5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
3 Nephi 20 – 26
We will build New Jerusalem and become jewels in the Lord’s hands.
Lesson Notes
You can find the full Come, Follow Me lesson here. Unless you opt to spend a lot of time on a particular quote, try to pick around 2 questions per quote. Choose the questions that resonate the most with you and make a meaningful discussion for your group of personalities.
All blue quotes from the Book of Mormon (unless otherwise noted).
Lesson Prep
- If you want the discussion to be more meaningful, hand out reading assignments ahead of time and ask the reader to answer one question about them (pick one of the questions below and give it to them, along with the assigned quote). The sooner you do this, the better, but if possible, at least show it to them before the Sacrament meeting. You can also text or email it.
- Ask various people to read and participate – especially those who aren’t asked as much.
Lesson Delivery
You can arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you. I suggest starting with the most important ones and working your way down. Don’t worry about covering all the quotes.
- Make sure you assign others to read the quotes. You’re talking enough already. Letting others read allows more people to participate.
- Encourage discussion by accepting all reasonable answers. Validate people for participating and be thankful they spoke up. Engage with the answer in a conversational way whenever it feels natural. Never say, “That’s not the right answer,” or “We haven’t got to that part of the lesson yet.”
- Remember, spiritual discussion is golden. We want people to talk about the gospel together.
- If a lesson takes a different turn than the one you planned, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.
- If the discussion gets too non-spiritual, pull it back by going to the following quote or question.
- Avoid videos – they shut down discussion. Save them for personal study.
Quote #1 (new jerusalem)
Possible engagement tool: Remind your class that President Nelson talked about New Jerusalem during the last General Conference: “Jesus Christ will govern from both Old Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem built upon the American continent. From these two centers, He will direct the affairs of His Church.” (Oct 2024)
As we read the following verses, ask your class to listen for who will help build New Jerusalem and participate in that prophesy.

22 But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance;
23 And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.
24 And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem. (3 Nephi 21:22-24)
Possible discussion questions: Where will the Lord establish His church in the last days? (Among the Gentiles, us.) What else will we do besides build New Jerusalem? (Help gather in Israel, which means missionary and temple work.)
Quote #2 (ordinances)
Possible engagement tool: Ask your class to listen for an important tool we need to be closer to Christ.
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye say: Wherein shall we return? (3 Nephi 24:7)
Possible discussion questions: How necessary are our ordinances and covenants as we follow and worship Christ? (Very). What are some of the ordinances and covenants we make? (Baptism and the Sacrament) What is the benefit of ordinances and covenants? (Accept all reasonable answers – they bring us closer to Christ and God the Father.)
Great Quote!
“…those who live the higher laws of Jesus Christ have access to HIS HIGHER POWER. Thus, covenant keepers are entitled to a special kind of rest that comes to them through their covenantal relationship with God.” (President Nelson, Overcome the World and Find Rest – Oct 2022)
Quote #3 (jewels)
Possible intro: Sometimes, we can feel overlooked or unaccepted as we try to follow and obey Jesus in a society that thinks religion is foolish.
Note: Can be divided between 2 or more readers.
What the World Says
14 Ye have said: It is vain to serve God, and what doth it profit that we have kept his ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts?
15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
What the Lord Says
16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard; and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (3 Nephi 24:14-17)
Possible discussion questions: Does it help to know the Lord keeps your name in His book if you are faithful? What does it mean to be the Lord’s jewels?
Deepen the Understanding
Use these scriptures to help your class understand the symbolism of being the Lord’s royal jewels.
3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. (Isaiah 62:3)
diadem: a jeweled crown or headband worn as a symbol of royalty.
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)
Being the Lord’s jewels symbolizes being made a ruler and being given large stewardships during the Millennium.
Quote #4 (greater things)
Possible Intro: These verses refer to scriptures and study. They tell us how we can gain a greater knowledge of the Lord and His Kingdom.
9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.
10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation. (3 Nephi 26:9-10)
Possible question: What happens if we don’t diligently study the words we have? What happens if we do diligently study the words we have?
Quote #5 (better society)
Possible intro: The Nephites had an incredibly happy and peaceful society, and these verses describe what they did.
18 And many of them saw and heard unspeakable things, which are not lawful to be written.
19 And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another.
20 And it came to pass that they did do all things even as Jesus had commanded them. (3 Nephi 26:18-20)
Possible discussion questions: What were some characteristics of living in a higher, Zion-like society? (Accept all reasonable answers – teaching/discussing the gospel with each other, ministering and serving each other, pooling all their possessions together and dividing them equally, everyone is honest and fair, and they obey all of God’s commandments.)
Summary
Summarize class discussion highlights and/or share your testimony and feelings about the lesson. Thank your class for their excellent contributions and insights.
Final Comment
As you study and teach, you can help others find more truths in the scriptures. Thank you for bringing powerful Book of Mormon teachings into other people’s lives.
If you would like some tips on how to feel more confident while teaching, try “9 Tips for More Class Participation.” Please arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you.
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