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Book of Mormon Commentary
3 Nephi Chapter 9
THE DISCIPLES AND PEOPLE BAPTIZED; JESUS RETURNS, VER. 1-36
3 Ne 9:2 And it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark, that the
multitude had seen Jesus, and that he had ministered unto them, and that he would also shew himself on
the morrow unto the multitude;
During the night the word spread so that a very large number gathered the next day. Jesus had
previously chosen as his twelve disciples (5:45), Nephi; Timothy, his brother whom he had raised
from the dead; Jonas, his [Nephi'sJ son; Mathoni, and Mathonihah, his brother; Kumen,
Kumenonhi, Jeremiah, Shemnon, Jonas, Zed- ekiah, and Isaiah (III N. 9:4). These proceeded to
separate the multitude "into twelve bodies," and caused them to kneel down and "pray unto the
Father, in the name of Jesus" (6, 7). When they arose, the disciples "ministered those same words
which Jesus had spoken." Then they prayed "that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them" (10).
3 Ne 9:11 And when they had thus prayed, they went down unto the water's edge, and the multitude
followed them.
"Nephi went down into the water, and was baptized," then he baptized the other eleven. When this
was done "the Holy Ghost did fall upon them. ..and behold, they were encircled about as if it were
fire" (14, 15). "Angels did come down out of heaven, and did minister unto them. And. ..behold,
Jesus came and stood in the midst, and ministered unto them" (15, 16). He asked the multitude to
kneel with his disciples and pray "unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God" (17, 19).
Then Jesus "went a little way off" and prayed, thanking the Father for giving the Holy Ghost
"because of their belief in me" (20) .Then he continued by asking "for them, and also for all those
who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou,
Father, art in me, that we may be one" (23).
Jesus looked Upon the group as they prayed "and his countenance did smile upon them, and. ..did
shine upon them, and be- hold they were as white as the countenance, and also the garments of
Jesus." This whiteness "did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth
So white" (25, 26).
3 Ne 9:28 And he turned from them again, and went a little way off, and bowed himself to the earth;
and he prayed again unto the Father, saying, Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified these whom I
have chosen, because of their faith.
"I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou has given me out of the world" (30).
Then Jesus "went again a little way off, and prayed. ..and tongue can not speak the words which
he prayed, neither can be written by man" (32). But the people heard and understood. Then Jesus
said to his disciples, "So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not
show unto them so great miracles" (35).
THE COMMUNION ADMINISTERED; JESUS TEACHES, VER. 37-73
3 Ne 9:40 And it came to pass that he break bread again, and blessed it, and gave to the disciples to eat.