To "give not that which is holy unto the dogs" (3 Nephi 14:6) is a very troubling passage for many. What does it mean to "cast not your pearls before the swine?" What on earth is this text talking about? According to John Welch, these phrases make good sense in a temple context. The clue couldn't be more obvious, it is the word "holy." Jesus is talking about a covenant and an obligation of secrecy at this point. There are certain things that are not to be divulged. Interestingly, we also encounter a covenant penalty. If you do cast "your pearls before swine," they will "turn again and rend you" and trample [the covenants] under their feet" (3 Nephi 14:6). Those are common curses that you will see referred to in the Old Testament, reserved for those people who violate the covenant. [John W. Welch, "Christ at the Nephite Temple," in Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 4, p. 143]
[3 Nephi 14:9] If a Son Ask Bread, Will [His Father] Give Him a Stone?:
In 3 Nephi 14:9 we find, "Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." John Welch notes that there is a three-fold petition here. If one asks properly who will be there to open unto you? The Father. He will give you "good things," for what father is there if his son asks for bread "will give him a stone?" (3 Nephi 14:9) [In a righteous covenant manner] if you are asking for the Bread of Life, are you going to be stoned to death? If you ask for a fish, an obvious symbol of Christ, will you be given a serpent, an obvious symbol of Satan? You will be given a "gift," which is another word for endowment. [John W. Welch, "Christ at the Nephite Temple," in Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 4, p. 143]