# Who are the Three Nephites in Mormonism?
The Three Nephites are three disciples of Jesus Christ mentioned in the Book of Mormon who were blessed to “never taste of death” and remain on the earth until Christ’s second coming. They are believed to have been among the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus when he visited the Americas after his resurrection, according to the Book of Mormon.
## Background on the Three Nephites
According to the Book of Mormon, when Jesus Christ appeared and ministered to the people in the ancient Americas after his resurrection, he chose twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles chosen during his ministry in Jerusalem. These twelve disciples helped lead and teach the people after Jesus departed.
As Jesus was preparing to leave, he asked the twelve disciples what they desired of him before his departure. Nine of the disciples asked to “speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom” after their lives on earth were complete. However, three of the disciples – Nephi, Timothy, and Jonas – asked for something different:
“Behold, our desire is that we might never taste death; that we might never suffer the pains of death.” (3 Nephi 28:7)
Jesus responded to their unique request saying:
“Blessed are ye because ye desired this thing of me; therefore, after that ye are seventy and two years old ye shall come unto me in my kingdom; and with me ye shall find rest.” (3 Nephi 28:8)
He then told the three that they would “never taste of death” but remain on the earth until his second coming to usher in the millennium, and that they would be “changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality.”
These three disciples who were blessed to not taste death but remain on the earth became known as the “Three Nephites”. They are believed to fulfill spiritual purposes on the earth under the direction of Jesus Christ until his return.
## Prominent Teachings about the Three Nephites
Some prominent teachings in the LDS Church regarding the Three Nephites include:
– They are translated beings – Their bodies were changed so they would not experience pain or death, similar to the translated beings like John the Beloved and the biblical prophet Elijah.
– They continue their ministry on earth – It is believed the Three Nephites continue to teach, preach, and minister to people on the earth as directed by the Lord. Stories circulate among Latter-day Saints of divine help coming from unknown men who fit the description of the Three Nephites.
– They are still mortal – Though translated and unable to die, the Three Nephites still experience mortal characteristics like hunger and fatigue. They do not have glorified, resurrected bodies like Christ and the apostles received after death.
– Their locations and identities are not known – The Three Nephites are not known to walk among the people openly declaring their identities. Their immortal state is believed to be concealed from the world.
– They are excluded from Second Comforter blessing – One of the blessings given to faithful Latter-day Saints is called the Second Comforter, where Christ presents himself to the individual. However, this is withheld from the Three Nephites until their change to immortality at the Second Coming.
– They experience mortal sorrow – It is believed that while they cannot die, the Three Nephites still feel mortal sorrows as they minister on earth and see wickedness, hardship, and death. However, Christ strengthens and comforts them in their labors.
The Three Nephites provide a sense of mystery and divine protection to Latter-day Saints. Stories and legends regarding divine help or teaching from the Three Nephites, whether factual or not, have been a source of faith for many church members over the years. Their unique blessing is seen as an example of the loving grace of Jesus Christ.
## Accounts and Stories about the Three Nephites
Many Latter-day Saints share stories and accounts involving experiences with the Three Nephites. However, no known official or definitive events have been authenticated by the LDS Church leadership. Some common elements in these stories include:
– Providing help or rescue in times of danger or emergency
– Warning people away from harm or bidding farewell before a tragic event
– Teaching truth and bearing testimony of Christ anonymously
– Healing the sick miraculously after giving a blessing
– Appearing to share scriptures, prophecy, or other counsel for specific situations
– Disappearing or ascending into heaven after delivering their message
Such accounts often portray the Three Nephites as nameless strangers, wise old men, weary travelers, or kind gentlemen in white clothing. They are said to demonstrate Christlike love, knowledge of gospel truths, magesterial authority, and abilities beyond mortal men.
While faithful Latter-day Saints view such accounts as evidence of the Three Nephites’ ongoing divine mission, critics view them as religious myth without concrete evidence. The LDS Church itself takes no official stance on reported Three Nephite encounters and leaves it to individual members to discern their veracity.
Whether literally true or not, stories involving the Three Nephites reinforce the LDS doctrine of living prophets and apostles, the reality of translated beings, and God’s involvement in human affairs. They also inspire hope in Christ’s power to bless, comfort, and protect his faithful followers on the earth.
## The Role and Significance of the Three Nephites
The concept of the Three Nephites has unique doctrinal and cultural significance for members of the LDS Church. Some of their notable roles and symbolism include:
– **Confirms Christ’s literal resurrection** – Since the event of their blessing stems from a visit by the resurrected Christ, the Three Nephites confirm the reality of Christ’s resurrection and appearance in ancient America, validating unique LDS scripture and doctrine.
– **Testifies of eternal life** – As mortals blessed to tarry hundreds of years without death, the Three Nephites represent the potential for eternal life through Christ. Their change to immortality at his coming typifies the resurrection of all mankind.
– **Sustains idea of modern revelation** – Belief that the Three Nephites continue ministering affirms the LDS doctrine of ongoing revelation and an open scriptural canon. Their longevity and miracles are made possible by direct heavenly guidance.
– **Magnifies priesthood authority** – Accounts crediting the Three Nephites with Christlike powers reinforce the LDS belief in literal divine authority via the priesthood. Their acts are authorized by and validate claims of this authority.
– **Symbolizes Christ’s love and grace** – The mercy and consolation granted to the Three Nephites epitomizes the selfless love of Jesus Christ and his desire to succor all who come to him in faith.
– **Teaches seeking righteousness over ease** – By valuing eternal ministry over freedom from mortality, the Three Nephites model the importance of righteous desires over worldly short-term comfort.
– **Represents continuity of the missionary spirit** – As tireless ministering servants, the Three Nephites represent the spirit of missionary work spanning generations. Their global ministry fortifies belief in a worldwide gospel salvation.
The concepts and contributions surrounding the Three Nephites are unique in LDS theology and provide a powerful, if mysterious, dimension to the church’s doctrinal framework and worldview.
## Passages in the Book of Mormon on the Three Nephites
The primary verses in the Book of Mormon that discuss the Three Nephites are found in 3 Nephi, chapter 28. The key passages include:
– **3 Nephi 28:1-9** – Jesus Christ appears to the Nephites in America after his resurrection. He calls and gives power to twelve disciples to teach the people. When asking what the disciples desire of him before he departs, three request to remain on earth until Christ’s return at the Second Coming.
– **3 Nephi 28:10** – Christ promises the Three Nephites they will never suffer pain or death though they will remain in a mortal state until the resurrection.
– **3 Nephi 28:11-17** – Jesus declares that the Three Nephites will not have the full Second Comforter blessing until he comes again. They are forbidden to preach openly but will have power to share the gospel and minister discretely.
– **3 Nephi 28:18-23** – Christ touches each of the disciples, changing the Three Nephites so that they will not die, feel pain, or sorrow except for the sins of the world. They depart on their ministry.
– **3 Nephi 28:24-26** – Mormon declares he has seen the Three Nephites ministering and cannot record whether they are mortal or immortal, but knows they are reserved by God for a wise purpose.
– **3 Nephi 28:27-40** – The Three Nephites preach, minister, show themselves to the people, pray for descendants, and bear witness of Christ working through them. Mormon again declares he cannot record their true state but only what was commanded.
These key verses in 3 Nephi provide the core source on the blessing, purpose, and works of the Three Nephites according to LDS scripture. Their unique state and immortality is a profound manifestation of God’s power through his Son, Jesus Christ.
## Perspectives on the Three Nephites in Other Christian Denominations
The Three Nephites are unique to Mormon theology and are not acknowledged in beliefs of other Christian faiths that do not recognize the Book of Mormon as scripture. However, some parallels or points on this topic include:
– **Questions on physical immortality** – Most modern Christian faiths believe in strictly spiritual eternal life through Christ, so the extended physical life of the Three Nephites raises theological questions.
– **Skepticism due to lack of evidence** – Other faiths regard stories of the Nephites as myths since they originate centuries after biblical times with no firsthand empirical evidence.
– **Comparisons to biblical prophets** – Enoch, Elijah and John the Beloved were also granted extended life in the Bible, so this casts the Three Nephites as a modern continuation of this biblical concept.
– **Reconciling with doctrine of final judgment** – Christianity teaches a final universal judgment after Christ’s return, so the state of the Three Nephites being withheld from this is difficult to reconcile with traditional biblical eschatology.
– **Symbolism more important than historicity** – Some point to meaningful symbolic value in the Three Nephites story regardless of whether it can be literally proven historically. Their example teaches virtues like selflessness and hope.
Given the lack of biblical support, traditional Christian denominations view the Three Nephites as part of LDS scriptural folklore rather than authenticated doctrine. However, they acknowledge parallels to biblical concepts and find value in their symbolic messages about righteousness.
## Conclusion
The Three Nephites occupy a unique position in Mormon theology as disciples blessed with extended mortality to fulfill a special purpose on earth until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. They symbolize core LDS beliefs regarding eternal life, the priesthood, modern revelation and God’s miraculous power. While unverifiable according to other faiths, the Three Nephites represent the possibility of exception and mystery in God’s dealings with humanity. Whether literal or metaphorical, the Three Nephites remain an intriguing concept in Mormon doctrine highlighting the grace and inspiration promised to the faithful. Their legend continues to fascinate, inspire and remind Latter-day Saints of the blessings possible through Jesus Christ.