3 Nephi 8
Four
days after the 34th 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.”
Thank you xx
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