3 Ne 27:1 the disciples…were united in mighty prayer and fasting
James teaches us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much (James 5:16). The only thing more powerful than the fervent prayer
of a righteous man is the fervent prayer of a group of righteous men or women.
Their cumulative faith brings cumulative blessings that cannot be obtained
individually. Joseph Smith said, “The greatest temporal and spiritual
blessings…always come from faithfulness and concerted effort, [not from]
individual exertion or enterprise.” (Teachings, p. 183)
Furthermore, the whole
reason that the Lord referred to the city of Enoch as Zion was because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in
righteousness (Moses 7:18). This is why Zion was never established in
Missouri, for the saints were not united according
to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom; And Zion cannot be
built up unless it is by the principle of the law of the celestial kingdom
(DC 105:4-5). The prophet tried to foster this principle with his counsel,
“unity is strength. ‘How pleasing it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity!’ (Ps 133:1) Let the Saints of the Most High ever cultivate this
principle, and the most glorious blessings must result, not only to them
individually, but to the whole Church.” (Teachings, p. 174) So what was
the great blessing which attended the mighty, united prayer of the Nephite
disciples? It was another visitation from the Lord.
Bruce R. McConkie
“I
was present when the Lord revealed to President Spencer W. Kimball that the
time had come, in His eternal providences, to offer the fulness of the gospel
and the blessings of the holy priesthood to all men.
“I
was present, with my brethren of the Twelve and the counselors in the First Presidency,
when all of us heard the same voice and received the same message from on high.
“It
was on a glorious June day in 1978. All of us were together in an upper room in
the Salt Lake Temple. We were engaged in fervent prayer, pleading with the Lord
to manifest his mind and will concerning those who are entitled to receive his
holy priesthood. President Kimball himself was mouth, offering the desires of
his heart and of our hearts to that God whose servants we are…It was one of
those rare and seldom-experienced times when the disciples of the Lord are
perfectly united, when every heart beats as one, and when the same Spirit burns
in every bosom.
“I
have thought since that our united prayer must have been like that of the
Nephite disciples-the Lord's Twelve in that day and for that people-who ‘were gathered together and were united in mighty prayer
and fasting’ to learn the name that the Lord had given to his Church (3
Ne. 27:1-3). In their day the Lord came personally to answer their petition; in
our day he sent his Spirit to deliver the message.
“And
as it was with our Nephite brethren of old, so it was with us. We too had come
together in the spirit of true worship and with unity of desire. We were all
fasting and…There was a marvelous outpouring of unity, oneness, and agreement
in council. This session continued for somewhat more than two hours. Then
President Kimball suggested that we unite in formal prayer and said, modestly,
that if it was agreeable with the rest of us he would act as voice.
“It
was during that prayer that the revelation came. The Spirit of the Lord rested
mightily upon us all; we felt something akin to what happened on the day of
Pentecost and at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. From the midst of
eternity, the voice of God, conveyed by the power of the Spirit, spoke to his
prophet. The message was that the time had now come…” (Sermons and Writings
of Bruce R. McConkie, pp. 159-161)
3 Ne 27:3-9 The name of
the church
The Savior provides his own
commentary on why the church among the Nephites should be called after his
name. This interaction reminds us why “Mormon” is not the preferred name for
our church, For if a church be called in
[Mormon’s] name then it be [Mormon’s] church. Most likely, others would not wonder whether
or not we are a Christian church if they knew us by our real name. Hence, as
far as names go, “Mormon Church” is no better than “LDS Church,” “Church of Moses,” “Church of Abraham,” “Church of
Luther,” or “Church of Calvin.”
However, “The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints” was not always the official name of the church.
For the first 8 years, the church was known by other names, including: “The
Church of Christ,” “The Church of Jesus Christ,” and “The Church of the
Latter-day Saints.” The revelation giving the full name came in 1838, in Far
West (see DC 115:4). The specification, “of Latter-day Saints,” is added to
distinguish the church from previous dispensations.
Milton R. Hunter
“The
early Christians in the Mediterranean world took upon themselves the name of
Christ. As you all recall, they were known generally as Christians. But as
their numbers began to spread and become rather numerous in the Mediterranean
world, and as the seeds of apostasy began to grow, about 185 A.D. the leaders decided
to change the name to Catholic, meaning universal. Thus by choosing to
call themselves ‘Universal’ they lost the name, or set aside the name, that God
had decreed would be the only name given under heaven whereby mankind may be
saved.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1952, p. 38)
LeGrand Richards
“The
matter of the name his Church should bear was of great importance to the
Savior…Thus the name of the Church was not obtained through study or research,
but by revelation direct from the Lord. Does it not seem incredible that of all
the churches in the world, there was not one that bore his name when the Lord
restored his Church in this dispensation?” (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder,
pp. 135-6 as
taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K.
Douglas Bassett, p. 459)
3 Ne 27:11 if it be not built upon my gospel…they have joy in their
works for a season
“A
church that is not built upon the Lord's true gospel may have temporary
success, produce some good works, and possess some spiritual fruits, given
through the grace of God to bless his children and to lead them to the truths
and salvation that are available only through his true church and kingdom. Ultimately, however, those churches and
organizations that are not built upon Christ's gospel and are without his
authorization and approval-that however well intentioned are in doctrinal
error-overthrown by the power of God.
There is but one way to the Father, and that is through Christ and his
gospel. The works of the wicked and the labors of man are not acceptable to God
outside of the parameters of the gospel because ‘a
man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or
prayeth unto God ... and not with real intent of heart ... it profiteth him
nothing, for God receiveth none such’ (Moroni 7:6, 9).” (McConkie,
Millet, and Top, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p.
177)
Neal A. Maxwell
“The
temporal causes which we champion may fail-after all we can do. But God's work
of which we are part will finally triumph! He is remarkably able to do His own
work, just as He has so directly stated (see 2 Nephi 27:20-21). Indeed, we are
at the very center of His work. In the hassling competition of the work of the
world we may lose out. But we always win when we lose ourselves in God's
service.
“In
the worthy work of the world, mortals will have ‘joy
in [their] works for a season’ (3
Nephi 27:11). But everlasting and full joy comes only with God's gift of
eternal life. Granted, when we are in the service of our fellowmen we are in
the service of God (Mosiah 2:17). But the more we do of spiritual significance,
the greater the significance of service.
“Events
may turn against us, but if we are turning ever more toward God, we are on
course. This is the only turning that really matters.” (Men and Women of
Christ, p. 130)
3 Ne 27:13-15 Behold…this is the gospel which I have given unto you
Marion G. Romney
“In
this short statement (3 Ne 27:13-15) the Master named four eternal verities
upon which all else in his gospel is founded: First, the relationship between
himself and his father; second the fact of his atonement; third the universal
resurrection; and fourth, the judgment…All men who believe in Jesus and want to
be his followers will have to accept those four verities.” (Conference Report,
Apr. 1955, pp. 13-14as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon
compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 460)
Neal A. Maxwell
“There
is in the Book of Mormon a statement in which the Lord says, ‘Behold this is the gospel, which I have given unto you,’
and then he describes his gospel. (See 3 Nephi 27:13-18.) It is a simple story
of a world to which a Savior has been sent whom men may accept or reject, but
who is, nevertheless, the Messiah.
“That
simple story is the very thing, of course, the world cannot accept, and it is
so simple that some may even be offended inwardly at times by the so-called
simplicity of the gospel. Jacob, writing in the Book of Mormon, says of the
Jewish people who preceded us and who rejected Jesus, that they ‘sought for things that they could not understand,’ and
that they were forever ‘looking beyond the mark.’
(See Jacob 4:14.)
“The
Jewish people, prior to the time of Christ and at the time of Christ, rejected
the gospel, in part because it lacked adequate intellectual embroidery. The
message was not sufficiently complicated or politically pretentious. Neither
was Jesus when he lived among them. There is a kind of theological blindness to
which Paul refers in terms of the message of Jesus when he says that to the
Jews, Christ was a ‘stumblingblock,’ to the Gentiles he was ‘foolishness.’
“In
many ways, this is how we are situated today. There are those who may share
some of our beliefs and values, but for whom the restoration of the gospel is a
stumblingblock they cannot get over the top of. But to most of mankind, what we
proclaim is ‘foolishness.’” (For the Power is in Them, p. 47-8)
Neal A. Maxwell
“How
much difference it would make if those in the world who, at best, regard Jesus
merely as a great moral teacher could accept these and other simple, plain, and
yet profound scriptural declarations from Him and about Him and His gospel. His
rescue mission to mortals is set forth so plainly.” (Plain and Precious
Things, p. 34)
3 Ne 27:14 I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all
men unto me
The Savior teaches us about
the symbolism of the cross on which he was crucified. Outstretched arms are an invitation for a loving embrace.
Christ’s arms, outstretched and nailed into position, are an invitation for
just such a loving embrace. They symbolize his desire to draw all men unto
himself. Elder Bruce C. Hafen stated, “Our embracing of Christ's gospel
can lead us eventually to embrace him, in a relationship of unity that fulfills
everlastingly our longing to belong.” (Belonging heart, p. 17)
Now let’s consider the
symbolism of Christ’s statement, ‘as I have been
lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father.’ Little
did the Roman centurions realize that they were, in an ironic gospel sense,
symbolizing God the Father as they raised Jesus on the cross. The power of
their mortal muscle which raised Jesus on his cross but pales in comparison to
God’s power in bringing to pass the resurrection. The soldiers mechanically
brought death to the living, but the father miraculously brings life to the
dead. Again, the weakness of mortals is contrasted against the infinite wisdom
and mercy of God. Nevertheless, the cross had to go up, it had to be lifted up,
the atonement had to be accomplished so that the Father could, by the laws of
justice and mercy, raise us from the dead and judge us according to our works.
3 Ne 27:19 nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have
washed their garments in my blood
Who would ever wash their
clothes in blood? What stains are removed with blood? Unfortunately, the stains
of sin cannot be cleaned with water. The only solution capable of removing the
stain of sin is blood—but not just any blood, it must be the blood spilt by the
Only-Begotten. Though our sins are as crimson, we can still put on white robes,
if we have washed them, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14).
Interestingly, it is us who
must do the washing. We must be willing to remove our stained garments, soak
them in Christ’s blood, and then scrub out the stains, one by one. Christ can’t
do it for us. He has provided the amazing cleaning solution, but his
sanctifying soap must be used in order for us to cleanse ourselves and enter
into his rest. The scripture tells us that we use his soap when we exhibit
faith, repentance, and faithfulness unto the end.
“We
cannot cleanse our sin-stained lives by mere washing in the strong detergent of
self-discipline. It requires a
celestial cleanser, one which we cannot purchase for ourselves but is purchased
for us by the grace of God--the blood of Christ.” (McConkie, Millet, and Top, Doctrinal
Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 4, p. 180)
3 Ne 27:23 Write the things which ye have seen and heard
Elder Andrew Jenson
“The
Savior, as we have seen, spoke very plainly to [the Nephites], commanding them
to record those things which He had spoken unto them and also that which had
been predicted by one of His servants, many years before.
“So
it is with the Latter-day Saints. We
are here in the midst of a dispensation that is of greater importance than any
former dispensation the Lord has ever opened upon the face of the earth, and
the Lord has commanded us to write down the things that transpire in our day,
that we also may make a book or books of remembrance, a Bible or a testament,
to be handed down to future generations, to be read by our posterity in all
ages to come.
“As
the Lord commanded His people in former dispensations, He has also told us to
make records; for he ’commands all men’ to
write His words.” (Collected Discourses, Vol.5, January 20th, 1895)
3 Ne 27:27 ye shall be judges of this people, according to the
judgment which I shall give unto you
The Lord taught that the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment
unto the Son (Jn 5:22). Nevertheless, the Savior will delegate a portion
his responsibility to his servants, and he will instruct them as to how they
should judge. The Twelve Apostles were told that they would judge the House of
Israel, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt 19:28). John the Revelator,
saw in vision, the thrones spoken of, I saw thrones,
and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them (Rev 20:4).
Nephi was told that the twelve Nephite disciples would judge his people, these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy
seed (1 Ne 12:10).
The above passages make us
wonder who will judge us. According to the pattern set by the Lord, we are
likely to be judged by the Lord’s latter-day apostles. Today’s twelve apostles
know the challenges of our day. They know what records have been available to us.
And they know what we have been taught. By what will we be judged? By the
standard works. As President Joseph Fielding Smith declared, “No member of this
Church can stand approved in the presence of God who has not seriously and
carefully read the Book of Mormon.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1961, p.
18) The same could be said of the other standard works. That is why they are
called “standard” works, for they become the “standard” by which we are judged.
Joseph F. Smith
“Out
of the things which have been written in the books, this people shall be
judged, according to their works. The Lord shall make a record also, and out of
that shall the whole world be judged. And you men of the holy Priesthood--you
Apostles, Presidents, Bishops and High Priests in Zion--will be called upon to
be the judges of the people. Therefore, it is expected that you shall set the
standard for them to attain to, and see that they shall live according to the
spirit of the Gospel, do their duty, and keep the commandments of the Lord. You
shall make a record of their acts. You shall record when they are baptized,
when they are confirmed, and when they receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on
of hands. You shall record, when they come to Zion, their membership in the
Church. You shall record whether they attend to their duties as Priests,
Teachers, or Deacons, as Elders, Seventies, or High Priests. You shall write
their works, as the Lord says here. You shall record their tithings, and…we
shall judge the people, first requiring them to do their duty. In order to do
that, those who stand at the head must set the example.” (Conference Report,
Apr. 1901, p. 72)
3 Ne 27:27 what manner of men ought ye to be?
In particular, those who are
to sit as judges of their fellowmen must be so righteous that their judgment
would be the same as if Christ himself had passed the judgment. But the
counsel, to be even as Christ is, is not just given to the Lord’s judges, but
to all, be perfect even as I, or your Father who is
in heaven is perfect (3 Ne 12:48).
Spencer W. Kimball
“Hard
to do? Of course. The Lord never promised an easy road, nor a simple gospel nor
low standards, nor a low norm. The price is high, but the goods attained are
worth all they cost. The Lord himself turned the other cheek; he suffered
himself to be buffeted and beaten without remonstrance; he suffered every
indignity and yet spoke no word of condemnation. And his question to all of us
is: ‘Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be’ And
his answer to us is: ‘Even as I am.’” (Conference
Report, Oct. 1977, p. 71 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon
compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 462)
Ezra Taft Benson
“My
beloved brethren, I have entitled my remarks ‘What Manner of Men Ought We to
Be?’ You will recognize this title as a variation of the question Jesus posed
to the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 27:27). It is a timely question for each member of
the priesthood of God to consider.
“…As
priesthood holders, we are to emulate the character of the Savior.
And
what is His character?
“He
has identified the cardinal virtues of His divine character in a revelation to
all priesthood holders who serve in His ministry. You are familiar with this
verse in section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which was given a year before
the Church was organized: ‘Remember faith, virtue,
knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity,
humility, diligence’ (D&C4:6).
‘These
are the virtues we are to emulate. This is the Christlike character…He expects
us to be like Him. He expects us to demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit in our
lives, which are ‘love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance’ (Galatians 5:22-23).
“These
Christlike traits should characterize each priesthood holder and should
permeate every Latter-day Saint home. It can be done and must be done if we are
to honorably bear His name. Never in the history of mankind has there been a
greater need for men to be united in their determination and actions to be
Christlike in character.” (Morality, pp. 1,2,6)
3 Ne 27:29 ask, and ye shall receive
Boyd K. Packer
“It
is clear that the Lord wants us to come unto Him and ask Him for whatever we
need. The simple invitation to ‘ask, and it shall be
given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you’
was repeated by the Lord on many occasions. He gave this message to the people
He taught while He lived on earth. He repeated it twice to the people of the
New World at the time of His visit to them following His resurrection,
including His last words He gave them before returning to His Father in heaven.
Interestingly, the Lord repeated the same invitation seven times in the
Doctrine and Covenants. In varying ways throughout the scriptures, He has
invited us to ask Him for whatever we need in righteousness, that He might give
it unto us.
“The
initiative, then, is ours. We must ask and pray and seek, and then we will
find.” (Teach Ye Diligently, p. 18)
3 Ne 27:40 the Father rejoiceth…because of you and this generation;
for none of them are lost
Franklin D. Richards
“It
is nowhere found in the scriptures of the New Testament or the Old that the
Lord mingled with any people in the land of Palestine and told them that they
of that generation were accepted of Him fully and utterly and that none of them
should be lost…It seemed that the mission of Jesus in Palestine was one of toil
and of humiliation. But upon this land
there was a people of whom he said that that generation was accepted of him.
“It
occurred to me: What a glorious thing
it would be if we could hear that heavenly voice saying to us in this house
that with us the Lord is well pleased and satisfied and that not a soul would
be lost.” (Collected Discourses, Vol.3, Franklin D. Richards, January
29th, 1893)
Bruce R. McConkie
“When
else was it ever thus? In Zion of Enoch, be it answered, for the saints of that
day were translated and taken up into heaven; but there has been no other time
of which we have knowledge when righteousness has prevailed among so many
people to the degree here manifest. And what joy is found in heaven when the
righteous so live as to merit eternal life.” (The Mortal Messiah, book
4, p. 386)
3 Ne 27:41 the fourth generation…are led away captive by him even as
was the son of perdition
Joseph Fielding Smith
“It
is possible for people to get so far in the dark through rebellion and
wickedness that the spirit of repentance leaves them. It is a gift of God, and they
get beyond the power of repentance. How well Mormon speaks of that, in
reference to the people who turned away with their eyes open, who turned
against the truth some 200 years following the coming of Christ. The people
rebelled; Mormon speaks about them and their condition beyond the power of
redemption because of their wickedness and the hardness of their hearts, which
the Spirit of the Lord could not penetrate.
“They
sinned wilfully, and therefore salvation cannot come to them. It was offered to
them, and they would not have it.
They rejected it. They fought it and preferred to take the course of rebellion;
and the Lord on one occasion said to Mormon, ‘You shall not preach to these
people; they have turned against me and you shall not preach to them.’ He had a
right to say that. Now why did he say that? Because they had every opportunity
and would not receive the truth. They mocked at it, and so the Lord said, ‘You
don't have to talk to them; there is no need to cry repentance to them any
longer.’ And after a while Mormon still pleaded with the Lord to let him try
again. It was useless.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:195)