# Book of Mormon (Plain English Version)/3 Nephi

Signs of Christ's birth are given... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 1)
The year was 1 BC when Lachoneus was the chief judge and governor over the land. Helaman's son, Nephi, had left Zarahemla, putting his oldest son, Nephi, in charge of the brass plates, all the records that had been kept, and all those sacred things that had been handed down for 600 years.
After Nephi left, no one heard of him again, and his son Nephi continued to keep a record of the people.
In the beginning of the ninety-second year of the judges' reign (1 AD), more prophecies were fulfilled, for the people began to see greater signs and miracles.
But some said the time was past for Samuel's words to be fulfilled. They began to celebrate over their brethren, saying, "The time is past and Samuel's words are not fulfilled, so your joy and faith in those things has been in vain."
They made a great uproar throughout the land, causing sorrow among the believers, who thought that perhaps the promised signs might not come. But they continued to watch for the day, the night, and the day that would be like one long day, so that their faith would not be in vain.
Then the unbelievers set a date when all those who believed in those traditions would be killed unless Samuel's signs came to pass.
When Nephi heard this wicked plan, his heart became full of sorrow. He went out and bowed himself down upon the earth and cried mightily to his God on behalf of his people--those who were about to be killed because of their faith in their forefathers' words.
After Nephi had cried mightily to the Lord all that day, the Lord's voice said to him,
These words that came to Nephi were fulfilled, for after the sun went down it did not get dark, and the people were astonished.
Many who had not believed the prophets fell to the earth as if dead, for they knew their great plan of destruction for the believers had been frustrated. They knew the Son of God would soon appear.
All the people from the west to the east, both in the northern and southern lands, were so astonished that they fell to the earth. They knew the prophets had testified of these things for many years and that the sign had come. They were afraid because of their sins and unbelief.
There was no darkness all that night. It was as light as mid-day. The sun rose in the morning as usual, and everyone knew it was the day that the Lord would be born.
All things happened down to the last detail according to the prophets' words. Even a new star appeared.
From this time on, Satan sent lies among the people to harden their hearts against believing in the signs and wonders they had seen. In spite of these lies, most of the people believed and were converted to the Lord.
Nephi and many others went among the people, baptizing them unto repentance, which took away their sins. And the people began to have peace in the land again.
There was no contention, except for some arguing among a few who had begun to preach, who were trying to prove by the scriptures that it was not necessary to continue to observe the law of Moses.
They were mistaken in this preaching because they did not understand the scriptures. But soon they were convinced of their error and confessed their faults, for it was made known to them that the law was not yet fulfilled, and that it must be fulfilled down to the last detail.
The year 1 AD passed, bringing good news to the people, for the signs came according to the words of all the holy prophets.
Two AD was also a peaceful year, except for the strife caused by the Gadianton robbers. They lived in the mountains, infesting the land. Their hiding places in the mountains were so hard to attack that the people could not overpower them. So the Gadiantons continued to commit many murders among the people.
In 3 AD the Gadiantons began to increase their numbers greatly as many Nephite dissenters joined them. This caused much sorrow among the Nephites who stayed in their lands.
This also caused many Lamanites to sorrow, for many of their young men and women were led away by some of the Gadiantons who were Zoramites. These young Lamanites were seduced into joining the Gadiantons through lies and flattery.
Because their rising generation was becoming wicked, the Lamanites began to decrease in faith and righteousness.
Signs are explained away... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 2)
By 4 AD, the people started to forget the signs and wonders they had heard from heaven, and they were less and less impressed by new signs. They became more stubborn and blind to the truth, no longer believing what they had seen and heard.
The people made up excuses to account for the great wonders they had witnessed, saying they were made up by men and by the devil's power to deceive them.
This is how Satan got possession of the people's hearts once again, leading them away to believe that Christ was a product of foolish and vain imaginations.
As the people became more and more wicked, they didn't believe any more signs and wonders would be given. Satan continued to lead away the people, tempting them to do more wicked things. This continued through 9 AD.
And now a hundred years had passed since the days of the Nephite King, Mosiah. Six hundred and nine years had passed since Lehi had left Jerusalem, and nine years had passed since the sign of Christ's birth had been given. (The Nephites had begun to count their years from the time that Christ was born).
Now Nephi was in charge of all the plates and sacred things. His father Nephi did not return to Zarahemla and could not be found anywhere in the land.
In spite of all the preaching and prophesying among them, the people remained wicked throughout 10 and 11 AD.
By 13 AD, wars broke out everywhere because there were so many Gadianton robbers killing people and destroying their cities.
All the Lamanite converts united with the Nephites, and were compelled to take up arms to defend their women, children and right to live and worship freely.
Before the end of 13 AD, the Nephites' situation became desperate, for they were threatened with utter destruction.
The Lamanite converts who had united with the Nephites were considered to be Nephites. Their curse was taken from them, and their skin became lighter like the Nephites'. Their children also became very fair and were also called Nephites.
By 14 AD, the fighting was terrible, but the Nephites managed to drive the robbers back into their hiding places in the mountains.
In 15 AD, the Gadiantons again came against the Nephites. The Nephites in general had become wicked, and they had so many arguments and dissensions that they lost their battles, and the robbers gained more power over them.
By the end of 15 AD, the Nephites were suffering greatly, and the sword of destruction hung over them because of their sinful ways.
Nephites fight the Gadianton robbers... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 3)
In 16 AD, Lachoneus, the governor of the land, received the following letter from Giddianhi, the Gadianton leader, or governor.
"Lachoneus, most noble and chief governor of the land, I write this letter to praise your people's determination to maintain what they think are their rights. You put up a good fight, as if you were supported by a god, while defending what you call your liberty, property and country.
It is a pity, most noble Lachoneus, that you should be so foolish and vain as to think you can stand against so many brave and well armed men, who anxiously wait for my command to destroy you.
I know of their unconquerable spirit and eternal hatred toward you for the many wrongs you have committed against them. I have proven my men in battle and know that if I were to command them to attack, you would be completely destroyed.
Because I know you are determined to fight for what you believe to be right, and because I respect your noble spirit, I have written this letter for your sake. I would rather see you give up your cities, lands and possessions to my people than see you be destroyed.
We do not want you to be our slaves, but our brethren. Surrender to us, and become acquainted with our secret works, and we will share what we have with you. I swear to you with an oath, that if you will do this, you will not be destroyed.
But if you will not do this, I swear to you with an oath that next month I will command my armies to attack, and not stop killing until you are extinct!
I am Giddianhi, governor of the secret society of Gadianton--a good society with good works--ancient works that have been handed down to us.
I write this letter to you, Lachoneus, hoping that you will give up your lands and possessions, without a fight, to my people--those who have left you because you have kept their right to govern from them. Unless you do this, I will avenge them."
As Lachoneus read this letter, he was shocked at Giddianhi's boldness in demanding that the Nephites give up their land, threatening to destroy them to avenge the Nephite defectors, who had only wronged themselves by becoming Gadiantons.
Lachoneus was a just man who could not be frightened by the threats and demands of a robber, so he ignored Giddianhi's letter.
Lachoneus had his people pray to the Lord for strength to defend themselves against the robbers' attack. He sent a proclamation among all the people to gather their women, children, flocks, herds and all their belongings into one place.
He told the Nephites that after they had gathered, they should build very strong fortifications around themselves, which were to be guarded day and night by their Nephite and Lamanite armies.
In his proclamation, Lachoneus said, "As the Lord lives, unless you repent of all your sins and pray to the Lord, you will not be delivered from the Gadianton robbers."
Lachoneus' prophecies were so great and marvelous that fear came over all the people. They exerted themselves with all their might to do what Lachoneus told them.
Lachoneus appointed chief captains to command the Nephite armies during the robbers' coming attack. Gidgiddoni was appointed to be the chief commander of the entire Nephite army.
Except for when they were completely wicked, it was the Nephite custom to appoint someone with the spirit of revelation and prophecy as the leader over all their chief captains. This is why Gidgiddoni, who was a great prophet, was appointed commander. Their chief judge, Lachoneus, was also a prophet.
Then the people said to Gidgiddoni, "Pray to the Lord, and ask Him to let us go into the mountains and wilderness to destroy the robbers in their own lands."
But Gidgiddoni replied, "The Lord forbids this, for if we went out against the robbers, He would deliver us into their hands. We will gather and prepare in the center of our lands, and gather our armies. Then we'll wait for them to come out against us. If we do this, as the Lord lives, He will deliver the robbers into our hands."
Nephites defeat the robbers... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 4)
Toward the end of 17 AD, the proclamation of Lachoneus had gone throughout all the land. Tens of thousands of Nephites gathered their horses, chariots, flocks, herds, grain and all their belongings to the gathering place where they would defend themselves against their enemies.
The land of Zarahemla, the land between Zarahemla and Bountiful, up to the land of Desolation, was to be the gathering place.
Several thousand Lamanites, who were now called Nephites, also gathered to this land. Lachoneus had them gather in the southern land because the northern land had a great curse upon it.
They fortified themselves against their enemies, and lived together in this one large area.
They feared Lachoneus' words enough to repent of all their sins. They prayed to the Lord their God to deliver them when their enemies would attack. And the Nephites were very sorrowful because of their Gadianton enemies.
Now Gidgiddoni had them make all types of weapons, armor and shields.
Toward the end of 18 AD, the Gadianton armies began to come down from the hills and mountains and out of their secret places and wilderness strongholds, taking possession of the lands in the north and south that had been deserted by the Nephites.
The Gadiantons found that there were no more wild animals to be hunted in these deserted lands. They could only find game in the wilderness, so they could not survive in the abandoned Nephite cities.
The Nephites had left their lands desolate by gathering their flocks, herds and all their belongings into one area. By doing this, the Nephites kept the robbers from stealing their food.
The only way the robbers could get food from the Nephites was to fight them out in the open. The Nephites' plan was to destroy the robbers by holding out against them in one large group, for they had gathered a seven year's supply of food and provisions.
Within the next year, 19 AD, Giddianhi and his people were in great need of food. They could only survive by stealing and killing, so they had to attack the Nephites.
The robbers did not dare spread out over the land to raise their own grain, for fear of being attacked by the Nephites.
During the sixth month of 19 AD, the robbers made their attack. They looked terrifying, for they had shaved their heads and had painted themselves with blood. They also wore armor, helmets, and lamb-skin loin cloths.
When the Nephite armies saw Giddianhi's army, they fell to the earth and prayed to the Lord to deliver them from their enemies. When Giddianhi's army saw this, they began to shout with joy, thinking that the Nephites had fallen in fear of them.
But they were soon disappointed, for the Nephites were not afraid of them. They feared their God instead, asking for His protection.
As Giddianhi's army rushed upon them, the Nephites were prepared to meet them in the strength of the Lord.
This battle resulted in the greatest slaughter ever known since the time of Lehi. In spite of Giddianhi's oaths and threats, the Nephites beat the robbers.
Gidgiddoni commanded his armies to chase the robbers as far as the borders of the wilderness, and that they should not spare any that fell into their hands by the way. This is what the Nephites did.
Giddianhi, who had stood and fought with boldness, was pursued as he fled. Because he was so tired from fighting, he was overtaken and killed.
Then the Nephite army returned to their place of security, and the robbers did not attack them again for over a year.
In 21 AD, the robbers surrounded the Nephites, thinking they could cut them off from their lands and force them to surrender.
The robbers had appointed a new leader, Zemnarihah, who had ordered this siege. The Nephites had the advantage, because it was impossible for the robbers to lay siege long enough to have any effect on their food supply.
Meanwhile, the robbers had no grain, but only the meat they could hunt in the wilderness. Soon wild game became scarce, and the robbers were about to die of starvation.
The Nephites continually went out against the weak robbers day and night, killing tens of thousands of them.
Because of this, Zemnarihah's people wanted to end their siege. So Zemnarihah withdrew and marched his armies to the most northern part of the land.
Gidgiddoni was aware of Zemnarihah's plan, and knowing that the robbers had been weakened, he sent out his army at night to cut off their retreat.
In the morning, the robbers were met by Nephite armies ahead of them and behind them, leaving them no retreat.
Several thousand robbers surrendered, and those who did not were killed.
Their leader, Zemnarihah, was taken to a tree and hung.
When Zemnarihah was dead, the Nephites cut down the tree and shouted, "May the Lord preserve His people in righteousness and holiness of heart. And as this man has fallen to the earth, may the Lord cut down all who seek to kill the righteous with their power and secret combinations."
The Nephites rejoiced and cried again with one voice, "May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob protect this people in righteousness, as long as they call upon Him for protection."
Together they sang praises to their God for the great thing He had done for them in preserving them from falling into the hands of their enemies.
They cried, "Hosanna to the Most High God! Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the Most High God!"
Covenants fulfilled when understood... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 5)
Their hearts were swollen, and they cried with joy because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies. They knew they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction because of their repentance and humility.
Not a single Nephite doubted the words of all the holy prophets, but they knew that they would all be fulfilled. They knew that Christ must have come because of the many signs they had seen, and they gave up all their sins and served God diligently both day and night.
For the next three years, the Nephites preached God's word to all the robbers they had taken as prisoners. The robbers who repented and made a covenant not to murder anymore were set free.
Those who would not repent, who continued to desire secret murders and threaten their brethren, were condemned and punished according to the law.
This is how the Nephites put an end to all those wicked, secret combinations.
Many things happened that were great and marvelous, but they cannot all be written in this book.
Not even one percent of what took place during this twenty-five year period (from 1 AD to 26 AD) was written by Nephi in his book.
But there are other records which contain the history of everything the people did. From these records, Nephi made a shorter version, which is true.
And I have made this record of these things by referring to Nephi's shorter record.
I, Mormon, make this record on plates that I made with my own hands. Like my father, I was named after the land of Mormon, the land where Alma first established the church among the Nephites after transgressing under King Noah.
I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called by Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life.
Because the prayers of the holy ones who have gone before me must be fulfilled according to their faith, it has become necessary for me, according to God's will, to make a record of the Nephites.
This is a small record of what has taken place from the time Lehi left Jerusalem in 600 BC until the present time (about 380 AD).
I have begun making my record from the accounts of those who have lived before, and I will finish it with an account of what I have seen myself.
I know this record is just and true, but there are many things we cannot write because of the nature of our language.
Now I will review the history of my people:
I, Mormon, am a pure descendant of Lehi. I have reason to bless my God and Savior Jesus Christ, who brought our forefathers out of the land of Jerusalem. He has given me and my people great knowledge unto the salvation of our souls.
Surely He has blessed the house of Jacob (Israel) and has been merciful to the descendants of Joseph of old.
When Lehi's descendants have kept His commandments, He has blessed and prospered them according to His word. As surely as the Lord lives, He will bring many of Joseph's descendants to a knowledge of the Lord their God and gather them together from all over the earth.
In His own due time, His covenant with all of Israel's descendants will be fulfilled, as they come to understand the covenant itself.
When they understand this covenant, they will know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
And after they come to know Christ they will be gathered in from all over the earth to their own lands, from where they have been dispersed. And as the Lord lives, so will it be. Amen.
Those with gospel seek for power... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 6)
Now I will continue the Nephite history.
All the Nephite families took their flocks, horses, cattle and all their possessions, and returned to their own lands in 26 AD. They had not eaten all their grain, so they took it back with them.
They also took their gold, silver and precious things to their own lands and homes in the northern and southern lands.
They gave lands to the robbers who had repented, who still wanted to be called Lamanites. By doing this, all the people were able to work the land and feed themselves, and peace was established.
By 27 AD, the Nephites prospered greatly. There was great order in the land, and they made fair and just laws.
As long as the people did not become sinful, there was nothing in all the land to keep them from continual prosperity.
This great peace was established by Gidgiddoni, by Lachoneus the judge, and by appointed leaders.
Many new cities were built and many old cities repaired. Many highways and roads were built to connect the cities and lands, and peace continued throughout 28 AD.
But in 29 AD some disputes started among the more proud people, who boasted because of their riches and greatly persecuted those who had less.
There were many merchants, lawyers and officers in the land. The people began to be distinguished into upper and lower classes according to their wealth and education.
The rich received more opportunities for learning, while the poor were denied an education.
Yet, while some people were lifted up in pride, others were very humble. Some fought, while others refused to fight, even while being persecuted and afflicted.
As this great inequality spread throughout the land, the church began to break up.
In just one year the church was broken up, except among a few converted Lamanites, who would not depart from the true faith and diligently kept the Lord's commandments.
This sinful condition was caused by Satan's great power, which increased as the people yielded to his temptations, seeking power, authority, riches and the vain things of the world.
Satan led them away to commit all types of sins, so their peace lasted only a few years.
By 30 AD, the people were being completely controlled by the devil's desires, for they were in a state of awful wickedness.
These people did not sin ignorantly, for they had been taught God's will. They chose to willfully rebel against God.
In 30 AD, Lachoneus, son of Lachoneus, filled his father's position as governor of the people.
That year, men began to be inspired from heaven and were sent forth to stand among the people all over the land, preaching and testifying boldly of the people's sins. They testified about the redemption and resurrection, which the Lord would bring to pass for His people after His death and suffering.
Many people (mostly the chief judges, those who had been high priests and lawyers, and those who were lawyers) became very angry with those who testified, but the wicked men could not condemn anyone to death without the governor's signature.
However, many of those who boldly testified of Christ were secretly put to death by the judges. The governor didn't know of these murders until a complaint came to him against the corrupt judges.
Then the corrupt judges were brought before the governor to be judged for their crimes, according to the law that had been given by the people.
But the corrupt judges' friends and relatives conspired with nearly every lawyer and high priest. Together, they made a covenant--even that same covenant given by them of old, administered by the devil, to combine against all righteousness.
They secretly combined against the Lord's people, entering into a covenant to destroy them and to assist those guilty of murder to escape the grasp of justice.
They defied the laws of their country, covenanting with one another to kill the governor, to destroy liberty, and to establish a king over the land, so that instead of being free, the people would be subject to kings.
Wicked tribes prevail, and Nephi is hated... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 7)
The conspirators were not successful in establishing a king over the land, but in that same year, 30 AD, they murdered the chief judge of the land as he sat on the judgment seat.
The rest of the people divided into tribes according to families, relatives and friends, but these tribes were not unified. This is how the government was destroyed.
Each tribe appointed a chief, and every man in each tribe had a large family, many relatives and friends. This is how many large tribes were established.
There were no wars as yet among the tribes, but all this degeneration was the result of the people yielding to Satan's power.
The government regulations had been destroyed because of the secret combinations of the friends and relatives of those who had murdered the prophets.
Because there was so much contention in the land, nearly all the righteous people had become wicked and only a few remained righteous. All this happened in less than six years.
Then this secret combination, which had brought on such great iniquity, assembled and selected a man named Jacob to be their king. Jacob had been one of the main voices against the prophets who testified of Jesus. This secret combination of wicked people was not as numerous as the people of the tribes.
Although each tribal leader established his own laws, and the tribes were enemies with one another, they were united in their hatred of Jacob's secret band.
Knowing this, Jacob commanded his people to go to the most northern parts of the land to build a kingdom. Jacob promised his people that soon many more dissenters would join them and make them strong enough to conquer the tribes.
By the end of 30 AD, Jacob's people had gone north. They had gone so quickly that the tribes were not able to cut off their escape.
In 31 AD, the various tribes agreed not to go to war with one another. However, they continued to keep their own separate laws. They all established very strict laws to not trespass against one another. By doing this, they had some peace in the land. Still, their hearts were turned away from the Lord, and they stoned the prophets and ran them out of their lands.
Nephi had been visited by angels. He had heard the Lord's voice and had been given the power to know of Christ's ministry. He had also seen the people's quick return from righteousness to wickedness.
Being grieved for the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, Nephi went among the people in 31 AD, boldly testifying of repentance and of the remission of sins through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
He said and did many things among them, ministering with power and great authority. All of what Nephi did cannot be written in this book. To write only part of them would not be enough, so they are not written at all.
The people hated Nephi because his powerful witness was too great for them to deny. Nephi had such great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that angels visited him daily.
He cast out devils in the name of Jesus, and even raised his brother Timothy after he had been stoned to death by the people.
As the people saw Nephi do this and many other miracles in the name of Jesus, they became more angry with him for being so powerful.
By the end of 31 AD, there were few converts to the Lord, but those who were converted testified to the people that they had been visited by the power and Spirit of God, which was in Jesus Christ, in whom they believed.
Those who had devils cast out of them and those healed from sickness also testified to the people that the Spirit of God had come upon them, and they showed signs and performed miracles among the people.
In the beginning of 33 AD, Nephi continued to preach repentance and remission of sins to the people.
Nephi ordained men to baptize, and all those who repented were baptized by them. (Now, I want to remind you that those who were baptized were immersed in water.) Their baptisms were a witness and a testimony before God that they had repented and had received a remission of their sins.
The greatest destruction ever known... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 8)
We know Nephi's record is true, for he was a just man. He performed many miracles in the name of Jesus, and no man could perform a miracle in the name of Jesus unless he was completely cleansed from sin.
According to Nephi, if he has made no mistake in the reckoning of our time, the year was 33 AD when the people began to earnestly look for the sign that Samuel had given--that there would be three days of complete darkness.
But the people started to doubt, and they argued with one another in spite of the many signs that had been given.
On the fourth day of the first month in 34 AD, a terrible tempest arose like no other that had ever been known. There was thunder and intense lightening, and the whole earth shook as if it were about to break apart.
The city of Zarahemla caught fire, and the city of Moroni sank into the ocean and its inhabitants drowned. A great mountain rose up and covered the city of Moronihah.
There was great and terrible destruction in the southern land, but even greater and more terrible destruction in the northern land.
The whole face of the land was changed by tempests, tornadoes, thunder, lightning and great earthquakes. Highways were broken up, level roads were ruined, and many smooth places were made rough.
Many great and notable cities were either sunk, burned or leveled by earthquakes, and all the inhabitants thereof were killed. The cities that remained were heavily damaged, and many people in them died.
Some people were carried away and lost in tornadoes.
All the land became deformed because of the tempests, thunder, lightning and earthquakes, and rocks were broken up all over the land. This terrible destruction lasted for three hours, after which the earth became calm, yet covered in darkness.
The darkness was so thick, people could feel it. No light could be made by candles, torches or fires, even when the people tried to light very fine, dry wood. There was no light from the sun, moon or stars because the mist of darkness over the land was so great. This darkness lasted for three days.
During this time, there was great and continual mourning, howling and weeping among all the people because of the darkness and great destruction that had come upon them. In one place they cried, "If only we had repented before this great and terrible day. Then our brethren would have been spared instead of being burned in the great city of Zarahemla."
In another place the people mourned and cried, "If only we had repented before this great and terrible day, and our people had not killed and stoned the prophets or exiled them. Then our mothers, fair daughters and children would have been spared instead of being buried in the great city of Moronihah."
The voice of Christ is heard... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 9)
And then a voice was heard by all the people which said,
"All people on earth are greatly cursed if they will not repent. The devil now laughs and his angels rejoice over the fair sons and daughters of my people who have been killed, and who have fallen because of their sinfulness.
I have caused many great destructions to come upon this land, and upon this people because of their wickedness.
Oh, all of you who are spared because you were more righteous than they, will you not return to me now, repent of your sins and be converted, that I may heal you?
If you will come to me, you will have eternal life, for my arms of mercy are extended toward you. Whoever will come, I will receive, and blessed are those who come to me.
Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I created the heavens and earth, and all things in them. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and by me the Father has glorified His name.
I came to my own people and was rejected by them. And now the scriptures of my coming are fulfilled.
All those who receive me will become God's sons and daughters, for redemption comes by me, and I have fulfilled the law of Moses.
I am the light and life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end).
You will no longer make blood sacrifices or burnt offerings to me, for I will no longer accept them.
You will offer as a sacrifice to me a broken heart and contrite spirit, after which I will baptize you with fire and the Holy Ghost, even as I baptized the Lamanites. Because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, they were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost, although they did not know it.
I have come to the world to redeem it from sin. Therefore, I will receive those who repent and come to me as little children, for of such is the kingdom of God. For such I have laid down my life and have taken it up again. Therefore, repent; come to me from the ends of the earth and be saved."
The voice of Christ is heard again... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 10)
After all the people in the land heard this voice, they were so astonished that they stopped mourning the loss of their family members who had died in the destruction, and it was quiet for many hours.
And then the voice was heard again by all the people, saying,
After the people heard this, they began again to weep and cry aloud over the loss of their family members and friends. But after three days of this despair, the morning sun finally broke the darkness, and the earth stopped trembling and breaking up with dreadful groaning and loud noises.
As the earth settled and became still again, the mourning, weeping and wailing of the people turned to joy! They praised and gave thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.
The scriptures, or words of the prophets, had been fulfilled. And the more righteous part of the people had been saved--those who had received the prophets and saints instead of killing them. The more righteous were not sunk and buried in the earth. They were not drowned in the sea or burned. They were not crushed by falling buildings, carried away in tornadoes, nor suffocated by thick, dark smoke.
Christ appears soon after the destruction... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 11)
A great multitude had gathered around the temple in Bountiful. They were marveling and wondering, showing each other the great and marvelous changes that had been made over the entire landscape. They were also talking about Jesus Christ, of whose death these signs had been given.
As they were speaking, they heard a voice from heaven. They looked around, not understanding the voice. It was not harsh or loud, but calm. Even though it was a calm voice, it made their entire bodies quake as it penetrated them to the very center of their souls.
They all heard the voice a second time, but they still did not understand it. A third time they heard the voice, and they looked intently toward heaven from where it came. Finally, they understood the voice, which said,
As they understood, they looked up again and saw a Man dressed in a white robe, descending out of heaven.
He came down and stood among them. All eyes were upon Him, and no one dared speak, for they thought He was an angel. He held out His hands and said,
"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified would come into the world. I am the light and life of the world. I have drunk out of that bitter cup that the Father has given me. I have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning."
After Jesus said this, the whole multitude fell to the earth, remembering that it had been prophesied that Christ would show Himself to them after going up into heaven from Jerusalem. Then the Lord said,
"Arise and come to me, that you may put your hands into my side, and feel the prints of the nails in my hands and feet, that you may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world."
One by one, the multitude put their hands into His side and felt the prints of the nails in His hands and feet. They all knew and witnessed that it was He, of whom the prophets had written, who would come. After they had all witnessed for themselves, they cried out with one voice, "Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God!" And they fell down at Jesus' feet and worshipped Him.
Then Jesus asked Nephi to come forward. Nephi came forward, bowed himself before the Lord and kissed His feet.
The Lord commanded Nephi to rise, and then said to him, "I give you power to baptize this people after I ascend into heaven again."
The Lord called eleven others and also gave them power to baptize. He said to them, "This is how you will baptize, and there will be no disputes among you
Then immerse them in water and bring them out again. This is how you will baptize in my name, without disputes, for you must be unified, as the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost are unified.
There must be no more disputes about how to baptize as there have been in the past. There also must not be arguments about points of my doctrine.
For whoever has the spirit of contention is not of me, but of the devil, the father of contention. He stirs up people to become angry and fight with one another. My doctrine, which the Father has given me, is that such things should be done away.
I bear record of the Father, the Father bears record of me, and the Holy Ghost bears record of us both. I bear record that the Father commands all people everywhere to repent and believe in me.
Those who believe in me and are baptized will be saved to inherit God's kingdom. Those who do not believe in me and are not baptized will be damned (their progress stopped). This is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father.
The Father will bear record of me to those who believe in Him and me by visiting them with fire and the Holy Ghost. Just as the Father bears record of me, the Holy Ghost will bear record of the Father and me. This is because the Father and I and the Holy Ghost are one (in purpose).
I repeat, you must repent, become like a little child (humble) and be baptized in my name. Otherwise you cannot receive these things (fire and the Holy Ghost) and inherit God's kingdom.
This is my doctrine. Those who build upon my doctrine build upon my rock, and the gates of hell will not prevail against them. Those who declare more or less than this and call it my doctrine are inspired by the devil. They are not built upon my rock, but upon sand. When trials and temptations come, they will fall, and the gates of hell will be opened to receive them."
Christ teaches His new law... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 12)
"Now, declare the words I have spoken to the ends of the earth."
After Jesus said these words to Nephi and twelve others He held out His hand to the multitude and cried, "You are blessed if you follow these twelve whom I have chosen to minister to as your servants. I have given them power to baptize you with water, after which I will baptize you with fire and the Holy Ghost. You are blessed if you believe in me and are baptized after you have seen me and know that I am.
Those who believe your testimony--that you have seen me and know that I am, who humble themselves and are baptized, will be more blessed, for they will be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost and will receive a remission of their sins.
I give you the responsibility to become the salt of the earth.
But remember, if the salt of the earth loses its flavor, then it is only good to be thrown out and trampled under foot.
Be a light to the people. A city built on a hill is seen by all. You do not hide a lit candle. You put it on a candlestick to light your house. Likewise, let your light shine before all people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Heavenly Father.
Do not think I have come to destroy the law or words of the prophets. I have not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it, and I have fulfilled it in every detail.
I gave you the law and my Father's commandments, that you would believe in me, repent of your sins, and come to me with a broken heart and contrite spirit.
You have the commandments before you now, and the law is fulfilled. Therefore, come to me and be saved, for unless you keep my commandments I have now given, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
You have heard that it was said by them of old, and it is also written in your scriptures, that you shall not kill, that those who kill will be in danger of God's judgment. But I say that those who are angry with their brother or sister are in danger of God's judgment.
Those who feel contempt for another by saying such things as 'You are worthless' will be in danger of God's council. Those who demean another by saying such things as 'You fool' will be in danger of spiritual torment.
If you come to me or desire to come to me, and you remember someone who has bad feelings toward you, go to that person and make amends first. Then sincerely come to me and I will receive you.
Quickly agree with your enemy while in his way, or he may catch you anytime and put you in prison, and you will not be released until you have paid all his fines. And how can you pay even a penny while in prison?
It is written by them of old, 'Do not commit adultery.'
It has been written by them of old, 'A man can divorce his wife by simply giving her written notice.'
It is also written, 'Do not forswear yourself, but perform your oaths to the Lord.'
It is written, 'Others must pay for harming you by being harmed in the same manner.'
If someone asks you for your coat, give it to him, and a blanket as well. If someone asks you to go a mile with him, go two.
Give to those who ask of you, and do not turn away those who would borrow from you.
It is also written, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
By fulfilling all the old laws (through the atonement)--by making all things new, I have made it possible for you to become perfect, even as I, and your Heavenly Father, are perfect."
Christ teaches His gospel... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 13)
Jesus continued speaking to the multitude;
"Give to the poor because you want to give, for if you give to appear good to others, then your Heavenly Father will not reward you. When you give to the poor, do not call attention to yourself as the hypocrites to be praised, for they have their reward.
When you give to others, do it secretly. If you give secretly, then your Heavenly Father, who sees you in secret, will reward you openly.
When you pray, do not pray like the hypocrites who love to pray in front of others, for they have their reward. Go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Heavenly Father in secret and He will reward you openly.
When you pray, do not repeat insincere phrases, for this is how the heathens pray, thinking God will hear them better if they use many words. You do not need many words, for your Heavenly Father already knows your needs before you ask Him.
This is an example of a sincere prayer:
If you forgive others who have hurt you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you of your sins. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Heavenly Father will refuse to forgive you.
When you fast, do not fast like the hypocrites, who make long, sad faces to look humble to others. They have their reward. When you fast, hold your head up and be cheerful. Do not let others know you are fasting by acting weak and tired. Instead, present your fast only to your Heavenly Father, and He who sees you in secret will reward you openly.
Do not collect earthly treasures. They are easily lost or stolen, and all things rust and decay. Instead, save up treasures in heaven, where things do not decay and are not lost or stolen, for where your treasure is found, there is your heart as well.
The light of the body is the eye. If your eye is upon God and you are dedicated to serving Him, then your whole soul will be full of light. If your eye is focused on evil and you are not dedicated to serving God, then your whole soul will be full of great darkness!
You cannot serve two opposing masters, for you will hate one and love the other. For example, if you love God, you hate worldliness, and if you love worldliness, you hate God, for no one can serve God and the world at the same time."
When Jesus finished speaking to the Nephites, He turned to His twelve disciples and said,
"Remember my words, for you will be teaching them again to the people. Do not worry about your life--your food, drink and clothing, for your life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.
Look at the birds. They do not worry about having enough food, and your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable to God than they? And by worrying about your food, can you extend your life one day?
And why worry about having adequate clothing? Consider how the lilies of the field grow. They do not concern themselves with their appearance, yet even King Solomon in his glorious attire was never as beautiful as they. If God clothes the short-lived flowers, He will also clothe you, if you have faith in Him.
Knowing this, do not worry about your needs. Your Heavenly Father knows you have need of food, clothing and many other things. If you show your faith by seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness above all else, then He will provide you with all these things.
Do not worry about what will happen tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Be more concerned about the temptations you must overcome today."
Jesus teaches the multitude further... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 14)
After speaking to His disciples, Jesus turned to the multitude again, and said,
"Do not judge others, for God will judge you as you judge others. Why notice your brother's or sister's little faults while ignoring your own, larger ones? Why try and solve their problems before solving your own? Do not be a hypocrite. Correct your own faults first, then you will be better able to help others correct theirs.
Do not give holy things to wicked people, for they will mock and reject them and try to destroy you.
What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if his son asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? If you, in a natural, evil state, are able to give good things to your children, then how much more will your Heavenly Father give good things to those who ask of Him?
All the good things you want others to do for you are the very things you should do for them. This is the law given to the prophets.
Many people travel the wide road and go through the wide gate to destruction. But you should go through the narrow gate. Because the road and gate to eternal life are narrow, few will find it.
Beware of false prophets who seem righteous, but seek to destroy good. You can detect them if their works do not lead you to me.
A righteous person brings to pass good works, but a wicked person only does evil. All who do evil (leading away from Christ) will be cut down and burned at my coming. By their works you will know them.
Only those who do the will of their Heavenly Father will enter His kingdom. On judgment day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, we have prophesied, cast out devils, and have done many wonderful works in Thy name.'
Then I will say to them, 'I never knew you. Leave me, you evil-doers.'
Those who hear my words and obey them are like the wise man who built his house on solid rock. When it rained and floods came, and when strong winds blew, his house stood because it was built on rock.
And those who hear my words and do not obey them are like the foolish man who built his house on sand. When it rained and the floods came, and when strong winds blew, his house fell with a great crash."
Christ teaches His new law... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 15)
Jesus continued to speak to the multitude:
"Now you have heard what I told the people in Jerusalem before ascending to my Father. At the last day, I will raise up those who have remembered my teachings and have done what I have commanded them."
Jesus then perceived that some of the people were wondering what was going to happen to the law of Moses, for they did not understand what He had meant when He said,
"Old things have passed away and all things have become new."
So Jesus said,
"Here is how old things have passed away and how all things have become new. The law that was given to Moses is fulfilled. I gave the law to Moses after covenanting with Israel and his descendants. I came to fulfill the law, and I have fulfilled it. This is why the law of Moses now comes to an end.
I have not done away with the prophets, for all the prophets' words that are not yet fulfilled soon will be. Because I said that old things have passed away, I do not mean that the prophecies of things to come will not be fulfilled.
The covenant I made with Israel and his descendants is not completely fulfilled yet, but the law that I gave to Moses is fulfilled and has come to an end in me.
Behold, I am the law and the light. Look to me, continue in righteousness throughout your life, and you will live, for unto such I will give eternal life.
Keep my commandments that I have given you. This is the law given to the prophets, who truly testified of me."
Jesus then turned to the twelve whom He had chosen, and said,
"You are my disciples, a light to this people who are descendants of Joseph, who was sold into Egypt.
The Father has given this land to you as an inheritance. The Father did not command me to tell the descendants of Judah (the Jews) in Jerusalem about this land, inherited by you, the descendants of Joseph.
I also was never commanded to tell the Jews about the other tribes, descended from Israel's other sons, who were led away from Judah's rule. I was only commanded to say to the Jews,
Because the Jews were so stubborn and unbelieving, they could not understand my words. This is why the Father commanded me not to tell them more about you.
But the Father has commanded me to tell you that you were separated from Judah's descendants, who know nothing of you because of their wickedness.
The Father has also separated the other tribes from Judah's descendants, and the Jews also know nothing of them.
You are the other sheep of whom I spoke, but the Jews thought I was telling them about the Gentiles, not knowing they would convert the Gentiles through their preaching. The Jews did not understand that the Gentiles will not at any time hear my voice directly, but only through the Holy Ghost.
But you hear my voice directly and see me, and you are my sheep, numbered among those given to me by the Father."
The Jews to gather after accepting Christ... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 16)
"I have other sheep, other tribes and nations who neither live here nor in Jerusalem. They have not yet heard my voice nor have seen me, but I will show myself to them because the Father has commanded me to go to them. They will hear me and be numbered among my sheep, and there will be one fold and one shepherd.
I command you to write down what I am saying, for if my people in Jerusalem (The Jews) do not ask the Father in my name, and receive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost, and also a knowledge of the other tribes, then your record of me (the complete Book of Mormon) will come forth through the Gentiles (the Latter-day Saints) to their descendants, scattered all over the earth.
And through the fullness of the Gentiles in the last days, these records will bring the knowledge of me, their Redeemer, to many of them (the Jews). After they receive this knowledge, then I will gather them from all over the earth and fulfill the Father's covenant (the fulfillment of all of Isaiah's prophecies) that He made to all of Israel's descendants.
"The Gentiles are blessed because of their testimony of me through the Holy Ghost, who witnesses to them of me and the Father. The Father said,
But cursed are the unbelieving Gentiles, for even though the Father will show mercy on the Gentiles, allowing them to conquer, afflict and kill Israel's descendants because of His judgments upon the house of Israel (Native Americans), He commanded me to tell you this:
Note: The Savior warns the LDS Gentiles (for none other can "sin against" the gospel) in this manner three times. See 3 Nephi 16:10-15, 20:27-28, and 21:11-14.
Note: A great Lamanite conversion described in 1 Ne 15:14-16, 2 Ne 30:4-5, and 3 Ne 26:8-9.
I have been commanded by the Father to give this land to the house of Israel and their descendants as an inheritance. When this land is given back to Israel's descendants, then these words, spoken by Isaiah, will be fulfilled:
Christ heals, prays and blesses children... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 17)
After speaking these words, Jesus looked over the multitude, and said,
"I must go now. I sense that you do not understand all my words.
Go to your homes and ponder these things. Ask the Father, in my name, to give you understanding, to prepare your minds for tomorrow, when I will come to you again.
Now I will go to the Father, and also show myself to the lost tribes of Israel. They are not lost to the Father, for He knows where He has taken them."
After Jesus said this, He looked over the multitude, who were in tears, looking at Him as if they would ask Him to stay a little longer. Then Jesus said to them,
"I am filled with compassion toward you. Have you any who are sick, lame, blind, deaf, or who suffer in any way? Bring them here and I will heal them, for I have compassion and mercy upon you.
I sense that you want me to show you the same things I showed your brethren in Jerusalem, and I see that you have enough faith for me to heal you."
Then the multitude brought their sick and afflicted to Jesus and He healed them one by one.
Those who were healed, and those who were well, bowed at His feet and worshipped Him.
As many others who were able to get through the crowd came and kissed His feet, bathing them with their tears of joy.
Then Jesus asked them to bring their children to Him.
The people set their children down around Jesus, and then stepped back until all the children had been brought to Him.
Then Jesus told the multitude to kneel upon the ground.
Jesus groaned and said,
"Father, I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel."
Then He knelt on the earth and prayed to the Father. The things He prayed cannot be written, but the multitude heard His words and this much was written:
When Jesus finished praying, He stood up, but the multitude was too overcome with joy to stand. Jesus invited them to stand, and after they stood, He said,
"You are blessed because of your faith. And now my joy is full."
Then Jesus wept, and He took their children, one by one, blessed them, and prayed to the Father for them. Then He wept again and said to the multitude,
"Behold your little ones!"
Then the multitude saw the heavens open, and angels descending as if surrounded with fire. They came down and surrounded the little ones with fire, and taught them.
The multitude, consisting of about 2,500 people, saw and heard these things, and bore record that what they saw and heard was true.
Christ introduces the sacrament... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 18)
Then Jesus told His disciples to bring some bread and wine. While they were gone, He told the multitude to sit upon the ground. After the disciples returned with bread and wine, Jesus broke the bread, blessed it, and gave some of it to His disciples to eat. After they were filled, Jesus told them to give bread to the multitude.
After the multitude had eaten and were filled, Jesus said to His disciples,
"I will ordain one of you, giving him the power to break bread, bless it, and give it to the people of my church--to all who believe and are baptized in my name.
Do this often, even as I have done, in remembrance of my body that I now show you. Do this as a testimony to the Father that you will always remember me. If you always remember me, my Spirit will always be with you."
Then Jesus told His disciples to drink of the wine, and then give it to the multitude to drink. The disciples and the multitude drank, and were all filled. Then Jesus said to His disciples,
"You are blessed because of what you have done, for this fulfills my commandments and witnesses to the Father that you are willing to obey them.
Always do this, giving the wine to those who repent and are baptized in my name, in remembrance of my blood that I have shed for you, witnessing to the Father that you will always remember me. If you always remember me, my Spirit will always be with you.
I give you a commandment to do these things (be baptized and receive the sacrament). If you obey it, you will be blessed for building upon my rock.
But if one of you does more or less than these things, he is not built upon my rock, but upon sand. He will fall, and the gates of hell will open to receive him.
You are blessed and kept from hell if you keep my commandments that the Father has told me to give you.
You must watch and pray always, or you will be tempted by the devil and become his captives. As I have prayed among you, pray in my church--among my people who repent and are baptized in my name.
I am the light and have set an example for you."
After Jesus said these things to His disciples, He turned to the multitude and said, "You must watch and pray always. Otherwise, you will be tempted by Satan, who wants to have power over you.
Therefore, you must always pray to the Father in my name. Whatever you ask the Father, if it is right and if you believe that you will receive, it will be given to you.
Pray with your families to the Father, always in my name, and they will be blessed.
Meet together often as my church. Do not forbid anyone from meeting with you, but invite all to come. If they come, pray for them in my name to the Father.
Hold up your light that it may shine to the world. I am the light you should hold up--the things you have seen me do.
You have seen me pray to the Father, and you see that I have not sent any of you away, but I have commanded each of you to come to me--to feel and see.
You must do likewise, inviting those in the world to come to me. And those who do not keep this commandment will be led by the devil's temptations."
After saying this to the multitude, Jesus turned to His disciples again, and said,
"Before I go to my Father to fulfill other commandments that He has given me, I give you one other commandment:
Whoever eats and drinks these emblems of my flesh and blood while unworthy eats and drinks damnation to his soul.
Do not tell an unworthy man to leave your meeting, but care for him and pray for him. If he repents and is baptized in my name, then receive him and give him the bread and wine.
But if he does not repent, he will not be numbered among the sheep of my flock, for he might destroy them. (For I know my sheep, and they are numbered.)
Even though he is not baptized and numbered among my sheep, you will continue to invite him to your meetings, for he may yet repent and come to me with full purpose of heart, and I will heal him, and you will have assisted me in saving him.
Do as I have commanded and you will not come under condemnation, for cursed are those whom the Father condemns.
I give you, my disciples, these commandments because of the disputes that have been among you. You will be blessed if you have no disputes among you. Now I go to the Father, because it is necessary for your benefit."
Then Jesus touched each of His disciples as He spoke to them individually. Later, the disciples bore record that Jesus gave them the power to give the Holy Ghost.
And I, Mormon, will show you later that their record is true.
After Jesus touched His disciples, a cloud came over the multitude, preventing them from seeing Him, and only His disciples saw Him ascend into heaven.
Teaching, baptism, Holy Ghost, prayer... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 19)
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the multitude dispersed and went home with their families. The multitude who had seen Jesus, immediately told everyone who had not been with them that Jesus had spoken to them, and that He would show Himself again the next day.
All that night the people spread the word to many others who had not seen Jesus. Those who were told traveled all night so they could be where Jesus would show Himself the next day.
By morning, a very large multitude had gathered. The twelve disciples whom Jesus had chosen stood in the middle of the multitude. They were:
Because the multitude was so large, the disciples divided them into twelve groups. Each of the twelve groups was instructed by a disciple to kneel and pray to the Father in the name of Jesus.
Each disciple also prayed in the same manner and taught his group of people.
After the disciples had taught the very same words that Jesus had spoken to them, they knelt again and prayed. They all prayed for what they desired most--the gift of the Holy Ghost.
After they had all prayed, the disciples led the people down to the edge of the water.
First, Nephi went down into the water and was baptized. Then Nephi baptized the eleven other disciples.
After the twelve had all been baptized, the Holy Ghost fell upon them, and they were filled with fire and the Holy Ghost. The twelve were surrounded with what appeared to be fire, which came down from heaven. Angels also came down and spoke to the twelve, and the large multitude witnessed it all.
As the angels were teaching the disciples, Jesus came and stood in the middle of the large multitude and began speaking to them. Jesus told the multitude and His disciples to kneel upon the ground. He told His disciples to pray, and they began to pray to Jesus, calling Him their Lord and God.
Jesus went a short distance from them, knelt on the ground and prayed,
After Jesus prayed, He went over to His disciples, who were still praying to Him. They were not repeating the same words, for the Holy Ghost gave them their words and the desire to continue praying. Jesus blessed them as they prayed, and His smile and His light shone upon them.
The disciples became as white and pure as Jesus' light. Nothing on earth could be as white and pure as this light. Jesus told them to keep praying. Then He went a short way off again, knelt and prayed,
Then Jesus came back over to His disciples who were still praying to Him. He smiled upon them again, and they were as bright as He. Then Jesus went off a third time to pray.
And it is impossible for humans to speak or write the marvelous words that Jesus prayed. Yet the large multitude heard, and their hearts were open so they understood His words.
After Jesus finished praying, He went to His disciples, and said,
"I have never seen such great faith among all the Jews. Because of their unbelief, I could not show them such great miracles. None of the Jews saw or heard such great things as you have seen and heard."
Latter-day gathering and covenant fulfillment... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 20)
Jesus told the multitude and His disciples to stop praying, but to continue to pray in their hearts. He told them to stand, and then He broke bread again, blessed it, and gave it to His disciples to eat. After they had eaten, He told them to break bread and give it to the multitude.
Then Jesus gave His disciples wine to drink and told them to give it to the multitude. None of the disciples nor anyone in the multitude had brought bread or wine, but Jesus truly gave them bread and wine.
Jesus said to them,
"Whoever eats and drinks of these emblems eats and drinks in remembrance of me (my body and my blood), and his soul will never hunger nor thirst, but will be filled."
After the multitude had partaken of the emblems, they were filled with the Spirit, and they shouted with one voice, giving glory to Jesus.
Then Jesus said,
"Now I will finish the commandment that the Father gave to me concerning this people, who are a part of the house of Israel.
Do you remember my telling you that Isaiah's words would be fulfilled? They are written, and you have them, so read and study them. When Isaiah's words are fulfilled, the covenant that the Father made with the house of Israel will also be fulfilled.
The scattered parts of the house of Israel will be gathered together from all over the earth. They will all be brought to a knowledge of the Lord their God, who has redeemed them. The Father has commanded me to give you this land for your inheritance.
If the Gentiles do not repent after receiving my blessings, and after scattering my people, then your descendants, who are a part of the house of Jacob (Israel), will go in among the Gentiles. They will be few among many, but they will destroy the Gentiles, their enemies. They will destroy them as a young lion might destroy flocks of sheep when there is no one to come and rescue them.
I will gather my people together like one who brings in the wheat to the threshing floor, and I will make my people, with whom the Father has covenanted, very strong against the Gentiles--strong as iron, strong as brass. They will destroy many people and beat them into pieces.
And the Gentiles' wealth will be consecrated to the Lord.
I am He who will do it. The Father says,
Behold, I am the one of whom Moses spoke, saying,
All the prophets have testified of me.
You are the children of the prophets, of the house of Israel, and of the covenant that the Father made with your forefathers. For He said to Abraham,
Because you are children of the covenant, the Father raised me up and sent me to you first, that I may turn you from your sins.
After you and your descendants have been blessed, then the Father's covenant to Abraham will be fulfilled, and all nations will be blessed with the gospel.
The Gentiles will have the Holy Ghost, and they will be blessed, and made mightier than any other people. Then the Gentiles will scatter my people, oh house of Israel, for the Father said,
The time will come when the fullness of my gospel will be preached to my people. Then they will believe that I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and they will pray to the Father in my name.
Then their leaders will sing together, for they will all understand the truth together. And the Father will gather the house of Israel and give them Jerusalem as their inheritance.
Then the house of Israel (the Lamanite tribes, the lost tribes, the Jews, and those adopted in) will all sing together with joy, for the Father will comfort His people and redeem the Old and New Jerusalems.
The Father will show His power as all nations watch, and they will yet see the Father's salvation. And the Father and I are one.
Then these words of Isaiah will be fulfilled:
The Savior continued,
"My servant will be wise and esteemed highly by all, for many will be very surprised when he survives a great physical ordeal. He will purge many nations, for many kings will take notice, will see his mighty miracles, and will listen to the truths that he will teach.
The Father has commanded me to tell you that all these things will surely happen. After these things happen, the covenant that the Father made with His people will be fulfilled, and Jerusalem will be inhabited again with my people, for it is the land of their inheritance."
Christ speaks of latter-day Israel... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 21)
Christ continued to speak to the multitude,
"I will give your descendants a sign, which will tell them that they are about to be gathered in from their long dispersion, and I will again establish my Zion.
My words (written in The Book of Mormon) will come from the Father to the Gentiles. Then the Gentiles will know that they have scattered your descendants (Native Americans--a remnant of the house of Jacob). They will bring your descendants The Book of Mormon. By bringing forth this book, the Father will begin to fulfill His covenants with His people, the house of Israel.
As He fulfills this covenant, the Father will show His power to all the Gentiles, that they might become humble and repent, come to me and be baptized, know my gospel, and be included with my people.
When your descendants begin to know the truth of [the entire] Book of Mormon, their mighty conversions will be their sign. By this sign, they will know that the Father's work has already begun--a work that will soon completely fulfill His covenant with the house of Israel!
In that day (the very last days, not the restoration), for my sake, the Father will do a work that will be great and marvelous among the Gentiles and their kings, who will be humbled, seeing and considering things that they had never known before. Yet many will not believe the truth, even though a man (servant) will declare it to them.
Those who reject the truth will persecute my servant, but his life will be in my hands. So even though they will hurt him, I will heal him to show them that my wisdom is greater than the devil's cunning.
As Moses said it would be done, the Father will give my servant the power to bring forth my words to the Gentiles.
Those who reject these words will be cut off from my covenant people.
The Savior continues speaking:
"And my people who are Jacob's descendants will be among the Gentiles, like a young lion among a flock of sheep. They will tread the unbelieving Gentiles down and tear them to pieces, and no one will be able to save them. Jacob's descendants will fight their enemies, the Gentiles, and cut them off.
The Gentiles will be cursed unless they repent,
I, the Lord, will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have never known! But if they will repent, listen to my words, and humble themselves, I will establish my church among them. Then they will enter the covenant and be numbered among Jacob's descendants, to whom I have given this land for their inheritance.
Then the Gentiles will assist my people, Jacob's descendants, who are scattered over the land, to gather together and build a city that will be called the New Jerusalem.
The power of heaven will come down and I will be among them. Then the Father's work will begin among all my dispersed people--including the lost tribes that the Father led out of Jerusalem--that they may come to me and call upon the Father in my name.
And the Father's work will begin as He prepares the way in all nations for His people to be gathered home to their lands of inheritance. They will come from all nations, but not in haste, because,
Jesus quotes Isaiah... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 22)
"When Isaiah's prophecies of Israel's descendants are fulfilled, these words will go forth:
Jesus commands study of Isaiah... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 23)
"I, Jesus Christ, command you to diligently search Isaiah's words, for they are great. Surely Isaiah spoke of all things having to do with my people--Israel (Jacob) and his descendants. This is why Isaiah also speaks to the Gentiles. Everything he has written has come to pass, or will yet come to pass.
Because Isaiah's prophecies will all come to pass, listen to my words and write them down. Then according to the Father's will, my words will come to the Gentiles.
Whoever responds to my words by repenting and being baptized will be saved. Therefore, search the words of the prophets in the scriptures, for many of them testify of these things."
After Jesus had explained all the scriptures He had given them, He said,
"There are other scriptures that should be written, that you have not written." To Nephi He said, "Bring the record that you have kept."
Nephi then brought the records to Jesus and laid them before Him. As Jesus looked at the records, He said, "I commanded my servant, Samuel, the Lamanite, to testify to this people, that on the day the Father would glorify His name in me, many saints would arise from the dead, and appear and minister to many. Was this not so?"
His disciples answered, "Yes, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to Thy words, and they were all fulfilled."
Then Jesus asked them, "How is it that you have not written that many saints did arise, appear and minister to many?"
Nephi remembered that these things had not been written. Jesus commanded that they were to be written, and so it was done.
After Jesus explained all their scriptures to them, He commanded them to teach His explanations to one another.
Christ commands teaching and writing... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 24)
Then Jesus commanded them to write as He repeated the words that the Father had given to Malachi. After they were written, Jesus explained them. And these are the words that the Father said to Malachi:
Christ quotes what He said to Malachi... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 25)
Christ explains all things... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 26)
Jesus explained everything to the multitude, great and small things. He said,
"The Father commanded me to repeat these scriptures to you so you would have them to pass on to future generations."
Christ explained all things, from the beginning until the time when He will come in His glory--when the elements will melt with fervent heat--when the earth will be wrapped together like a scroll--when the heavens and the earth will pass away.
Christ also explained everything that will happen before that great and last day, when all people will stand before God to be judged by their good or evil works.
Those who do good will receive a resurrection of everlasting life, and those who do evil will receive a resurrection of damnation. This will be done according to the mercy, justice and holiness of Christ, who was prepared before the world was created.
This book that I, Mormon, am writing cannot contain even one percent of what Jesus taught the people, but Nephi's plates contain most of what He taught (the greater things).
I have written these words (the lesser things) with the hope that they will again be brought to this people (the Lamanites) through the Gentiles (beginning with the Gentile, Joseph Smith, Jr.), according to the words of Jesus.
If the Lamanites and Gentiles prove their faith by believing these lesser things (in The Book of Mormon), then the greater things will be shown to them (all of Christ's words). But if they will not believe these things, the greater things will be withheld from them, to their condemnation.
I was about to write the greater things, all of which are engraved on Nephi's plates, but the Lord commanded me not to, saying,
"I will try the faith of my people."
On my plates, I've only written what the Lord commanded me to write.
And now I, Mormon, end my comments and write more of what I've been commanded to write.
The Lord taught the people for three days. After this, He showed Himself to them often, breaking and blessing bread, and giving it to them. He taught and ministered to their children, enabling the children to say great and marvelous things to their fathers, even greater things than He had revealed to the people.
For on the second day, Christ came again and healed all their sick, lame, blind, and deaf, and raised a man from the dead. Then He ascended to the Father again.
And on the next day, the third day, the multitude saw and heard those children. Even babes opened their mouths and spoke things too marvelous to be written.
The disciples whom Jesus had chosen began to baptize and teach all who came to them, and all who were baptized in the name of Jesus were filled with the Holy Ghost. Many of them saw and heard unspeakable things--things not lawful to be written.
They taught and ministered to one another. They had all things in common, and everyone dealt fairly with one another, doing everything that Jesus had commanded them. Those who were baptized in the name of Jesus formed the church of Christ.
Christ's church: His name and doctrine... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 27)
As the disciples were journeying, preaching and baptizing in the name of Jesus, they were united in mighty prayer and fasting. And Jesus showed Himself to them again, for they had been praying to the Father in His name. Standing among them, He said,
"What do you desire of me?"
They answered, "Lord, tell us what to name this church, for there are disputations among the people on this matter."
The Lord replied,
"Why do the people dispute over this? Have they not read the scriptures that say you must take the name of Christ upon yourself? For you will be called by my name at the last day.
Those who take my name upon themselves and continue in righteousness throughout their lives will be saved at the last day.
Whatever you do, do it in my name. Call the church by my name, and call upon the Father in my name to bless the church for my sake.
And how can it be my church unless it is called by my name? If a church is called by Moses' name, then it is Moses' church. If it is called by the name of a man, then it is the church of a man (note: such as the Lutheran Church, after Martin Luther). But if a church is called by my name, then it is my church, if built upon my gospel. And you are built upon my gospel.
So call upon the Father in my name for the sake of the church and He will hear you. If a church is built upon my gospel, then the Father will show His own works within it.
If a church is not built upon my gospel, but upon the works of men or the devil, its members will have joy in their works for awhile, but eventually the end will come. Then they will be cut down and thrown into the fire, from where there is no return. For their works will follow them. And because of their works, they will be cut down. Therefore, remember what I have told you.
I have given you my gospel, which is this--I came into the world to do the will of my Father, who sent me. My Father sent me to be lifted up on the cross, that I may draw all people to me. As I have been lifted up by the people, so shall the people be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me and be judged by their works, whether they be good or evil.
Those who repent and are baptized in my name will be filled with the Holy Ghost. Those who continue in righteousness throughout their lives will be guiltless before my Father when I stand to judge the world.
Because of the Father's justice, those who do not continue in righteousness throughout their lives will be cut down and thrown into the fire, from which they cannot return.
This is the message that the Father has given to all people. And because He does not lie, He will fulfill all His words.
No unclean thing can enter His kingdom. Only those whose robes have been washed clean through my blood, who by faith repent of all their sins and continue in righteousness, will enter His kingdom.
This is my gospel. In my church, do what you have seen me do. And if you do these things, you are blessed, for you will be lifted up at the last day.
Write what you have seen and heard, except for the things which are forbidden to be written. Also write the works of this people, who will be judged by your records, for your records will make their works known.
All things are written by the Father, and the world will be judged by what is written in all these books.
You, my disciples, will be the judges of this people, according to the gift of fair judgment that I will give you. Because of this gift, what kind of men should you be? Even as I am.
Now I will go to the Father, and whatever you ask of Him in my name will be given to you. Ask, and you will receive. Knock, and it will be opened to you.
Because of you and this generation, my joy is great and is full. Even the Father and all the holy angels rejoice over this generation, for none of them who live now will be lost.
But I sorrow over the fourth generation from this time, for they will be led away captive by the devil, even as the son of perdition was led away. They will sell me for silver, gold and the temporary things of this world. When they do this, I will visit them, turning their works upon their own heads.
Enter through the narrow gate and straight way that leads to life, which few people find. Because the gate that leads to death is wide, many go through it, and travel the broad way until night comes, when no work can be done."
The disciples are granted their desires... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 28)
After saying these things to His disciples, Jesus asked each of them, one by one,
"What is it that you desire of me after I have gone to the Father?"
Nine of the disciples answered,
"I desire that after I have lived to an old age, my ministry will come to an end, and I will quickly come to Thee in Thy kingdom."
Jesus' response to each of them was,
"You are blessed for desiring this, so when you are 72 years old, you will come to me in my kingdom and rest with me."
Then Jesus turned to the remaining three disciples and asked them,
"What is it that you desire of me after I have gone to the Father?"
They sorrowed, not daring to ask Him for what they wanted, thinking that it was too great a request.
Jesus said to them, "I know your thoughts. You desire what John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry before I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me.
You are more blessed, for you will never experience death. You will live to see all of the Father's work among His children, even until all things are fulfilled according to His will, when I come in my glory with the powers of heaven.
You will never endure the pains of death, for when I come in my glory you will be changed in an instant from mortal to immortal beings. Then you will be blessed in my Father's kingdom.
Again I say, you will not have pain as mortals, nor sorrow, except over the sins of the world. I will do all this because your desire is to bring souls to me in this world.
Because of this, you will have a fullness of joy--just as my Father has given me. You will sit down in His kingdom and be like me, for I am like the Father, and we are one. The Holy Ghost bears record of the Father and me, and the Father gives the Holy Ghost to His children because of me."
After saying this, Jesus touched each of the nine disciples with His finger. Then He departed into heaven with the remaining three. They were caught up into heaven, seeing and hearing unspeakable things--and the power to speak about what they had seen and heard was not given to them.
At the time they were caught up, the three disciples could not tell if they were in or out of their bodies, for it seemed as if their bodies had become immortal, enabling them to see the things of God.
Afterward, when they spoke to the people on earth, they did not tell them of what they had seen and heard, for they had been commanded not to.
Whether or not they were mortal or immortal from that day on, I do not know. But I do know, according to the record, that these three disciples went throughout the land, speaking to all the people. They united the believers with the church by baptizing them and giving them the Holy Ghost.
These disciples were thrown into prison by those who did not belong to the church, but the prisons broke apart and fell down.
They were thrown into pits, but they struck the earth with God's word, and by His power they were delivered out of the pits. Because of this, the unbelievers could not dig pits deep enough to hold them.
Three times they were thrown into a very hot fire and received no harm.
Twice they were thrown into a den of wild beasts, but they played with the beasts like children playing with lambs, and received no harm.
These three disciples went among all the Nephites, preaching the gospel of Christ to everyone in the land, converting them to the Lord and uniting them with the church of Christ. This is how the people of that generation were blessed according to Jesus' words.
And now I, Mormon, make an end of speaking about these things for a time. I was about to write the names of those three disciples who will never die, but the Lord forbade me so that their identity would remain hidden from the world. However, I have seen them, and they have spoken to me. They will also be among the Gentiles and the Jews, but they will not be known by them.
When the Lord sees fit in His wisdom, they will minister to all the scattered tribes of Israel, and to all nations, bringing many souls to Jesus. They will fulfill their desires as they use God's convincing power within them.
They are like God's angels, and if they pray to the Father in the name of Jesus, they can show themselves to whomever they desire. Great and marvelous works will be performed by them before that great day to come, when all people must surely stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.
There will even be a great and marvelous work performed by them among the Gentiles before that judgment day.
If you had all the scriptures that gave an account of all the marvelous works of Christ, then you, too would know that these things must surely come.
And cursed are those who reject the words of Jesus and the words of His chosen servants, for they will be rejected by Him at the last day. It would be better for them if they were never born, for they will not be able to escape the justice of an offended God and be saved after rejecting His words.
Earlier I wrote that I did not know whether or not the three disciples had become immortal after going up into heaven. Since then I have asked the Lord, and He showed me that their bodies were changed. Otherwise, they would have died like other men. Their change was not the same kind of change that will come upon everyone at the last day, but because of it, Satan has no power to tempt them. They are sanctified in the flesh and are holy.
This is why the powers of the earth cannot hold them. They will remain in this condition until Christ's judgment day, when they will receive a greater change, and will be received into the Father's kingdom, never to leave again.
The Gentiles are warned again... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 29)
In the latter days, when the Lord sees fit in His wisdom to bring my words (The Book of Mormon) to the Gentiles, then you will know that His covenant with Israel's descendants--their restoration to their lands of inheritance--is beginning to be fulfilled.
You will also know that the Lord's words spoken by all the holy prophets will soon be fulfilled. Then you Gentiles will no longer need to say, "The Lord delays His coming to Israel's descendants." You will no longer need to think that the scriptures were written in vain, for the Lord will remember His covenant to His people of the house of Israel.
When you read my words, I warn you to no longer ignore the Lord's work, for the sword of His justice is in His right hand, and in the last days, if you reject His work, He will cause this sword to soon overtake you, just as it has overtaken all my people.
Cursed are those who reject the Lord by denying Christ and His works! Cursed are those who deny the Lord's revelations, who will say, "The Lord no longer works by revelation, prophecy, gifts, tongues, healing or by the power of the Holy Ghost!" Cursed are those who will say, in order to get money, that Christ cannot do miracles for them, for they will become like the son of perdition, for whom there was no mercy, according to the word of Christ!
You Gentiles must no longer despise the Jews and make fun of them, nor of any other of Israel's descendants, for the Lord will remember His covenant to them and do what He promised for them.
Therefore, do not think you can turn the Lord's hand and somehow prevent His judgments from coming upon you as He fulfills His covenant to Israel's descendants.
Mormon commanded to warn the Gentiles... (compare 3 Nephi, chapter 30)
Listen, oh you Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, that He has commanded me to write to you,