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3 Nephi 23


Chapter 23

Jesus approves the words of Isaiah—He commands the people to search the prophets—The words of Samuel the Lamanite concerning the Resurrection are added to their records. About A.D. 34.

And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.

For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.

And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.

Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles.

And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things.

And now it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he said unto them again, after he had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received, he said unto them: Behold, other scriptures I would that ye should write, that ye have not.

And it came to pass that he said unto Nephi: Bring forth the record which ye have kept.

And when Nephi had brought forth the records, and laid them before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said:

Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so?

10 And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled.

11 And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?

12 And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written.

13 And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be written; therefore it was written according as he commanded.

14 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had expounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, he commanded them that they should teach the things which he had expounded unto them.

      • B.C. (noun)

        Before the birth of Christ.

      • according as (adverb)

        Just as; in a way that corresponds to how.

      • according to (preposition)

        In a way that agrees with.

      • appear (verb)

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

      • baptize (verb)

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

      • before (preposition)

        In front of.

      • behold (interjection, archaic)

        Look! See! In fact.

      • cast one’s eyes (verb phrase)

        Look; direct one’s eyes.

      • it came to pass (verb phrase)

        It happened; it took place.

      • command (verb)

        To give a law, order, or binding instruction.

      • commandment (noun)

        Law; order; binding instruction (especially from God).

      • concerning (preposition)

        About.

      • concerning (preposition)

        About.

      • day (noun)

        Period; time.

      • did, didst (verb, archaic)

        A term used before verbs to make them past tense.

      • diligently (adverb)

        Consistently, conscientiously, and carefully.

      • twelve disciples, twelve ministers (proper noun)

        One of twelve leaders chosen by Jesus Christ to guide His Church in ancient America.

      • even (adverb)

        In fact.

      • 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.

      • for (conjunction)

        Because.

      • Gentile (proper noun)

        Member of a nation or tribe other than Israel.

      • glorify (verb)

        To honor; to praise.

      • go forth (verb phrase)

        To move forward from a starting point.

      • hearken (verb)

        To listen; to take advice from; to obey.

      • house of Israel (proper noun)

        God’s ancient covenant people, as described in the Bible (house means a nation or tribe); members of God’s Church.

      • it must needs be that (phrase)

        It is necessary that; it follows that.

      • Jesus (proper noun)

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

      • Lamanites (proper noun)

        A people of the Book of Mormon, often enemies of the Nephites, who descended from Nephi’s brother Laman and of those who followed him.

      • Lord (noun)

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

      • minister (verb)

        To teach; to serve.

      • Nephi, grandson of Helaman (proper noun)

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

      • prophesy (verb)

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

      • receive (verb)

        To get; to have given to you.

      • record (noun)

        A written description or account.

      • repent (verb)

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

      • resurrection (noun)

        Coming to life after being dead; the body and spirit coming together permanently; becoming immortal.

      • saints (noun)

        Members of Christ’s Church; individuals become holy through living the principles of the gospel.

      • the same (noun)

        That same person.

      • save (verb)

        To rescue from death and sin.

      • scripture (noun)

        Sacred writings given by God or recording God’s dealings with His children.

      • shall, should (verb)

        Will, would.

      • should (verb)

        May; must; ought to.

      • spake (verb, archaic)

        Said.

      • surely (adverb)

        Definitely.

      • testify (verb)

        To state that something is true.

      • that (conjunction)

        Who.

      • therefore (adverb)

        For this reason.

      • thy (pronoun, archaic)

        Your.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • verily (adverb)

        Truly.

      • whosoever (pronoun)

        Whoever.

      • will (noun)

        Desire; intention; plan.

      • word (noun)

        Message; teachings.

      • would that ye should (verb)

        Want you to.

      • ye (pronoun, archaic)

        You.

      • yea (interjection, archaic)

        Indeed; yes. This is pronounced “yay.”