This article is part of a series called “12 Days of Christmas: A daily study guide to bring the Savior into the season.” See the full list of days in the study guide and learn more about how it’s formatted here.
At the beginning of 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, things are tense among the people because the words of Samuel the Lamanite had not yet been fulfilled. He had testified that in five years, Christ would be born. A sign of His birth would be that though the sun would rise and set, it would be as if “there were no night” for “one day and a night and a day” (see Helaman 14:4).
In 3 Nephi, chapter 1, some people began to say that it was past the time for the words to be fulfilled and they made “a great uproar throughout the land (see verses 6–7).
In contrast, those who believed “began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass” (verse 7). Despite this, we read that the believers “did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night” (verse 8).
What can we learn from these verses?
It is not always convenient to believe. When the unbelievers said the time was past for the signs to take place, they began to “rejoice over their brethren” (verse 6). Who were the unbelievers? It’s impossible to say, but perhaps some were people that the believers knew well—maybe even friends or family who once believed in Samuel the Lamanite’s prophesy, but who had experienced a change of heart. The unbelievers also seem to have had a voice of influence, as they created an uproar in the land. It must have been difficult for the believers to stay strong in their faith when so many voices that surrounded them were against them. But they continued to believe despite the other voices working against them.
The believers’ example can be a strength to us today when other voices say that we should not believe in the gospel or in Jesus Christ. When those voices become loud or overwhelming or even make us feel sorrowful, we can remember to still hold on to our faith.
We can be steadfast in our faith and still have doubts or questions. In verse 7, it says that the believers were very sorrowful “lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass.” Though they believed, it seems they had some question in their hearts—a question of whether Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecy would really be fulfilled.
Perhaps some believers even had significant doubts. Those doubts could have caused them to instead follow the unbelievers. However, in verse 8 it says, “But behold, they did watch steadfastly.” These people chose to believe despite the unknown, and they didn’t do so casually—they did so “steadfastly.” Similarly, we might have doubts or questions that are unresolved in our hearts, but we can choose to be steadfast and believe anyway.
Quote: “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith” (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Come, Join with Us”).
Ponder: “How can I be steadfast in my faith?”
Read: “Come, Join with Us,” by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Watch: “Emily Belle Freeman 5-minute Fireside: God Will Be with You”
