All things bear record · 3 Nephi

3 Nephi 18

11 witnesses of Christ here.

Sacrament — the bread

And it came to pass that Jesus commanded his disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him. 3 Nephi 18:1–7

Jesus sets up the sacrament: the bread is eaten to remember His body, which the Nephites had just seen and touched. Remembering Him always brings His Spirit to be with us.

AttestedExplicitAn ordinance that points to Him

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

  • alludes to Luke 22:19 — At the Last Supper: this is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
  • alluded to by Moroni 4:3 — The sacrament prayer on the bread repeats remembrance of His body, always remember him, and have his Spirit.

Sacrament — His shed blood

And it came to pass that when he said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it. 3 Nephi 18:8–11

The wine is taken to remember His blood, which He shed for them in His Atonement. It is for those who repent and are baptized in His name.

AttestedExplicitAn ordinance that points to Him

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

  • alludes to Luke 22:20 — This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
  • alluded to by Moroni 5:2 — The sacrament prayer on the wine: in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them.

Rock

And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock. 3 Nephi 18:12–14

Christ and His gospel are the rock. People who keep His commandments, like taking the sacrament, stand firm in the storm, and those who change His way are built on sand.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

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

  • the same title in 3 Nephi 11:39-40 — Whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock; more or less is built upon a sandy foundation.
  • the same title in Helaman 5:12 — Upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, ye must build your foundation.
  • alludes to 3 Nephi 14:24-27 — The wise man who built his house upon a rock.

The Light

Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him. 3 Nephi 18:15–16

Jesus says, "I am the light." His way of praying and living is the example His followers copy.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

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 John 8:12 — I am the light of the world.
  • the same title in 3 Nephi 15:9 — Behold, I am the law, and the light.

Mediator — prayer in His name

Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. 3 Nephi 18:18–23

Jesus teaches that we pray to the Father in the name of Christ, personally and as families. Because He is our Mediator, our prayers reach the Father through Him.

AttestedExplicitTeaching about Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • alludes to John 16:23 — Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
  • alludes to Luke 22:31 — Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.

The Light which ye shall hold up

Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed. 3 Nephi 18:24–25

The light a disciple holds up is not our own. It is Christ, which means doing what we have seen Him do. Like Jesus inviting everyone to come feel His wounds, His people welcome everyone to come to Him.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

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

  • alludes to 3 Nephi 12:16 — Let your light so shine before this people.
  • alludes to 3 Nephi 11:14-15 — He had invited the multitude to come feel the prints in His hands, feet, and side.

Sacrament — His flesh and blood

And now behold, this is the commandment which I give unto you, that ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, when ye shall minister it; 3 Nephi 18:28–30

Jesus calls the sacrament His flesh and blood and warns against taking it unworthily. Even so, leaders should keep ministering to and praying for the unworthy person so that he can repent.

AttestedExplicitAn ordinance that points to Him

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

  • alludes to 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 — He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.
  • alluded to by Mormon 9:29 — Moroni: see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily.

Good Shepherd and Healer

But if he repent not he shall not be numbered among my people, that he may not destroy my people, for behold I know my sheep, and they are numbered. 3 Nephi 18:31–32

The Shepherd knows and counts each of His sheep. If the struggling come to Him with full purpose of heart, He will heal them, and His disciples help bring them back.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

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

  • the same title in John 10:14 — I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep.
  • alludes to 3 Nephi 9:13 — Return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you.

Going to the Father

And now I go unto the Father, because it is expedient that I should go unto the Father for your sakes. 3 Nephi 18:35

Jesus explains that He returns to the Father for their benefit, just as He told His apostles at Jerusalem.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • alludes to John 16:7 — It is expedient for you that I go away.

Christ gives power to confer the Holy Ghost

And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of these sayings, he touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen, one by one, even until he had touched them all, and spake unto them as he touched them. 3 Nephi 18:36–37

Jesus lays His hand on each of the twelve and gives them priesthood power to give the Holy Ghost. That authority comes from Him.

AttestedExplicitHe appears

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • the same event in Moroni 2:1-2 — Moroni records the words Christ spoke as He laid His hands on the twelve and gave them power to give the Holy Ghost.

Ascension

And it came to pass that when Jesus had touched them all, there came a cloud and overshadowed the multitude that they could not see Jesus. 3 Nephi 18:38–39

A cloud covers the people, and the risen Jesus ascends into heaven while the disciples watch, much like His ascension at Jerusalem.

AttestedExplicitHe appears

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

  • alludes to Acts 1:9 — He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
  • the same event in 3 Nephi 19:1 — When Jesus had ascended into heaven, the multitude dispersed.