3 Nephi 28
Wishes of the Twelve Granted
3 Nephi 28:1–3
1 And it came to pass when Jesus had said these words, he spake unto his disciples, one by one, saying unto them: What is it that ye desire of me, after that I am gone to the Father?
2 And they all spake, save it were three, saying: We desire that after we have lived unto the age of man, that our ministry, wherein thou hast called us, may have an end, that we may speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom.
3 And he said unto them: Blessed are ye because ye desired this thing of me; therefore, after that ye are seventy and two years old ye shall come unto me in my kingdom; and with me ye shall find rest.
Comments
At the beginning of chapter 27, Jesus asked the disciples “What will ye that I shall give unto you?” The answer was that they wanted to know the church’s name.
At the beginning of chapter 28, Jesus asks a similar question: “What is it that ye desire of me, after that I am gone to the Father?” Although the questions were similar, they appear to differ in whom the question was addressed. In chapter 27, the address appears to be to the twelve. In these verses, the question is to each disciple individually.
Nine of the twelve want nothing more than the reward of the just. After the “age of man,” or until they die, they will continue to serve the Lord. At that time, they simply want to go to their reward. The difference is perhaps that they would “speedily come unto [the] kingdom,” but the destination is the same as awaits any faithful member.
Jesus blesses them for their desire and declares that after they live to the “age of man,” here declared to be “seventy and two years,” they would come to his kingdom. Even though this is a specific number, it is probably not meant to be specific. The fact that it contains a multiple of 7 indicates a completeness, thus the “age of man.” The “and two years” likely meant that they would live long— longer that just the normal “age of man.”
3 Nephi 28:4–6
4 And when he had spoken unto them, he turned himself unto the three, and said unto them: What will ye that I should do unto you, when I am gone unto the Father?
5 And they sorrowed in their hearts, for they durst not speak unto him the thing which they desired.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, I know your thoughts, and ye have desired the thing which John, my beloved, who was with me in my ministry, before that I was lifted up by the Jews, desired of me.
Comments
Jesus turns to the three who had a different desire and asks it of them. They appear to believe that it was audacious, for they “durst not speak” of it. They didn’t need to. Jesus told them that he understood the thing that they desired, which was the same thing as John the Beloved desired (see John 21:21–23).
In addition to their desire, the lesson of this verse is that it underscores that God knows our hearts even before we can express them to him. Jesus had taught: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (3 Nephi 14:11). God knows what we need and blesses us accordingly. Sometimes, even when we are unable to articulate our needs.
3 Nephi 28:7–9
7 Therefore, more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven.
8 And ye shall never endure the pains of death; but when I shall come in my glory ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality; and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my Father.
9 And again, ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be for the sins of the world; and all this will I do because of the thing which ye have desired of me, for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of men unto me, while the world shall stand.
Comments
The three, known in modern literature as the Three Nephites, are given their desire. It is difficult to comprehend the nature of their desire. To date, they have waited for the transition to the next life for over two thousand years. Two thousand years of working for the kingdom. Jesus blessed them with a lack of mortal pains and sorrows, but that part of the blessing also meant that there would be little rest. They had not requested a life of leisure, but one of work— a very long life of work.
3 Nephi 28:10–12
10 And for this cause ye shall have fulness of joy; and ye shall sit down in the kingdom of my Father; yea, your joy shall be full, even as the Father hath given me fulness of joy; and ye shall be even as I am, and I am even as the Father; and the Father and I are one;
11 And the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and the Father giveth the Holy Ghost unto the children of men, because of me.
12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he touched every one of them with his finger save it were the three who were to tarry, and then he departed.
Comments
The ultimate reward of the three was that they would have “fulness of joy; and . . . shall sit down in the kingdom of [the] Father.” That is indeed a marvelous blessing, but it must be remembered that it is the blessing available to all:
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalms 16:11).
“But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever” (2 Nephi 9:18).
3 Nephi 28:13–15
13 And behold, the heavens were opened, and they were caught up into heaven, and saw and heard unspeakable things.
14 And it was forbidden them that they should utter; neither was it given unto them power that they could utter the things which they saw and heard;
15 And whether they were in the body or out of the body, they could not tell; for it did seem unto them like a transfiguration of them, that they were changed from this body of flesh into an immortal state, that they could behold the things of God.
Comments
These three verses refer to the Three Nephites, and not to all of the twelve. They had requested the opportunity to remain on earth, to continue to work to preach the gospel, until Christ should return. They could not do that as mortals. Thus, there was a process of change: “for it did seem unto them like a transfiguration of them, that they were changed from this body of flesh into an immortal state.”
One wonders how they had the strength to continue in their process of preaching among mortal humanity after they had beheld “the things of God.”
Ministry and Miracles of the Twelve
3 Nephi 28:16–18
16 But it came to pass that they did again minister upon the face of the earth; nevertheless they did not minister of the things which they had heard and seen, because of the commandment which was given them in heaven.
17 And now, whether they were mortal or immortal, from the day of their transfiguration, I know not;
18 But this much I know, according to the record which hath been given—they did go forth upon the face of the land, and did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the church as would believe in their preaching; baptizing them, and as many as were baptized did receive the Holy Ghost.
Comments
Having described the change in the Three Nephites, Mormon speaks a little of their subsequent mission. He is interested in them, not only because of their unique story, but because we will learn that they have personally ministered to him. He knew them (see verse 26 of this chapter).
Their mission was to teach, and therefore they taught. The other disciples also taught, but these personal witnesses to the marvelous appearance of the Savior in Bountiful continued their first-person testimony through the ages.
3 Nephi 28:19–23
19 And they were cast into prison by them who did not belong to the church. And the prisons could not hold them, for they were rent in twain.
20 And they were cast down into the earth; but they did smite the earth with the word of God, insomuch that by his power they were delivered out of the depths of the earth; and therefore they could not dig pits sufficient to hold them.
21 And thrice they were cast into a furnace and received no harm.
22 And twice were they cast into a den of wild beasts; and behold they did play with the beasts as a child with a suckling lamb, and received no harm.
23 And it came to pass that thus they did go forth among all the people of Nephi, and did preach the gospel of Christ unto all people upon the face of the land; and they were converted unto the Lord, and were united unto the church of Christ, and thus the people of that generation were blessed, according to the word of Jesus.
Comments
The ministry of the Three Nephites was not easy. There came a time when they were persecuted and thrust into a furnace and into a den of wild beasts. Mormon is telling of stories he knows, but these are stories that will not happen for over two hundred years. Mormon will refer to them again in 4 Nephi 1:29–33.
In spite of persecutions, they persist in their labors to bring souls to the gospel of Christ.
The Three Will Minister throughout the World
3 Nephi 28:24–28
24 And now I, Mormon, make an end of speaking concerning these things for a time.
25 Behold, I was about to write the names of those who were never to taste of death, but the Lord forbade; therefore I write them not, for they are hid from the world.
26 But behold, I have seen them, and they have ministered unto me.
27 And behold they will be among the Gentiles, and the Gentiles shall know them not.
28 They will also be among the Jews, and the Jews shall know them not.
Comments
In verse 24, Mormon says that he will make an end of his interjection into the story. However, as with many other times when he makes that statement, he still has something to say. Perhaps, to Mormon, it meant that “I have just a few comments to make at the end.”
He was going to list the names of the three but was forbidden to do so. Since it is doubtful that any who might meet them in the modern world would know them by their Nephite names, it is perhaps to make sure that we understand that while they had a different mission, the three were not to be exalted over the other nine disciples. All had made righteous choices, and all would receive the same resurrection, and the same exaltation. In modern terms, they would all be inheritors of the Celestial Kingdom.
Verse 26 indicates that almost four hundred years after their transformation, they ministered personally to Mormon. Mormon was therefore a disciple who could witness to the Savior because he had spoken directly with those who had been there, and there were three—which even exceeded the requirement to establish truth in at least the mouth of two.
3 Nephi 28:29–32
29 And it shall come to pass, when the Lord seeth fit in his wisdom that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls, that their desire may be fulfilled, and also because of the convincing power of God which is in them.
30 And they are as the angels of God, and if they shall pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus they can show themselves unto whatsoever man it seemeth them good.
31 Therefore, great and marvelous works shall be wrought by them, before the great and coming day when all people must surely stand before the judgment-seat of Christ;
32 Yea even among the Gentiles shall there be a great and marvelous work wrought by them, before that judgment day.
Comments
The three are not just apostles to the Nephites. They are apostles to the world. When Mormon states that they will minister to the scattered tribes of Israel, we understand that they are not even limited to the New World. Therefore, when they labor “even among the Gentiles,” it will be to assist them in coming to the knowledge of their Redeemer, and their adoption into the house of Israel.
3 Nephi 28:33–35
33 And if ye had all the scriptures which give an account of all the marvelous works of Christ, ye would, according to the words of Christ, know that these things must surely come.
34 And wo be unto him that will not hearken unto the words of Jesus, and also to them whom he hath chosen and sent among them; for whoso receiveth not the words of Jesus and the words of those whom he hath sent receiveth not him; and therefore he will not receive them at the last day;
35 And it would be better for them if they had not been born. For do ye suppose that ye can get rid of the justice of an offended God, who hath been trampled under feet of men, that thereby salvation might come?
Comments
The Book of Mormon preaches in black and white terms. It describes the ideal, and its opposite. Therefore, the idea is that “if ye had all the scriptures which give an account of all the marvelous works of Christ, ye would, according to the words of Christ, know that these things must surely come.”
Verses 34 and 35 describe the state of those who do not believe. These are not simply unbelievers, but those who had the opportunity to know, and repent, but do not do so even up to the last day. For those, life on earth will have been wasted, for they never achieved the purpose for which they were born.
3 Nephi 28:36–40
36 And now behold, as I spake concerning those whom the Lord hath chosen, yea, even three who were caught up into the heavens, that I knew not whether they were cleansed from mortality to immortality—
37 But behold, since I wrote, I have inquired of the Lord, and he hath made it manifest unto me that there must needs be a change wrought upon their bodies, or else it needs be that they must taste of death;
38 Therefore, that they might not taste of death there was a change wrought upon their bodies, that they might not suffer pain nor sorrow save it were for the sins of the world.
39 Now this change was not equal to that which shall take place at the last day; but there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Satan could have no power over them, that he could not tempt them; and they were sanctified in the flesh, that they were holy, and that the powers of the earth could not hold them.
40 And in this state they were to remain until the judgment day of Christ; and at that day they were to receive a greater change, and to be received into the kingdom of the Father to go no more out, but to dwell with God eternally in the heavens.
Comments
These verses are interesting, both for what they teach as well as for where they appear in the chapter.
The teaching is that the transformation of the three was not a death and resurrection, but a different type of change in the body. It was a transformation that made it so that “Satan could have no power over them, that he could not tempt them.” This suggests that Satan’s ability to tempt us is related to the tests of mortality, and once we are beyond mortality, we are beyond his reach.
The location of these verses is interesting because these verses answer a question posed in verse 17 of this chapter. In between verse 17 and verse 36, we learn that there was more than one writing session. At some point, Mormon inquired of the Lord, and then received an answer. Not only does that reinforce the idea that God gives us the answers when we ask in faith, but it tells us that even a single chapter was not written in a single sitting.
This is not the end of the chapter in the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon.
