen to the
Son.)
What can we do to better
hear and understand the
words of Jesus Christ?
What did the people see as they looked up toward
heaven? (3 Nephi 11:8.)
When the Savior told
them who he was, why
do you think the
people fell down to the
earth?
(3 Nephi 11:10–12.)
How would you have felt if you had been there?
Why did Christ have the people feel the wounds
in his body? (3 Nephi 11:14–15.)
How did the Nephites feel and show gratitude and
love for the Savior? (3 Nephi 11:16–17)
How can we show love and gratitude for him and
what he has done for us?
What important
ordinance did Jesus
Christ give Nephi the
power to perform?
(3 Nephi 11:19–21.)
How should baptisms
be performed?
(3 Nephi 11:22–27.)
What did the Savior say about arguments and
contention? (3 Nephi 11:28–30.)
What did he say all of us
have to do to gain
eternal life?
(3 Nephi 11:33–38.)
The greatest news in the world today is that Jesus
Christ lives.
Many people
think of him
as h aving
lived long ago
and having
died on the
cross.
What
knowledge do
we as members
of his church
have that
makes us feel
especially close
to the Savior?
(We know that he suffered for our sins and gave his
life for us and that he lives and directs his church
today.)
Do any of you have
feelings you would
like to share about
Jesus Christ?
Enrichment
Activities
Let’s work on Memorizing one of the Articles of
faith.
First Article of Faith
Second Article of Faith
Fourth Article of Faith
Next Enrichment Activity
THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS
1 WE a believe in b God, the Eternal Father, and
in His c Son, Jesus Christ, and in the d Holy
Ghost.
2 4 C
THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS
2 We believe that men will be a punished for their
b own sins, and not for Adam's c transgression.
1 4 C
THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS
4 We believe that the first principles and
a ordinances of the Gospel are: first, b Faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ; second, c Repentance; third,
d Baptism by e immersion for the f remission of sins;
fourth, Laying on of g hands for the h gift of the Holy
Ghost.
1 2 C
What do you think it means to have a testimony?
One of the most important things a person can
have in this life is a testimony that Jesus Christ is a
real person and is the Son of God, which makes
him divine.
A testimony is a spiritual feeling and a strong belief
that becomes knowledge.
When you begin to gain a testimony, you feel
within you that the gospel is true.
This feeling grows and becomes stronger as you
nourish it by study, prayer, and obedience.
You will begin to make right choices because of
your faith and the love you have for Heavenly
Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.
When we bear our testimony, we express to others
our feelings and commitment to Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ
We also bear testimony by the way
we live, dress, and act.
When we choose the right, we are
showing others that we have a
testimony of Jesus Christ and his
gospel.
Why do you think it is important for us to
continually learn about Jesus Christ?
Testimony
I want to testify to you that I have a testimony of
the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the head of the Church
By following his commandments and listening to
the prophets, we can become more like him and
stay on that straight and Narrow path that leads
back to heavenly father.
Our Closing prayer will be given today by
Enter name here
THE END
Helaman 14:20–27
• 20 But behold, as I said unto you concerning another a sign, a
sign of his death, behold, in that day that he shall suffer death
the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give his b light unto
you; and also the moon and the stars; and there shall be no
light upon the face of this land, even from the time that he
shall suffer death, for the space of c three days, to the time
that he shall rise again from the dead.
• 21 Yea, at the time that he shall yield up the a ghost there shall
be b thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours,
and the earth shall shake and tremble; and the c rocks which
are upon the face of this earth, which are both above the
earth and beneath, which ye know at this time are solid, or
the more part of it is one solid mass, shall be d broken up;
Helaman 14:20–27
• 22 Yea, they shall be rent in twain, and shall ever after be
a found in seams and in cracks, and in broken fragments upon
the face of the whole earth, yea, both above the earth and
beneath.
• 23 And behold, there shall be great a tempests, and there shall
be many mountains laid low, like unto a valley, and there shall
be many places which are now called b valleys which shall
become mountains, whose height is great.
• 24 And a many highways shall be broken up, and many cities
shall become desolate.
• 25 And many a graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many
of their dead; and many saints shall appear unto many.
Helaman 14:20–27
• 26 And behold, thus hath the a angel spoken unto me; for he
said unto me that there should be thunderings and lightnings
for the space of many hours.
• 27 And he said unto me that while the thunder and the
lightning lasted, and the tempest, that these things should be,
and that a darkness should cover the face of the whole earth
for the space of three days.
Return
Helaman 14:28–29
• 28 And the angel said unto me that many shall see greater
things than these, to the intent that they might believe that
a these signs and these wonders should come to pass upon all
the face of this land, to the intent that there should be no
cause for unbelief among the children of men—
• 29 And this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be
saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a a righteous
judgment might come upon them; and also if they are
condemned they bring upon themselves their own
condemnation.
Return
3 Nephi 8:5–25
• 5 And it came to pass in the a* thirty and fourth year, in the
first month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a
great b storm, such an one as never had been known in all the
land.
• 6 And there was also a great and terrible tempest; and there
was terrible a thunder, insomuch that it did b shake the whole
earth as if it was about to divide asunder.
• 7 And there were exceedingly sharp lightnings, such as never
had been known in all the land.
• 8 And the a city of Zarahemla did take fire.
• 9 And the city of a Moroni did b sink into the depths of the sea,
and the inhabitants thereof were drowned.
3 Nephi 8:5–25
• 10 And the earth was carried up upon the city of a Moronihah,
that in the place of the city there became a great b mountain.
• 11 And there was a great and terrible destruction in the land
southward.
• 12 But behold, there was a more great and terrible
destruction in the land northward; for behold, the a whole face
of the land was changed, because of the tempest and the
whirlwinds, and the thunderings and the lightnings, and the
exceedingly great quaking of the whole earth;
• 13 And the a highways were broken up, and the level roads
were spoiled, and many smooth places became rough.
3 Nephi 8:5–25
• 14 And many a great and notable cities were b sunk, and many
were c burned, and many were shaken till the buildings thereof
had fallen to the earth, and the inhabitants thereof were
slain, and the places were left desolate.
• 15 And there were some cities which remained; but the
damage thereof was exceedingly great, and there were many
in them who were slain.
• 16 And there were some who were carried away in the
a whirlwind; and whither they went no man knoweth, save
they know that they were carried away.
• 17 And thus the face of the whole earth became deformed,
because of the tempests, and the thunderings, and the
lightnings, and the quaking of the earth.
3 Nephi 8:5–25
• 18 And behold, the rocks were rent in twain; they were
broken up upon the face of the whole earth, insomuch that
they were a found in broken fragments, and in seams and in
cracks, upon all the face of the land.
• 19 And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the
lightnings, and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings
of the earth did cease—for behold, they did last for about the
space of a three b hours; and it was said by some that the time
was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible things
were done in about the space of three hours—and then
behold, there was c darkness upon the face of the land.
3 Nephi 8:5–25
• 20 And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all
the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof
who had not fallen could a feel the b vapor of darkness;
• 21 And there could be no light, because of the darkness,
neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire
kindled with their fine and exceedingly dry wood, so that
there could not be any light at all;
• 22 And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer,
neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were
the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land.
3 Nephi 8:5–25
• 23 And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three
days that there was no light seen; and there was great
mourning and a howling and weeping among all the people
continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people,
because of the darkness and the great destruction which had
come upon them.
• 24 And in one place they were heard to cry, saying: O that we
had repented a before this great and terrible day, and then
would our brethren have been spared, and they would not
have been b burned in that great city Zarahemla
3 Nephi 8:5–25
• 25 And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn,
saying: O that we had repented before this great and terrible
day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast
them out; then would our mothers and our fair daughters,
and our children have been spared, and not have been buried
up in that great city a Moronihah. And thus were the howlings
of the people great and terrible.
Return
3 Nephi 9:2, 12
• 2 Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the
inhabitants of the whole earth except they shall
a repent; for the devil b laugheth, and his angels
rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and
daughters of my people; and it is because of their
iniquity and abominations that they are fallen!
• 12 And a many great destructions have I caused to
come upon this land, and upon this people, because
of their wickedness and their abominations.
Return
3 Nephi 9:13–14
• 13 O all ye that are a spared because ye were more
b righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me,
and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may
c heal you?
• 14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will a come unto me
ye shall have b eternal life. Behold, mine c arm of
mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will
come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who
come unto me.
Return
3 Nephi 9:15–17
• 15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I a created the
heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was
with the Father from the beginning. b I am in the Father, and
the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his
name.
• 16 I came unto my own, and my own a received me not. And
the scriptures b concerning my coming are fulfilled.
• 17 And as many as have received me, to them have I a given to
become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall
believe on my name, for behold, by me b redemption cometh,
and c in me is the d law of Moses fulfilled.
Return
3 Nephi 9:21
• 21 Behold, I have come unto the world to
bring a redemption unto the world, to save the
world from sin.
Return
3 Nephi 9:22
• 22 Therefore, whoso a repenteth and cometh
unto me b as a c little child, him will I receive,
for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for
such I have d laid down my life, and have taken
it up again; therefore repent, and come unto
me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.
Return
3 Nephi 10:10
• 10 And the earth did cleave together again,
that it stood; and the a mourning, and the
weeping, and the wailing of the people who
were spared alive did cease; and their
mourning was turned into joy, and their
lamentations into the b praise and thanksgiving
unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.
Return
3 Nephi 11:3–4
• 3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing
one with another, they heard a 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 b small voice it did c 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.
• 4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and
they a understood it not.
Return
3 Nephi 11:5–6
• 5 And again the third time they did hear the
voice, and did a 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.
• 6 And behold, the third time they did
understand the voice which they heard; and it
said unto them:
Return
3 Nephi 11:6–7
• 6 And behold, the third time they did
understand the voice which they heard; and it
said unto them:
• 7 Behold my a Beloved Son, b in whom I am well
pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—
hear ye him.
Return
3 Nephi 11:8
• 8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast
their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold,
they a saw a Man b 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.
Return
3 Nephi 11:8
• 8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast
their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold,
they a saw a Man b 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.
Return
3 Nephi 11:10–12
• 10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified
shall come into the world.
• 11 And behold, I am the a light and the life of the world; and I
have drunk out of that bitter b cup which the Father hath given
me, and have glorified the Father in c taking upon me the sins
of the world, in the which I have suffered the d will of the
Father in all things from the beginning.
• 12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these
words the whole multitude a fell to the earth; for they
remembered that it had been b prophesied among them that
Christ should c show himself unto them after his ascension into
heaven.
Return
3 Nephi 11:14–15
• 14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may a thrust your
hands into my side, and also that ye may b feel the prints of
the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I
am the c God of Israel, and the God of the whole d earth, and
have been slain for the sins of the world.
• 15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and
thrust their hands into his side, and a 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.
Return
3 Nephi 11:16–17
• 16 And when they had all gone forth and had
witnessed for themselves, they did cry out
with one accord, saying:
• 17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the
Most High God! And they did fall down at the
feet of Jesus, and did a worship him.
Return
3 Nephi 11:19–21
• 19 And Nephi arose and went forth, and a bowed
himself before the Lord and did b kiss his feet.
• 20 And the Lord commanded him that he should
a arise. And he arose and stood before him.
• 21 And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you
a power that ye shall b baptize this people when I am
again ascended into heaven.
Return
3 Nephi 11:22–27
• 22 And again the Lord called a 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 b no disputations among you.
• 23 Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins
through your a words, and b desireth to be baptized in my
name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go
down and c stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize
them.
• 24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say,
calling them by name, saying:
3 Nephi 11:22–27
• 25 Having a authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in
the name of the b Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen.
• 26 And then shall ye a immerse them in the water, and come
forth again out of the water.
• 27 And after this manner shall ye a baptize in my name; for
behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and
the Holy Ghost are b one; and I am in the Father, and the
Father in me, and the Father and I are one.
Return
3 Nephi 11:28–30
• 28 And according as I have commanded you thus
shall ye baptize. And there shall be no a 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.
• 29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the
spirit of a contention is not of me, but is of the b devil,
who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up
the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with
another. Return
3 Nephi 11:33–38
• 33 And whoso believeth in me, and is a baptized, the same
shall be b saved; and they are they who shall c inherit the
kingdom of God.
• 34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not a baptized, shall
be damned.
• 35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I
bear record of it from the Father; and whoso a believeth in me
believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear
record of me, for he will visit him b with fire and with the c Holy
Ghost.
3 Nephi 11:33–38
• 36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the a Holy
Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the
Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are b one.
• 37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and a become as
a b little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise
receive these things.
• 38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized
in my name, and become as a little a child, or ye can in nowise
inherit the kingdom of God.
Return
3 Nephi 11:28–30
• 28 And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye
baptize. And there shall be no a 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.
• 29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of
a contention is not of me, but is of the b devil, who is the father
of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to
contend with anger, one with another.
• 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 a should be done away.
Return
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