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.
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