3 Nephi 12-16

 

3 Nephi 12

Jesus had called twelve other men just like Nephi

As his twelve apostles with power to baptize.

“You’ll be blessed if you heed the words of these twelve men

“They will minister to you and be your servants.

“After they baptize you with water you will see—

“You will be baptized with the Holy Ghost by me.”

Then Jesus began sharing the beatitudes,

Teaching each of us how to act and what to do.

If we’re poor in spirit, we’re mourning or we’re meek,

If we’re merciful, pure in heart or we make peace,

If we will thirst and hunger after righteousness,

Or we’re persecuted, Jesus said we’ll be blessed.

“You should be the salt of the earth,” our Savior said,

“But salt only stays good if it stays separate.

“If it gets mixed with other items it’s impure.

“Then it’s good for nothing!  It loses its savor.

“You’re to be the light of this people,” He then said,

“Like a city set on a hill cannot be hid,

“Let your light so shine with your good works unto men

“Who will then glorify our father in Heaven.

“With my coming the Law of Moses is fulfilled

“So the law will change, like this one, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’

“It is no longer enough to abstain from murder

“Being Christlike means you’ll avoid feeling anger.

“If there is contention then resolve it quickly

“So I can receive you when you come unto me.

“It is not enough to avoid adultery.

“Guard your heart—don’t lust after anyone you see.

“Watch your language.  Your words will not change anything.

“My disciples strive to use language that is clean.

“Though the Law of Moses said an eye for an eye,

“Turn the other cheek if someone hits you—don’t fight.

“Be generous.  Give of your time and belongings.

“It’s no longer okay to hate your enemy.

“Love your enemies, bless and do good unto them.

“Pray for them!  It sets you apart as God’s children.

“Even as I am you should strive to be perfect.”

We can only do this using His atonement.

 

3 Nephi 13

“When you help the poor don’t do it so you’ll be seen

“As the hypocrites do for praise and for glory.

“Keep it to yourself what you do for charity

“Heavenly Father will reward you openly.

 

“Likewise, pray in secret, not to be seen of men.

“You’ll be rewarded by our father in Heaven.

“When you pray use simple language, not big, long words

“Like the heathen who only pray so they’ll be heard.”

Then he shared the manner in which we all should pray.

It is just an example of what we should say.

We start by addressing our Father in Heaven

And ask in humility that His will be done.

We should ask for forgiveness and then we should plead

For deliverance from temptations when we need

After, we express gratitude.  Our prayers should end

In the Savior’s name, after which we say, “Amen.”

“If you forgive men, you will be forgiven, too.

“But if you do not the Lord will not forgive you.

“Keep it to yourself, don’t look dreary or downcast

“Try to look your best whenever you choose to fast.

“Do not set your hearts on the treasures of this earth.

“Lay up for yourselves treasures of heavenly worth.

“If you remain focused only on God’s glory

“You’ll be filled with light since that’s all your eyes have seen.

“If you focus on evil just the opposite

“Will then be the case; you will be filled with darkness.

"No man can serve two masters.  He’ll only love one.

“Do not be deceived!  You can’t serve God and Mammon.

“Remember my words, I want you to minister

“And I will take care of you as you share my words.

“Don’t obsess over what you wear or what you eat

“Life is so much more than the latest trends or meat.

“God cares for his servants.  Just like birds and lilies,

“He’ll provide.  He already knows your wants and needs.”

“If you put God first and it’s His kingdom you seek.

“He has promised that you’ll be blessed with all you need.”

 

3 Nephi 14

Jesus continued, “Judge not so you won’t be judged.”

We should still be careful and protect the ones we love.

This means final judgments—we don’t have all the facts.

We can still make righteous judgments with love and tact.

“Take care of your own flaws before any others’.

“First remove your beams, then you can help your brother.

“Don’t share sacred things with unkind or cruel men.

“It’s like giving pigs pearls. They will just trample them.

“Ask and you’ll receive; knock and it will be opened.

“Seek and you will find, God will answer His children.

“When you deal with others, follow the golden rule:

“‘Do unto them as you’d have them do unto you.’

“Enter in the gate that is both narrow and straight.

“You will be destroyed if you take the easy way.

“Watch out!  False prophets are like wolves wearing sheep suits.

“If you stay alert you will know them by their fruits.

“Those who hear and do all the things that I have shared

“Are like a wise man who built his house and prepared.

“When the rain and floods came his house endured the shock,”

That’s because it was built on Jesus Christ, our rock.

“If you don’t listen you’re just like a foolish man

“Whose house will collapse because it was built on sand.”

 

3 Nephi 15

“The Mosaic Law is fulfilled, all things are new

“I’m the one who gave the Mosaic Law to you.

“Look to me for I am the law, I am the light.

“Endure to the end and you’ll have eternal life.”

Then he told the twelve men chosen as apostles,

“I want you to act as a light to this people.

“I spoke of your people while in Jerusalem

“When I declared, ‘Other sheep I have’ unto them.

“They were too stiffnecked to understand my words.

“One day you’ll join them, there’ll be one fold, one shepherd.”

 

3 Nephi 16

“There are other lands where I plan to go and preach.

“When they hear my voice they’ll be numbered as my sheep.

“Write my words so that the Gentiles may someday be

“Brought to a knowledge of their Redeemer, of me.

“For a long time the House of Israel will forget

“All about the gospel and they’ll be afflicted.

“They will be cast out.  They’ll be trodden under foot.

“Till the house of Israel will again find the truth.

“Then the unbelieving Gentiles will be trodden

“Unless they repent.  Then they will be forgiven.”

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes

3 Nephi 8-11

 3 Nephi 8

Four days after the 34^th year had begun

There arose a storm that affected everyone.

There was thunder, lightning and earthquakes all around

Some cities caught fire and other cities were drowned.

Terrible destruction changed the face of the land

And many people died in only three hours’ span.

Afterward, a thick vapor of darkness arrived 

And for three whole days they could not see any light.

No fires could be lit—not a candle or a torch.

So, for those three days, all the people wept and mourned,

“Oh, that we had repented and had been prepared

“Then so many of our loved ones would have been spared.”

 

3 Nephi 9

While the darkness lingered the people heard a voice,

“Due to your great sins the devil’s angels rejoice.

“Whether water, fires or earth destroyed these cities, 

“It was in order to hide their iniquities.

“All of you who’ve been spared, won’t you return to me?

“Repent!  I’m still extending my arm of mercy.

“I am Jesus Christ and I am the Son of God.

“I came to my own but my own received me not.

“Any who receive me become the sons of God.

“All who believe on my name receive redemption.

“I am the light and life of the world for all men.

“I am both the beginning and I am the end.

“With my sacrifice, Moses’ law is now fulfilled.

“So for your off’rings blood should no longer be spilled.

“Instead, your sacrifice will be a broken heart—

“This and a contrite spirit will be a great start.

“If you have these two things I’ll baptize you with fire

“And the Holy Ghost will then be yours to acquire.”

 

3 Nephi 10

After hearing these words for hours there was silence.

Then a voice was heard speaking to them all again,

“Oh ye people, how oft would I have gathered you

“Just as any mother hen would gather her brood.

“And, if you repent and you return unto me

“I will gather you, like a hen under her wings.”

When the darkness dispersed and all the earthquakes stopped

All the mourning turned into joy and thanks to God.

They could see that righteous people had not been killed

And, in the destruction, they saw scripture fulfilled.

 

3 Nephi 11

All around the temple a multitude gathered

Marveling at all that had happened and they’d heard.

Soon they heard a small voice that pierced them to their core

They couldn’t understand it but they’d hear it twice more.

It was not until they looked and opened their ears

That they understood the words that they all could hear,

“Behold my Beloved Son.  I am so pleased with him.

“Hear ye him.”  They looked up and saw a man just then.

He addressed the crowd, he was outfitted in white,

“I am Jesus Christ, the world’s life and its light.

“For the Father’s glory I bore the world’s sins

“And drank from the bitter cup that I was given.”

They fell to the earth when they realized who he was.

“Arise.  Come to me.  See what I have done in love.”

It took time but he had the entire crowd come

So they all could see and feel his wounds, one by one.

“Hosanna!  Blessed be our God!” they shouted then

And they all knelt down at his feet and worshipped him.

Then he called Nephi, gave him power to baptize

And explained to him, “You shall baptize on this wise—

“All who desire it and are willing to repent

“Should be baptized in Jesus’ name by immersion.”

He revealed the exact words that one should say

When baptizing others and shared the proper way.

“There should be no fighting about this among you

“About baptism as there have been, hitherto.

“Anyone who has the spirit of contention

“Is of the devil, who stirs up the hearts of men.”

Then the Savior taught the crowd the doctrine of Christ—

That, in order to be saved, we must be baptized.

“Build your lives on this doctrine, just like on a rock.

“You’ll stay strong when life is hard.  You’ll receive “no shock.

“But those who don’t are on a sandy foundation.

“They will fall when floods or waves come and beat “on them.”

  

 © 2020 by N. Noelle Maes

3 Nephi 1-7

3 Nephi 1

It had been 600 years since the Nephites had come

To the promised land from their home, Jerusalem.

Nephi left the plates to his eldest son, Nephi

And he disappeared after saying his goodbyes.

Though the people had seen great miracles signs

Some claimed five years had passed and it was far past time

For the prophecy of Samuel to be fulfilled.

So they set a day that believers should be killed.

When Nephi learned of this he felt sorrow and fear.

He prayed all day long and was told, “Be of good cheer;

“I will come tomorrow.  Tonight you will behold

“That there will be no darkness, as Samuel foretold.”

When this came to pass, all those who had not believed

Fell to the earth, thinking of their iniquities.

A new star appeared.  The night was bright, like mid-day.

And the Lord was born in Bethlehem the next day.

Though many hardened their hearts against the signs they’d seen

More of them were baptized.  They’d chosen to believe.

For the next two years there was peace throughout the land,

Other than the troubles caused by Gadianton’s band.

In the 94^th year, these troubles multiplied.

Many more dissented—even some Lamanites.

Most of them were of the rising generation

And they chose to join the band of Gadianton.

 

3 Nephi 2

In the year that followed people forgot the signs

And began to be hard in their hearts and their minds:

“That great miracle was a trick made to deceive!”

Satan convinced them so that they would not believe.

It had been nine years since the signs of Jesus’ birth

(They now used this year to keep track in their records.)

Three more years would pass and their wickedness increased

And the next year the robbers came to their cities.

They were so numerous that every able man

Found it essential to take up arms against them.

Righteous Lamanites fought alongside the Nephites

And their curse ended!  It says their skin became white.

We don’t know exactly how these people changed or where.

Was it their demeanor or their skin that became fair?

When people are converted it is not skin deep—

There are outward signs of the covenants they keep.

From this time they were numbered among the Nephites

And, together, they would continue to fight.

By the fifteenth year since the Savior’s birth the war

Was still raging on—it was “exceedingly sore.”

 

3 Nephi 3

In the sixteenth year the chief judge, Lachoneus,

Received a letter with claims that were outrageous:

“Though you’ve fought well there’s only one thing left to do.

“Give up now before my men destroy all of you.

“If you yield and give me your people and your lands

“We will spare your lives and you all can join our band.

“I’m the governor of this band—Giddianhi.

“We are only seeking to recover our rights.”

Lachoneus was astonished when he read this.

He had never seen such delusions and boldness.

The only wrong these robbers ever had received

Was at their own hands when they had chosen to leave.

He ignored the letter and gathered everyone

And they were protected by fortifications.

He was a good man and told his people to pray,

“If you don’t repent there’s no way that you’ll be saved.”

Their armies were led by Captain Gidgiddoni

He was a great prophet and soon he’d prophesy,

“If we go against the robbers in their own lands

“We will lose.  God will let us fall into their hands.

“No, instead, we must gather ourselves together

“And the Lord has promised that we’ll be delivered.”

All the people gathered, they repented and prayed.

And they armed themselves with armor, with shields and blades.

 

3 Nephi 4

Three years after those robbers had sent their letter,

They came down to fight—that’s how desperate they were.

All the game was gone.  With no cities to steal from

They could not survive; they would soon starve, every one.

They came dyed in blood, wearing head-plates and loin cloths.

The Nephites hit their knees and cried out to their God.

When the robbers came they thought the Nephites were scared.

They were disappointed.  The Nephites were prepared.

Never had a battle so great and terrible

And with such great slaughter been fought by these people.

In the strength of God the Nephites pressed their attack,

Causing Giddianhi and his men to fall back.

As they ran away Gidgiddoni had his men

Followed them and slayed all who were overtaken.

Giddianhi was one of those who would be killed

And all the survivors would hide out in the hills.

Two years later the robbers would appear again

And they made futile efforts to lay siege to them.

Their leader, Zemnarihah, didn’t understand

That by doing so, they would fall in Nephite hands.

Close to starving and realizing their mistake,

They tried to flee north.  It’s the last error they’d make.

Gidgiddoni had his men march all through the night

And the robbers were surrounded by the morning’s light.

Thousands would surrender, the rest of them were killed.

They hanged Zemnarihah on a tree that then was felled.

Afterward they sang praises and cried, “Hosanna,”

Showing their great joy for the great goodness of God.

 

 

3 Nephi 5

For the next few years all their prisoners were taught

How they could repent if they’d heed the word of God.

Those who promised they wouldn’t murder were set free.

All the rest who wouldn’t were condemned, lawfully.

At this point in the record, Mormon takes a break

And shares with the reader how he received his name.

Then he shares how the record he is compiling

Is both just and true, though some may choose to deny it.

“I am a disciple of Jesus Christ,” he writes,

“And I preach that men might have everlasting life.”

 

3 Nephi 6

For three more years there was peace throughout the land.

Cities were rebuilt and their leaders were good men.

But by the 29^th year some developed pride

Especially those whose riches had multiplied.

They reviled and persecuted those who were poor.

And some of these poorer people fought back, all the more.

In only a year this great inequality

Would break up the church; the majority would leave.

Men were called by God to come and to testify

Of their sins and of the resurrection of Christ.

Many of these men were secretly murdered

And so a complaint was sent to the governor.

All the judges who had conspired to kill those men

Chose to start a secret society again.

 

3 Nephi 7

In the 30^th year the chief judge was murdered.

It had been committed by one of those robbers.

All the people divided against each other,

Forming tribes composed of their sisters and brothers.

Though they had repented it had not been enough.

They turned back to sin like the vomit dogs lick up.

Only a small number stayed faithful at this time.

All the rest established their own laws in their tribes.

That secret society appointed a king

But the tribes were all united in this one thing—

All hated this band and wanted to destroy them.

So when their leader said to flee, they ran with him.

While there were no wars at this time the people’s flaw

Was that almost everyone had turned away from God.

They stoned all the prophets who, along with Nephi,

Ministered with power and boldly testified.

He was grieved for the hardness of their hearts and minds

But he found that even miracles were denied.

When people saw his power and authority

To cast out devils—and much more—they were angry.

There was a small group that would slowly grow in size

Of those who were converted and would be baptized.

 

 

© 2020 by N. Noelle Maes