Mormon 3

Doctrine of Christ

And it came to pass that the Lord did say unto me: Cry unto this people—Repent ye, and come unto me, and be ye baptized, and build up again my church, and ye shall be spared. Mormon 3:2–3

Christ speaks directly. 'Come unto me,' 'be baptized,' and 'my church' are the same invitation He gave in person to the Nephites. The Lord who keeps sparing them is Jesus, still offering a chance to repent.

• alludes to 3 Nephi 27:20 — Christ: repent, come unto me, and be baptized in my name.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 27:8 — Christ calls it 'my church.'

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

And it came to pass that after this tenth year had passed away, making, in the whole, three hundred and sixty years from the coming of Christ, the king of the Lamanites sent an epistle unto me, which gave unto me to know that they were preparing to come again to battle against us. Mormon 3:4

The Nephite calendar is still counted from Christ's coming.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to 3 Nephi 2:8 — Time reckoned from the sign of Christ's coming.

Savior

Jesus Christ — Jehovah is salvation, the Anointed One

And when they had sworn by all that had been forbidden them by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that they would go up unto their enemies to battle, and avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren, behold the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying: Mormon 3:14

Mormon calls Him by His full name and titles. The Nephites break His direct teaching, given in person, not to swear by heaven or the throne of God (see v. 10).

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

• alludes to 3 Nephi 12:34-35 — Christ taught: swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the self-existent, eternal God (I AM)

And when they had sworn by all that had been forbidden them by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that they would go up unto their enemies to battle, and avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren, behold the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying: Mormon 3:14–15

The Lord speaks to Mormon using words Jehovah gave through Moses: vengeance belongs to God, not to angry men. In the Book of Mormon, the Lord who speaks to prophets is Christ, the same Jehovah.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Romans 12:19 — 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.'
• alludes to Deuteronomy 32:35 — Jehovah: 'To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence.'

Judgment

Jesus — Jehovah is salvation

Yea, behold, I write unto all the ends of the earth; yea, unto you, twelve tribes of Israel, who shall be judged according to your works by the twelve whom Jesus chose to be his disciples in the land of Jerusalem. Mormon 3:18–19

Jesus chose twelve apostles in Jerusalem and twelve disciples in America, and He gives both groups a part in judging, under Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to 1 Nephi 12:9-10 — Nephi sees the twelve apostles of the Lamb judge the twelve tribes and the Nephite twelve.
• alludes to Matthew 19:28 — The twelve shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Judgment

Christ — the Anointed One

And these things doth the Spirit manifest unto me; therefore I write unto you all. And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil; Mormon 3:20

Every person who has ever lived will stand before Christ as Judge. Mormon wrote so that we would know it and prepare.

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

• alludes to Romans 14:10 — 'We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.'
• alludes to John 5:22 — The Father has committed all judgment unto the Son.

Jesus Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Messiah)

And also that ye may believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, which ye shall have among you; and also that the Jews, the covenant people of the Lord, shall have other witness besides him whom they saw and heard, that Jesus, whom they slew, was the very Christ and the very God. Mormon 3:21

This is the Book of Mormon's purpose in one line: to be a second witness, alongside the Bible, that the crucified Jesus is truly the Messiah and truly God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to 2 Nephi 26:12 — The Jews and Gentiles must be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.
• alludes to Mormon 5:14 — The records go to the Jews to persuade them that Jesus is the Christ.
• alludes to 2 Nephi 29:8 — The testimony of two nations is a witness that God is God.

Judgment

Christ — the Anointed One

And I would that I could persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent and prepare to stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. Mormon 3:22

Mormon's deepest wish is that everyone would repent now so they are ready to meet Christ as Judge.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to 2 Corinthians 5:10 — 'We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.'