Gospel Art Picture Kit
John 21:21–23; 3 Nephi 28
And they are as the angels of God, and if they shall pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus they can show themselves unto whatsoever man it seemeth them good. 3 Nephi 28:30
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At the end of His ministry to the people of Nephi, Christ asked His twelve disciples what they desired of Him after He returned to Heavenly Father (see 3 Nephi 28:1). Three of the disciples did not dare ask for what they wanted most. But Jesus knew their thoughts and told them their desire was the same as that of John the Beloved in Jerusalem. (See 3 Nephi 28:5–6; John 21:21–23.) They wanted to remain on earth until Jesus came again so they could serve others and teach the word of the Lord.
Jesus blessed these three Nephite disciples and promised them they would “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” (3 Nephi 28:7). The Savior explained that they would not die during this time and that they would not suffer physical pain. He promised that because of their righteous desire to teach the people, they would receive great fulness of joy in the kingdom of God. (See 3 Nephi 28:8–10.)
As the three disciples served among the people, they were cast into prison, but the prisons could not hold them. They were thrown into a furnace three times but were not harmed. They were twice cast into a den of wild beasts but played with the beasts and were not hurt. (See 3 Nephi 28:19–22.)
These disciples preached the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the land, and many were converted and baptized. Mormon, as he abridged the Nephite record, was going to write the names of the three but was stopped by the Spirit because their identity was to remain hidden. Mormon testified that he had seen these three Nephite disciples and that they had ministered unto him. (See 3 Nephi 28:25–26.) Mormon also testified that “great and marvelous works shall be wrought by them” (3 Nephi 28:31).
Summary
As Jesus was preparing to leave the Nephites, He asked each of His twelve disciples to tell Him what they desired of Him. Three of them did not speak, but Jesus knew their thoughts: they wanted to remain on earth until He came again so they could serve others and teach the gospel. Jesus blessed them that they would not die and would be protected while they remained on the earth.
Artist, Gary L. Kapp
© 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA
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