3 Nephi 5
People in this chapter
The war is over. For the first time in years, there was not a living soul among all the people of the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets (v. 1). They forsake their sins and serve God with all diligence day and night (v. 3). Even the captured robbers are given a chance: hear the word of God, covenant to murder no more, and go free.
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3 Nephi 5:1-7Not a Living Soul Did Doubt
1And now behold, there was not a living soul among all the people of the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets who had spoken; for they knew that it must needs be that they must be fulfilled. 2And they knew that it must be expedient that Christ had come, because of the many signs which had been given, according to the words of the prophets; and because of the things which had come to pass already they knew that it must needs be that all things should come to pass according to that which had been spoken. 3Therefore they did forsake all their sins, and their abominations, and their whoredoms, and did serve God with all diligence day and night.
After their deliverance, every Nephite believes the prophets. They know Christ has come, so they forsake their sins and serve God day and night.
4And now it came to pass that when they had taken all the robbers prisoners, insomuch that none did escape who were not slain, they did cast their prisoners into prison, and did cause the word of God to be preached unto them; and as many as would repent of their sins and enter into a covenant that they would murder no more were set at liberty. 5But as many as there were who did not enter into a covenant, and who did still continue to have those secret murders in their hearts, yea, as many as were found breathing out threatenings against their brethren were condemned and punished according to the law. 6And thus they did put an end to all those wicked, and secret, and abominable combinations, in the which there was so much wickedness, and so many murders committed. 7And thus had the twenty and second year passed away, and the twenty and third year also, and the twenty and fourth, and the twenty and fifth; and thus had twenty and five years passed away.
The captured robbers hear the word of God. Those who repent and covenant to murder no more are set free. Those who still want to kill are judged by the law. The secret combinations come to an end.
3 Nephi 5:8-11Not Even a Hundredth Part
8And there had many things transpired which, in the eyes of some, would be great and marvelous; nevertheless, they cannot all be written in this book; yea, this book cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done among so many people in the space of twenty and five years; 9But behold there are records which do contain all the proceedings of this people; and a shorter but true account was given by Nephi. 10Therefore I have made my record of these things according to the record of Nephi, which was engraven on the plates which were called the plates of Nephi. 11And behold, I do make the record on plates which I have made with mine own hands.
Mormon steps out of the story to explain his work. He cannot write a hundredth part of what happened. He follows Nephi's shorter, true record and engraves it on plates he made himself.
3 Nephi 5:12-19I Am Called Mormon
12And behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression. 13Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.
Mormon tells us his name comes from the land of Mormon, where Alma first organized the Church among this people.
14And it hath become expedient that I, according to the will of God, that the prayers of those who have gone hence, who were the holy ones, should be fulfilled according to their faith, should make a record of these things which have been done— 15Yea, a small record of that which hath taken place from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem, even down until the present time. 16Therefore I do make my record from the accounts which have been given by those who were before me, until the commencement of my day; 17And then I do make a record of the things which I have seen with mine own eyes.
Mormon writes because earlier prophets prayed that the record would be kept and someday reach their descendants. His record will cover everything from Lehi to his own day.
18And I know the record which I make to be a just and a true record; nevertheless there are many things which, according to our language, we are not able to write. 19And now I make an end of my saying, which is of myself, and proceed to give my account of the things which have been before me.
Mormon testifies that his record is just and true, and admits there are things their language cannot express.
3 Nephi 5:20-26Then Shall They Know Their Redeemer
20I am Mormon, and a pure descendant of Lehi. I have reason to bless my God and my Savior Jesus Christ, that he brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem, (and no one knew it save it were himself and those whom he brought out of that land) and that he hath given me and my people so much knowledge unto the salvation of our souls. 21Surely he hath blessed the house of Jacob, and hath been merciful unto the seed of Joseph. 22And insomuch as the children of Lehi have kept his commandments he hath blessed them and prospered them according to his word.
Mormon says again who he is: a descendant of Lehi. He thanks God for leading Lehi out of Jerusalem and for blessing Lehi's children when they kept His commandments.
23Yea, and surely shall he again bring a remnant of the seed of Joseph to the knowledge of the Lord their God. 24And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth. 25And as he hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them. 26And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth so shall it be. Amen.
Mormon prophesies that the Lord will gather the scattered descendants of Joseph and Jacob from all over the earth and fulfill His covenant with them in His own time.
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.
Where this echoes in Scripture
Not a Living Soul Did Doubt
- 3 Nephi 2:2To believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.How far the people have come in three chapters.
- Alma 24:17-18They took their swords ... and they did bury them up deep in the earth.An earlier people who covenanted never to shed blood again.
- Ezekiel 33:11I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.
- Mosiah 7:33Serve him with all diligence of mind.
Not Even a Hundredth Part
- Words of Mormon 1:5I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people.
- Helaman 3:14A hundredth part of the proceedings of this people ... cannot be contained in this work.
- John 21:25Even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.John says the same of the life of Jesus.
- 1 Nephi 1:3I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.The first Nephi said the same about his plates.
I Am Called Mormon
- Mosiah 18:30The waters of Mormon ... how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer.The place Mormon was named after.
- Mormon 1:15I was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus.
- Enos 1:13-16He covenanted with me that he would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time.One of the prayers Mormon says his record fulfills.
- D&C 10:46-50All those parts of my gospel which my holy prophets, yea, and also my disciples, desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people.
- John 8:31If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.
Then Shall They Know Their Redeemer
- 1 Nephi 19:10The God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt ... yieldeth himself ... as a man, into the hands of wicked men.The God of Israel is the One who would come as a man.
- 2 Nephi 6:11When they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer, they shall be gathered together again.
- 3 Nephi 20:29I have covenanted with them that I would gather them together in mine own due time.The Savior, speaking the Father's words, uses the same phrase.
- D&C 110:11Moses appeared ... and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth.
- Isaiah 11:12He shall ... gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.