In 3 Nephi:27, Jesus Christ completes his mission in the Americas with the Nephites. In 4 Nephi, we learn how the Nephites were so inspired by Christ’s influence they established a Zion community. In this lesson, we’ll discuss how they became so unified, how we could work to replicate their success in our modern communities, and how this time of peace eventually came to an end.
The Church of Jesus Christ must be built on His gospel, and we are the church.
As Jesus Christ finished His ministry in the Americas, He gave instructions for the Nephites to continue the work of God on earth by establishing his church.
10 And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.
3 Nephi 27:10
When Christ says, “the church,” He is not talking about a building or even an organization, but rather, the people who are church members. The Church can only be built on Christ’s gospel if its members choose to live the gospel. When God shows His own works through the church, that means He is working through us.
When Jesus says, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18), the Greek word for “church” is ekklēsia. In all 114 instances that the New Testament uses this word, it designates a people, or an assembly of people, responding to the call of God in Christ. It sometimes refers to the whole people of God and other times to a local congregation (Eph. 5:27; 1 Thess. 1:1). From ekklēsia we call the doctrine of the church “ecclesiology” and speak of the courts of sessions, presbyteries, and synods or assemblies as “ecclesiastical courts.” In the New Testament, ekklēsia always designates a people, never the place where they meet.
Matthew S. Miller “Is the church a people or a place?” Tabletalk, September 2022
While talking to a friend going through a difficult time, I asked how he was surviving financially. In tears, he replied that his bishop was helping him using fast-offering funds. He added, “I don’t know where my family and I would be if it wasn’t for the Church.”
I replied, “The Church is the members. They are the ones who willingly and joyfully give fast offerings to help those of us in need. You are receiving the fruits of their faith and determination to follow Jesus Christ.”
My fellow disciples of Christ, let us not underestimate the marvelous work the Lord is doing through us, His Church, despite our shortcomings.
Reyna Aburto, 2nd Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, “We Are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” April 2022
After explaining that His Church must be “built upon [His] gospel” (3 Nephi 27:10), the Savior described what His gospel is.
3 Nephi 27:21-22
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
- What does it mean for the Church—or in other words, all of us—to be built on His gospel?
Before leaving their physical presence, Jesus promised that he would continue to lead the people.
28 And now I go unto the Father. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you.
29 Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
3 Nephi 27:28-29
- How can we get Christ’s guidance?
- What does it mean to knock?
Christ prophesied that after He left, the Nephites would not lose a single soul of that generation, but that the Nephites would turn away from the gospel within four generations (3 Nephi 27:30-32). The Book of 4 Nephi describes how these prophecies came to pass.
Building a Zion Community
The book of 4 Nephi shows just how completely the Savior’s gospel can change people. Following Jesus’s brief ministry, centuries of contention between the Nephites and Lamanites came to an end. Two nations known for dissension and pride became “one, the children of Christ” (4 Nephi 1:17), and they began to have “all things common among them” (4 Nephi 1:3). The “love of God … did dwell in the hearts of the people,” and “there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God” (4 Nephi 1:15–16).
3 Nephi 17-19, Come Follow Me for Home and Church, Book of Mormon 2024
Invite the class to silently read the following scriptures while looking for answers to these questions, then discuss.
- How did Christ’s teachings change the Nephites and the Lamanites?
- What did the the Nephites do to build such a happy and peaceful society?
2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.
3 And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.
4 Nephi 1:2-3
12 And they did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord.
4 Nephi 1:12
15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.
18 And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land.
4 Nephi 1:15-18
- How could we follow the example of the Nephites to seek greater unity, peace and happiness in our modern communities?
- How can we work to fight poverty and expand freedom like the Nephites did?
- What can we do to help overcome divisions and truly become “one” with other children of God?
- What teachings of Jesus Christ help us accomplish the goal of building a Zion community?
Unity: “with one accord.”
While serving as 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, Sister Reyna Aburto commented on the kind of unity the people of the Book of Mormon had during this time period.
We can suppose that the reason why they were so united is because they knew the Lord personally. They had been close to Him, and they had been witnesses of His divine mission, of the miracles that He performed, and of His Resurrection. They saw and touched the marks in His hands and feet. They knew with certainty that He was the promised Messiah, the Redeemer of the world. They knew that “He is the source of all healing, peace, and eternal progress.”
Even though we may not have seen our Savior with our physical eyes, we can know that He lives. As we draw closer to Him, as we seek to receive a personal witness through the Holy Ghost of His divine mission, we will have a better understanding of our purpose; the love of God will dwell in our hearts; we will have the determination to be one in the kaleidoscopes of our families, wards, and communities; and we will minister to each other “in newer, better ways.”
Miracles happen when the children of God work together guided by the Spirit to reach out to others in need.
Reyna Aburto, 2nd Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, “With One Accord” April 2018
Sister Aburto compared this kind of unity to the unity of monarch butterflies.
Video: With One Accord – Reyna Aburto, Third Hour
Importantly, Sister Aburto points out that unity does not require us to be the same or walk the same path.
Every one of our paths is different, yet we walk them together. Our path is not about what we have done or where we have been; it is about where we are going and what we are becoming, in unity. When we counsel together guided by the Holy Ghost, we can see where we are and where we need to be. The Holy Ghost gives us a vision that our natural eyes cannot see, because “revelation is scattered among us,” and when we put that revelation together, we can see more.
Reyna Aburto, 2nd Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, “With One Accord” April 2018
- How can we be united while honoring our differences?
- How is revelation scattered among us?
In August 2021, General Relief Society President Jean B. Bingham taught more about the principle that revelation is scattered among us.
- How should knowing that revelation is scattered among us change the way we exercise leadership in the church?
How does a Zion society fall apart?
As Jesus had prophesied, the Zion society described in 4 Nephi eventually fell into wickedness.
Invite the class to silently read the following scriptures, looking for answers to this question, then discuss.
- What attitudes and behaviors ended the Nephites’ happiness and unity?
24 And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.
25 And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.
26 And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.
4 Nephi 1:24-26
34 Nevertheless, the people did harden their hearts, for they were led by many priests and false prophets to build up many churches, and to do all manner of iniquity. And they did smite upon the people of Jesus; but the people of Jesus did not smite again. And thus they did dwindle in unbelief and wickedness, from year to year, even until two hundred and thirty years had passed away.
4 Nephi 1:34
38 And it came to pass that they who rejected the gospel were called Lamanites, and Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites; and they did not dwindle in unbelief, but they did wilfully rebel against the gospel of Christ; and they did teach their children that they should not believe, even as their fathers, from the beginning, did dwindle.
39 And it was because of the wickedness and abomination of their fathers, even as it was in the beginning. And they were taught to hate the children of God, even as the Lamanites were taught to hate the children of Nephi from the beginning.
4 Nephi 1:38-39
42 And it came to pass that the wicked part of the people began again to build up the secret oaths and combinations of Gadianton.
4 Nephi 1:42
- What can we do to help eliminate these attitudes or behaviors in our communities?
