3 Nephi 29
People in this chapter
Mormon has just finished telling how the risen Lord ministered among the Nephites and how three of His disciples were promised they would remain. Now he turns from the past and speaks to you. When the Lord shall see fit, in his wisdom, that these sayings shall come unto the Gentiles, he says, then ye may know something (v. 1).
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3 Nephi 29:1-3Then Ye May Know
1And now behold, I say unto you that when the Lord shall see fit, in his wisdom, that these sayings shall come unto the Gentiles according to his word, then ye may know that the covenant which the Father hath made with the children of Israel, concerning their restoration to the lands of their inheritance, is already beginning to be fulfilled. 2And ye may know that the words of the Lord, which have been spoken by the holy prophets, shall all be fulfilled; and ye need not say that the Lord delays his coming unto the children of Israel. 3And ye need not imagine in your hearts that the words which have been spoken are vain, for behold, the Lord will remember his covenant which he hath made unto his people of the house of Israel.
Mormon says that when this book reaches the Gentiles, it is a sign that God has begun to gather Israel, as He promised.
Some will say God is slow to keep His promises. Mormon says He will remember His covenant with Israel.
3 Nephi 29:4-7Wo unto Him That Shall Deny the Christ and His Works
4And when ye shall see these sayings coming forth among you, then ye need not any longer spurn at the doings of the Lord, for the sword of his justice is in his right hand; and behold, at that day, if ye shall spurn at his doings he will cause that it shall soon overtake you. 5Wo unto him that spurneth at the doings of the Lord; yea, wo unto him that shall deny the Christ and his works! 6Yea, wo unto him that shall deny the revelations of the Lord, and that shall say the Lord no longer worketh by revelation, or by prophecy, or by gifts, or by tongues, or by healings, or by the power of the Holy Ghost! 7Yea, and wo unto him that shall say at that day, to get gain, that there can be no miracle wrought by Jesus Christ; for he that doeth this shall become like unto the son of perdition, for whom there was no mercy, according to the word of Christ!
Once this book comes forth, people should stop mocking what the Lord is doing. His justice is real.
Mormon warns that some will deny miracles for money. God has not changed; miracles stop where faith is missing.
3 Nephi 29:8-9The Lord Remembereth His Covenant unto Them
8Yea, and ye need not any longer hiss, nor spurn, nor make game of the Jews, nor any of the remnant of the house of Israel; for behold, the Lord remembereth his covenant unto them, and he will do unto them according to that which he hath sworn. 9Therefore ye need not suppose that ye can turn the right hand of the Lord unto the left, that he may not execute judgment unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the house of Israel.
Mormon warns the Gentiles not to mock the Jews or any part of Israel. God has not forgotten His covenant with them and will keep it.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- IsraelIncludes the scattering and gathering of Israel, the covenant Mormon says is beginning to be fulfilled (v. 1).
- Abrahamic CovenantThe covenant the Lord made with Abraham and his seed, which He will remember (v. 3).
- Gifts of the SpiritScriptures on the revelation, prophecy, tongues, and healings Mormon warns readers not to deny (v. 6).
Where this echoes in Scripture
Then Ye May Know
- 3 Nephi 21:7It shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced.
- 2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness.
- 1 Nephi 22:9In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
- Articles of Faith 1:10We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes.
Wo unto Him That Shall Deny the Christ and His Works
- Mormon 9:19He changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.
- Moroni 7:37It is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men.
- Moroni 10:19All these gifts... never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men.
- Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
- Articles of Faith 1:7We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
The Lord Remembereth His Covenant unto Them
- 2 Nephi 29:4-5O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people?
- Romans 11:18Boast not against the branches.
- Genesis 22:18In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
- 3 Nephi 16:12I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel.