Jesus Christ had just spent the day ministering in the land of Bountiful, teaching His gospel, giving the people a chance to see and feel the marks in His resurrected body, and testifying that He was the promised Savior. And now it was time for Him to leave. He needed to return to His Father, and He knew that the people needed time to ponder what He had taught. So promising to return the next day, He dismissed the multitude to their homes. But no one left. They didn't say what they were feeling, but Jesus could sense it: they hoped He would "tarry a little longer with them" (3 Nephi 17:5). He had other important things to do, but the opportunity to show compassion does not always come at a convenient time, so Jesus stayed with the people a little longer. What followed was perhaps the most tender example of ministering recorded in scripture. Those who were present could only say it was indescribable (see 3 Nephi 17:16–17). Jesus Himself summed up the impromptu spiritual outpouring with these simple words: "Now behold, my joy is full" (3 Nephi 17:20).
We know that there were about 2,500 people (see 3 Nephi 17:25) who experienced Christ's first visit, as recorded in 3 Nephi 11–18. Yet the Savior found a way to minister to them one by one. What do you learn about ministering from the Savior's example in this chapter? What needs did He minister to? Ponder how His example can help you minister to others.
Even though Jesus was prepared to leave, He recognized the desires and needs of the people and took the time to minister. "By observing the nonverbal desires of their hearts, Jesus evaluated what the people needed and did the following:
Asked them to bring their sick, afflicted, lame, blind, and dumb, '... and he did heal them every one ...' (3 Nephi 17:9),
Allowed the multitude to '... bathe his feet with their tears.' (3 Nephi 17:10),
'And it came to pass that he commanded that their little children should be brought.' (3 Nephi 17:11),
Knelt with them in prayer (3 Nephi 17:13-18),
Asked them to arise and blessed them (3 Nephi 17:19-20),
Then, '... he wept, ... and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.' (3 Nephi 17:21),
And after weeping again, the heavens were opened and angels '... came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.' (3 Nephi 17:24)." (Ministering One by One)
Everyone has an innate desire to know who they are and where they came from. Learning about your ancestors and heritage gives you a sense of belonging. You can minister to others and help them learn of their ancestors and feel that sense of belonging.
Open the Door to Family History
Family history can open doors for ministering, since people enjoy learning about their own family. Choose someone you can help discover the world of their family history. (First, make sure that the person's family tree is set up.)
Discover their ancestors by viewing their family tree. (Be sure to let them explore all the alternate views.)
Enjoy some fun activities to help them connect more with their ancestors.
Learn about ancestral homelands. (See Countries in The Family History Guide.)
Where to Begin
Choose an individual or family with whom you can share family history. Maybe it's even your own family. Just as Jesus understood what the Nephite people desired, so can you discover the interests of the individual or family you are helping. Family history experiences are most successful when you personalize the time to what interests the person or family. To identify where you should start, ask them what they would like to accomplish or where they would like to begin. Then show them how to find or do it. If they are uncertain, here are a few suggestions:
What has our family experienced through the gospel that we wish everyone around us could also experience? How can we follow the example of the people in these verses and "labor exceedingly" (3 Nephi 19:3) to bring others to Christ, that they too might "feel and see" (3 Nephi 18:25) what we have found in the gospel?
What gospel messages and feelings have you experienced during General Conferences? Is there someone you might bring to Christ by letting them "feel and see" conference? You know that Conference Participation Brings Blessings, instruction and inspiration as you watch and listen to the gospel messages presented—some, you may have discovered, are given just for you.
Prepare for General Conference
October General Conference is here. What have you learned from the Lord's servants in past conference talks? What questions do you have that you would like answered?
Discuss as a family how you can better prepare for conference. Write these ideas down. Choose three (or more) and decide how to implement them. (This can be done individually, as a family, or both.)
Family History and General Conference
Look up some of your favorite family history conference talks to read or there are a few below to get you started. Follow the direction of Jesus Christ to "... 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 ..." (3 Nephi 17:3) Ponder and discuss how family history has blessed you and your family. What more can you do in your family history efforts? How can you use it to bless the lives of others?
President Russell M. Nelson in April 2018 General Conference encouraged, Let Us All Press On. "Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God's children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life. (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7)"
Discuss as a family who you might invite to watch conference and "hold up your light that it may shine unto the world" (3 Nephi 18:24). Decide as a family how to extend the invitation and then do it. After conference, discuss how you each felt by doing this. How do you think the person you invited felt?
Your Personal History
Write one brief story about your life as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson. By the end of the year, you will have compiled 50 stories to add to your personal history. Save as a story (also consider audio-recording it) and add it to your FamilySearch memories to preserve it. Use your own questions, those from (or inspired by) Come,Follow Me, or the #52 Stories Project. See below for ideas:
What are you doing well as a disciple of Jesus Christ? How can you improve?
What blessings from prayer have you seen in your life?
