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the Joy that filled our souls

• 3 Nephi 17-19

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(No Transcript)
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St. Hugh Nibley

• Speaking of 3 Nephi and the visit of the Savior
• After this mounting pageant we've had right from
  the beginning (of conflict and folly, etc.,) we
  reach the grand climax in the Book of Mormon, and
  lo and behold, it is all good news. It's a happy
  book, now.
• This is the happiest book in the world, you see.

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Before I leave

• 3 Nephi 17
• 1 Behold, now it came to pass that when
  Jesus had spoken these words he looked round
  about again on the multitude, and he said unto
  them Behold, my time is at hand (to show myself
  to the other tribes of Israel).
• 2 I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot
  understand all my words which I am commanded of
  the Father to speak unto you at this time.
• 3 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.

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• What should we ponder or meditate about?

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The Psalmists Suggestion

• Psalm 119
• 97 O how love I thy law!
• it is my meditation all the day.
• 99 I have more understanding than all my
  teachers
• for thy testimonies are my meditation.
• 100 I understand more than the ancients,
• because I keep thy precepts.

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Jeffrey R. Holland

• But now I go unto the Father," the Savior
  said, "and also to show myself unto the
  lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost
  unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he
  hath taken them."
• as he made that announcement, he looked
  into the faces of the multitude. The people were
  in tears. Out of respect for the Savior's
  obligations to these other Israelites, they said
  nothing to deter him. But the longing in their
  souls was as obvious as it was undeniable.
• Looking "steadfastly upon him as if they would
  ask him to tarry a little longer with them," the
  Nephites touched the Savior's heart. Responding,
  he said, "Behold, my bowels are filled with
  compassion towards you."
• He seemed then to change his plans temporarily.
  In doing so, he provided these people with one of
  the spiritual highlights of his New World
  ministry, a testimony to the faith, devotion, and
  unspoken desire of these true disciples.

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Sequences

• Jesus first heals their physical problems

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Preparing to Pray?
The People Kneeling in Prayer
Children
Savior
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The Prayer

• 14 And it came to pass that when they had
  knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within
  himself, and said Father, I am troubled because
  of the wickedness of the people of the house of
  Israel.
• 15 And when he had said these words, he himself
  also knelt upon the earth and behold he prayed
  unto the Father, and the things which he prayed
  cannot be written, and the multitude did bear
  record who heard him.

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First Hand Testimony

• 16 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
• 17 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.

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• And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them,
  and bade them arise.
• And they arose from the earth, and he said unto
  them Blessed are ye because of your faith. And
  now behold, my joy is full

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• And when he had said these words, He wept

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Moses 7 (The great flood)

• 28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven
  looked upon the residue of the people, and he
  wept and Enoch bore record of it, saying How is
  it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their
  tears as the rain upon the mountains?
• 29 And Enoch said unto the Lord How is it that
  thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from
  all eternity to all eternity?
• 32 The Lord said unto Enoch Behold these thy
  brethren they are the workmanship of mine own
  hands,
• 35 Behold, I am God Man of Holiness is my name
  Man of Counsel is my name and Endless and
  Eternal is my name, also.
• 36 Wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and
  hold all the creations which I have made and
  mine eye can pierce them also, and among all the
  workmanship of mine hands
• 39 And That which I have chosen hath pled before
  my face. Wherefore, he suffereth for their sins
  inasmuch as they will repent in the day that my
  Chosen shall return unto me,
• 40 Wherefore, for this shall the heavens weep,
  yea, and all the workmanship of mine hands.