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

Book of Mormon Commentary
3 Nephi Chapter 12
THE CHURCH AND THE MISSION OF CHRIST, VER. 1-35
3 Ne 12:1 And now there can not be written in this book, even a hundredth part of the things which
Jesus did truly teach unto the people; but behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the
things which he taught the people;
The plates of Nephi contained "the more part" or things considered most important to Mormon.
John's Gospel states, "There are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should
be written everyone, 1 suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should
be written" (John 21: 25). This is pure hyperbole, but illustrates well what Mormon had in mind.
His purpose was "that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles" (III N.
12:2).
Before these words would reach the posterity of Lehi, they should experience first a trial of their
faith. But those who believed would have greater things made manifest unto them, while those
who rejected the gospel would come under condemnation (3, 4).
Mormon, who abridged the plates, was about to put in his record all that he found on the plates of
Nephi, "but the Lord forbid it" (5).
3 Ne 12:6 And now I, Mormon, make an end of my sayings, and proceed to write the things which have
been commanded me; therefore I would that ye should behold that the Lord truly did teach the people,
for the space of three days; and after that he did shew himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and
bless it, and give it unto them.
This points out that Mormon considered Jesus' ministry to the Nephites a teaching mission. It also
reveals that Jesus made repeated visits to them (8), and administered the Communion emblems on
some of these several visits (6).
"He did teach and minister unto the children" who had gathered, and blessed them so they could
"speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things" (7). Even babies spoke marvelous things,
which the historian and others were forbidden to write (9).
3 Ne 12:13 And they who were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.
The disciples of Jesus went out on missions of preaching the things they had heard and seen, and
baptizing the believers. Then they came together, "and were united in mighty prayer and fasting"
(14; A. 4:6; 12:5). Jesus then appeared and asked, "What will ye that I shall give unto you?" The
disciples wanted to know, "Tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are
disputations among the people concerning this matter" (III N. 12:16). Jesus rebuked them for
disputing and told them, “Ye shall call the church in my name" (17-19). "If it so be that the
c11urc11 is built upon my gospel," the Father will bless it (22).
3 Ne 12:26 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been
lifted up upon the cross, I might draw all men unto me: