3 Nephi 15

Resurrection

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

Jesus, who has ascended to His Father, promises to raise up at the last day everyone who remembers and lives His teachings. He holds the power of resurrection.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 6:40 — I will raise him up at the last day
• alludes to 3 Nephi 14:24-25 — whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them

The law of Moses fulfilled in Christ

And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new. 3 Nephi 15:2–4

Some of the people who had lived the law of Moses all their lives were confused. Jesus reassures them that the law given to Moses has been fulfilled.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 3 Nephi 12:46-47 — old things are done away, and all things have become new
• the same title in 3 Nephi 9:17 — in me is the law of Moses fulfilled

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name of the God of Israel, "I AM"

Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end. 3 Nephi 15:5

Jesus says plainly that He is the one who gave the law to Moses on Sinai and made covenants with Israel. The God of the Old Testament, Jehovah, is Jesus Christ, so He has the right to declare that law fulfilled.

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

• the same event in Exodus 20:1-2 — Jehovah speaks the law from Sinai: I am the LORD thy God
• the same event in Exodus 19:5-6 — Jehovah covenants with Israel as His peculiar people
• fulfils Mosiah 13:30-31 — the law of performances and ordinances were types of things to come
• fulfils Alma 34:13-14 — the law fulfilled in the great and last sacrifice
• alludes to 1 Corinthians 10:4 — the Rock that followed Israel in the wilderness was Christ

Jehovah, the covenant maker

Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled. 3 Nephi 15:6–8

Though the law has ended in Him, Christ says the prophecies about Him and the covenant He made with Israel are still being fulfilled, including events yet to come.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 5:17 — I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil
• alludes to 3 Nephi 20:12 — the covenant which the Father hath covenanted with his people shall be fulfilled

Light of the World

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

Christ calls Himself the law and the light: the old law pointed to Him, and now He Himself is the standard and the light to follow.

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

• the same title in 3 Nephi 9:18 — I am the light and the life of the world
• the same title in John 8:12 — I am the light of the world

Brazen serpent

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

"Look unto me ... and ye shall live" echoes Israel looking at the brazen serpent to be healed. Nephite prophets taught that serpent was a type of Christ; here Christ invites people to look to Him and live.

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

• alludes to Numbers 21:8-9 — every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live
• alludes to Helaman 8:14-15 — as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith ... might live
• alludes to Alma 33:19-22 — a type was raised up; cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God
• alludes to Isaiah 45:22 — Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth

Jesus Christ

Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me. 3 Nephi 15:10

Jesus gives a key for reading the whole Old Testament and the brass plates: the law and the prophets truly testified of Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Luke 24:27 — beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded the things concerning himself
• alludes to John 5:39 — the scriptures ... are they which testify of me
• alludes to Jacob 4:4-5 — the prophets knew of Christ; the law of Moses points souls to him
• alludes to Mosiah 13:33 — all the prophets have spoken concerning the coming of the Messiah

Jesus Christ

And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he said unto those twelve whom he had chosen: 3 Nephi 15:11–16

Jesus speaks to His twelve Nephite disciples and explains that He only told His followers in Jerusalem what the Father commanded Him to say. The Son does all things by the Father's direction.

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

• alludes to John 12:49 — the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say

Good Shepherd

That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 3 Nephi 15:17

Jesus repeats what He told His disciples in Jerusalem: He has other sheep who will hear His voice, and He, the one Shepherd, will make one fold.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes John 10:16 — the same saying spoken at Jerusalem
• the same title in John 10:11 — I am the good shepherd

Good Shepherd

And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them. 3 Nephi 15:18–21

Christ Himself interprets John 10:16: the Nephites are the "other sheep" He spoke of, and He has now come to them in person so they can hear His voice.

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

• interprets John 10:16 — the Savior identifies the other sheep as the Nephites
• alludes to 3 Nephi 16:1-3 — He has still other sheep among the lost tribes

Jesus Christ

And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching. 3 Nephi 15:22–23

Jesus explains that the Gentiles would not hear His voice in person; He would manifest Himself to them through the Holy Ghost and the preaching of His servants.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 3 Nephi 16:4-7 — the Gentiles shall believe through the Holy Ghost
• alludes to Matthew 15:24 — I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel

Good Shepherd

But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me. 3 Nephi 15:24

The Good Shepherd tells the Nephites they are His sheep: they have heard His voice and seen Him, and the Father has given them to Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 10:27-29 — My sheep hear my voice ... My Father, which gave them me
• alludes to John 17:6 — the men which thou gavest me