Welcome to October!

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October, Week 1

Day 1

Primary
1. Read 3 Nephi 12.
2. There is a doctrinal mastery scripture in this chapter, 3 Nephi 12:48.

48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

3. Read 3 Nephi 12:14–16. What does it mean to be a light? By following Jesus Christ and being an example, we can encourage others to follow him, too.

Youth
1. Read 3 Nephi 12.
2. There is a doctrinal mastery scripture in this chapter, 3 Nephi 12:48.

48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

3. Jesus Christ wants us to become perfect like Him and our Father in Heaven. Becoming perfect is becoming like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The higher law that Jesus taught in this chapter can help us understand the character and attributes of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As we better understand who They are, we can strive to become like Them and gain hope that They will patiently help us as we try to progress.
4. Read the following statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, looking for what it teaches about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s love.

I am grateful to know that in spite of my imperfections, at least God is perfect—that at least He is, for example, able to love His enemies, because too often, due to the “natural man” and woman in us, you and I are sometimes that enemy. How grateful I am that at least God can bless those who despitefully use Him because, without wanting or intending to do so, we all despitefully use Him sometimes. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 41)

5. Why is it important to understand that even Jesus Christ’s perfection was a process? President Russell M. Nelson taught the following about the definition and process of perfection:

Please note that the word [perfect] does not imply “freedom from error.” …

We need not be dismayed if our earnest efforts toward perfection now seem so arduous [difficult] and endless. Perfection is pending. It can come in full only after the Resurrection and only through the Lord. It awaits all who love him and keep his commandments. (Russell M. Nelson, “Perfection Pending,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 86, 88)

6. What is perfectionism and how can I respond to it? Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The word perfection … is sometimes misunderstood to mean never making a mistake. Perhaps you or someone you know is trying hard to be perfect in this way. Because such perfection always seems out of reach, even our best efforts can leave us anxious, discouraged, or exhausted. We unsuccessfully try to control our circumstances and the people around us. We fret over weaknesses and mistakes. In fact, the harder we try, the further we may feel from the perfection we seek. …

A misunderstanding of what it means to be perfect can result in perfectionism—an attitude or behavior that takes an admirable desire to be good and turns it into an unrealistic expectation to be perfect now. Perfectionism sometimes arises from the feeling that only those who are perfect deserve to be loved or that we do not deserve to be happy unless we are perfect. (Gerrit W. Gong, “Becoming Perfect in Christ,” Ensign, July 2014, 14–15, 17)

Day 2

Primary
1. Read 3 Nephi 13.
2. As part of his visit to the Nephites, Jesus Christ taught them some of the same commandments He had taught the people in Jerusalem. He also called 12 disciples to lead his church.
3. Watch the video “Jesus Chooses 12 Disciples.”
4. Listen to the song “I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ.”

Youth
1. Read 3 Nephi 13.
2. Imagine what it must have been like for the people in the land of Bountiful to listen to the resurrected Savior teach. We are blessed to have part of His message recorded in 3 Nephi. These chapters are filled with principles that are as meaningful today as they were to the people who were there when He declared them.
3. Watch the videos “Jesus Christ Teaches and Gives Power to Baptize” and “Jesus Christ Teaches How to Live the Higher Law.”

Day 3

Primary
1. Read 3 Nephi 15.
2. Jesus Christ taught the people in the land of Bountiful. Each was invited to come and experience His love for themselves. He then helped them understand that He feels this same love for all of God’s children. He desires every person everywhere to be numbered among His sheep.
3. We are often compared to sheep who frequently wander away from Jesus and become lost and scattered.
Shepherds in the Savior’s day often created enclosed “folds,” like the one in this picture, to keep their sheep safe from predators and other dangers. The Savior’s Church is an example of a fold where He protects us from dangers in the world. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ desire to gather everyone into the Savior’s ‘fold.’

Youth
1. Read 3 Nephi 15.
2. Jesus Christ taught the people in the land of Bountiful. Each was invited to come and experience His love for themselves. He then helped them understand that He feels this same love for all of God’s children. He desires every person everywhere to be numbered among His sheep.
3. We are often compared to sheep who frequently wander away from Jesus and become lost and scattered.
Shepherds in the Savior’s day often created enclosed “folds,” like the one in this picture, to keep their sheep safe from predators and other dangers. The Savior’s Church is an example of a fold where He protects us from dangers in the world. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ desire to gather everyone into the Savior’s ‘fold.’
4. Read the following statement by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ views disease in His sheep as a condition that needs treatment, care, and compassion. This shepherd, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing. …

The Savior’s mortal ministry was indeed characterized by love, compassion, and empathy. He did not disdainfully walk the dusty roads of Galilee and Judea, flinching at the sight of sinners. He did not dodge them in abject horror. No, He ate with them. He helped and blessed, lifted and edified, and replaced fear and despair with hope and joy. Like the true shepherd He is, He seeks us and finds us to offer relief and hope. (Dale G. Renlund, “Our Good Shepherd,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 30)

5. Watch the videos “Jesus Christ Declares the Law is Fulfilled in Him” and “Jesus Christ Declares the Nephites are Among His Sheep.”

Day 4

Primary
1. Read 3 Nephi 16.
2. Jesus Christ prophesied that in the last days, the Gentiles would believe in Him and the house of Israel would not believe in Him. There will also be unbelieving Gentiles who will scatter and mistreat members of the house of Israel. The Lord promised to keep His covenant with the house of Israel by bringing the gospel to them. If we repent and return to Jesus Christ, then we will be numbered among His people.
3. Listen to the song “Families Can Be Together Forever.”

Youth
1. Read 3 Nephi 16.
2. Read 3 Nephi 16:6–7. What did the Lord say would happen in the last days because the Gentiles would believe in Him and the house of Israel would not believe in Him? Jesus Christ prophesied that there will also be unbelieving Gentiles in the last days who will scatter and mistreat members of the house of Israel.
3. The Lord promised to keep His covenant with the house of Israel by bringing the gospel to them. If we repent and return to Jesus Christ, then we will be numbered among His people.
4. Watch the video “Jesus Christ Will Bring Forth His Gospel in the Latter Days.”