Day 30 - 3 Nephi 1-6; D&C 117-120

[pam]

117:8 the land where Adam dwelt

“When Adam and Eve were placed on the earth, they lived in the Garden of Eden. We do not know its dimensions, but the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that it was located in or near Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. 16 We learn in the Doctrine and Covenants that Adam and Eve later lived, at least for a period, not far distant from the garden, at Adam-ondi-Ahman (see D&C 117:8).

“Without the benefit of latter-day revelation, many who have read only the Genesis account of events in the Garden of Eden have supposed that Adam and Eve were intended to stay in the garden forever. They assume that we were to be born in the garden and that we would also have lived there forever in a type of paradise. Consequently they blame Adam and Eve for disobeying God and look on them with disfavor because of the conditions we have on earth—pain, suffering, sin, evil, and death. Some even erroneously think that Adam and Eve’s transgression was sexual in nature. They assume that none of the general conditions we find on earth now would ever have come if our first parents had not been sinful.

“Others have concluded that the whole story is a myth and that Adam and Eve are fictional characters. Still others speculate Adam and Eve were cave people whose descendants evolved into more advanced specimens.

“In contrast, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ makes it abundantly clear that Adam and Eve were children of God just as we are. They were placed on earth as immortal beings. We are told they could read and write (see Moses 6:5, 46), and they knew and understood the plan of salvation, having been taught it in the Garden of Eden.” (Robert J. Woodford, “ ‘In the Beginning’: A Latter-day Perspective,” Ensign, Jan. 1998, 16)

Orson Pratt
Perhaps you may be anxious to know what “Ondi-Ahman” means. It means the place where Adam dwelt. “Ahman” signifies God. The whole term means Valley of God, where Adam dwelt. It is in the original language spoken by Adam, as revealed to the Prophet Joseph. (Journal of Discourses, 18:342)

George Q. Cannon
Asia has been ransacked in endeavoring to locate the Garden of Eden. Men have supposed that because the Ark rested on Ararat that the flood commenced there, or rather that it was from thence the Ark started to sail. But God in His revelations has informed us that it was on this choice land of Joseph where Adam was placed and the Garden of Eden was laid out. The spot has been designated, and we look forward with peculiar feelings to repossessing that land. We expect when that day shall come that we will be a very different people to what we are today. We will be prepared to commune with heavenly beings; at any rate, the preparation will be going on very rapidly for Jesus to be revealed. We expect that a society will be organized there that will be a pattern of heavenly society, that when Jesus and the heavenly beings who come with him are revealed in the clouds of heaven, their feelings will not be shocked by the change, for a society will be organized on the earth whose members will be prepared through the revelations of God to meet and associate with them, if not on terms of perfect equality, at least with some degree of equality. (Journal of Discourses, 11:337)

[Seanette]

Read this on 7/31.
Helaman 17 – Those who believe Samuel seek out Nephi to confess their sins and ask for baptism. Efforts made to kill Samuel fail – he can’t be hit by stones or arrows. Samuel flees to his own land. The people begin to grow hardened in iniquity. There are signs and wonders, prophecies are fulfilled, and angels appear. Unbelievers claim faith in Christ is not “reasonable”.
3 Nephi 1 – Lachoneus is now chief judge. Nephi departs the land, passing the records and sacred things to his son, Nephi Jr. There are signs and miracles among the people. Unbelievers set a date for the believers in Christ to be killed if Samuel’s prophecy is not fulfilled. Nephi Jr. cries to God for his people and is told that the sign will come that night, since Christ is about to be born. The sign prophesied by Samuel (the night without darkness and the new star) takes place. The majority believe and repent. The Gadiantons increase in strength as more Nephite dissenters join them along with some younger Lamanites.
3 Nephi 2 – The people begin to forget the signs and wonders they witnessed or consider them imagined. Wickedness and abominations spread, and wars and contentions arise. The Nephites and converted Lamanites unite against the Gadiantons. Converted Lamanites become Nephites and their curse is removed. The Gadiantons gain an advantage because of the iniquity of the Nephites.
3 Nephi 3 – Giddianhi, the leader of the Gadiantons, demands that the Nephites surrender. Lachoneus appoints Gidgiddoni chief captain of the army and calls for repentance. The Nephites gather in Bountiful and Zarahemla for defense.
3 Nephi 4 – The Gadiantons find the land desolate and cannot obtain food without fighting the Nephites, who are more numerous and better supplied. Giddianhi is killed in a major battle. The Gadiantons, now led by Zemnarihah, try to besiege the Nephites. The siege utterly fails because of the Nephites’ stored supplies and the Gadiantons’ inability to find or raise food. Zemnarihah is hanged, and the Gadiantons are captured. The Nephites praise God for their victory.
3 Nephi 5 – The Nephites repent and forsake their sins. The Gadianton prisoners who repent are freed, while those who don’t are executed. Mormon includes an editorial note about his role as historian. Israel will be gathered.
Section 117 – The Lord’s servants should not covet temporal things and are to forsake “littleness of soul”. Sacrifices shall be sacred to the Lord.
Section 118 – The Lord will provide for the families of the Twelve. Vacancies in the Twelve are filled.
Section 119 – The law of tithing is set forth: surplus is to be paid, then 10% of annual increase. Tithing will sanctify Zion.
Section 120 – A council is established for the disposition of tithed properties.