9. One of the most significant characteristics of the Three Nephites is that Satan can "have no power over them" (3 Nephi 28:39). This blessing was not given by drawing them out of the mire of sin and wickedness and placing them beyond Satan's reach. Rather, these Nephite faithful had already bound Satan in their lives or they could not have received their request. Like some in king Benjamin's day, they had "no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). Their disposition is to do good continually, and that surely would have led them to request to remain on the earth and continue to labor to bring souls unto Christ.
The fact that Satan could no longer tempt these three is further evidence that for them the day of judgment had been moved up. Their calling and election was made sure.
10. Mormon concluded his revealing treatise on the Three Nephites by reminding us that they were to remain in this translated state until the "judgment day of Christ," or in the words of the Savior until "I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven" (3 Nephi 28:7, 40). At the second coming of Christ, they will receive a glorious resurrection and enter celestial glory to dwell with God and Christ eternally.
The Ministry of the Three Nephites
We now turn from an examination of the characteristics of the Three Nephite disciples to a discussion of their ministry. From the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that "there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it" (D&C 130:5). "Translated bodies are designed for future missions," taught the Prophet Joseph Smith (TPJS 191). Thus, all who minister on this earth have been or will be mortals here. This certainly applies to John the Beloved and the Three Nephites.
Mormon identifies five major groups these Three Nephites would minister to. First, they would labor among the faithful Nephites and Lamanites who remained after the appearance of Christ on the American continent. To these people, they were Apostles just as the Twelve at Jerusalem were to the Jews. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith declared: "While in every instance the Nephite Twelve are spoken of as disciples, the fact remains that they had been endowed with divine authority to be special witnesses for Christ among their own people. Therefore, they were virtually apostles to the Nephite race, although their jurisdiction was, as revealed to Nephi, eventually to be subject to the authority and jurisdiction of Peter and the Twelve chosen in Palestine" (Doctrines of Salvation 3:158; italics in original).
Among these descendants of Lehi, the Three Nephites experienced the spiritual high of seeing the conversion of all who survived the destruction at Christ's coming to this continent (see 4 Nephi 1:2, 14). Unfortunately, it was among the descendants of these same people that the Three experienced so much sorrow and had to be withdrawn because of the wickedness of the people (see 4 Nephi 1:30-33, 44; Mormon 1:13). Following their formal withdrawal in about AD 326, we know the Three still continued to minister to Mormon and Moroni from time to time. Moroni revealed, "My father and I have seen them, and they have ministered unto us" (Mormon 8:11; see also 3 Nephi 28:26).
The four other groups that the Three Nephites would minister to are the Gentiles, the Jews, the scattered tribes of Israel, and all nations kindreds, tongues, and people (3 Nephi 28:27-29). We do not know the specifics of their labors among these groups, but we do know that those among whom they labor will not know them (vv 27-28). We know they have performed and will yet perform many great and marvelous works among these nations and people (vv 31-32). We know that these Three Disciples will bring many souls unto Christ "because of the convincing power of God which is in them" (v 29). We also know, from latter-day prophets, that one of their purposes for remaining upon the earth has been to help hold Satan and his followers in check. "The Lord has never withdrawn or permitted his authority to be withdrawn absolutely from this earth," President Joseph Fielding Smith affirmed. He continued,
And so down through the years and through the great apostasy, which developed until the so-called Christian era, there have been individuals on the face of the earth holding divine authority. . . . We understand that John the Revelator asked for the privilege of remaining on earth until the coming of Christ, and that was granted to him. Three Nephites asked for the same privilege and it was granted. They have been here on the face of the earth預dvocates of righteousness and contending against Satan and his adversaries. (Seek Ye Earnestly 419-20; see also Lee 161-62)
For nearly two thousand years the Three Nephite disciples and John have been ministering upon this earth. The record of their labors would fill volumes. Surely, this will be one of the most interesting sagas unfolded by the Savior when he reveals the mighty works of God for the fifth and sixth thousand year periods of earth's history (see D&C 88:108-110).
1
What then can we say concerning the mission of the Three Nephites? We can say, with faith, as Elder John W. Taylor did:
You will find that many districts where the Elders of Israel cannot reach will be penetrated by these men who have power over death; . . . My testimony is that these men are going abroad in the nations of the earth before the face of your sons, and they are preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive the Gospel. They are administering to those who are heirs of salvation, and preparing their hearts to receive the truth, just as the farmer prepares the soil to receive the seed. The Lord has promised that He would send His angels before the face of His servants, and He does so. (75)
Conclusion
People often wonder whether there are people being translated today, and if not, why? This same question may have come to the mind of Joseph Smith as he translated the Book of Mormon. Even more likely, the question could have come as he worked on the inspired revision of the book of Genesis in late 1830 and early 1831. As he read of Enoch and his people being caught up into heaven and later of others who developed the faith of Enoch who were taken up into Zion even down to the days of Melchizedek, the question must have come (see Moses 7:21, 27; JST Gen 14:32-35). We have no record of any response by the Prophet as to why people are not translated today, and his silence on the question may be answer enough. However, on this issue Elder McConkie has written:
[After the days of Melchizedek] except in a few isolated instances葉hose of Moses, Elijah, Alma the son of Alma, John the Beloved, and the Three Nephites are the only ones of which we know容xcept in these cases, each involving a special purpose, the Lord ceased translating faithful people. Rather, they were permitted to die and go into the spirit world, there to perform the ever-increasing work needed in that sphere. (Millennial Messiah 285; emphasis added)
There is much yet which we do not know, but for that which we do understand we should be most grateful. What personal lesson can we learn from the lives the Nephite Disciples? Of the many ideas that could be given, I list only two. First, it should be our desire and design to strive to bind Satan in our lives, for "when Satan is bound in a single home謡hen Satan is bound in a single life葉he Millennium has already begun in that home, in that life" (Kimball 172). Second, we can and must do all that we can to help bring souls unto Christ. This is the work of the translated Nephites, and it is our work too.
Clyde J. Williams is assistant professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A Commentary on the Holy Bible. Ed. J. R. Dummelow. New York: Macmillan, 1956.
Harper's Bible Dictionary. Ed. Paul J. Achtemeier. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.
History of the Church. 7 vols. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1980.
The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible. 4 vols. Ed. George A. Buttrick. Nashville: Abingdon, 1962.
Josephus. Works of Josephus. 4 vols. Trans. William Whiston. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1974.
Journal of Discourses. 26 vols. 1854-56.
Kimball, Spencer W. The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball. Ed. Edward L. Kimball. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982.
Lee, Harold B. Stand Ye in Holy Places. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974.
McConkie, Bruce R. The Millennial Messiah. Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 1982.
覧-. The Mortal Messiah. 4 vols. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1981.
McConkie, Mark L. "Translated Beings." Encyclopedia of Mormonism. 5 vols. Ed. Daniel H. Ludlow. New York: Macmillan, 1992. 4:1486.
Mouritsen, Dale C. "Transfiguration." Encyclopedia of Mormonism. 5 vols. Ed. Daniel H. Ludlow. New York: Macmillan, 1992. 4:1485.
The New Bible Dictionary. Ed. J.D. Douglas et. al. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1982.
Smith, Joseph Fielding. Answers to Gospel Questions. 5 vols. Deseret Book, 1958.
覧-. Doctrines of Salvation. 3 vols. Comp. Bruce R. McConkie. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1956.
覧-. See Ye Earnestly. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1970.
Roberts, B. H. A. Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 6 vols. Provo, UT: Brigham Young Univ, 1965.
Taylor, John W. Conference Report (Oct 1902 73-76.
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Comp. Joseph Fielding Smith. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1976.
Wilford Woodruff's Journal 1833-1898 Typescript. 9 vols. Ed. Scott G. Kenney. Midvale: Signature, 1983.
Wilson, William A. "Three Nephites." Encyclopedia of Mormonism. 5 vols. Ed. Daniel H. Ludlow. New York: Macmillan, 1992. 1477-78.
Wintermute, O. S., trans. "The Apocalypse of Zephaniah." The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. 2 vols. Ed. James H. Charlesworth. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1983.
Footnotes
1. Thousands of stories abound concerning possible encounters with the Three Nephites. Although many of these accounts are true, a great many are not. We can safely assume that translated beings are not interested in making national headlines or in contributing to a collection of apocryphal faith-promoting stories. Mormon says that the people they will be among "shall know them not" and that their specific mission is to bring souls to Jesus (3 Nephi 28:27, 29; see also Wilson 1477-78).