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3 Nephi 11


Jesus Christ did show himself unto the people of Nephi, as the multitude were gathered together in the land Bountiful, and did minister unto them; and on this wise did he show himself unto them.

Beginning with chapter 11.

Chapter 11

The Father testifies of His Beloved SonChrist appears and proclaims His Atonement—The people feel the wound marks in His hands and feet and side—They cry Hosanna—He sets forth the mode and manner of baptism—The spirit of contention is of the devilChrist’s doctrine is that men should believe and be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. About A.D. 34.

And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place.

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

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.

And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.

And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.

And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:

Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my namehear ye him.

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.

And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:

10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

11 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.

12 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.

13 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:

14 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.

15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

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

17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.

18 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.

19 And Nephi arose and went forth, and bowed himself before the Lord and did kiss his feet.

20 And the Lord commanded him that he should arise. And he arose and stood before him.

21 And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.

22 And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. And he said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you.

23 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.

24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:

25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

26 And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.

27 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.

28 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.

29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.

31 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine.

32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.

33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.

34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.

35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.

37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

39 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.

40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

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

      • B.C. (noun)

        Before the birth of Christ.

      • with one accord (adverb phrase)

        All together; as a group.

      • according as (adverb)

        Just as; in a way that corresponds to how.

      • after-this-manner (adverb phrase)

        In this way.

      • amen (interjection)

        Let it be so! Often said at the end of religious speeches and prayers.

      • angel (noun)

        Messenger from God. Some are spirits of people who have lived or will later live on the earth. Others are people who have been resurrected.

      • appear (verb)

        To make oneself visible; to come to; to show oneself.

      • arise (verb)

        To get up from kneeling, sitting, or lying.

      • as (adverb)

        Like.

      • ascend, ascend up (verb)

        To rise; to go or come up.

      • ascension (noun)

        Christ’s going up to heaven after His Resurrection (see Acts 1:9–11 in the Bible).

      • Atonement (noun)

        Jesus Christ’s suffering and death, which saves us from death and, if we repent, from the consequences of our sins.

      • authority (noun)

        The power or right to give commands or act officially; the power or right to act on behalf of someone else.

      • baptism (noun)

        A ceremony in which a person is immersed in water to symbolize being cleansed from sin. A person who is baptized becomes a member of Christ’s Church.

      • baptize (verb)

        To perform the ordinance of baptism. In baptism a person is immersed in water to symbolize being cleansed from sin.

      • bear record (verb)

        To give testimony; to state, based on personal knowledge, that something is true.

      • beat (verb)

        To hit; to pound.

      • before (preposition)

        In front of.

      • behold (interjection, archaic)

        Look! See! In fact.

      • believeth (verb, archaic)

        Believes.

      • beloved (adjective)

        Dear; well-loved.

      • blessed be the name of (God or the Lord) (phrase)

        May God be honored, praised, or glorified. (“The name of ” is a poetic way to refer to God Himself.)

      • land of Bountiful (proper noun)

        An area in the north part of the land of the Nephites, near the narrow neck of land. (Bountiful means having plenty of food or opportunities.)

      • bow, bow down (verb)

        To bend the head, kneel, or lie down on one’s belly as a courtesy to others, a sign of submission to a ruler, or as worship to God.

      • buildeth (verb, archaic)

        Builds.

      • burn (verb)

        To have a very warm or intense feeling.

      • call (verb)

        To summon; to choose; to give a church responsibility to.

      • cast one’s eyes (verb phrase)

        Look; direct one’s eyes.

      • to the center (adverb phrase)

        To the deepest part of one’s heart and soul.

      • Christ (noun)

        A title for Jesus Christ. The titles Christ and Messiah both mean a king or priest sent by God to save the world.

      • clothed in (verb)

        Wearing.

      • come forth (verb)

        To come forward.

      • it came to pass (verb phrase)

        It happened; it took place.

      • cometh (verb, archaic)

        Comes.

      • command (verb)

        To give a law, order, or binding instruction.

      • concerning (preposition)

        About.

      • concerning (preposition)

        About.

      • contend (verb)

        To dispute; to fight (physically or verbally).

      • contention (noun)

        Disputes; disagreements (sometimes leading to violence).

      • converse (verb)

        To talk with each other.

      • converse (verb)

        To talk with each other.

      • cry (verb)

        To call; to shout; to exclaim.

      • bitter cup (noun phrase)

        Jesus Christ’s suffering during the Atonement (a cup of a bitter drink symbolizes a difficult experience one must pass through). (See Matthew 26:39 in the Bible.)

      • damn (verb)

        To condemn; to deny access forever to the presence of God.

      • declare (verb)

        To announce; to state energetically.

      • descend (verb)

        To come down.

      • desire (verb)

        To want; to wish; to long for.

      • devil (noun)

        Satan (also called Lucifer), a spiritual being who rebelled against God and opposes Him. Satan deceives people and tempt them to sin.

      • did, didst (verb, archaic)

        A term used before verbs to make them past tense.

      • disputation (noun)

        Argument; quarrel; heated discussion.

      • be done away (verb)

        To cease; to be put to a stop.

      • doctrine (noun)

        Principle or teaching (especially about the gospel).

      • durst not (verb, archaic)

        Did not dare.

      • earth (noun)

        Ground.

      • ends of the earth (noun phrase)

        Everywhere on earth; the most remote places on earth.

      • establish (verb)

        To set up; to try to make accepted or official.

      • even (adverb)

        Specifically.

      • evil (noun)

        Wickedness; unrighteousness; sin; breaking God’s laws.

      • Father (proper noun)

        God the Father. He created all life and is the Father of our spirits. He rules all things and is just, righteous, merciful, and loving. He is the father of Jesus Christ.

      • father (noun)

        One who creates or sponsors.

      • for behold (conjunction)

        Because you see.

      • for (conjunction)

        Because.

      • for (conjunction)

        Because; because you see.

      • for (preposition)

        As; to be.

      • foundation (noun)

        The base on which a building is built.

      • frame (noun)

        Body.

      • from (preposition)

        Starting from or with.

      • gates of hell (noun)

        Death; the forces of chaos and evil; suffering that results from sin and error.

      • gather (verb)

        To assemble; to meet together.

      • glorify (verb)

        To honor; to praise.

      • go forth (verb)

        To move forward; to go out.

      • go forth (verb)

        To go ahead; to start out.

      • kingdom of God (noun)

        The place where the righteous live in the presence of God in the next life (sometimes called heaven).

      • God (proper noun)

        A Being who created the earth and governs all; God the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ.

      • great (adjective)

        Large; numerous.

      • great (adjective)

        Big; signficant.

      • harsh (adjective)

        Unpleasant; grating; angry.

      • hath (verb, archaic)

        Has.

      • hear (verb)

        To listen.

      • heart (noun)

        A person’s thoughts, desires, and feelings.

      • heart (noun)

        Emotions; feelings.

      • heaven (noun)

        The sky; figuratively, the place where God lives.

      • heaven (noun)

        The place where God lives.

      • most high God (noun phrase)

        God, who is greater than all things. (God refers to God the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ.)

      • hitherto (adverb)

        Until now; before this.

      • Holy Ghost (proper noun)

        The Holy Ghost, also known as the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of the Lord. He is a divine spirit, one in purpose with God the Father and Jesus Christ. He speaks to our hearts and testifies of truth.

      • Hosanna (interjection)

        Praise to our Savior! (literally, “Save us now!”).

      • immerse (verb)

        To submerge; to dunk; to put completely under water.

      • in my name (adverb phrase)

        By someone with my authority; by someone acting for me.

      • in the name of (adverb phrase)

        With authority from; acting for.

      • in whom I have glorified my name (phrase)

        Who has brought me honor and praise.

      • in whom I am well pleased (phrase)

        Who I’m proud of; with whom I’m so happy.

      • inherit (verb)

        To receive as a right.

      • insomuch (adverb)

        So much; to such an extent.

      • Israel (proper noun)

        The ancestor of the people of Israel, God’s ancient covenant people, as described in the Bible; members of God’s Church.

      • Jesus (proper noun)

        Personal name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The name means “Savior.”

      • Jesus Christ (proper noun)

        The Son of God. He created the earth and rules it. He often speaks and acts for His Father. He suffered so that we could be forgiven of our sins and be resurrected.

      • kiss his feet (verb phrase)

        A sign of honor, love, and submission.

      • likewise (adverb)

        Also; in the same way.

      • Lord (noun)

        A term of respect for God the Father or Jesus Christ.

      • men (noun)

        People; humanity.

      • man (noun)

        Adult male human being.

      • mark (noun)

        Partially healed wound.

      • marvel (verb)

        To be filled with wonder and surprise.

      • marvelous (adjective)

        Wonderful; astonishing.

      • may, might (verb)

        Can; could.

      • may, might (verb)

        Can; could.

      • minister (verb)

        To teach; to serve.

      • mode and manner (noun phrase)

        The way something is done.

      • multitude (noun)

        Crowd.

      • nail (noun)

        A long nail or spike. When Christ was killed, he was nailed to a cross, a wooden beam with a cross bar (see John 20:25–27 in the Bible).

      • Nephi, grandson of Helaman (proper noun)

        Prophet and one of Christ’s twelve disciples; author of the book of Third Nephi.

      • Nephites, people of Nephi (proper noun)

        A people of the Book of Mormon descended from Nephi and from those who followed him.

      • nevertheless (adverb)

        But still; in spite of this.

      • notwithstanding (conjunction)

        Although; even though.

      • in nowise (noun)

        In no way.

      • in the midst of (adverb phrase)

        In the middle of; among.

      • one against another (adverb)

        Against each other.

      • one to another (adverb)

        To each other.

      • one with another (adverb)

        With each other.

      • one (adjective)

        United in purpose.

      • open their ears to hear it (verb phrase)

        Listen intently.

      • cry out (verb phrase)

        Call; shout; exclaim.

      • pierce (verb)

        To penetrate the mind or soul; to affect deeply.

      • point (noun)

        Part; detail.

      • prevail (verb)

        To defeat; to overcome; to win against.

      • print (noun)

        Impression; mark.

      • proclaim (verb)

        To announce publicly.

      • prophesy (verb)

        To deliver a message or predict future events by inspiration from God.

      • prophet (noun)

        A person sent by God to speak for Him.

      • quake (verb)

        To shake.

      • receive (verb)

        To get; to have given to you.

      • receive (verb)

        To get or accept something from someone else.

      • receive (verb)

        To allow someone to enter.

      • repent (verb)

        To feel sorrow for one’s sins, ask to be forgiven, and change one’s life.

      • robe (noun)

        A long, loose garment or gown.

      • round about (preposition)

        Around; surrounding.

      • round about (adverb)

        Around.

      • the same (noun)

        That same person.

      • save (verb)

        To rescue from death and sin.

      • set forth (verb)

        To teach; to establish a pattern.

      • shall, should (verb)

        Will, would.

      • should (verb)

        May; must; ought to.

      • should (phrase)

        Would.

      • show (verb)

        To point out.

      • side (noun)

        The area under the rib cage under the arm. When Christ was killed, a soldier stabbed him in the side with a spear (see John 19:34 in the Bible).

      • sign (noun)

        A symbolic act or event given by God to show that something is true.

      • sin (noun)

        An evil act; disobedience to God’s commandments.

      • sin (noun)

        An evil act; disobedience to God’s commandments.

      • slay (verb)

        To kill.

      • small (adjective)

        Soft; quiet.

      • Son (proper noun)

        Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He created the earth and rules it. He often speaks and acts for His Father. He suffered so that we could be forgiven of our sins and be resurrected.

      • soul (noun)

        Heart; the seat of a person’s desires and emotions.

      • spake (verb, archaic)

        Spoke.

      • spirit (noun)

        Attitude; feeling; frame of mind.

      • stand open (verb phrase)

        Are open and ready.

      • steadfastly (adverb)

        Constantly; firmly.

      • stir up (verb)

        To excite; to provoke to action.

      • stretch forth (verb phrase)

        To reach out with.

      • such (pronoun)

        Person or thing like that.

      • suffer (verb)

        To submit to; to endure.

      • of a surety (prepositional phrase)

        With certainty; for sure.

      • take place (verb)

        To happen.

      • taking upon me (verb phrase)

        Taking responsibility for; accepting the punishment for.

      • temple (noun)

        A house of worship where the most sacred ceremonies are performed.

      • testify (verb)

        To state that something is true.

      • that (conjunction)

        In order that; so that.

      • that (conjunction)

        Who.

      • therefore (adverb)

        Now; so.

      • thereof (adverb)

        Of it; of him; of them.

      • through (preposition)

        As a result of; because of.

      • thrust (verb)

        To put; to place.

      • thus (adverb)

        In this way.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • verily (adverb)

        Truly.

      • very (adjective)

        Actual.

      • visit someone with fire and with the Holy Ghost (verb phrase)

        Send the Spirit to someone; give someone the gift of the Holy Ghost as part of baptism (see Matthew 3:11 in the Bible).

      • from whence (prepositional phrase)

        From which; from where.

      • whoso (pronoun)

        Anyone that; whoever; whosoever.

      • will (noun)

        Desire; intention; plan.

      • on this wise, in this wise (adverb phrase)

        In this way.

      • wist not (verb phrase)

        Did not know.

      • with (preposition)

        Through; by means of.

      • witness (verb)

        To see.

      • wonder (verb)

        To marvel; to be filled with awe and surprise at something unexpected.

      • word (noun)

        Message; teachings.

      • word (noun)

        Teachings of the gospel.

      • world (noun)

        All human beings.

      • worship (verb)

        To honor, venerate, or praise God.

      • wound (noun)

        Injury; place where the skin and muscles have been broken or torn.

      • ye (pronoun, archaic)

        You.

      • yea (interjection, archaic)

        Indeed; yes. This is pronounced “yay.”