“Third Nephi,” Book of Mormon Teacher Resource Manual (2004), 210–40
“Third Nephi,” Book of Mormon Teacher Resource Manual, 210–40
Third Nephi
The Book of Mormon was written to convince “the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations” (title page of the Book of Mormon). The account of the Savior’s visit to the Americas, as recorded in 3 Nephi, helps achieve this purpose. President N. Eldon Tanner, who was a member of the First Presidency, said:
“I suppose that nowhere in the scriptures do we have a more beautiful or detailed record of God’s dealings with man than in the account of this visit as recorded in Third Nephi. … [The] warnings and beautiful teachings … , if accepted and lived, will do more than anything else to bring peace and happiness to the world and to the individual seeking such a way of life. Here we can find explanations for many unanswered questions in the Bible.
“Third Nephi gives us additional information in more detail than the four Gospels in the New Testament, and preserves the doctrines, teachings, and compassion of the Lord. For this reason there are many who refer to Third Nephi as the ‘fifth Gospel.’” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1975, 52; or Ensign, May 1975, 34).
President Ezra Taft Benson stated:
“What a blessing it would be if every family would read together 3 Nephi, discuss its sacred contents, and then determine how they can liken it unto themselves and apply its teachings in their lives.
“Third Nephi is a book that should be read and read again. Its testimony of the resurrected Christ in America is given in purity and beauty” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 5–6; or Ensign, May 1987, 6).