3 Nephi 21

Jehovah, who gathers Israel and establishes Zion

And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion; 3 Nephi 21:1–4

Jesus calls Israel "my people" and Zion "my Zion," and says He will gather them from their long scattering. That is the work of Israel's covenant God.

• the same event in 3 Nephi 20:13 — The scattered remnants gathered in from east, west, south, and north.

Doctrine of Christ

Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity; 3 Nephi 21:5–7

The record comes to the Gentiles so they can come unto Christ, be baptized in His name, learn His true doctrine, and be counted among His covenant people.

• alludes to 3 Nephi 11:32-39 — Where He declared, this is my doctrine: repent, believe, be baptized.

The marred servant (echo of Isaiah's Servant)

And when that day shall come, it shall come to pass that kings shall shut their mouths; for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. 3 Nephi 21:8–10

Jesus reuses the Servant language from Isaiah 52 (kings shutting their mouths, a marred servant) for a latter-day servant who will bring forth His words. That servant is commonly understood to be Joseph Smith. The servant echoes Christ's pattern of being marred and then healed, and he is kept in Christ's hand.

• alludes to Isaiah 52:13-15 — His visage so marred... kings shall shut their mouths at him.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 20:43-45 — Jesus had just quoted these Servant verses.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ — "Jehovah saves," the Anointed One

For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them. 3 Nephi 21:9–11

The Restoration is a marvelous work the Father does for Christ's sake. The words brought forth are the words of "Jesus Christ," as He names Himself, and rejecting them fulfills Moses' warning about the prophet like him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Deuteronomy 18:19 — Whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 20:23 — I am he of whom Moses spake... every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off.
• alludes to Isaiah 29:14 — I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder.

The LORD of Micah's prophecy, speaking through Christ

And my people who are a remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles, yea, in the midst of them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he go through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. 3 Nephi 21:12–19

Jesus quotes Micah 5, where the LORD cuts off the idols and strongholds of the unrepentant. He says these words for the Father, in the first-person voice that belongs to Israel's God.

• quotes Micah 5:8-14 — The source passage.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 20:16-17 — The remnant as a lion among the flocks, already quoted.

Beloved Son

For it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that at that day whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel; 3 Nephi 21:20

Through Jesus' own mouth, the Father calls Him "my Beloved Son" and makes coming unto Him the condition for staying among God's covenant people.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in 3 Nephi 11:7 — The Father introduces Him at Bountiful: Behold my Beloved Son.
• the same title in Matthew 3:17 — This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Christ in the midst of the New Jerusalem

But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance; 3 Nephi 21:22–25

Believing Gentiles will join the remnant of Jacob to build the New Jerusalem, and Christ promises to be there with them.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in 3 Nephi 20:22 — It shall be a New Jerusalem... even I will be in the midst of you.
• the same event in Ether 13:3-6 — The New Jerusalem to be built upon this land.

Coming unto Christ, calling on the Father in His name

And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem. 3 Nephi 21:26–28

The Father's latter-day work among scattered Israel, including the lost tribes, has one purpose: to bring them to Christ so they can call on the Father in His name.

• alludes to 3 Nephi 17:4 — The lost tribes are not lost unto the Father.

He who goes before and behind Israel

And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward. 3 Nephi 21:29

Jesus turns Isaiah's "the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel shall be your rearward" into the first person. The God who leads and guards gathering Israel speaks through Him.

• quotes Isaiah 52:12 — The LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
• interprets 3 Nephi 20:42 — His earlier quotation in the third person.