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

Book of Mormon Commentary
3 Nephi Chapter 8
JESUS HEALED THEIR AFFLICI'ED; BLESSED THEIR CHILDREN, VER. 1-27
3 Ne 8:3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of
the Father, in my name, that ye may understand; and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come
unto you again.
The human brain is a marvelous organ, but its powers of attention and retention have their
limitations. As Jesus looked on the multitude he saw their weariness, and thought best to send
them home to think over what they had heard and seen. He advised them to rest and prepare for his
return on the morrow. He was to return to the Father, and go to "the lost tribes of Israel" (4).
As he saw that the people were in tears, and perceived they wished him "to tarry a little longer," he
was filled with compassion toward them and delayed his departure a while.
3 Ne 8:6 And he said unto them, Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you: Have ye
any that are sick among you, bring them hither.
He also extended the invitation to the lame, blind, halt, maimed, leprous, withered, deaf, "or
afflicted in any manner" (7). "For I see that your faith is sufficient, that I should heal you" (8).
"And he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him" (9). After seeing their
loved ones made whole again, and feeling the wonderful power which attended the miracles, all
the multitude bowed down at his feet and kissed them, bathing his feet with their tears (10, 11).
3 Ne 8:12 And it came to pass that he commanded that their little children should be brought.
These were doubtless under age for baptism, as they were "little" children and were proper
subjects for blessing (Rules and Resolutions 701; Gen. 17:11; D. and C. 68:4 a, b). When all the
children had come to the place where room had been made for them, "Jesus stood in the midst" of
them and asked the people to kneel upon the ground. Then he knelt and "prayed unto the Father"
such a prayer as no ear had ever heard and which "can not be written" (14-18).
3 Ne 8:19 And no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for
us unto the Father.
The multitude of twenty-five hundred were overcome with joy. Jesus bade them arise. "Blessed are ye
because of your faith," he said, and wept (20-22). He then took their little children "one by one, and
blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them" (23). When he had finished, "he wept again."
"Behold your little ones," he said, and as "they cast their eyes towards heaven. .. they saw angels
descending out of heaven as it were, in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little
ones about" and ministered to them (25, 26).
BREAD AND WINE ARE ADMINISTERED; CAUTION Is GIVEN, VER. 28-75
3 Ne 8:28 And it came to pass that Jesus commanded his disciples that they should bring forth some
bread and wine unto him.