“Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

Anna Maria Carta (Sardinian, Italian, born 1960)
Back with the King (2012)
oil on canvas, 80 x 70 cm
Used with permission of the artist

The subject matter for this week’s lesson describes the wickedness of Nephites and Lamanites, the robbing, assassinations, battles, divisions, and conspiracies of the people in the days immediately before Jesus would appear. The artist Anna Maria Carta created a group of paintings about Christ’s second coming. Symbolic rather than illustrative in nature, the work, above, is connected to Christ in America, too.

The painting Back with the King was inspired by a well-known painting by Minerva Teichert and scriptural account of the flight of Elijah with his horses and chariot of fire on his departure from earth to heaven. The artist writes about its visual influences and interpretation, “In her Christ in the Red Robe, Minerva Teichert refers to Christ’s second coming, women can be seen reaching out to him. The colours are mostly subdued, except for the central figure that is brightly illustrated. Christ in the Americas soon after his resurrection is depicted in a white robe. [In my painting] The American continent is in the background with Quetzalcoatl birds (Aztecs god of rebirth and resurrection) painted on the sides as a frame. Teichert’s narrative is figurative while mine tends to the imaginative and symbolic.” She adds, “The painting shows the kind of friendly relationship we all can build with Christ, it is built day by day. His second coming could be great or terrible depending where we stand: pro or against him.”

Discussion Questions:

1. It looked like the believers were in trouble - the unbelievers even set a day when those who believed would be put to death if the sign spoken of by Samuel the prophet didn't come (3 Nephi 1:5-9). Even the prophet Nephi was 'exceedingly sorrowful" (3 Nephi 1:10). He prayed all day long for the believers, and at night, the voice of the Lord said to him, "Lift up your head and be of good cheer" (3 Nephi 1:13). Jesus told him that He was coming. Have you ever felt despair, prayed. and then felt prompted with a feeling of peace that Jesus would be with you? What were the circumstances? What can you do to remember that feeling to bolster your faith when you are "exceedingly sorrowful" about something again?

2. The Nephities, in just one generation, "began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen" and "to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing" (3 Nephi 2:1-2). What caused them to lose personal security in their former spiritual experiences? How can you maintain confidence and faith in your spiritual experiences?

3. Mormon describes divisions among the people - some had great learning because of their riches while others were "ignorant because of their poverty" (3 Nephi 6:12). Overall, there was "a great inequality in all the land" (3 Nephi 6:14). In what ways do you see divisions and inequality today? What can you do to follow Jesus in responding to these divisions?

Questions for Youth & Children:

1. The scriptures speak of "the wickedness of the rising generation" (3 Nephi 1:30).  What do prophets and apostles today say about your generation (search "rising generation" on the Church website)?  How does this make you feel as a member of this rising generation and how can it change the way you make choices? 

2. The 2024 Youth Theme is in this week's reading: "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ" (3 Nephi 5:13).  As you have studied this theme in youth conferences and other gatherings, thought about it, and listened to the observations of others regarding this theme, how have you felt that you can be a better disciple of Jesus?  What are you doing to improve in this way?

3. Art project: When Jesus was born, a new star appeared (3 Nephi 1:21).  Create a fabulous "new star" using whatever art materials you wish - maybe glitter, paper mache, paint, cardboard, clay, fabric, tinsel, foil, etc.  Save this new star in a special place and then get it out to display as part of your Christmas decorations to remind you that the new star spread light everywhere, not just in Bethlehem.  This can help you remember that Jesus loves people all over the world, including you!