3 Nephi 11

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death. 3 Nephi 11:2

The people gathered at the temple are talking about Jesus Christ and the signs of His death they have just lived through, right before He comes.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Helaman 14:20-27 — the sign of His death given by Samuel the Lamanite
• the same event in 3 Nephi 8:20-23 — the three days of darkness

Beloved Son

And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn. 3 Nephi 11:3–7

God the Father speaks from heaven and introduces Jesus as His Beloved Son, telling the people to hear Him. The Father's voice introducing the Son happens at the most sacred moments in scripture.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Matthew 3:17 — at Jesus' baptism: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased
• the same title in Matthew 17:5 — on the Mount of Transfiguration: hear ye him
• the same title in Joseph Smith—History 1:17 — the First Vision: This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
• the same title in 3 Nephi 9:15 — in me hath the Father glorified his name

Appearance to the Nephites

And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them. 3 Nephi 11:8

The resurrected Jesus comes down from heaven dressed in white and stands among the people. At first they think He is an angel.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils 1 Nephi 12:6 — Nephi saw the Lamb of God descending out of heaven
• fulfils 2 Nephi 26:1 — after Christ shall have risen from the dead he shall show himself unto you
• the same event in 3 Nephi 10:18-19 — Mormon's announcement of this appearance

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying: 3 Nephi 11:9–10

Christ's first words in person: He is Jesus Christ, the one all the prophets testified would come.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Jacob 7:11 — none of the prophets have written nor prophesied save they have spoken concerning this Christ
• fulfils Mosiah 13:33 — all the prophets have spoken concerning the coming of the Messiah
• the same title in 3 Nephi 9:15 — the voice in the darkness gave the same name

Atonement

And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning. 3 Nephi 11:11

Jesus sums up His mission by testifying of His Atonement: He drank the bitter cup the Father gave Him, took the sins of the world upon Himself, and submitted to the Father's will in all things.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Matthew 26:39 — in Gethsemane: let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt
• the same event in D&C 19:18 — the Savior's own description of the bitter cup and His suffering
• the same event in John 18:11 — the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
• the same title in John 8:12 — I am the light of the world

Appearance to the Nephites

And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven. 3 Nephi 11:12

The people fall to the ground as they realize the prophecy has come true: Christ has come to them after His ascension.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Alma 16:20 — the Son of God would appear unto them after his resurrection

Resurrection

And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying: 3 Nephi 11:13–15

The risen Lord invites every person, one by one, to touch the wounds in His side, hands, and feet so they can know for themselves that He was slain and lives again. Each became a witness.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in John 20:27 — Jesus invites Thomas to thrust his hand into his side
• the same event in Luke 24:39 — Behold my hands and my feet ... handle me, and see
• fulfils Zechariah 13:6 — What are these wounds in thine hands?
• alludes to D&C 45:51-52 — at the Second Coming the Jews will ask about the wounds in His hands and feet

Jehovah, the God of Israel

God of Israel — the covenant God, Jehovah, who led and made covenants with Israel

Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye 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. 3 Nephi 11:14

Jesus plainly declares that He is the God of Israel, Jehovah of the Old Testament, and also the God of the whole earth, the same one who was slain for the sins of the world.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Isaiah 54:5 — thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called
• fulfils 1 Nephi 19:10 — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob yieldeth himself to be crucified
• the same title in D&C 110:3-4 — Jehovah: I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain

Most High God

Hosanna — save now, we pray; Most High God — the supreme God

And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: 3 Nephi 11:16–17

Having felt His wounds, the multitude shouts Hosanna, praises the name of the Most High God, and worships Jesus at His feet, recognizing Him as God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Matthew 21:9 — Hosanna to the Son of David at the triumphal entry
• alludes to Psalm 118:25-26 — Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD ... Blessed be he that cometh
• the same title in 1 Nephi 11:6 — Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God

Jesus Christ (the Lord)

And it came to pass that he spake unto Nephi (for Nephi was among the multitude) and he commanded him that he should come forth. 3 Nephi 11:18–22

Jesus, called "the Lord," calls Nephi and others forward and personally gives them power to baptize after He returns to heaven. Priesthood authority flows from Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in 3 Nephi 12:1 — the number called and given authority was twelve
• alludes to Matthew 28:18-19 — the risen Christ commissions His apostles to baptize

Taking His name (baptism)

Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them. 3 Nephi 11:23–26

Christ gives the exact words of the baptismal ordinance. Baptism is done in His name and by authority from Him, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in D&C 20:73 — the same baptismal prayer, 'Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ'
• alludes to Matthew 28:19 — baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
• alludes to Mosiah 18:13 — Alma's baptismal words, having authority from the Almighty God

Son of God

And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one. 3 Nephi 11:27

Jesus teaches that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one in purpose, and that He and the Father are perfectly united.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 10:30 — I and my Father are one
• alludes to John 17:21-22 — that they may be one, even as we are one
• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:21 — the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God

Doctrine of Christ

And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been. 3 Nephi 11:28–30

Christ teaches that contention does not come from Him but from the devil; His doctrine is meant to end anger between people.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Mosiah 18:21 — Alma commanded that there should be no contention one with another

Doctrine of Christ

Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine. 3 Nephi 11:31–38

Jesus declares His doctrine: believe in Him, repent, be baptized in His name, become as a little child, and receive the Holy Ghost. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost each bear record of one another.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:10-21 — Nephi's teaching of the doctrine of Christ: faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, enduring
• alludes to Mark 16:16 — He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned
• alludes to Matthew 18:3 — except ye become as little children
• alludes to 3 Nephi 27:13-21 — Christ later restates His gospel to the Nephite twelve

Rock

Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. 3 Nephi 11:39–40

Christ calls His doctrine "my rock." Those who build on it cannot be overthrown by the powers of hell, but anyone who adds to or takes from it builds on sand.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Helaman 5:12 — the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God
• alludes to Matthew 16:18 — upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it
• the same title in 3 Nephi 14:24-27 — the wise man who built his house upon a rock

Jesus Christ

Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth. 3 Nephi 11:41

Jesus sends His newly called servants to take His words to the whole earth.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Mark 16:15 — Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature