3 Nephi 113 Nephi 11

The central Message of every Prophet has been the The central Message of every Prophet has been the divinity of Jesus Christ.divinity of Jesus Christ.

3 Nephi 11:13 Nephi 11:1

If this event had occurred one year later, the multitude If this event had occurred one year later, the multitude would have been perfectly familiar with these great would have been perfectly familiar with these great changes, and they would not have been in so much changes, and they would not have been in so much awe (awe (A.T.G.Q.A.T.G.Q. 4:25-29). 4:25-29).

The Great White GodThe Great White God

Many legends exist among Indian tribes of America about Many legends exist among Indian tribes of America about the experience of a great white god to their ancestors many the experience of a great white god to their ancestors many years ago. Stories told of the white bearded European years ago. Stories told of the white bearded European discovers coming to America and the native people falling discovers coming to America and the native people falling down to worship them. They thought their great white god down to worship them. They thought their great white god had returned. had returned.

Mexican mythology suggests that Quetzalcoatl was born of Mexican mythology suggests that Quetzalcoatl was born of a virgin and was both god and man. The name Quetzalcoatl a virgin and was both god and man. The name Quetzalcoatl literally means, “bird-serpent” or “serpent” of precious literally means, “bird-serpent” or “serpent” of precious plumage. Some have speculated that this title was given to plumage. Some have speculated that this title was given to the resurrected Jesus Christ because he appeared to them by the resurrected Jesus Christ because he appeared to them by descending out of the sky like a bird. descending out of the sky like a bird.

Indian legends also state that this great white god was bearded, which Indian legends also state that this great white god was bearded, which was unheard of for mature Indians in the fifteenth century. Jesus may was unheard of for mature Indians in the fifteenth century. Jesus may have worn a beard, since they were common in the land of Jerusalem.have worn a beard, since they were common in the land of Jerusalem.

According to tradition, a white god came and taught the people According to tradition, a white god came and taught the people principles of social order, gave them their religion, taught them to principles of social order, gave them their religion, taught them to weave, and taught them to make implements of bronze and ornaments weave, and taught them to make implements of bronze and ornaments of gold and silver.of gold and silver.

It is no wonder that Indians who have heard these legends respond It is no wonder that Indians who have heard these legends respond when they learn of the visit of the Lord Jesus Christ in 3 Nephi 11. when they learn of the visit of the Lord Jesus Christ in 3 Nephi 11.

This account has touched millions of hearts as they have felt the This account has touched millions of hearts as they have felt the great love of the Lord for His peoplegreat love of the Lord for His people..

Christ-like Qualities found in 3 Nephi 11-14Christ-like Qualities found in 3 Nephi 11-14

1. Seeks to understand others and does not have the spirit of 1. Seeks to understand others and does not have the spirit of contention (3 Nephi 11:28-30).contention (3 Nephi 11:28-30).

2. Believes in Christ (v.33).2. Believes in Christ (v.33).

3. Striving to repent (v.38).3. Striving to repent (v.38).

4. Has been baptized (v.38).4. Has been baptized (v.38).

5. Has received the gift of the Holy Ghost (v.35).5. Has received the gift of the Holy Ghost (v.35).

6. Heeds the words of Gods chosen leaders (3 Nephi 12:1).6. Heeds the words of Gods chosen leaders (3 Nephi 12:1).

7. Mourns for personal sins (v.4).7. Mourns for personal sins (v.4).

8. Hungers and thirsts after righteousness (v.6).8. Hungers and thirsts after righteousness (v.6).

9. Is merciful to others (v.7).9. Is merciful to others (v.7).

10. Is pure in heart (v.8).10. Is pure in heart (v.8).

11. Is a peacemaker (v.9).11. Is a peacemaker (v.9).

12. Endures persecution patiently (v.10-12).12. Endures persecution patiently (v.10-12).

13. Controls temper (v.21-22).13. Controls temper (v.21-22).

14. Keeps thoughts pure and does not lust (v.27- 29).14. Keeps thoughts pure and does not lust (v.27- 29).

15. Is honest and has integrity (v.33-37).15. Is honest and has integrity (v.33-37).

16. Seeks to bless and love enemies (v.39-45).16. Seeks to bless and love enemies (v.39-45).

17. 17. Gives financial contributions without desiring Gives financial contributions without desiring the the praise of man (3 Nephi13:1-4).praise of man (3 Nephi13:1-4).

18. 18. Prays and fasts in secret (v.5-18).Prays and fasts in secret (v.5-18).

19. 19. Does not judge his fellow men harshly (3 Does not judge his fellow men harshly (3 Nephi Nephi 14:1-5).14:1-5).

3 Nephi 11:3-53 Nephi 11:3-5

What kind of voice does the lord use to speak to his peopleWhat kind of voice does the lord use to speak to his people??

How do we open our earsHow do we open our ears??

The Lord told Elijah to “Go forth, and stand upon the mount The Lord told Elijah to “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: in the fire: and after the fire a still small voiceand after the fire a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-” (1 Kings 19:11-12).12).

I have come to believe also that it is not wise to I have come to believe also that it is not wise to continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences. continually talk of unusual spiritual experiences. They are to be guarded with care and shared only They are to be guarded with care and shared only when the Spirit itself prompts you to use them to the when the Spirit itself prompts you to use them to the blessings of others.blessings of others.

I have learned that strong, impressive spiritual I have learned that strong, impressive spiritual experiences do not come to us very frequently. And experiences do not come to us very frequently. And when they do, they are generally for our own when they do, they are generally for our own edification, instruction, or correction.edification, instruction, or correction.

The Spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all.

I have heard President Marion G. Romney I have heard President Marion G. Romney once counsel mission presidents and their once counsel mission presidents and their wives in Geneva, “wives in Geneva, “I do not tell all I know; I I do not tell all I know; I have never told my wife all I know, for I have never told my wife all I know, for I found out that if I talked too lightly of sacred found out that if I talked too lightly of sacred things, thereafter the Lord would not trust methings, thereafter the Lord would not trust me..

Do not be impatient to gain great spiritual Do not be impatient to gain great spiritual knowledge. Let it grow, help it grow, but do knowledge. Let it grow, help it grow, but do not force it or you will open the way to be not force it or you will open the way to be misledmisled..

““Dramatic and miraculous answers to Dramatic and miraculous answers to prayer may come, but they are the prayer may come, but they are the exceptions. Even at the highest levels of exceptions. Even at the highest levels of responsibility in this kingdom of God, responsibility in this kingdom of God, which is being built up upon the earth, the which is being built up upon the earth, the voice is still small… My testimony is that voice is still small… My testimony is that the Lord is speaking to you! the Lord is speaking to you! But with the But with the deafening decibels of today’s deafening decibels of today’s environment, all too often we fail to hear environment, all too often we fail to hear himhim” (Graham W. Doxey, ” (Graham W. Doxey, EnsignEnsign, , November 1991, 25).November 1991, 25).

Elder Harold B. Lee told the following story about Bishop Elder Harold B. Lee told the following story about Bishop John Wells when he was a member of the Quorum of the John Wells when he was a member of the Quorum of the TwelveTwelve::

““A few weeks ago , Pres. McKay related to the Twelve an interesting A few weeks ago , Pres. McKay related to the Twelve an interesting experience, and I asked him yesterday if I might repeat it to you this experience, and I asked him yesterday if I might repeat it to you this morning.morning.

““He said it is a great thing to be responsive to the whisperings of the He said it is a great thing to be responsive to the whisperings of the spirit, and we know that when these whisperings come it is a gift and spirit, and we know that when these whisperings come it is a gift and our privilege to have them. our privilege to have them. They come when we are relaxed and not They come when we are relaxed and not under pressure of appointmentsunder pressure of appointments… the President then took occasion to … the President then took occasion to relate an experience in the life of Bishop John Wells, former member relate an experience in the life of Bishop John Wells, former member of the Presiding Bishopric. A son of Bishop Wells was killed in of the Presiding Bishopric. A son of Bishop Wells was killed in Emigration Canyon on a railroad track. Brother John Wells was a Emigration Canyon on a railroad track. Brother John Wells was a great detail man and prepared many of the reports we are following up great detail man and prepared many of the reports we are following up on now. His boy was run over by a freight train. Sister Wells was on now. His boy was run over by a freight train. Sister Wells was inconsolable. She mourned during the three days prior to the funeral, inconsolable. She mourned during the three days prior to the funeral, received no comfort at the funeral and was in a rather serious state of received no comfort at the funeral and was in a rather serious state of mind. mind.

One day soon after the funeral services while she One day soon after the funeral services while she was lying on her bed relaxed, still mourning, she was lying on her bed relaxed, still mourning, she said that her son appeared to her and said, ‘Mother said that her son appeared to her and said, ‘Mother do not mourn, do not cry. I am alright.’ He told her do not mourn, do not cry. I am alright.’ He told her that she did not understand how the accident that she did not understand how the accident happened and explained that he had given the signal happened and explained that he had given the signal to the engineer to move on, and than made the usual to the engineer to move on, and than made the usual effort to catch the railing on the freight train, but as effort to catch the railing on the freight train, but as he attempted to do so his foot caught on a root and he attempted to do so his foot caught on a root and he failed to catch the hand rail, and his body fell he failed to catch the hand rail, and his body fell under the train. It was clearly an accident.under the train. It was clearly an accident.

Now listen. He said that as soon as Now listen. He said that as soon as he realized that he was in another he realized that he was in another environment he tried to see his father, environment he tried to see his father, but he couldn’t reach him. His father but he couldn’t reach him. His father was so busy with the duties in his was so busy with the duties in his office he could not respond to his call. office he could not respond to his call. Therefore, he had come to his Therefore, he had come to his mother. He said to her, ‘You tell mother. He said to her, ‘You tell father that all is well with me, and I father that all is well with me, and I want you not to mourn any more.’ want you not to mourn any more.’

““Then the President made the statement that the point he had in mind Then the President made the statement that the point he had in mind was that when we are relaxed in a private room we are more was that when we are relaxed in a private room we are more susceptible to those things; and that so far as he was concerned, his susceptible to those things; and that so far as he was concerned, his best thoughts come after he gets up in the morning and is relaxed and best thoughts come after he gets up in the morning and is relaxed and thinking about the duties of the day; that impressions come more thinking about the duties of the day; that impressions come more clearly, as if it were to hear a voiceclearly, as if it were to hear a voice. Those impressions are right. If . Those impressions are right. If we are worried about something and upset in our feelings, the we are worried about something and upset in our feelings, the inspiration does not come. If we so live that our minds are free from inspiration does not come. If we so live that our minds are free from worry and our conscience is clear and our feelings are right toward worry and our conscience is clear and our feelings are right toward one another, the operation of the spirit of the Lord upon our spirit is as one another, the operation of the spirit of the Lord upon our spirit is as real as when we pick up the telephone; but when they come, we must real as when we pick up the telephone; but when they come, we must be brave enough to take the suggested actions. The Lord will approve be brave enough to take the suggested actions. The Lord will approve it and the brethren will approve it, and we know it is right. He said, it it and the brethren will approve it, and we know it is right. He said, it is a great consolation in this upset world today to know that our is a great consolation in this upset world today to know that our Savior is directing this work. Then the President concluded: ‘I value Savior is directing this work. Then the President concluded: ‘I value that testimony,’ If you forget all else I have said, you remember that that testimony,’ If you forget all else I have said, you remember that lesson and that admonition” (Prayer address to Seminary and Institute lesson and that admonition” (Prayer address to Seminary and Institute faculty, BYU, 6 July 1956, 14-16).faculty, BYU, 6 July 1956, 14-16).

3 Nephi 11:73 Nephi 11:7

Who speaks the words “Behold my Beloved Son, in Who speaks the words “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleasedwhom I am well pleased?”?”

One of the conditions of the fall was to be cast out of God’s presence, One of the conditions of the fall was to be cast out of God’s presence, therefore since the fall “no man hath seen God (the Father) at any therefore since the fall “no man hath seen God (the Father) at any time, except he hath born record of the Son” (JST, John 1:19).time, except he hath born record of the Son” (JST, John 1:19).

The Father has never dealt with man directly and personally since the The Father has never dealt with man directly and personally since the fall, and he never appeared except to introduce and bear record of the fall, and he never appeared except to introduce and bear record of the Son (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:27).Son (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:27).

““A general consideration of scriptural evidence leads to the A general consideration of scriptural evidence leads to the conclusion that God the Eternal Father has manifested Himself to conclusion that God the Eternal Father has manifested Himself to earthly prophets or revelators on very few occasions, and then earthly prophets or revelators on very few occasions, and then principally to attest the divine authority of His Son, Jesus principally to attest the divine authority of His Son, Jesus Christ’’( James E. Talmage, Christ’’( James E. Talmage, Jesus the ChristJesus the Christ).).

Occasions when the Father has spoken Occasions when the Father has spoken directly to man includedirectly to man include::

1.1. At the baptism of Christ (Matthew 3:7)At the baptism of Christ (Matthew 3:7)2.2. At the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5)At the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5)3.3. At the Triumphal Entry (John 12:28)At the Triumphal Entry (John 12:28)4.4. At the Sacred Grove (JSH 1:17)At the Sacred Grove (JSH 1:17)5.5. At the visit of Christ to the Americas (3 Nephi At the visit of Christ to the Americas (3 Nephi

11:7)11:7)To teach repentance and baptism (2 Nephi 31:11, 15)To teach repentance and baptism (2 Nephi 31:11, 15)

3 Nephi 11:8 3 Nephi 11:8

Sometimes we just need to “not open our mouths” Sometimes we just need to “not open our mouths” or to “Righteously Shut-upor to “Righteously Shut-up!”!”

3 Nephi 11:113 Nephi 11:11

““The essence of His earthly mission”The essence of His earthly mission”

Just Just fifty-six wordsfifty-six words which teach of His earthy which teach of His earthy mission!mission!

3 Nephi 11:14-153 Nephi 11:14-15 D&C 45; 51-53D&C 45; 51-53

““It can hardly be accepted as a fact, that these wounds have remained It can hardly be accepted as a fact, that these wounds have remained in his hands, side, and feet all through the centuries from the time of in his hands, side, and feet all through the centuries from the time of his crucifixion and will remain until his Second Coming. But they his crucifixion and will remain until his Second Coming. But they will appear to the Jews as a witness against their fathers and their will appear to the Jews as a witness against their fathers and their stubbornness in following the teachings of their fathers" (Joseph stubbornness in following the teachings of their fathers" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Fielding Smith, D.SD.S. 2:291-92).. 2:291-92). ((3 Nephi 17:253 Nephi 17:25) )

There were 2,500 people, yet the Lord worked with them “There were 2,500 people, yet the Lord worked with them “one by one by oneone.”.”

Faithful servants nourish by focusing on the individual. God loves Faithful servants nourish by focusing on the individual. God loves us one by oneus one by one’ (Alexander B. Morrison, ’ (Alexander B. Morrison, EnsignEnsign, May 1992, 14)., May 1992, 14).

““All” had gone forth! All” had gone forth!

If each person would have shared ten seconds with the Savior it would If each person would have shared ten seconds with the Savior it would have taken 7 hourshave taken 7 hours!!

3 Nephi 11:14-173 Nephi 11:14-17

““The Wounds in His Hands and Feet and Side”The Wounds in His Hands and Feet and Side”

Elder Jeffrey Holland taught that Jesus Christ’s Elder Jeffrey Holland taught that Jesus Christ’s mortal wounds are tokens of His sacrifice:mortal wounds are tokens of His sacrifice:

He who yet bears the He who yet bears the scars of our forgivenessscars of our forgiveness, the , the lesions of His love and humilitylesions of His love and humility, , the torn flesh of the torn flesh of obedience and sacrificeobedience and sacrifice (“Teaching, Preaching, (“Teaching, Preaching, Healing,” Healing,” EnsignEnsign, Jan 2003, 42)., Jan 2003, 42).

It is a significant and hopeful fact that it is It is a significant and hopeful fact that it is the wounded Christ who comes to our the wounded Christ who comes to our rescue. rescue. He who bears the scars of He who bears the scars of sacrificesacrifice, , the lesions of lovethe lesions of love, , the emblems the emblems of humility and forgiveness is the Captain of humility and forgiveness is the Captain of our Soulof our Soul. That evidence of pain in . That evidence of pain in mortality is undoubtedly intended to give mortality is undoubtedly intended to give courage to others who are also hurt and courage to others who are also hurt and wounded by life, perhaps even in the wounded by life, perhaps even in the house of their friends (Jeffrey R. Holland, house of their friends (Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New CovenantChrist and the New Covenant, 259)., 259).

3Nephi 11:173Nephi 11:17

What is the meaning of the word “HosannaWhat is the meaning of the word “Hosanna?”?”

It is a plea meaning “It is a plea meaning “save now.save now.” It was a “cry” of ” It was a “cry” of the multitude as they joined in our Lords triumphal the multitude as they joined in our Lords triumphal procession into Jerusalem” (Merrill F. Unger, procession into Jerusalem” (Merrill F. Unger, New New Unger’s Bible DictionaryUnger’s Bible Dictionary, 589). , 589).

Matt.21:9, 15; Psalm 118:25 (Matt.21:9, 15; Psalm 118:25 (Save us, or save us Save us, or save us pleaseplease, Grant us salvation)., Grant us salvation).

3 Nephi 11:8, 12, 17, 19

How should we act when we go before the Lord?

While great reverence is appropriate in chapels and temples, specific protocol is necessary in certain circumstances. When the prophet comes into the room the appropriate protocol is to stand, but when we go to the Lord we do so on our knees, with heads bowed low. “God must be approached carefully, respectfully, and with great preparation” (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, November 1977), 52).

3 Nephi 11:213 Nephi 11:21

““Power that you should baptize this people”Power that you should baptize this people”

Often times L.D.S had been baptized in conjunction with Often times L.D.S had been baptized in conjunction with important milestones, (examples – marriage, entering the important milestones, (examples – marriage, entering the United Order, improvement of health). United Order, improvement of health).

Re-baptisms were recorded on membership recordsRe-baptisms were recorded on membership records. .

The First Presidency was concerned that some members The First Presidency was concerned that some members were substituting re-baptism for true repentance. were substituting re-baptism for true repentance.

Re-baptisms were done away with in 1897.Re-baptisms were done away with in 1897.

3 Nephi 11:28 3 Nephi 11:28

““Contention... is of the devil” (Mosiah 4:14).Contention... is of the devil” (Mosiah 4:14).

“ “ I pray that we may be true to our covenants, true I pray that we may be true to our covenants, true to each other; that we will cast out of our hearts all to each other; that we will cast out of our hearts all that is evil, that we will not speak evil one of that is evil, that we will not speak evil one of another, or be given to backbiting or contention or another, or be given to backbiting or contention or strife, for the spirit of wickedness destroys faith and strife, for the spirit of wickedness destroys faith and tends to divide and separate instead of uniting and tends to divide and separate instead of uniting and strengthening the people” (Joseph F. Smith, CR, strengthening the people” (Joseph F. Smith, CR, October 1913, 74).October 1913, 74).

Nephi and everyone else was baptized againNephi and everyone else was baptized again..

The church among the Nephites before the coming of Christ was not in it’s The church among the Nephites before the coming of Christ was not in it’s fullness and was under the Law of Mosesfullness and was under the Law of Moses. The Savior started a new . The Savior started a new organization through baptism. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were organization through baptism. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized more than once also (baptized more than once also (A.T.G.Q.A.T.G.Q. 3:205-6). 3:205-6).

3 Nephi 11:32, 39-403 Nephi 11:32, 39-40

““This is my DoctrineThis is my Doctrine!”!”

Clearly the foundational doctrine of baptism is at the heart of Christ’s saving Clearly the foundational doctrine of baptism is at the heart of Christ’s saving ministry, for he repeated the phrase “my doctrine” ---particularly as applied ministry, for he repeated the phrase “my doctrine” ---particularly as applied to baptism ---at least eight times in his unequivocal counsel to the Nephites.to baptism ---at least eight times in his unequivocal counsel to the Nephites.