Book of Mormon — 3 Nephi 9-13

3 Nephi Chapter 9 9:1 And it came to pass that there was a voice heard among all the inhabitants of the earth, upon all the face of this land, crying: 9:2 Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they shall repent; for the devil laugheth, and his angels rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen!

9:3 Behold, that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof.

9:4 And behold, that great city Moroni have I caused to be sunk in the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof to be drowned.

9:5 And behold, that great city Moronihah have I covered with earth, and the inhabitants thereof, to hide their iniquities and their abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come any more unto me against them.

9:6 And behold, the city of Gilgal have I caused to be sunk, and the inhabitants thereof to be buried up in the depths of the earth;

9:7 Yea, and the city of Onihah and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Mocum and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Jerusalem and the inhabitants thereof; and waters have I caused to come up in the stead thereof, to hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come up any more unto me against them.

9:8 And behold, the city of Gadiandi, and the city of Gadiomnah, and the city of Jacob, and the city of Gimgimno, all these have I caused to be sunk, and made hills and valleys in the places thereof; and the inhabitants thereof have I buried up in the depths of the earth, to hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up any more unto me against them.

9:9 And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the people of king Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire because of their sins and their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth, because of their secret murders and combinations; for it was they that did destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land; therefore I did cause them to be burned, to destroy them from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me any more against them.

9:10 And behold, the city of Laman, and the city of Josh, and the city of Gad, and the city of Kishkumen, have I caused to be burned with fire, and the inhabitants thereof, because of their wickedness in casting out the prophets, and stoning those whom I did send to declare unto them concerning their wickedness and their abominations.

9:11 And because they did cast them all out, that there were none righteous among them, I did send down fire and destroy them, that their wickedness and abominations might be hid from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints whom I sent among them might not cry unto me from the ground against them.

9:12 And many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations.

9:13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

9:14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.

Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.

9:15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God.

I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.

I was with the Father from the beginning.

I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.

9:16 I came unto my own, and my own received me not.

And the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled.

9:17 And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.

9:18 I am the light and the life of the world.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

9:19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

9:20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

9:21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.

9:22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God.

Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.

3 Nephi Chapter 10 10:1 And now behold, it came to pass that all the people of the land did hear these sayings, and did witness of it.

And after these sayings there was silence in the land for the space of many hours;

10:2 For so great was the astonishment of the people that they did cease lamenting and howling for the loss of their kindred which had been slain; therefore there was silence in all the land for the space of many hours.

10:3 And it came to pass that there came a voice again unto the people, and all the people did hear, and did witness of it, saying: 10:4 O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.

10:5 And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.

10:6 O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.

10:7 But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers.

10:8 And now it came to pass that after the people had heard these words, behold, they began to weep and howl again because of the loss of their kindred and friends.

10:9 And it came to pass that thus did the three days pass away.

And it was in the morning, and the darkness dispersed from off the face of the land, and the earth did cease to tremble, and the rocks did cease to rend, and the dreadful groanings did cease, and all the tumultuous noises did pass away.

10:10 And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood; and the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.

10:11 And thus far were the scriptures fulfilled which had been spoken by the prophets.

10:12 And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared— 10:13 And they were spared and were not sunk and buried up in the earth; and they were not drowned in the depths of the sea; and they were not burned by fire, neither were they fallen upon and crushed to death; and they were not carried away in the whirlwind; neither were they overpowered by the vapor of smoke and of darkness.

10:14 And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets.

10:15 Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were slain because they testified of these things.

10:16 Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, and also Zenock spake concerning these things, because they testified particularly concerning us, who are the remnant of their seed.

10:17 Behold, our father Jacob also testified concerning a remnant of the seed of Joseph.

And behold, are not we a remnant of the seed of Joseph?

And these things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of brass which our father Lehi brought out of Jerusalem?

10:18 And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto them— 10:19 Showing his body unto them, and ministering unto them; and an account of his ministry shall be given hereafter.

Therefore for this time I make an end of my sayings.

3 Nephi Chapter 11 11:1 And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place.

3 Nephi 11:2 And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.

11:3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice;

nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.

11:4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.

11:5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof;

and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.

11:6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them: 11:7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.

11:8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.

11:9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying: 11:10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

11:11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

11:12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

11:13 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying: 11:14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

11:15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

11:16 And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: 11:17 Hosanna!

Blessed be the name of the Most High God!

And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.

11:18 And it came to pass that he spake unto Nephi (for Nephi was among the multitude) and he commanded him that he should come forth.

11:19 And Nephi arose and went forth, and bowed himself before the Lord and did kiss his feet.

11:20 And the Lord commanded him that he should arise.

And he arose and stood before him.

11:21 And the Lord said unto him: I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.

11:22 And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise;

and he gave unto them power to baptize.

And he said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you.

11:23 Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.

11:24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying: 11:25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

11:26 And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.

11:27 And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.

11:28 And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize.

And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have hitherto been;

neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.

11:29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

11:30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.

11:31 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine.

11:32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.

11:33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11:34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.

11:35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

11:36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.

11:37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

11:38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

11:39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.

11:40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

11:41 Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.

3 Nephi Chapter 12 12:1 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying: Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.

12:2 And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am.

Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.

12:3 Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

12:4 And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

12:5 And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

12:6 And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.

12:7 And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

12:8 And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

12:9 And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

12:10 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

12:11 And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;

12:12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.

12:13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted?

The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.

12:14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people.

A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

12:15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel?

Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;

12:16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

12:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets.

I am not come to destroy but to fulfil;

12:18 For verily I say unto you, one jot nor tittle hath not passed away from the law, but in me it hath all been fulfilled.

12:19 And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Behold, ye have the commandments before you, and the law is fulfilled.

12:20 Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

12:21 Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, and it is also written before you, that thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment of God;

12:22 But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment.

And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

12:23 Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that thy brother hast aught against thee— 12:24 Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.

12:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him, lest at any time he shall get thee, and thou shalt be cast into prison.

12:26 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence until thou hast paid the uttermost senine.

And while ye are in prison can ye pay even one senine?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Nay.

12:27 Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery;

12:28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart.

12:29 Behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart;

12:30 For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell.

12:31 It hath been written, that whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement.

12:32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whoso shall marry her who is divorced committeth adultery.

12:33 And again it is written, thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths;

12:34 But verily, verily, I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

12:35 Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool;

12:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair black or white;

12:37 But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever cometh of more than these is evil.

12:38 And behold, it is written, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;

12:39 But I say unto you, that ye shall not resist evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also;

12:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also;

12:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

12:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away.

12:43 And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy;

12:44 But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;

12:45 That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good.

12:46 Therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled.

12:47 Old things are done away, and all things have become new.

12:48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

3 Nephi Chapter 13 13:1 Verily, verily, I say that I would that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father who is in heaven.

13:2 Therefore, when ye shall do your alms do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.

Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.

13:3 But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth;

13:4 That thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly.

13:5 And when thou prayest thou shalt not do as the hypocrites, for they love to pray, standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.

Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.

13:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

13:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

13:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him.

13:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

13:10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

13:11 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13:12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

13:13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.

13:14 For, if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you;

13:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

13:16 Moreover, when ye fast be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast.

Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.

13:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;

13:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

13:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;

13:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

13:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

13:22 The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

13:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness.

If, therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

13:24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.

13:25 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken.

For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people.

Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

13:26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

13:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

13:28 And why take ye thought for raiment?

Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;

13:29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.

13:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.

13:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

13:32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

13:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

13:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.