Book of Mormon Primary Lessons

“Lesson 32: Signs in America of Jesus Christ’s Birth,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, (1997),114

When we have faith, signs can strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ; however, not all people who see signs develop a testimony. Consider the following examples:

Laman and Lemuel (1 Nephi 3:28–31; 17:45)
Sherem (Jacob 7:13–20)
Korihor (Alma 30:43–56)

Nephi in this lesson was the son of Nephi who was the son of Helaman. He had faith that the signs Samual had prophesied of would come true.

Read 3 Nephi 1, 2, and the tenth article of faith. Also review the signs given of Christ's birth from Lesson 31.

Some of the people were saying that Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecies "are not fulfilled." ". . . that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled . . ." (3 Nephi 1:5–6). This caused the believers "to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass" (3 Nephi 1:7).

The unbelievers threatened those who believed that they "should be put to death except the sign should come to pass" (3 Nephi 1:9). Why do you think some people get angry with those who believe in God?

When Nephi saw the wickedness of the people "he cried mightily unto the Lord" (3 Nephi 1:12). Nephi’s prayer was answered: ". . . on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets." (3 Nephi 1:13–14).

That night, when the prophecy was fulfilled, the unbelievers were so afraid "because of their iniquity and their unbelief" (3 Nephi 1:18). How would you have felt if you had been there?

The Nephites also saw the star that was also seen in Bethlehem (3 Nephi 1:21).

Satan tried "to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those signs and wonders which they had seen" (3 Nephi 1:22). Still many showed their belief in the Lord by being "baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a great remission of sins. And thus the people began again to have peace in the land" (3 Nephi 1:22–23).

Many of the people’s faith and righteousness decreased "because of the wickedness of the rising generation." (3 Nephi 1:29–30).

". . . the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven" (3 Nephi 2:1–2). We can learn from this that testimonies that are based on signs are not very strong. We can strengthen our testimonies by doing the things the Lord asks us, and have a witness of the truth from the Holly Ghost.

Because of the increasing wickedness, "the Gadianton robbers did gain many advantages over them . . . thus were the people in a state of many afflictions; and the sword of destruction did hang over them" (3 Nephi 2:17–19).

Just as these prophesies were fulfilled, so will those of Jesus Christ’s second coming be fulfilled. (3 Nephi 1:20).

Just as there was wickedness on the earth when Jesus was born and crucified, so will there be when he comes again. What kind of a person do you want to be when he comes? What can you do now to prepare for the Second Coming?

Labels: Alma, Book of Mormon, Helaman, Jacob, Jesus Christ, Lesson 32, Nephi, Samuel, Signs