4 Nephi 1:13-26

We have reached 60 A.D. The people remained righteous and faithful. Peace reigned throughout the land. The disciples of Christ performed great and mighty miracles among the people.

Peace and righteousness continued throughout the land over the next twenty years. By around 100 A.D., all who had lived during Christ’s ministry had died and entered the paradise of God. The only exception was the three who asked to live until the Second Coming.

As members of the twelve died, others were called and ordained to fill the vacancies.

 “And I, Nephi, also saw many of the fourth generation who passed away in righteousness” (1 Nephi 12:12).

“Perhaps the place of vulnerable people—widows, orphans, the aged and infirm—is a benchmark of the righteousness and refinement of any culture. Nearly 200 years in the Nephite colony could not have passed without such common social realities and their attendant challenges for society at large. Adversities did not disappear. Yet ‘there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God’ (4 Nephi 1:15–16).”[1]

“As a result of the great destruction that took place at the time of the crucifixion, both of the motives for war that had prevailed were suddenly eliminated. The peaceful teachings of the Savior became dominant equally among those who had constituted the Nephite victims and among the descendants of those who had been Lamanite aggressors. The old feud lost its meaning in the light of the new faith (see 4 Nephi 1:15–17).”[2]

“We all need to work together to build spiritual unity within our wards and branches. An example of perfect unity existed among the people of God after Christ visited the Americas … Unity is not achieved by ignoring and isolating members who seem to be different or weaker and only associating with people who are like us. On the contrary, unity is gained by welcoming and serving those who are new and who have particular needs. These members are a blessing for the Church and provide us with opportunities to serve our neighbors and thus purify our own hearts.”[3]

Nephi₃ died and his son, Amos, received the plates of Nephi and became the record keeper.[4]

Amos kept the plates for eighty-four years. This brings us to around 200 AD.  For the most part, peace continued throughout the land. We begin to see division appearing among the people at this time. A small number opposed the church. They called themselves Lamanites.  The period of peace was coming to an end.

Amos₁ died, and his son, Amos₂ received the record from his father. The second generation, the children of those who were alive during the Savior’s ministry had passed away.

The people were now spread across the face of the land. They had become rich and prosperous as a people.

It was at this point (around 200 AD) when the people began to turn away from the gospel. We begin to see the Nephite disease, pride, spread among the people. We also see the result of the people’s pride, costly apparel. The Nephites are beginning the last period of wickedness that will end in the destruction of the Nephites. They no longer lived with their goods and possessions in common.

“To live as economic equals may be the most difficult form of at-one-ment[5] to achieve. At least we might infer as much after observing the rich ruler fail his final test of discipleship—to give his wealth to the poor (see Luke 18:18–22). In the Book of Mormon, during that singular season when the Lord's people did achieve perfect at-one-ment, their drift toward separateness was signaled early on by their divisions into economic classes (see 4 Nephi 1:24–26). Because economic at-one-ment is so difficult to achieve, the poor are always with us (see John 12:8; Mosiah 4:16–21).”[6]

The people divided society into different classes.  They built churches for the purpose of becoming rich.  “For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity; yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophet” (1 Nephi 22:23).

“But it is they who do not fear me, neither keep my commandments but build up churches unto themselves to get gain, yea, and all those that do wickedly and build up the kingdom of the devil—yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, that it is they that I will disturb, and cause to tremble and shake to the center” (D&C 10:56).

“In the world there is rampant contention and iniquity and a major emphasis on divergent cultures and inequality. In the Church, except for language units, our wards and branches are geographical. We don’t divide by class or rank. We rejoice in the fact that all races and cultures are mixed together in a righteous congregation. Our ward family is important to our progress, happiness, and personal effort to be more Christlike.”[7]

People reject the true church of Christ.

“Once again the Book of Mormon shows that the driving force was pride, which led to hubris,[8] and finally to atē.[9] First, ‘there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of fine things of the world.’ Further, ‘they began to be divided into classes’—pride being translated on a major scale into the structure of society (4 Nephi 1:24, 26). It was not long until the proud ‘denied the Christ; and they did persecute the true church of Christ’ (4 Nephi 1:29). Soon ‘they did cast them [the Lord’s disciples] into prison . . . and did seek to kill them’ (4 Nephi 1:30—31).”[10]

---

[1] The Savior and the Children in 3 Nephi, M. Gawain Wells, Maxwell Institute website.

[2] Last-Ditch Warfare in Ancient Mesoamerica Recalls the Book of Mormon, John L. Sorenson, Maxwell Institute website.

[3] Ye Are No More Strangers, By Bishop Gérald Caussé, October 2013 General Conference.

[4] “But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people” (3 Nephi 26:7).

[5] The state of being one.

[6] “No Poor Among Them,” Lindon J. Robison, Maxwell Institute website.

[7] The Lord Is My Light, Elder Quentin L. Cook, April 2015 General Conference.

[8] The attempt by individuals and nations to become a law unto themselves, and that the consequence of hubris is atē.

[9] Spiritual blindness that impels the individual or society toward its doom.

[10] Hubris and Atē: A Latter-day Warning from the Book of Mormon, Richard D. Draper, Maxwell Institute website.

4 Nephi 1:5-12

Mormon continues to discuss the ministry of the Lord’s disciple.

Many great and wondrous works were done by the disciples. They healed the sick, raised the dead, caused the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, and the blind to see. They did all manner of miracles. Everything they did was done is Jesus’s name.

The peace and dedication to Christ continued in to the 59^th year after Christ’s ministry ended.

They continued to prosper. They began to rebuild cities they could. Many had been sunk and could not be rebuilt.

“People also manifested their at-one-ment[1] by constructing cities (see Helaman 3:11; 3 Nephi 6:7; 4 Nephi 1:7–8; Ether 9:23). Construction of cities requires investments in public goods that generally benefit people. Moreover, for people to live in cities, they must agree to live together as neighbors. In addition, the construction of cities requires a high degree of specialization and trade, conditions requiring at-one-ment among people.”[2]

The Nephites were strong in faith, the population grew, and they “became an exceedingly fair and delightsome people” (4 Nephi 1:10). “The phrase fair and delightsome stands in stark contrast to descriptions such as ‘filthy’ and ‘loathsome,’ as the Lamanites are often described during periods of degeneracy and unbelief (compare 1 Nephi 12:23; 2 Nephi 5:22; Mormon 5:15). It must be noted that Book of Mormon prophets invariably taught that being ‘fair and delightsome’ has everything to do with righteous living and very little to do with perceived cultural or racial superiority (see 1 Nephi 1:17:33-40; Jacob 3; Helaman 15).”[3]

Life went on. People married and blessed “according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them.” (4 Nephi 1:11). “Throughout the scriptures, Zion refers to a covenant community of temple-worthy saints, such as the happy people who lived the law of consecration in the New Testament and in the Book of Mormon. In such Zion societies, people are ‘married, and given in marriage’ and are blessed according to the Lord’s promises (4 Nephi 1:11).”[4]

“Previous tribal and ethnic distinctions—including, apparently, prohibitions against intermarriage—were abolished until some time between 110 and 194 years after Christ…”[5]

“One of the sweetest verses in the Book of Mormon states simply, ‘And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them.’ The promises of the Lord are extended to all those who follow the pattern of life that builds happy, holy marriage relationships. Such blessings come as the delightful, predictable consequences of faithfully living the gospel of Jesus Christ.”[6]

The Nephites no longer followed the law of Moses, as it had been fulfilled in Christ. They meet together often, fasted and prayed, and heard the word of the Lord.

---

[1] The state of being one.

[2] “No Poor Among Them.” Lindon J. Robison, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 14/1 (2005): 93.

[3]  “O Ye Fair Ones”: An Additional Note on the Meaning of the Name Nephi, Mathew L. Bowen, Insights, Volume 23, Number 6, 2003, pg. 2.

[4]Redeeming the Desolate Woman: The Message of Isaiah 54 and 3 Nephi 22, Cynthia L. Hallen, Maxwell Institute website.

[5] Swimming in the Gene Pool: Israelite Kinship Relations, Genes, and Genealogy, Matthew Roper, Maxwell Institute website.

[6] Marriage: Watch and Learn, Elder L. Whitney Clayton, April 2013 General Conference.

Christmas Day Post

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

On this day, we celebrate the beginning of the Savior’s mission. Scriptures testify of this glorious day.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

Book of Mormon scripture has numerous prophecies of His birth.

“Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world” (1 Nephi 10:4).

“For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (2 Nephi 25:19).

“And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary” (Mosiah 3:8).

“And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God” (Alma 7:10).

We are blessed to have the Book of Mormon as a special witness of Christ. 

We have Joseph Smith’s testimony, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion.”

I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

Let us close with the words of Elder Craig C. Christensen…

“Most importantly, we declared that the Book of Mormon is a book that testifies that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. Great prophets throughout the Book of Mormon have borne solemn witness that Jesus Christ is the Creator of the earth (see Mosiah 3:8), the Redeemer of mankind (see Helaman 5:9–12), the Only Begotten of the Father (see 1 Nephi 11:18–21; Jacob 4:11). These Book of Mormon prophets knew Him, as Abraham and Moses did, and received and taught His everlasting gospel. As we read and study their words, we gain a deeper understanding of the Savior’s matchless love, His perfect life and example, and the blessings of His great atoning sacrifice.”[1]

---

[1] A Book with a Promise, Elder Craig C. Christensen, April 2008 General Conference.

4 Nephi 1:1-4

Fourth Nephi

The Book of Nephi Who Is the Son of Nephi—One of the Disciples of Jesus Christ

An account of the people of Nephi, according to his record.

Chapter 1

The Nephites and the Lamanites are all converted unto the Lord—They have all things in common, work miracles, and prosper in the land—After two centuries, divisions, evils, false churches, and persecutions arise—After three hundred years, both the Nephites and the Lamanites are wicked—Ammaron hides up the sacred records. About A.D. 35–321.

Christ’s ministry has ended. The twelve are now responsible for the church and teaching the people.  All who repented of their were baptized and received the Holy Ghost. “And it came to pass that the disciples whom Jesus had chosen began from that time forth to baptize and to teach as many as did come unto them; and as many as were baptized in the name of Jesus were filled with the Holy Ghost” (3 Nephi 26:17).

Within two years of Christ’s ministry, all the people in the land joined the church.  There were neither contentions nor disputations among the people. All the people dealt justly with each other.

“[Verse 2] says something very important, but notice how. Only two years after the Messiah’s visit to the people assembled in Bountiful, ‘the people were all converted unto the Lord.’ This conversion was so complete that it included both Nephites and Lamanites. It was so effective that there was no enemy with whom to have wars, and even inside this new Nephite society there were ‘no contentions and disputations, . . . and every man did deal justly one with another.’

“We would love to know how they did that. We would love to know what kinds of sermons were given to a people this righteous. Mormon tells us nothing. He gives us the outlines that are as historically satisfying as ‘they lived happily ever after.’

“Was it true that everyone was converted? We may take Mormon at his word, but we should also understand that ‘all the face of the land’ must refer to a significantly limited geography. This is because this absolute unity and harmony was accomplished in only two years. Beginning with the surviving population of a single city, this new sociopolitical order had to spread from person to person to other locations. How far could this new understanding have traveled in two years? Without attempting to answer, I suspect that this mass conversion was confined to a limited geographic area. Mormon gives us no indication of how limited it was—in 4 Nephi it is the generalization that is important, not the historical fact.”[1]

The members of the church shared things in common.  There was no rich, poor, and bond, for all were free.  Taking care of all is a theme common in the Book of Mormon. For example, King Benjamin taught, “And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants” (Mosiah 4:26).

Alma₁ made it clear to church members. “And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.

“And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.

“And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants” (Mosiah 18:27-29).

Alma₂ and Amulek taught the same concept to the Nephites. “And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming” (Alma 16:16).

“And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another” (3 Nephi 26:19).

“Mormon’s economic view of his people was that prosperous conditions resulted when an ideal social and religious order was followed (for example, see Helaman 3:24, 25, 36; 4 Nephi 1:3, 23). Mormon felt that ideally the population should predominantly be cultivators and exhibit minimal distinctions in wealth (see Alma 32:4–5; 34:24–25; 35:9; 3 Nephi 6:1–5). Conversely, he believed that economic distress followed when the people became unrighteous and unequal. When such conditions arose, Mormon editorialized pointedly about the suffering and evils that resulted from differences in wealth and class distinctions (see Alma 4:6–9; 5:55; Helaman 3:36; 4:12; 6:39; 4 Nephi 1:26).”[2]

The thirty-seventh year passed and peace continued in the land.

---

[1] Mormon's Editorial Method and Meta-Message, Brant A. Gardner, Maxwell Institute website.

[2] The Environment of the Nephites and How They Exploited It, Maxwell Institute website.

3 Nephi 30:1-2

Chapter 30

The latter-day Gentiles are commanded to repent, come unto Christ, and be numbered with the house of Israel. About A.D. 34–35.

Mormon ends 3 Nephi with words he was commanded to write. His words are addressed to the Gentiles. He tells them to hear the words of Christ. His words are important because he had been commanded to write them. He also mentions this when he introduces himself earlier in 3 Nephi.

“And behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression.

“Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life” (3 Nephi 5:12-13).

“Ancient scriptures contain a number of revelatory speech forms or formulaic expressions which are unique to the prophetic writings. That is to say, the prophetic speech forms are present in sections of scripture where God reveals his word directly to the prophets (i.e., Isaiah, Amos, Nephi, Joseph Smith). As might be expected, the same prophetic forms are also present in the Book of Mormon, for it, too, consists of prophetic writings …

“Proclamation Formula—’Listen to the words of Christ’ (Moroni 8:8) or ‘Hearken to the word of the Lord’ (Jacob 2:27; Helaman 12:23) or ‘Hear the words of Jesus’ (3 Nephi 30:1). Samuel told his audience to ‘hearken unto the words which the Lord saith’ (Helaman 13:21). Similar to the messenger formula, the proclamation formula is often found at the beginning of a revelation or announcement. It is used as an emphatic summons to hear the word of the Lord.”[1]

Paula Hicken shares some observations about Mormon’s role in abridging the Book of Mormon. “Being an editor and writer myself, I considered Mormon’s work as compiler and writer and wondered if he viewed the Book of Mormon as his magnum opus or as the culmination of his life’s dedication to the care of a sacred record that would bless the lives of future generations. I envisioned him sorting through stacks of plates, writing, compiling, and selecting during the horrific years of degradation and destruction of a people who would not repent and be converted to the Lord Jesus Christ. But he persisted because he knew the purposes of the Lord would be fulfilled and the book would convert millions in a future day (see 3 Nephi 30:1–2; Mormon 5:9–14; 7:2–10).”[2]

Paul also addressed the Gentiles.

“And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess [GR profess openly, praise] to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

“And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people” (Romans 15:9-10).

Mormon calls upon the Gentiles to turn away from their sins and repent.  Among the sins he mentions are lyings. 

“Now those priests who did go forth among the people did preach against all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and malice, and revilings, and stealing, robbing, plundering, murdering, committing adultery, and all manner of lasciviousness, crying that these things ought not so to be” (Alma 18:16).

“And it shall come to pass that all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, shall be done away.

“For it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that at that day whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel;

“And I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard” (3 Nephi 19:19-21).

They are told to come to Christ and be baptized in His name, and they will receive a remission of their sins. They will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. “Being filled with the Spirit is closely associated with the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper—where those involved cried and gave glory to Jesus (3 Nephi 20:9), with water baptism (Mosiah 18:10–14; 3 Nephi 30:2; Mormon 7:10), and with being born of God (Alma 36:24).”[3]

They will then be numbered among the house of Israel.

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:27-29).

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, thus saith our God: I will afflict thy seed by the hand of the Gentiles; nevertheless, I will soften the hearts of the Gentiles, that they shall be like unto a father to them; wherefore, the Gentiles shall be blessed and numbered among the house of Israel.

“Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, for the land of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith God unto me, above all other lands, wherefore I will have all men that dwell thereon that they shall worship me, saith God” (2 Nephi 10:18-19).

---

[1] Notes and Communications: “Thus Saith the Lord”: Prophetic Language in Samuel’s Speech, Donald W. Parry

[2] Mormon’s Spiritual Treasure, “Dazzling” or Otherwise, Paula W. Hicken, FARMS Review 19/2 (2007): 9.

[3] NOTES – Book of Mormon Pneumatology, John Christopher Thomas, Maxwell Institute website.

3 Nephi 29:5-9

“Wo unto him that spurneth at the doings of the Lord; yea, wo unto him that shall deny the Christ and his works” (3 Nephi 29:5).

“The repetition of wo emphasizes the calamity, ruin, or distress that would befall the recipients of the woe oracle. The accusation is listed twice: that spurneth at the doings of the Lord/that shall deny the Christ and his works. Several other terms parallel one another, including the relative pronoun that/that, the deific titles Lord/Christ, the verbs spurneth/deny, and the nouns doings/works. The well-balanced pattern of two lines is connected with the affirmative particle yea, meaning ‘yes,’ or ‘not only this, but also…’”[1]

“O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell” (2 Nephi 28:15).

“And now, behold, who can stand against the works of the Lord? Who can deny his sayings? Who will rise up against the almighty power of the Lord? Who will despise the works of the Lord? Who will despise the children of Christ? Behold, all ye who are despisers of the works of the Lord, for ye shall wonder and perish” (Mormon 9:26).

Moroni warned of the consequences of spurning the Lord. “And he that will contend against the word of the Lord, let him be accursed; and he that shall deny these things, let him be accursed; for unto them will I show no greater things, saith Jesus Christ; for I am he who speaketh” (Ether 4:8).

There are also consequences for those who deny Christ.

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

“But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).

We are warned against denying revelations, claiming the heavens are now silent. Moroni also warned of the consequences of denial of revelation.

“And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues;

“Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them” (Mormon 9:7-8).

Mormon also warns there are consequences for denying prophecy, spiritual gifts, healings, and the power of the Holy Ghost.

“In keeping with the fact that the power of the Holy Ghost is the way by which God works (3 Nephi 29:6), ordinations took place by the power of the Holy Ghost (Moroni 3:4), those baptized were cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost (Moroni 6:4), and the power of the Holy Ghost led the worshippers ‘whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing’ (Moroni 6:9). The power of the Holy Ghost enables one to confess that Jesus is the Christ (Moroni 7:44). This same power of the Holy Ghost led Mormon to the discovery of why infant baptism is mockery before God (Moroni 8:7, 23). Finally, the truth of the words written in the Book of Mormon will be manifested by the power of the Holy Ghost to those who ask with a sincere heart and real intent (Moroni 10:4–7).”[2]

Those who will claim, “to get gain” (3 Nephi 29:7), there would be no miracles done by Christ.

“And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.

“And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;

“Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work” (2 Nephi 28:4-6).

Those who deny Christ will no longer perform miracles will be like the sons of perdition and receive no mercy. “And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness” (2 Nephi 9:9).

The time will have come where the Jew the Jews will no longer by a hiss[3] and a byword. “And because they turn their hearts aside, saith the prophet, and have despised the Holy One of Israel, they shall wander in the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be hated among all nations” (1 Nephi 19:4).

They will no longer be spurned by the world. “And because they turn their hearts aside, saith the prophet, and have despised the Holy One of Israel, they shall wander in the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be hated among all nations” (1 Nephi 19:14).

And at that day, the Lord will remember the covenants He made with them. Nothing will stop the Lord from fulfilling His covenants with the house of Israel.

---

[1] Power through Repetition: The Dynamics of Book of Mormon Parallelism, Donald W. Parry, Maxwell Institute website.

[2] Book of Mormon Pneumatology, John Christopher Thomas, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 24 (2015): 221.

[3] Hiss – To utter or whisper angrily or threateningly and with a hiss, Mariam Webster Dictionary.

3 Nephi 29:1-4

Chapter 29

The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign that the Lord has commenced to gather Israel and fulfill His covenants—Those who reject His latter-day revelations and gifts will be cursed. About A.D. 34–35.

Mormon again breaks into the record to tell us the day will come, in the Lord’s due time, when the Book of Mormon will be made available to the Gentiles. “Therefore I write unto you, Gentiles, and also unto you, house of Israel, when the work shall commence, that ye shall be about to prepare to return to the land of your inheritance” (Mormon 3:17).

“While some aspects of that covenant have already been fulfilled, the Book of Mormon teaches that this Abrahamic covenant will be fulfilled only in these latter days!”[1]

When that day occurs, the world will know the covenant the Lord made with Israel is being fulfilled. “And I will cause you to pass under the rod [IE to be numbered as the flock], and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant” (Ezekiel 20:27).

“And behold, they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and for this intent shall they go—that they may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant…

“But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and after they have been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, behold, then will the Lord remember the covenant which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel” (Mormon 5:14, 20).

“President Ezra Taft Benson has emphasized the obligations resting upon those who have been given the Nephite scripture: ‘The Book of Mormon is the instrument that God has designed to “sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out His elect unto the New Jerusalem.” (Moses 7:62.)’ In fact, because of its central role in the work of gathering in the last days, the Nephite prophets spoke of the Book of Mormon as one of the signs of the times showing that gathering is underway.”[2]

Because the word will go forth, which had been spoken by the prophets. The Lord will no delay His coming to the children of Israel. He will also remember the covenants He made with His people.

And ye need not imagine in your hearts that the words which have been spoken are vain, for behold, the Lord will remember his covenant which he hath made unto his people of the house of Israel.

When the Book of Mormon comes forth, “ye need not any longer spurn at the doings of the Lord” (3 Nephi 29:4).  In that day, He will yield the sword of justice. “And it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that the sword of my justice shall hang over them at that day; and except they repent it shall fall upon them, saith the Father, yea, even upon all the nations of the Gentiles” (3 Nephi 20:20).

“Ours is the responsibility to help fulfill the Abrahamic covenant. Ours is the seed foreordained and prepared to bless all people of the world. That is why priesthood duty includes missionary work. After some 4,000 years of anticipation and preparation, this is the appointed day when the gospel is to be taken to the kindreds of the earth. This is the time of the promised gathering of Israel. And we get to participate! Isn’t that exciting? The Lord is counting on us and our sons—and He is profoundly grateful for our daughters—who worthily serve as missionaries in this great time of the gathering of Israel.

“The Book of Mormon is a tangible sign that the Lord has commenced to gather His children of covenant Israel. This book, written for our day, states as one of its purposes that ‘ye may know that the covenant which the Father hath made with the children of Israel … is already beginning to be fulfilled. … For behold, the Lord will remember his covenant which he hath made unto his people of the house of Israel.’”[3]

---

[1] The Gathering of Scattered Israel, President Russell M. Nelson, October 2006 General Conference.

[2] The Gathering of Israel in the Book of Mormon: A Consistent Pattern, Robert L. Millet, Maxwell Institute website.

[3] Covenants, President Russell M. Nelson, October 2011 General Conference.

3 Nephi 28:23-40

After writing about what occurred to the three who desired to remain until Christ returned, Mormon was about to write their names, but he was forbidden to give us their names. They are to be hidden from the world.

Mormon testified he had seen them and they ministered to him. They will be among the Jews and the Gentiles, but their true nature will not be known.

They will be used as the Lord sees fit. They will go to the scattered tribes of Israel as well as all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. They will bring many to the knowledge of the true gospel. They will be successful and fulfill their desire to bring the gospel to all. They will have “the convincing power of God which is in them” (3 Nephi 28:29).

If they desire to show themselves to someone, they will ask the Father in Christ’s name to show themselves to induvial.

They will do great works before the day when we stand before Christ’s judgment seat. “And I would that all men might be saved. But we read that in the great and last day there are some who shall be cast out, yea, who shall be cast off from the presence of the Lord” (Helaman 12:25).

“[We are to] teach the doctrine and principles found in the sacred pages of the Book of Mormon. We can teach anyone from this book. Can you imagine the additional ‘convincing power of God’ when missionaries and family members quote, read, or repeat by heart the book’s very words?”[1]

“And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil” (3 Nephi 26:4).

“Behold, will ye believe in the day of your visitation—behold, when the Lord shall come, yea, even that great day when the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, yea, in that great day when ye shall be brought to stand before the Lamb of God—then will ye say that there is no God” (Mormon 9:2).

Before that day, the three will do a great and marvelous work among the people of the world. “And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men” (2 Nephi 25:17).

Wo unto those who will not listen to the Lord and those He has called.

“And he that will contend against the word of the Lord, let him be accursed; and he that shall deny these things, let him be accursed; for unto them will I show no greater things, saith Jesus Christ; for I am he who speaketh.

“And at my command the heavens are opened and are shut; and at my word the earth shall shake; and at my command the inhabitants thereof shall pass away, even so as by fire.

“And he that believeth not my words believeth not my disciples; and if it so be that I do not speak, judge ye; for ye shall know that it is I that speaketh, at the last day.

“But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good.

“And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world” (Ether 4:8-12).

Those who refuse to receive His words will not be received by Him in the end. After being rejected by Christ, it would have been better for them not to have been born. They will not be able to avoid justice of an offended God.

“Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity” (Helaman 12:2).

As Mormon wrote about the three, he did not know what their change was.

Since he wrote this part of the record, he had inquired of the Lord about the change they had experienced. Mormon was told there had to be a change to their bodies. Were they not changed, they would have experienced death.

This change made it so they would not experience death nor experience pain and sorrow, unless it were for the sins of mankind.

Because of the change, Satan would have no power over them. They were purified in the flesh, were holy, and the powers of earth couldn’t hold them.

They will remain in this state until judgement day. At that time, they will receive the change that will allow them to be received into the kingdom of God and will dwell with Him forever.

---

[1] Becoming More Powerful Priesthood Holders, Elder Walter F. González, October 2009 General Conference.

3 Nephi 28:8-22

Speaking to the three who desired to tarry until He returned, Christ told them they will never experience death. When He returns, they will “be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality” (3 Nephi 28:8).

While alive, they will not experience pain nor sorrow, unless it is for the sins of the world. We read the experienced this sorrow before the destruction of the Nephites. “And from this time the disciples began to sorrow for the sins of the world” (4 Nephi 1:44).

“And there are none that do know the true God save it be the disciples of Jesus, who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great that the Lord would not suffer them to remain with the people; and whether they be upon the face of the land no man knoweth” (Mormon 8:10).

Through their work, they will have a fulness of joy. They will enter into the kingdom of His Father. “[Y]e shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father; and the Father and I are one” (3 Nephi 28:10). Dr. Daniel C Peterson observes, “it seems to me that 3 Nephi 28: 10 contains a subtle but unmistakable allusion to a doctrine of human deification.”[1]

Then, Christ touched the three with one finger, and departed. With that. The heavens opened and the three were caught up into heaven. They “saw and heard unspeakable things” (3 Nephi 28:13).                                                                                                                

Paul recorded another’s similar experience.

“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

“And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

“How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful [GR permitted] for a man to utter” (1 Corinthians 12:2-4).

“[J]ust a few verses later, at 3 Nephi 28:13-16, we find what might well be an analogy to Latter-day Saint temple ritual, which takes the form of an ascension rite and which likewise involves the communication of matters that are not to be publicly taught or discussed.”[2]

Mormon breaks into his narrative at this point.  We do not know what occurred. He doesn’t know if they remained mortal or became immortal. All he knows is what is in the record. They went forth throughout the land.  They ministered and taught the people, doing all they could to bring many into the church. They taught, baptized, and gave those who were baptized the gift of the Holy Ghost.  

Mormon shares some persecutions the three endured.

·        They were cast into prison and the prison could not hold them. The prisons were destroyed.

·        They were buried in the earth, but they smote the earth and they were delivered. No pits were dug that would hold them.

·        They were cast into fire three times and came to no harm.

·        They were cast into a den of wild beasts and played with them as though they were tame.

“Significantly, the power of the word of God over natural elements can be transferred to individuals, a common theme in scripture. When this happens, the word of God is often characterized as the release of a power not intrinsic to the person speaking. In many of these instances the power of the word of God is tied directly to miracles.”[3]

---

[1] Chattanooga Cheapshot, or The Gall of Bitterness, Daniel C. Peterson, Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 5/1 (1993): 58.

[2] Ibid.

[3] The Word of God, Leslie A. Taylor, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies Volume 12, Number 1, 2003: 57.