3 Nephi 28:1-7

Chapter 28

Nine of the twelve disciples desire and are promised an inheritance in Christ’s kingdom when they die—The Three Nephites desire and are given power over death so as to remain on the earth until Jesus comes again—They are translated and see things not lawful to utter, and they are now ministering among men. About A.D. 34–35.

Christ next asks the twelve what they desired from Him after he returned to the Father. The Lord has asked others this same question.

“In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee…

“Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

“And God said to Solomon …

“Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like” (2 Chronicles 1:7, 10-12).

“And the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you.

“And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee.

“And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people…” (D&C 7:1-3).

Nine of the twelve told Him after they had lived a full life, they would return into His presence in His kingdom; however, three were silent.

He granted the desire of the nine. He told them they would live to the age of seventy-two and return to His presence. “And it came to pass that the seventy and first year passed away, and also the seventy and second year, yea, and in fine, till the seventy and ninth year had passed away; yea, even an hundred years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesus, whom he had chosen, had all gone to the paradise of God … and there were other disciples ordained in their stead; and also many of that generation had passed away” (4 Nephi 1:14).

He then turned to the three who were silent and asked them what they desired. They were saddened because they dared not to tell Him what they desired.

The Lord told them He knew what they desired. When Ammon was teaching King Lamoni about God, he told him, “And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning” (Alma 18:32).

Christ told them they had the same desire as did John, the Beloved. He also desired to remain on Earth until He returned in glory.

Christ told them they would never experience death. They will live to behold all of God’s work with His children and will remained until His second coming. “Therefore the true believers in Christ, and the true worshipers of Christ, (among whom were the three disciples of Jesus who should tarry) were called Nephites, and Jacobites, and Josephites, and Zoramites” (4 Nephi 1:37).

“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.

“But behold, my father and I have seen them, and they have ministered unto us” (Mormon 8:10-11).

“And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith” (Ether 12:17).

“Persons who are changed so that they do not experience pain or death until their resurrection to immortality” (Guide to the Scriptures, Translated Beings entry).

“Most academic discussions of the Three Nephites are discussions of them as folklore—stories of strangers who appear from nowhere to help those in need. Sometimes they change a flat tire. Sometimes they deliver food. They often appear as hitchhikers. And as soon as they’ve done their good deed, they disappear.

“The folklore is an expansion of the promised blessing. Jesus says nothing to the three disciples about fixing flat tires. Rather than ordinary good deeds, he says they will work to bring souls to Christ. In spite of that, the folklore is what most people think of when they think of the Three Nephites, and I wouldn’t want to deny that ordinary good deeds can be a large part of what bringing souls to Christ involves.”[1]

Back when I took the Book of Mormon in seminary (1968-69 school year), we were told stories about the Three Nephites that were more folklore. In some ways, the Three Nephites have become a part of Mormon urban legends. I remember hearing an urban legend telling about three unknown people who were a part of the Continental Congress in 1776, and no one knew who they three were.

I have wondered what it would be like to meet one or more of the Three.  It would be exciting to discuss things like daily life in their times; ask about earlier parts of the record, etc. That would be a marvelous spiritual experience. And, I would never be able to talk about it because it was such a sacred and holy spiritual experience.

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[1] Forthcoming book focuses on Mormonism, Islam, Buddhism, James Faulconer, Maxwell Institute website.

3 Nephi 27:28-33

After Christ commanded them to write a book which will be a record of this people, He tells them that, out of this book they will be judged and their works will be known among all men.

Christ then turned to the twelve and told them they would be judges of the Nephite

“And he said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them; for ye are of the house of Israel.

“And these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed. And, behold, they are righteous forever; for because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood” (1 Nephi 12:9-10).

“And I write also unto the remnant of this people, who shall also be judged by the twelve whom Jesus chose in this land; and they shall be judged by the other twelve whom Jesus chose in the land of Jerusalem” (Mormon 3:19).

Then, He asks them “what manner of men ought you be … even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27). “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (3 Nephi 12:48).

“[This verse] may be one of the most quoted and cited passages in all the Book of Mormon, but I want you to notice the context for it. We often quote it and quote it out of context. That is okay; even out of context it is great. But notice the context for this passage: ‘And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am’ (3 Nephi 27:27). The context for that is how we render judgments, how we judge. Is this not the same thing we would find in the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 7? What is the command? ‘Judge not unrighteously,’ the Savior said, ‘but judge righteous judgment.’ We are going to make ten thousand judgments. It isn't that we won't judge; it's that we must judge righteously.”[1]

He was now ready to return to the Father. Then, he told them whatever they ask the Father, in His name, will be given them.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).[2]

His joy is full because of the righteousness of this generation.  Because of this, none are lost. “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:12).

Christ then referred to a prophecy made by Nephi. The Nephites would be righteous through the fourth generation after His visit, but they would once again fall into wickedness.

“And the angel said unto me: Look! And I looked, and beheld three generations pass away in righteousness; and their garments were white even like unto the Lamb of God. And the angel said unto me: These are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in him.

“And I, Nephi, also saw many of the fourth generation who passed away in righteousness” (1 Nephi 12:11-12).

“But the Son of Righteousness shall appear unto them; and he shall heal them, and they shall have peace with him, until three generations shall have passed away, and many of the fourth generation shall have passed away in righteousness.

“And when these things have passed away a speedy destruction cometh unto my people; for, notwithstanding the pains of my soul, I have seen it; wherefore, I know that it shall come to pass; and they sell themselves for naught; for, for the reward of their pride and their foolishness they shall reap destruction; for because they yield unto the devil and choose works of darkness rather than light, therefore they must go down to hell” (2 Nephi 26:9-10).

Alma also referred to this prophecy in his words to his son, Corianton.

“And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief.

“Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away before this great iniquity shall come” (Alma 45:10, 12).

Christ then turned to the twelve, and told them...

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 13:7-8).

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[1] The Doctrine of the Risen Christ: Part 3, Robert L. Millet, Reprinted from FARMS Book of Mormon Lecture Series.

[2] “Say unto them, Ask of God; ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

“For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened” (JST Matthew 7:12-13).

3 Nephi 27:23-27

Once again, Christ emphasizes the importance of keeping records by commanding the Nephites to write all they have seen and heard.

The importance of record keeping is found throughout the scriptures. For example, John was commanded, “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter” (Revelation 1:19).

During his vision, Nephi saw Christ’s words “must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; wherefore they both shall be established in one; for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth” (1 Nephi 13:11).

Alma commanded Helaman to “keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.

“And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning” (Alma 37:2-3).

Records have been important in the Church from the beginning. “And again, I say unto you that it shall be appointed unto [John Whitmer] to keep the church record and history continually; for Oliver Cowdery I have appointed to another office” (D&C 47:3).

Christ reminds them of His commandment there were events they were forbidden to write.

The records are important as all will be judged by the words in the record. Nephi’s closing words in his record told us, “For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey” (1 Nephi 33:25).

Mormon would explain, “And they were handed down from king Benjamin, from generation to generation until they have fallen into my hands. And I, Mormon, pray to God that they may be preserved from this time henceforth. And I know that they will be preserved; for there are great things written upon them, out of which my people and their brethren shall be judged at the great and last day, according to the word of God which is written” (Words of Mormon 1:11).

We will be judged by our works, which will be made known unto all men. David told us,

“The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

“From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

“He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works” (Psalms 33:13-15),

The angel told Nephi, “Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also” (1 Nephi 15:33).

All things written in the Book are written by the Father.  Earlier, Christ had told the multitude, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard; and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name” (3 Nephi 24:16).

John saw the final judgment. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12).

Nephi emphasized this fact. “For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written” (2 Nephi 29:11).

Next, speaking to the twelve, He told them they will judge the Nephites according to His words. Nephi prophesied, “And he said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them; for ye are of the house of Israel.

“And these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed. And, behold, they are righteous forever; for because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood” (1 Nephi 12:9-10).

Mormon reminded “the remnant of this people, who shall also be judged by the twelve whom Jesus chose in this land; and they shall be judged by the other twelve whom Jesus chose in the land of Jerusalem” (Mormon 3:19).

Christ asks an important question. “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?” Peter counseled, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11).

But, Christ had given us the answer earlier, “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (3 Nephi 12:43).

“‘[W]hat manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am’ (3 Nephi 27:27). The context for that is how we render judgments, how we judge. Is this not the same thing we would find in the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 7? What is the command? ‘Judge not unrighteously,’ the Savior said, ‘but judge righteous judgment.’ We are going to make ten thousand judgments. It isn't that we won't judge; it's that we must judge righteously.”[1]

“To help guide us we have the words of God and of His Son found in our holy scriptures. We have the counsel and teachings of God’s prophets. Of paramount importance, we have been provided with a perfect example to follow—even the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—and we have been instructed to follow that example. Said the Savior Himself ‘Come, follow me.’ ‘The works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do.’ He posed the question, ‘What manner of men ought ye to be?’ And then He answered, ‘Verily I say unto you, even as I am.’ ‘He marked the path and led the way.’”[2]

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[1] The Doctrine of the Risen Christ: Part 3, Robert L. Millet, Reprinted from FARMS Book of Mormon Lecture Series, Maxwell Institute website.

[2] Ponder the Path of Thy Feet, President Thomas S. Monson, October 2014 General Conference.

3 Nephi 27:18-21

After explaining the consequences of sin, Christ told the multitude He does this to show the Father will fulfill all His words.

He tells them no unclean thing can enter into God’s presence. “And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins” (Alma 11:37)

Only those who enter into His rest will have had their garments washed in His blood. “But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory” (D&C 84:24).

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Revelation 1:5).

“And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

“And these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed. And, behold, they are righteous forever; for because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood” (3 Nephi 4:12).

“I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins” (Alma 5:21).

Because of their faith and repentance will be forgiven.

“Importantly, in these passages the person’s garments symbolize the person himself or herself, and the Lamb’s blood refers directly to Jesus Christ’s atonement and his power to cleanse those who demonstrate faith in Jesus, repent, and remain faithful (see 1 Nephi 12:11; 3 Nephi 27:19).”[1]

We are commanded to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost. “Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name” (Ether 4:18).

“And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved” (Moroni 7:34).

If we do this, we will stand spotless before Him. “Who shall also confirm [GR strengthen] you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:8).

“Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day” (D&C 4:2).

                       

Christ told the multitude His words were to be His gospel, “And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation” (1 Nephi 13:36). They know what they must do in the church. They have seen His works and they are to do the same.

“Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day” (3 Nephi 27:22).

“To help guide us we have the words of God and of His Son found in our holy scriptures. We have the counsel and teachings of God’s prophets. Of paramount importance, we have been provided with a perfect example to follow—even the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—and we have been instructed to follow that example. Said the Savior Himself: ‘Come, follow me.’ ‘The works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do.’ He posed the question, ‘What manner of men ought ye to be?’ And then He answered, ‘Verily I say unto you, even as I am.’ ‘He marked the path and led the way.’”[2]

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[1] Service and Temple in King Benjamin’s Speech, Donald W. Parry, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 16/2 (2007):47.

[2] Ponder the Path of Thy Feet, President Thomas S. Monson, October 2014 General Conference.

3 Nephi 27:13-17

Christ reminds the multitude He came to be lifted up upon the cross.

“And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ended these sayings he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and said unto them: Behold, ye have heard the things which I taught before I ascended to my Father; therefore, whoso remembereth these sayings of mine and doeth them, him will I raise up at the last day” (3 Nephi 15:1).

“And the Lord said unto Enoch: Look, and he looked and beheld the Son of Man lifted up on the cross, after the manner of men” (Moses 7:55).

“Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

“But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying” (Luke 9:44-45).

“And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world” (1 Nephi 11:33).

This was done to all men would be drawn to Him. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).[1]

“Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him” (2 Nephi 9:5).

“And if you do these last commandments of mine, which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day” (D&C 17:8).

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen” (D&C 27:18).

He goes on to tell them He had been lifted up by men. Then, men will be lifted up to be judged by their works be they good or evil.

“The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me” (Psalms 7:8).

“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

“And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind” (John 9:39).

“To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Hebrews 12:23).

“Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also” (1 Nephi 15:33).

“Have you ever noticed the difference in our view of the atoning sacrifice and that of the Protestant or Catholic world? Ask a friend of yours who is not a member of our faith where the atonement took place. From their perspective, the answer would be, ‘On the cross.’ Ask most Mormons where the atonement took place, and most Mormons would say, ‘In Gethsemane.’ The fact of the matter is that both the answers are correct. What began in Gethsemane was consummated on the cross. The atoning sacrifice by our Savior might have begun to take place in the Garden, but it was consummated on Golgatha. He didn't say that he came into the world just to go into the Garden. He says, interestingly, that he came into the world to be lifted upon the cross. He specifically says, ‘My Father sent me that I might be lifted upon the cross’ (3 Nephi 27:14). When our Lord and Savior went into Gethsemane to pray, he began to feel the weight and burden of the sins of mankind. He began to have the Father's Spirit withdrawn from him. He began to know the awful agony of an atoning sacrifice. How long he experienced that, I don't think we know. But we do know this: The next day on the cross, after ministering for sometime, the Father's Spirit began to be withdrawn again, and as Elder Talmage suggests, all the agonies of the night before returned.”[2]

Whomever repents and is baptized in His name and endures to the end will be held guiltless before the Father at the day of judgement. “And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be” (1 Nephi 13:37).

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22).

“Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life” (3 Nephi 15:9).

“But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life” (D&C 50:5).

What about those who fail to endure to the end? They will be cast into the fire. No return is possible because of the Father’s justice.

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).

“For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:2-3).

“By the power of the Resurrection, all of us will be restored to the presence of God. That reality presents to us the fundamental question of our lives. The fundamental question facing all of us is not whether we will live but with whom we will live after we die. While every one of us will return to the presence of God, not every one of us will remain with Him.”[3]

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[1] “No man can come unto me, except he doeth the will of my Father who hath sent me. And this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me, I will raise up in the resurrection of the just” (JST John 6:44).

[2] The Doctrine of the Risen Christ: Part 3, Robert L. Millet, Reprinted from FARMS Book of Mormon Lecture Series

[3] The Sacrament and the Atonement, Elder James J. Hamula, October 2014 General Conference.

3 Nephi 27:9-12

After settling the issue of what to call the church, Christ them they are built on His gospel. Whatever they do, do in His name. If they do things in His name, the Father will hear them. And if the church is built upon His gospel, the Father will show His works through the church.

Should a church not be built upon His gospel, it is the works of men or the devil. They might have some success for a short time, but they will be hewn down cast in the fire of no return.

“And now, behold, notwithstanding all the care which we have taken of my vineyard, the trees thereof have become corrupted, that they bring forth no good fruit; and these I had hoped to preserve, to have laid up fruit thereof against the season, unto mine own self. But, behold, they have become like unto the wild olive tree, and they are of no worth but to be hewn down and cast into the fire; and it grieveth me that I should lose them” (Jacob 5:46).

“For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire” (Jacob 6:7).

“And again I say unto you, the Spirit saith: Behold, the ax is laid at the root of the tree; therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire, yea, a fire which cannot be consumed, even an unquenchable fire. Behold, and remember, the Holy One hath spoken it” (Alma 5:52).

“And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God” (D&C 132:13).

Our works will follow us. If we are righteous, we will receive the Lord’s blessings. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13).

“For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them” (D&C 59:2).

However, those who are wicked will have their works cut down.

3 Nephi 26:16-21

The next morning, the multitude gathered and heard their children utter great and wonderful things.  “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25).

Once again, Mormon tells us he was forbidden to record their words. “Write the things which ye have seen and heard, save it be those which are forbidden” (3 Nephi 27:23).

The twelve began to serve the people.  “And it came to pass that on the morrow, when the multitude was gathered together, behold, Nephi and his brother whom he had raised from the dead, whose name was Timothy, and also his son, whose name was Jonas, and also Mathoni, and Mathonihah, his brother, and Kumen, and Kumenonhi, and Jeremiah, and Shemnon, and Jonas, and Zedekiah, and Isaiah—now these were the names of the disciples whom Jesus had chosen—and it came to pass that they went forth and stood in the midst of the multitude” (3 Nephi 19:4).

They went forth and baptized the faithful and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. “And … an hundred years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesus, whom he had chosen, had all gone to the paradise of God, save it were the three who should tarry; and there were other disciples ordained in their stead; and also many of that generation had passed away” (4 Nephi 1:14).

“And it came to pass that … the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost” (4 Nephi 1:1).

And, once again, great and wonderful things were done, but Mormon was forbidden to write them in his record.

The Nephites came together and began living the law of consecration. “And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift” (4 Nephi 1:3).

“And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another” (Mosiah 4:21).

“The Nephites began living the law of consecration, having all things in common (3 Nephi 26:19; 4 Nephi 1:3). They called themselves the Church of Christ, built up the Church, and did all things in the name of Christ.”[1]

“After the visit of Christ, the disciples in both the Old World and the New World had all things in common (3 Nephi 26:19). The result, of course, of this sharing of resources was that there were neither poor nor rich among the Nephites (4 Nephi 1:3). A similar condition existed among the members of the Church during the time of Alma, the son of Alma. Every man imparted of his substance to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted. And neither did they distinguish themselves by wearing costly apparel, but were neat and comely (Alma 1:27). In all of this they were simply following God's instruction delivered by his prophets…”[2]

The people became a righteous people, following all of Christ’s comandments.

The people became known as the church of Christ. “And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church” (Mosiah 18:17). 

“And they began to establish the church more fully; yea, and many were baptized in the waters of Sidon and were joined to the church of God; yea, they were baptized by the hand of Alma, who had been consecrated the high priest over the people of the church, by the hand of his father Alma.

“And it came to pass in the seventh year of the reign of the judges there were about three thousand five hundred souls that united themselves to the church of God and were baptized. And thus ended the seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and there was continual peace in all that time” (Alma 4:4-5).

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[1] Seeing Third Nephi as the Holy of Holies of the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 19/1 (2010): 52.

[2] Economic Insights from the Book of Mormon, Lindon J. Robison, Maxwell Institute website.

3 Nephi 27:1-8

Chapter 27

Jesus commands them to call the Church in His name—His mission and atoning sacrifice constitute His gospel—Men are commanded to repent and be baptized that they may be sanctified by the Holy Ghost—They are to be even as Jesus is. About A.D. 34–35.

The Nephite twelve had been out among the people, preaching the words of Christ and testifying to their truthfulness.

Mormon tells us, they met together, united as a group. Unity is essential among those who are serving the Lord. “And, as it is written—Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive” (D&C 29:6).

“A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high” (D&C 84:1).

They were also involved in “mighty prayer and fasting.” Leaders in the Church are expected to fast and pray. “Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance” (Alma 8:10).

“Behold, I say unto him, he exalts himself and does not humble himself sufficiently before me; but if he will bow down before me, and humble himself in mighty prayer and faith, in the sincerity of his heart, then will I grant unto him a view of the things which he desires to see” (D&C 5:24).

“Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer” (D&C 29:2).

“And he caused that the priests should assemble themselves together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak, and also that his limbs might receive their strength—that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God” (Mosiah 27:22).

“Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me” (Alma 5:46).

“Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God” (Alma 6:6).

This weekend was stake conference. One of the Area Seventies, Elder Kyle McKay, was presiding over the conference. At the Saturday night meeting, part of his message was the importance of a proper fast. He emphasized when we fast, we must do so with a purpose. He told us fasting with no purpose is simply going hungry. A true fast requires us to humble ourselves before the Lord as we fast and pray. The purpose of the fast is to become closer to the Lord and be more in tune with the Spirit. Verse 1 gives us an example of what Elder McKay meant.

While they were praying, Christ made His third appearance to the Nephites. He asked, What will ye that I shall give unto you” (3 Nephi 27:2).

They explained there was a dispute among the people as to what they should call their church. Christ asked why the people “murmur and dispute because of this thing” (3 Nephi 27:3).

“Why would there even be a question? Have you thought about this? Before this, they had named the church ‘the Church of God’ or ‘the Church of Christ.’ It had been named ‘the Church of Christ’ before this. Why this question? I don't know the answer, but can I speculate for a second, if that's legal? I have wondered if perhaps the Lord's coming and beginning a new dispensation, as it were, has ended the Mosaic dispensation and has initiated the Messianic dispensation. Remember what has happened up to now? Christ has actually ordained and rebaptized faithful holders of the priesthood. They have already been ordained; he ordains them again. They have been baptized; he baptizes them again. They start anew, you could say. I wonder if, with that as a backdrop, perhaps the people are wondering, ‘Is there something new that this church should be called?’ I suppose you and I, as we move closer to the Millennium, might even ask the same thing: Is there something the Church is going to be called during the thousand years? Will it be ‘the Church of Jesus Christ of Millennial Saints’? I don't know. But maybe we would wonder the same kind of thing. Perhaps that is the backdrop for the query, ‘What do you want us to call the church?’”[1]

Christ told them “ye must take upon you’re the name of Christ…” (3 Nephi 27:5). This is the name they would be called at the last day. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost…” (2 Nephi 31:13).

King Benjamin gave his people a new name.

“And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.

“And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God.

“And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts” (Mosiah 5:9-11).

They who take upon them Christ’s name, and endure to the end, will be saved. Alma taught,

“And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.

“And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?

“Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty” (Alma 32:13-15).

Whatever is done by the church, is done in His name. So, the church is to be called in His name. They should call on the Father in His name and the church will be blessed. Then, He asked them a very pointed question. “And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel” (3 Nephi 27:8).

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[1] The Doctrine of the Risen Christ: Part 3, Robert L. Millet, Reprinted from FARMS Book of Mormon Lecture Series, Maxwell Institute website.

3 Nephi 26:12-15

Mormon testifies he was commanded not to record all things, and he complied. Here, he ends his observations and continues with his record.

“‘The Book of Mormon . . . was written for our day,’ President Benson asserted recently. ‘Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning,’ he said, Mormon ‘abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us."1 Hugh Nibley, who might be called the patron saint of FARMS, has similarly said that ‘the matter in the Book of Mormon was selected, as we are often reminded, with scrupulous care and with particular readers in mind. For some reason there has been chosen for our attention a story of how and why two previous civilizations on this continent were utterly destroyed.’ Our own world at the end of the twentieth century, Nibley believes, ‘is the world with which the Book of Mormon is primarily concerned.’

“Looking at this world, Moroni declares, ‘I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing’ (Mormon 8:35). Writers such as Moroni and his father are, however, actually secondary authors of the Book of Mormon; the primary author is Jesus Christ. As Mormon affirms, ‘I . . . do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord’ (3 Nephi 26:12).”[1]

During His three-day ministry, he appeared to them frequently. “This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead” (John 21:14). “And Jesus again showed himself unto them, for they were praying unto the Father in his name; and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them: What will ye that I shall give unto you” (3 Nephi 27:2).

It is significant Mormon points out that a major part of His ministry often consisted of the Sacrament.  We see how important the taking of the Sacrament is as a part of our worship of Christ.

He continued to teach and minister to the children of the multitude. Their tongues were loose and the spoke many great things. “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight” (Luke 10:21).

“And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned” (Alma 32:23).

“In an initial reading, Christ's involvement with the children on the first day would appear to be a late change of plan, leading eventually to a natural unfolding of his love for the people and their ‘little ones.’ Further examination, however, suggests that his loving, blessing, and teaching the children must have been an integral part of his mission to people in the New World, a sacred element that touches the hearts of those who read of it even today. Attempting to ‘liken all scriptures unto us . . . for our profit and learning’ (1 Nephi 19:23), we now consider the possible purposes of his three-day ministry from the points of view of the children themselves, the parents and other adults, the disciples, and the students of the record…

“Indeed, the Savior’s teaching of the children was so effective that they served as teachers of the adults, those of the first generation. Having their tongues loosened by Jesus, these children “did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things, even greater than he [the Savior] had revealed unto the people” (3 Nephi 26:14). The next day the multitude gathered and were pupils even to babes who taught such marvelous things that the adults were forbidden to write them (see 26:16).”[2]

The second time Christ appeared, he healed the sick and lame, opened the eyes of the blind, the deaf heard, and He raised a man from the dead. This was done to show them His power.

“And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him” (3 Nephi 17:9).

“It is interesting to wonder—even if this cannot be known for sure—if any of the lame, halt, or maimed whom Jesus healed at this time had been injured in the great destructions that had recently occurred at the time of the death of Jesus himself. If so, one may well imagine that his compassion was intensified by his commiseration, knowing that they all had suffered at the same time as he had in consequence of the destructions that accompanied his atoning sacrifice. The healing blessings of the Lord continued on the second day as well, when he ‘healed all their sick, . . . raised a man from the dead, and had shown forth his power unto them’ (3 Nephi 26:15).”[3]

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[1] The Book of Mormon, Designed for Our Day, Annual FARMS Lecture, 27 February 1990, Richard Dilworth Rust, Maxwell Institute website.

[2] The Savior and the Children in 3 Nephi, M. Gawain Well, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, Volume 14, number 1, 2005 pgs. 66, 68.

[3] Seeing Third Nephi as the Holy of Holies of the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 19/1 (2010): 51. 

3 Nephi 26:9-11

Mormon continues to explain why all the Book of Mormon record was not included in his abridgement.

As was mentioned, things were taught that were so sacred, they were not to be shared with all. During His ministry in Jerusalem, He told His disciples, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now” (John 16:12).

Nephi, referring to Isaiah, explains why part off this record will be sealed.

“And behold the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.

“Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them.

“But the book shall be delivered unto a man, and he shall deliver the words of the book, which are the words of those who have slumbered in the dust, and he shall deliver these words unto another;

“But the words which are sealed he shall not deliver, neither shall he deliver the book. For the book shall be sealed by the power of God, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the Lord, that they may come forth; for behold, they reveal all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof.

“And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth…

“Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work” (2 Nephi 27:7-11, 21).

Faith is also an essential part of understanding the scriptures as well as received additional records. Christ told the multitude, when “they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them” (3 Nephi 26:9).

Moroni emphasizes those who have faith will accept the truth, in spite of faults. “And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moroni; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you” (Mormon 8:12).

Moroni gives us insight as to what is contained in the sealed portion of the plates. This was the vision of the brother of Jared.

“Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.

“Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord.

“For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.

“And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.

“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” (Ether 4:4-10).

Steven Olsen gives us an interesting perspective on why things were left out of the record. “[Mormon’s] purpose for omitting those details from the narrative must have been greater than any value gained by including them. Elsewhere in his abridgment, Mormon specifically references a divine injunction in which the Lord has him omit supremely sacred contents (e.g., 3 Nephi 26:9–11). Yet he is silent as to his reasons for drastically truncating the spiritual high point of his narrative.”[1]

Christ told them, by  excluding the greater things from the record, those who reject the Book of Mormon, they will be condemned by having these records withheld for them.

Mormon tells us he intended to write these things, but he was forbidden.  The Lord told him not to include this part of the record, “saying: I will try the faith of my people” (3 Nephi 26:11).

Camille Williams gives us examples where those keeping the plates were commanded not to record certain things. “For example, Nephi is forbidden to write part of his vision in 1 Nephi 14 (see vv. 19–28) and is told that John, ‘the apostle of the Lamb of God[,] . . . should write them’; Nephi is ‘bidden’ not to write things he viewed that were ‘too great for man’ (2 Nephi 4:25); Mormon was forbidden from writing all of Christ's teachings that were engraved on the plates of Nephi (see 3 Nephi 26:11); the day after Christ healed the multitude and ascended a second time into heaven, the words given to children and babes, heard by the multitude, ‘were forbidden that there should not any man write them. . . . And many of [the disciples] saw and heard unspeakable things, which are not lawful to be written’ (3 Nephi 26:16, 18); Christ instructs the disciples to ‘write the things which ye have seen and heard, save it be those which are forbidden’ (3 Nephi 27:23); Mormon was forbidden to record the names of the three Nephites who would remain upon the earth until Christ's second coming (see 3 Nephi 28:25); and Moroni was forbidden to write more of the prophecies of Ether (see Ether 13:13).”[2]

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[1] Prophecy and History: Structuring the Abridgment of the Nephite Records, Steven L. Olsen. Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 15/1 (2006): 24.

[2] Women In the Book of Mormon: Inclusion, Exclusion, and Interpretation, Camille S. Williams, Maxwell Institute website.