Comments on: In Our Ward: Lesson 42: This Is My Gospel

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:33:43 +0000

Julia, I don’t want to perpetuate the stories here by telling any particular accounts. The stereotypical “Three Nephites story” is one where a stranger, often a shabby old man, knocks on a door or meets somebody at a rest stop, delivers a personal message or warning, then leaves. The person who hears the message then decides to ask a question and turns to look for the mysterious stranger, who is nowhere to be found although he couldn’t possibly have walked far enough away to be out of sight.

Googling “three nephites” would probably turn up some specific accounts for you, but please don’t link them here. (If this were a post about Mormon folklore I wouldn’t hesitate, but since this is a Sunday School lesson I’d like a little distance between doctrine and folklore.)

By: Julia

Julia — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:00:59 +0000

Do you have a source that shares some of this folk doctrine, as the folk doctrine it is? I have heard vague mentions like this, but never heard any specifics or “accounts” of those folk doctrine.

Overall, I just wanted to say thank you. My Thanksgiving post on remembering came to me as I was reading 3rd Nephi. I broke down as I read Christ asking his disciples their desires. I wish I could say that my desire, if only granted one would be out looking, but all I could think of was that I wanted to look back on my life someday and see more joy than pain. I know I am a long way off, but maybe I need to stop worrying about my pain and trials, and simply ask The Lord to let me stay on the earth as long as I am a useful servant, whether that be weeks, months or years.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 01:05:26 +0000

It got a chuckle and some knowing nods. No open disagreement … although there were two older people in the room whom I suspect were taken by surprise (they are two who like to whisper to me confidentially in the hallway: “We’re not supposed to talk about this, but [insert folk doctrine here]“). Still, It was brief and handled very lightly, so I think it was the right thing to do.

By: Amy T

Amy T — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:40:42 +0000

Nice. It looks like we’re a week ahead of you, so I missed this lesson last week.

Out of curiosity, how did the Three Nephites part of the lesson go?