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

Book of Mormon Commentary
LORD SPEAKS TO THE GENTILES, VER. 1-3
3 Nephi Chapter 14
3 Ne 14:1 Hearken, O, ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which
he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should
write, saying,
Mormon had been commanded by the Father that he should write to those who were not of the
house of Israel. He pleads for them to turn “from your wicked ways." Specifically he mentioned
their lyings, deceivings, whoredoms, secret combinations, idolatries, murders, priestcrafts,
envyings, strifes, wickedness, and abominations" (2).
While this prophecy points to the Gentiles of this era, the Nephites and Lamanites at times became
very wicked and practiced the same kind of sins and crimes, as shown in the passages: Jb. 2:32,
33, 37; A. 1:49; 16:19; H. 2:13.
3 Ne 14:3 And come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your
sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people, who are of the house
of Israel.
This invitation to the Gentiles was accompanied by the offer that, by so doing, they could be numbered
with the house of Israel as "my people." The Spirit of God poured into the hearts of mankind in every
nation is the divine melting pot which erases national and racial- -boundaries. All men become one in
Christ. In latter days the Lord has said, "Be one; and if ye are not one, ye are not mine'. (D. and C.
38:6a). For God "hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth."