Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
3 Nephi Chapter 7
This can be interpreted as historical; but more likely, it lays down a principle which applies to all
ages. Note the statement which follows: "In the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles,
that the fullness of these things shall be made known unto them" (31). From the days of Peter, who
baptized the Roman centurion Cornelius in Caesarea ( Acts 10) and Paul, "the apostle of the
Gentiles" (Rom. 11: 13), down to the Restoration God has given ministry to the Gentiles. But it
was in the latter-day evangel that "the fullness of these things" was given in the Three Books of
scripture (D. and C. 42:5 a; 101:10 c).
Woe is pronounced against "the unbelieving of the Gentiles." They “have scattered my people,
who are of the house of Israel; and my people (Jews, Lamanites) have been cast out from among
them, and have been trodden under feet by them" (32). Then Jesus continued by saying he was
using the Gentiles to bring judgments against them. "I have caused (permitted) my people, who are
of the house of Israel, to be smitten, and to be afflicted, and to be slain, and to be cast out. .. to
become hated by them. ..a hiss and a byword" (33). Nevertheless, when the Gentiles "shall reject
the fullness of my gospel" and be lifted up in pride, and filled with lyings, deceits, mischiefs,
hypocrisy, murders, priestcrafts, whoredoms, and of secret abominations (34), then "I will bring
the fullness of my gospel from among them" (35) .
This is something to give us of the Restoration a pause for serious reflection: (1) Will we be
among the Gentiles who shall be without the fullness of the gospel? (2) How much more of these
deceits and abominations will God suffer to continue before our house is left to us desolate of his
loving care ?
3 Ne 7:36 And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of
Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them;
When the gospel is taken from the Gentiles and given to the Israelites, "I will show unto thee, O
house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you, but I will remember my covenant
unto you" (37). Jesus then adds that should the Gentiles not “repent, and return unto me. .. I will
suffer my people, O house of Israel, that they shall go through among them, and shall tread them
down" (38-40). “They shall be as salt that hath lost its savor." The Israelites will have the upper
hand at that time, and the Gentiles shall “be cast out, and. ..trodden under foot" (41).
Jesus then quotes Isaiah (52:9, 10), "The Lord shall bring again Zion. ..and make bare his holy arm
in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God" (III N.
7:43, 45).