Book of Mormon Lesson 39: “Behold, My Joy Is Full” 3 Nephi 17–19

Lesson 39: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

 3 Nephi 17–19

3 Nephi 16 will be discussed in the next lesson.

Pondering upon the words of Christ

3 Nephi 17

“Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again” (3 Nephi 17:3).

Jesus is giving the Nephites a temple experience.  They have seen God.  He gave them new power and authority, as well as a new baptism ordinance.  He received them by this covenant (and soon will do so with the Sacramental bread and wine), healing their sick, allowing all believers to touch his hands and feet as a witness that he is the Christ.

Now, he wants them to go home and ponder this experience.  As with the modern temple initiate, the first experience with the endowment is like drinking from a fire hose.  One cannot understand it all in one sitting.  We do not begin to understand Jesus’ teachings in the scriptures, from his prophets in Conference talks, the temple ordinances and covenants, or our own personal revelation, without pondering it.

Without understanding, truly understanding, what we now know, we are unable to receive more.  We must understand what we now have, so we can then prepare our minds to receive more.  If a person does not understand multiplication and division, that person will be unable to understand algebra or calculus.  To not seek to understand what we are taught today, we are not ready to receive more knowledge and truth.  Perhaps this is one of the biggest reasons why so many people do not receive a testimony of the gospel of Christ: they have not prepared their minds sufficiently in the right manner – through prayer and faith.

Jesus prayed and wept

Jesus knelt with the people and prayed to God for them.  

“And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father” (3 Nephi 17:16-17).

Previously, Jesus told them how to pray.  Now, he is demonstrating to them how the highest form of prayer is done.  The prayer is so deep and moving that there are no words to describe it.  We do not know whether the things Jesus said cannot be spoken or written because they are forbidden or too sacred to write, or whether they are just so powerful they cannot be put down in mortal terms.  Clearly it was not in the Nephite language, which could be written, but in a heavenly language they could understand – even though it still was something their hearts could not fully conceive. 

I wonder: how often do we pray so intensely that it makes such an impact on the hearers, whether our families, our fellow worshipers, or even just each of us alone?

The children join the Divine Council

Jesus then had the children come forth and blessed them.  Unlike the adults present, who were still in the process of repentance (remember the wickedness and destructions they just went through?), the children were pure, innocent and holy in Christ. Of such are the kingdom of heaven.  The adults were tasked with pondering the teachings given them – they were not ready to receive more just yet.

“And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them” (3 Ne 17:23-24).

In 1 Nephi 1, Lehi had a vision wherein Christ and his 12 apostles descended to him, and included him in the Divine Council of angels.  The brothers Lehi and Nephi, sons of Helaman, also had angels descend in the midst of fire to them in the Lamanite prison (Helaman 5).  Now, we have the children of the Nephites become part of the Divine Council.  In essence, this was their temple endowment, bringing them back into the presence of God and other divine beings.  The adults likely saw their children surrounded by holy burnings and seraphim, but were not allowed to join the experience.  As with Alma the Younger when he was saved from his sins, he saw Lehi with God and wished he could be there (Alma 36), so we can view this event from the adult side of things.  They were allowed to watch from a distance, but not participate.

Again, this is one of the key concepts in the Book of Mormon: bringing people back into the presence of God.

The Sacrament

3 Nephi 18

Next, Jesus implements the sacramental bread and wine.  This is noted to be particularly for those who have been baptized, as a continuation of the covenants made with God and Christ.  Remember from the previous lessons that Christ’s purpose is to have all the Nephites become one covenant community, united in all things.  While baptism can be seen as an individualized ordinance, the Sacrament is an ordinance and covenant shared by the community.  It is what brings our individual baptisms together into one whole as believers who seek to build Zion, a people of one heart and mind.

Why are we not to partake of the sacrament unworthily?  Because the Sacrament reflects all of our covenants we make with God and the community.  In partaking of the Sacrament unworthily or without believing, we mock the sacrifice of Christ and his atonement.  We are to bring forth a contrite spirit and broken heart.  Those who are unworthy bring forth pride and rebellion to the Sacramental table.

Note that the Sacrament also symbolizes the table of showbread in the Tabernacle/Temple of ancient times.  The bread represented the manna sent from heaven to feed Israel while they were exiled in the wilderness.  As manna had to be gathered each day, so the showbread was replaced daily.  Also found on the table was wine.  These were an offering to God, as well.  In this we see the Sacrament has a connection with the ancient temple, as well as with the temple of Christ’s body. 

In partaking worthily of the Sacrament, Christ promised us to have the Holy Ghost always with us.  The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead.  This is how all initiates begin to enter into the presence of the Godhead, by first receiving the Holy Ghost.  We receive the Holy Ghost, as well as the atonement of Christ, by covenant and an ordinance.  These prepare us for further interaction with the Godhead, until we enter fully into their presence.

Prayer again

Christ again speaks on prayer.  This time he expanded upon his previous teachings: where, when and how to pray.

In conjunction with teaching the Sacrament, Jesus is explaining that both bring unity.  Pray for our wives, children, those who are unworthy to partake of the Sacrament.  Jesus teaches and re-teaches the key things to make us one with the Godhead.

The Disciples teach the people

3 Nephi 19

Once Jesus had ascended, the people went back to their homes and spread abroad that the Lord would return the following day. Many sought to be there for his return.  While awaiting the return of Christ, the apostles were active teaching and performing ordinances. What exactly did the 12 disciples teach?

They divided the great crowd into 12 groups.  They taught the things Jesus taught the day before.  They had them kneel and pray.  

“And when they had ministered those same words which Jesus had spoken—nothing varying from the words which Jesus had spoken—behold, they knelt again and prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus.
 And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them” (3 Ne 19:8-9).

The initiates, now prepared with prayer and basic teachings, were prepared to go into the waters of baptism and then receive the Holy Ghost, the thing they desired most of all.  Interestingly they would desire the Holy Ghost.  Why not to see Jesus or God the Father? Because the 12 taught them the proper order of things.  They would first learn to know the Spirit before ascending into the presence of the Son and Father.  As they were baptized, the people were filled with the Spirit of God, making them holy.

“And behold, they were encircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them.
And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them” (3 Ne 19:14-15).

As with the pure and holy children from the day before, now the baptized and purified initiates are worthy to join the Divine Council of heaven.  This time, they experienced the divine angels, who ministered to them, making them more holy.  Only then did Jesus come down and they received of a fullness.

It is worth noting that the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood include the “ministry of angels”, while the Melchizedek Priesthood’s keys include the “mysteries of godliness” and seeing the face of God.  This is noted in the ordinances connected to each priesthood (D&C 84:19-26).  We see baptism as an ascending from a telestial state to a terrestrial state, with the guidance of the Holy Ghost.  From there, we may receive the ordinances and covenants of the higher priesthood and enter the presence of Christ.  Finally, Jesus will lead us into the presence of the Father.  All of this ties directly into our modern temple’s teachings, ordinances and covenants.

Again, Jesus prays to the Father concerning the Nephites, who have now prepared their minds and received baptism, and so are ready for the blessings and visions they have received.  This is the pattern: Faith in Christ, repentance, baptism/ordinances/covenants, receiving the Holy Ghost (or Christ, or Father in certain instances).  In following the pattern, we become one even as the Godhead is one.

Book of Mormon Lesson 38: “Old Things Are Done Away, and All Things Have Become New” 3 Nephi 12–15

Book of Mormon Lesson 38: “Old Things Are Done Away, and All Things Have Become New”
3 Nephi 12–15

In this lesson, we continue with Jesus’ teachings.  A key to understanding his teachings to the Nephites, is that it is leading the people to understand how to be one with each other, and so one with the Godhead.

The Sermon at the Temple
3 Nephi 12

After establishing the “doctrine of Christ” in 3 Nephi 11 (faith in Christ, repentance, baptism/ordinances, Holy Ghost as the steps to being a united covenant people), Jesus then shared the Beatitudes he taught to the Jews in Matthew 5.  However, he adds to the Beatitudes up front, giving a new way to understand the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount..

“Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am. “And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins” (3 Ne 12:1-2).

In chapter 11, Jesus established his “doctrine of Christ” as a covenant for the people to become a Zion people, one with each other and one with the Godhead. Here, the Beatitudes begin by blessing those who give heed to the apostles of God, because they can enter into the covenant with the Godhead (“in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”).  Next, those who are present who believe in Jesus will be blessed when they enter the covenant.

Interestingly, those who believe on the words of the average witness are “more blessed”, because they have humbled themselves enough to join the covenant without being compelled to believe.  How compelled?  Either from the destructions that signified Jesus’ death or the appearance of the resurrected Jesus, himself.  These Nephites believe because they saw Jesus descend from heaven and show the wounds in his hands and feet.  It is a faith based on knowledge, not necessarily on humility and a spiritual witness.

In comparing the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 with these, we find two main differences:

“Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (3 Nephi 12:3, see also vv 19-20).

Here, the Lord has added, “who come unto me”, or who have entered the covenant through baptism.  These are promised God’s kingdom of heaven: basically to have a broken heart and contrite spirit and entering into a covenant with Christ that he may rescue us from death and hell.

“And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost” (3 Nephi 12:6).

In verse 6, we see the difference with Matthew 5 as “with the Holy Ghost.”  Once we enter into the covenant, we need to continue seeking after Christ.  As we do so, he gives us the constant companion of the Holy Ghost, which fills us with greater faith. The Holy Ghost sanctifies us, making us holy. This sanctification is what causes the saints to be united, and to become one with the Godhead.

In becoming one with the Godhead, the teachings continue to show us important concepts to become united.  We must be the light of the world. We must be the salt of the earth.  Not only must we not kill, but not be unrighteously angry with others.  We cannot commit adultery in our heart. We are to walk two miles with him who compels us to walk one.  

“And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy; But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven” (3 Nephi 12:43-45).

To be the children of Father in heaven, we must be one. We must learn to not only tolerate others, but to love our enemies.  As Christ blesses both the good and bad, we are to learn to bless all of them, as well.  In praying for those who persecute us, we are becoming one, even as the Godhead is one.

Forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors
3 Nephi 13

Here, Jesus continues focusing the Sermon at the Temple towards teaching the believers how to be one.  Whether in teaching alms or prayer, we learn it is not about us, but about the covenant people as a group.  Our alms are done in secret, so our right and left hands do not see what the other is doing, yet our almsgiving does two things: first it blesses the community, and second it teaches us to be selfless.

Prayer is demonstrated as a way to connect with Father.  Note that it is also a teaching moment. We pray not only to be forgiven our debts, but that we must also be god-like in forgiving others.  The prayer pleads that God’s kingdom come, so that the earth is like heaven. How is heaven different than the earth?  The world, in its current state, follows Satan’s doctrine of contention.  We fight and strive to overcome others. Compare this with heaven, where God promises to share all he has with his children. The City of Enoch and the Nephite saints in 4 Nephi show that we can have heaven on earth, by being like the Godhead in the way we love and serve one another.  Unity, oneness is what is behind Jesus’ “at-one-ment” and the Godhead’s being one God.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness...” is how we create heaven on earth, “...and all these (heavenly) things shall be added unto you” (3 Nephi 13:33).

The Covenant
3 Nephi 15

“Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled. And because I said unto you that old things have passed away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come. For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me. Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life. Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me” (3 Nephi 15:6-10).

The Law is the law of Moses.  According to the early Jewish scholar, Maimonides, there are 613 laws. Some of these deal directly with the temple. These include the dietary laws, laws on what could not be done on the Sabbath, etc.  

The Prophets are the teachings of the prophets in the Old Testament.  Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Ezekiel had prophesied of things in their day, often with future events to still occur. These had not yet been fulfilled.

For Jesus, the Ten Commandments were not fulfilled in his resurrection.  The many little laws of Moses were fulfilled.

The Covenant is the thing that has not been fulfilled. What covenant? The covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We enter this covenant at baptism. Components of this law include a promise of land, posterity, and priesthood power.  These have both a temporal and spiritual side to them.  Through Lehi and Nephi, the Nephites received a new Land of Promise, but they would someday receive the heavenly Promised Land.  Nephi was promised posterity, but the real posterity is an eternal one.  Priesthood power is a blessing in this life, but limited, compared to the great works and creations God performs.  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob represent an earthly symbol of the Godhead.  For those who seek the covenant of Abraham, they become “the seed of Abraham” (D&C 84:34) here on earth, and the seed of God in heaven.

Book of Mormon Lesson 37: “Whosoever Will Come, Him Will I Receive” 3 Nephi 8–11

Book of Mormon Lesson 37: “Whosoever Will Come, Him Will I Receive”
3 Nephi 8–11

Timelines

Most Mormons believe that the destruction occurred, three days of darkness passed, and then Jesus showed up for lunch the next day.

However, the Book of Mormon’s text actually clues us in on the timeframe involved here.

“And it came to pass in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm, such an one as never had been known in all the land” (3 Nephi 8:5).

“And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto them—” (3 Nephi 10:18).

The destructions occurred almost a year before Jesus appeared to the people.  Such a time delay would allow Jesus to perform his works in Jerusalem among his apostles after his resurrection, begin the work for the dead in the Spirit World, and organize the work among those who resurrected with him..

The Great Destruction
3 Ne 8-10

We find in the great destruction the probability that it was the result of a volcano, or perhaps several volcanoes erupting at the same time.  The darkness that prevented fires from being kindled could come from the thick ash that would float in the air for several days.  Volcanic eruptions have been known to cause storms, including tornadoes and lightning.  In a significant eruption, earthquakes can cause cities to be buried, covered in ash, or sink into the ocean or a large body of water, such as Lake Atitlan in Central America (where at least one sunken city has been found).  Tsunamis along the oceans could occur, destroying or sinking coastal cities.  

We should note that a list of cities burned by fire, including Zarahemla and Jacobugath, could have been founded in the shadows of volcanoes, or new volcanoes may have arisen at that time, sending smouldering rocks and debris down upon the inhabitants.

Sixteen cities are mentioned that were destroyed.  Likely, others received damage.  This is suggestive of a Limited Geographical Model, wherein the events in the Book of Mormon occurred in a limited area of the Americas, rather than the entire hemisphere.  Most LDS scholars today do believe in a limited geography for the Book of Mormon happening in Central America, though some place it elsewhere in the Americas.

The New Law of Sacrifice
3 Nephi 9

The Nephites heard a voice in the darkness that spoke to them of what had occurred.  The wicked were destroyed, with the remainder surviving only because they did not stone the prophets nor cast them out.

Yet the Lord called to them saying that their animal sacrifices were no longer accepted.  A new sacrifice would be required of them:

“ And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.
And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not” (3 Nephi 9:19-20).

We learn a few things here. First, not everyone who is filled with the Holy Ghost recognizes the event for what it is.  Often, they just know that something is different, and they believe.

But the new sacrifice now required is a change of heart.  Humility is required.  In Alma 32, Alma noted that the poor were compelled to be humble, but more blessed are those who humble themselves without having to be compelled.  Here we see the people have also been compelled to be humble through a great disaster.  Now they are commanded to replace their pride and intellect with a recognition that God is greater than them all.  King Benjamin’s teaching that we are less than the dust of the earth, comes to mind.

It is a broken heart and contrite spirit that lead us to believe in Christ, to repent, and to receive the ordinances and covenants of salvation.  It opens us to receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.  Such contrition by Alma the Younger caused him to believe and repent, and in so doing, was rescued from hell (Alma 36).

We know that the days leading to the Second Coming of Christ will be similar to these events among the Nephites.  The sun will be darkened and the moon will turn to blood prior to the Lord’s coming in power and glory (Joel 2:31, Revelation 6:12).  Great destructions will occur that will destroy the wicked off of the earth.  Only after such horrendous events will those that remain be ready to turn to Christ with a contrite spirit and broken heart, prepared for the long period of peace.

The Gathering of Israel
3 Nephi 10

The Lord offers a statement he made to Jerusalem:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” (Luke 13:34, Matt 23:37).

Matthew notes this in context:

“Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar” (Matthew 23:34-35).

The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans, which left the place desolate, also came upon the Nephites for killing and persecuting the prophets, shedding innocent blood.  We can suppose that this warning equally applies to the Desolation that wiped out the Jaredites, and will destroy much of the earth at the coming of Christ in glory.

The Doctrine of Christ
3 Nephi 11

Perhaps the greatest teaching in the scriptures is found in this chapter, and reflected in 2 Nephi 31-33. Both Nephi and Jesus call it the “doctrine of Christ” and it is the foundational doctrine for the entire gospel.

We find that the Nephites had been debating over the issue of baptism.  Joseph Spencer suggests that the debate involved the differences in baptism taught by Nephi and Abinadi/Alma.  Nephi’s baptismal covenant was one that combined everyone into a community covenant with God.  Alma’s baptismal covenant was one focused on the individual and his/her actions as a member of the church.

The Lord will reiterate Nephi’s teachings.  It isn’t that Alma’s baptism was wrong, but perhaps was incomplete.  As it is, Jesus called the disciple Nephi forward, giving him authority to baptize (even though he had been baptizing people previously), so they could be baptized into a higher understanding of the ordinance and covenant.

We could say that Alma taught baptism on the level of the Mosaic/Aaronic level, while Nephi’s baptism was based on the higher Melchizedek law itself.  Alma’s baptism counts, but there is a better way still.

Jesus begins by teaching that contention is the doctrine of Satan.  He uses contention to divide and conquer.  As we’ve seen in previous lessons, the Christian church collapsed because of contention and pride.

Jesus teaches the Nephites the correct form for this higher baptism:

“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” (3 Ne 11:25).

This is significantly different than the baptism of Alma and Abinadi:

“Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world” (Mosiah 18:13).

Jesus then explains the difference between the two baptisms, explaining the Doctrine of Christ:

“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” (3 Nephi 11:27).

Jesus will continue explaining this.  In Alma’s baptism, it is a covenant for the individual with Christ. For Jesus and Nephi it is a covenant with the Godhead.  In many of the Book of Mormon lessons, I’ve discussed theophanies (man being in God’s presence) as a key theme throughout the book.  Here we gain some very important concepts in regards to this..

When Lehi (1 Nephi 1), Isaiah (2 Nephi 16) and others saw God, they often saw him in conjunction with the Divine Council of heaven.  God on his throne, surrounded by divine angels.  Lehi was invited to join the divine council, when they descended and brought him a book to read, containing his mission call to Jerusalem.  Isaiah found himself in the heavenly temple, and once cleansed was able to speak with God, who asked “Whom shall I send”, with Isaiah being part of the divine council in responding “Here am I, send me” (cf Abraham 3:27).  Isaiah and Lehi become symbolic of Christ, prophetic messengers sent to deliver a message of deliverance from the divine council.

That message is this: the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one. They are united in all things. Christ had “suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning” (3 Ne 11:11). .The Nephites are now called upon to also learn to be one. No contentions.  Unified in the first principles and ordinances of the gospel.  The baptismal covenant ties the initiate to both the Godhead and the covenant people as one.  Only in becoming one as a people, can they ever hope to be one with the Godhead.  Jesus prayed that his disciples would be one, even as the Father and Son are one (John 17), in hopes that they would also become a united and holy people.

Moses sought such unity of the people, so he could bring them into the presence of God (D&C 84:19-26).  Here we see that the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood teach us the “mysteries of godliness” and to prepare to see the face of God.

Enoch taught his people diligently until they became Zion:

“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18).

Only then was the city lifted up to heaven, because the people were ready to become one with God and the divine council.

In the LDS temples, we receive the higher ordinances of the gospel.  Baptism is the door to the Celestial Kingdom, and the temple ordinances teach and prepare us further on how to be one with the Godhead and each other.  In the temple, we make promises to serve God and to consecrate all we have to God and to Zion.  We learn to pray together in one voice.  We enter into the Celestial room, representing the presence of God, where we can quietly contemplate his greatness along with others who have entered, representing the divine council of heaven.  We are sealed for eternity to our spouses, children, grandchildren and ancestors as one family.  We are sealed to God, Christ and the Holy Ghost, being one with them as they are with one another.

In the following lessons on Jesus’ teachings, we are going to see that they all focus on creating a united people of covenant, a Zion people.  In Jesus’ teachings here, we catch a glimpse of the real promises made to us in baptism and the priesthood and temple covenants, as we learn to become one covenant people, and part of the divine council of God.

Bibliography

Sunken city at Lake Atitlan: http://www.moon.com/blogs/mundo-maya/documentary-reveal-underwater-maya-city

Sunken cities: http://books.google.com/books?id=Eh1WHqo0JN8C&pg=PA97&lpg=PA97&dq=sunken+city+central+america&source=bl&ots=Qzssj-h9hY&sig=b-6nk6LWF4oPNKFEih18LxNSPGA&hl=en#v=onepage&q=sunken%20city%20central%20america&f=false

http://www.ancientamerica.org/library/media/HTML/z88eycyr/Mysteries%20of%20the%20Mayans%202..pdf?n=0

Limited Geographical Theory/Model: http://en.fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Geography/New_World/Limited_Geography_Theory

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_geography_model

“An Other Testament: on Typology”, Joseph Spencer: http://www.saltpress.org/