A piercing voice spoke to people gathered at the Nephite temple, “Behold my Beloved Son… Hear ye him.” Then Jesus descended out of heaven and began to teach them.
“The Gospel of Jesus Christ as Taught by the Nephite Prophets,” Noel B. Reynolds, in BYU Studies, Vol. 31, no. 3
In 3 Nephi, Christ plainly teaches his gospel in six points: faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, endurance to the end, and eternal life. In 3 Nephi 9, Christ outlines four of the six points; in 3 Nephi 11, he focuses on baptism and includes faith and repentance. Later chapters (12, 15, 19, 27) fill in the rest. These points were taught by several Nephite prophets. See also “Understanding Christian Baptism through the Book of Mormon,” Noel B. Reynolds, in BYU Studies, Vol. 51, no. 2.
“In the Thirty and Fourth Year: A Geologist’s View of the Great Destruction in 3 Nephi,” Bart J. Kowallis, BYU Studies, Vol. 37, no. 3
Geological studies and eyewitness accounts of volcanic activity show the likelihood that the massive destruction reported in 3 Nephi was caused by an explosive volcanic eruption. See related articles “‘Many Great and Notable Cities Were Sunk’: Liquefaction in the Book of Mormon,” Benjamin R. Jordan, BYU Studies, Vol. 38, no. 3; and “Volcanic Destruction in the Book of Mormon: Possible Evidence from Ice Cores,” Benjamin R. Jordan, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12, no. 1; “Historic Parallels to the Destruction at the Time of the Crucifixion,” John A. Tvedtnes, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 3, no. 1.
“Dating the Death of Jesus Christ,” Jeffrey R. Chadwick, in BYU Studies, Vol. 54, no. 4
This article proposes that Jesus died at Passover in the early spring of AD 30. The author includes evidence in 3 Nephi as part of this study.
“Jesus the Savior in 3 Nephi,” Robert J. Matthews, The Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 9-30, This is My Gospel
Christ’s prophet anticipated Christ’s coming and his miraculous appearance in the Americas. “The teachings of Jesus in 3 Nephi leave no doubt as to who Jesus is and what he requires of us if we want to be saved.”
“Jesus the Christ – Our Master and More,” Russell M. Nelson, A Book of Mormon Treasury: Gospel Insights from General Authorities and Religious Educators
Jesus Christ fulfills each of the biblical and Book of Mormon titles attributed to him. Teachings in 3 Nephi are a significant part of this teaching.
“Seeing Third Nephi as the Holy of Holies of the Book of Mormon,” John W. Welch, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 19, no. 1
Everything in 3 Nephi, especially the ministry of the Savior, echoes themes related to the temple and the presence of the Lord in the Holy of Holies. Themes such as silence, timelessness, unity, awe, and consecration confirm this interpretation.
“The Great and Marvelous Change: An Alternate Interpretation,” Clifford P. Jones, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 19, no. 2\
The customary interpretation of 3 Nephi 11:1 is that the “great and marvelous change” is one that had taken place in the land as a result of physical destruction. Jones argues that the change is the change of heart and the infinite Atonement itself.
“The Sermon at the Temple,” John W. Welch, Reexploring the Book of Mormon
The sermon that Christ gave to the Nephites, beginning in 3 Nephi 11, and the similar sermon that Christ gave to Israel in his mortal ministry, are connected to the temple and sacred covenants.
