3 Nephi 11:9-17

Christ ascends from heaven and stands among the people.  He stretched for his hands and testified, “I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world” (3 Nephi 11:10).  John Welch writes,

Apparently, the people were not sure whether they had been greeted by a messenger of light, or perhaps even of darkness, or by the Lord himself. That confusion was removed only as Jesus "stretched forth his hand" and identified himself, saying, "I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world" (3 Nephi 11:9—10). By these words and the extension of his hands, the people recognized him as the truest messenger, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as had been prophesied.[1] 

He announces He had glorified the Father by taking upon Himself the sins of the world.  Seeing Christ, John the Baptist attested, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Christ suffered with will of the Father in all things.  In Gethsemane, Christ prayed, “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).  He also taught the people, “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38).

The multitude remembered that it had been prophesied Christ would appear to them.  “And many of the people did inquire concerning the place where the Son of God should come; and they were taught that he would appear unto them after his resurrection; and this the people did hear with great joy and gladness” (Alma 16:20).

Realizing it was Christ, the people fell to the earth.  “Upon recognizing the divine visitor as the Lord who had taken upon himself the sins of the world, the multitude ‘fell to the earth’ (3 Nephi 11:12). Bowing down—or more dramatically, full prostration—is not only an instinctive response when coming into the presence of a superior being, but it is also a common element of ritual. Prostration, particularly in a temple context, had long been a customary part of the Nephite covenant-making ceremony (see Mosiah 4:1).[2]

Christ tells the people to arise.  Come forth, thrust their hand in His side, and feel the prints of the nail in His hand.  Christ commanded Thomas to “[r]each hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27).  He commanded the same when He appeared to His apostles. 

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled?  and why do thoughts [OR doubts, hesitations] arise in your hearts?

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Luke 24:36 - 39

The people did as Christ commanded.  One-by-one, each person thrust their hand into His side.  They felt the prints of the nails in His hand.  They saw, felt, and bore record that this was the Christ.  “What differentiated between the righteous and the unrighteous in the Book of Mormon was faith in Christ to come, and the righteous were rewarded with witnessing ‘he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come’ (3 Nephi 11:15). The same situation prevails in our day. Those who look forward with an eye of faith to Christ's second coming and keep his commandments will be found worthy when he returns.”[3]

David Paulsen and Cory Walker explain the importance of allowing the people to feel Christ’s wounds.

Far from downplaying his crucifixion, Christ presents the wounds left in his body as the characteristic marks of who he is and his significance for humanity. Rather than beginning to teach, after extending this invitation he underscores the importance of these wounds by waiting for what may have been hours as "the multitude went forth … one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands" (3 Nephi 11:15), in total "about two thousand and five hundred souls" (3 Nephi 17:25). As believers in Christ who were not privileged to know him during his mortal ministry, it is common for contemporary Mormons to imagine themselves in the place of these Nephites.[4]

Having witnessed for themselves, they praised God, shouting, “Hosanna!  Blessed be the name of the Most High God!  And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him” (3 Nephi 11:17).

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[1] Toward an Understanding of the Sermon as a Temple Text, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 1, 2012.

[2] Toward an Understanding of the Sermon as a Temple Text, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 1, 2012.

[3] "That Which Is to Come." John A. Tvedtnes, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 1, 2012.

[4] Work, Worship, and Grace, David L. Paulsen, and Cory G. Walker, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 1, 2012.