…the Joy that filled our
souls
3 Nephi 17-19
St. Hugh Nibley
Speaking of 3 Nephi and the visit of the Savior:
“After this mounting pageant we've had right from
the beginning (of conflict and folly, etc.,) we
reach the grand climax in the Book of Mormon,
and lo and behold, it is all good news. It's a
happy book, now. …
This is the happiest book in the world, you
see.”
Before I leave…
3 Nephi 17
1 Behold, now it came to pass that when
Jesus had spoken these words he looked
round about again on the multitude, and he
said unto them: Behold, my time is at hand (to show
myself to the other tribes of Israel).
2 I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all
my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak
unto you at this time.
3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the
things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my
name, that ye may understand, and prepare your
minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again.
What should we ponder
or meditate about?
The Psalmist’s Suggestion
Psalm 119
97 O how love I thy law!
it is my meditation all the day.
99 I have more understanding than all my
teachers:
for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients,
because I keep thy precepts.
Jeffrey R. Holland
But now I go unto the Father," the Savior
said, "and also to show myself unto the
lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost
unto the Father, for he knoweth whither
he hath taken them."
…as he made that announcement, he
looked into the faces of the multitude.
The people were in tears. Out of respect for the Savior's
obligations to these other Israelites, they said nothing to
deter him. But the longing in their souls was as obvious as it
was undeniable.
Looking "steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry
a little longer with them," the Nephites touched the Savior's
heart. Responding, he said, "Behold, my bowels are filled
with compassion towards you."
He seemed then to change his plans temporarily. In doing so, he
provided these people with one of the spiritual highlights of
his New World ministry, a testimony to the faith, devotion,
and unspoken desire of these true disciples.
Sequences
Jesus first heals their
physical problems
Preparing to Pray?
The People
Kneeling in Prayer
Savior
Children
The Prayer
14 And it came to pass that when they
had knelt upon the ground, Jesus
groaned within himself, and said:
Father, I am troubled because of the wickedness
of the people of the house of Israel.
15 And when he had said these words, he himself
also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed
unto the Father, and the things which he prayed
cannot be written, and the multitude did bear
record who heard him.
First Hand Testimony
16 And after this manner do they bear record:
“The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard,
before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and
heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written
by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so
great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard
Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which
filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto
the Father.”
• “And it came to pass that Jesus spake
unto them, and bade them arise.
• “And they arose from the earth, and he
said unto them: Blessed are ye because of
your faith. And now behold, my joy is full
And when he had said
these words, He wept…
Moses 7 (The great flood)
28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue
of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying:
How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the
rain upon the mountains?
29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep,
seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?…
32 The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the
workmanship of mine own hands, …
35 Behold, I am God; Man of Holiness is my name; Man of Counsel is
my name; and Endless and Eternal is my name, also.
36 Wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and hold all the creations
which I have made; and mine eye can pierce them also, and among
all the workmanship of mine hands …
39 And That which I have chosen hath pled before my face. Wherefore,
he suffereth for their sins; inasmuch as they will repent in the day
that my Chosen shall return unto me, …;
40 Wherefore, for this shall the heavens weep, yea, and all the
workmanship of mine hands.