Three Nephites
Encyclopedia
In Mormonism
the Three Nephites are three Nephite
disciples of Jesus
described in the Book of Mormon
who were blessed by Jesus to "never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven." As described in Third Nephi chapter 28, this change occurred when they were caught up in to heaven. Since they will never "taste death", in the Book of Mormon the Nephite prophet Mormon
contemplates if they are already immortal. After Mormon prays for wisdom, Jesus tells him that there would be another change made at his coming so that they may become immortal.
Similar to Mormon beliefs about John the Apostle
, the Three Nephites were granted immortality
so that they could "bring the souls of men unto Jesus, while the world shall stand". The account in the Book of Mormon reads that they "did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the church as would believe in their preaching; baptizing them, and as many as were baptized did receive the Holy Ghost." Also similar to other stories about missionaries
and martyr
s, the text says that they suffered severe persecution from those who did not believe.
Their immortality is referred to later by Mormon
, who lived about four hundred years after the three Nephites in the Book of Mormon's timeline. He says "I have seen them, and they have ministered unto me." Mormon also wrote that they will be among the Jews and the Gentile
s, and the Jews and Gentiles "shall know them not." "[And] when the Lord seeth fit in his wisdom that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls."
. In 1963, a 24 year old man in Salt Lake City, Utah declared that "The three Nephite Apostles, who, like John, never die, come to the aid of the faithful when they're threatened by evil.
In the LDS-themed film Baptists At Our Barbecue, the Three Nephites are portrayed as three mechanics in spotless, white coveralls in two scenes (one scene is only noticeable after listening to the DVD commentary). In the film The Singles 2nd Ward
, the Three Nephites are portrayed near the end of the film as three men in off-white coveralls.
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself...
the Three Nephites are three Nephite
Nephite
According to the Book of Mormon, a Nephite is a member of one of the four main groups of settlers of the ancient Americas. The other three groups are the Lamanites, Jaredites and Mulekites. In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites were a group of people descended from or associated with Nephi, the...
disciples of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
described in the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
who were blessed by Jesus to "never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven." As described in Third Nephi chapter 28, this change occurred when they were caught up in to heaven. Since they will never "taste death", in the Book of Mormon the Nephite prophet Mormon
Mormon (prophet)
Mormon is believed by followers of Mormonism to have been the narrator of much of the Book of Mormon, a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which describes him as a prophet-historian and a member of a tribe of indigenous Americans known as the Nephites...
contemplates if they are already immortal. After Mormon prays for wisdom, Jesus tells him that there would be another change made at his coming so that they may become immortal.
Similar to Mormon beliefs about John the Apostle
John the Apostle
John the Apostle, John the Apostle, John the Apostle, (Aramaic Yoħanna, (c. 6 - c. 100) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of James, another of the Twelve Apostles...
, the Three Nephites were granted immortality
Immortality
Immortality is the ability to live forever. It is unknown whether human physical immortality is an achievable condition. Biological forms have inherent limitations which may or may not be able to be overcome through medical interventions or engineering...
so that they could "bring the souls of men unto Jesus, while the world shall stand". The account in the Book of Mormon reads that they "did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the church as would believe in their preaching; baptizing them, and as many as were baptized did receive the Holy Ghost." Also similar to other stories about missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
and martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s, the text says that they suffered severe persecution from those who did not believe.
Their immortality is referred to later by Mormon
Mormon (prophet)
Mormon is believed by followers of Mormonism to have been the narrator of much of the Book of Mormon, a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which describes him as a prophet-historian and a member of a tribe of indigenous Americans known as the Nephites...
, who lived about four hundred years after the three Nephites in the Book of Mormon's timeline. He says "I have seen them, and they have ministered unto me." Mormon also wrote that they will be among the Jews and the Gentile
Gentile
The term Gentile refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible....
s, and the Jews and Gentiles "shall know them not." "[And] when the Lord seeth fit in his wisdom that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls."
In Mormon folklore
Stories about modern encounters with one or more of the Three Nephites are common in Mormon folkloreMormon folklore
Mormon folklore is a body of expressive culture unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members. It includes tales, oral history, popular beliefs, customs, music, jokes, and other traditions....
. In 1963, a 24 year old man in Salt Lake City, Utah declared that "The three Nephite Apostles, who, like John, never die, come to the aid of the faithful when they're threatened by evil.
In the LDS-themed film Baptists At Our Barbecue, the Three Nephites are portrayed as three mechanics in spotless, white coveralls in two scenes (one scene is only noticeable after listening to the DVD commentary). In the film The Singles 2nd Ward
The Singles 2nd Ward
The Singles 2nd Ward is a comedy film, directed by Kurt Hale. Like The Singles Ward, and other films which followed it, The Singles 2nd Wards target audience is members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and citizens of Utah...
, the Three Nephites are portrayed near the end of the film as three men in off-white coveralls.
Further reading
- Book of Mormon, , account of the Three Nephites. — a web based collection of reported encounters with the Three Nephites.