Book of Mormon ~ 3 Nephi Chapter 10

Taught by Sue G.

Silence is a very effective way to get peoples attention and to promote meditation and serious analyzing. Perhaps you've been in attendance at a general conference of the Church when the prophet entered the Tabernacle on the conference center and you "heard" the silence as it spread throughout the building by way of respect and honer for him.  There will be silence in heaven for the space of half an hour just before the Saviors second coming  (D&;C 88:15)

The Saviors love comes again to these people reminding them of how often He has gathered his people and blessed them in times past.  He also invite them to repent and return to him and enjoy the warmth and comfort He has for them.  He compares this warmth and security to chicks gathered under the soft warm secure wing of a mother hen. (3 Nephi 10:3-4)

There is symbolism in all the noises and groaning, eventually and tearings etc in vs 9  It can be symbolic of what happens to a persons soul as he or she goes through deep godly sorrow for sin during the process of repenting. Such deep concern for sin causes cleansing and permanent change for the better. Paul describes these aspects of godly sorrow to the Corinthians. (2 Cor 7 10:11)

After having gone through godly sorrow for sin, as described by Paul it is absolutely necessary to allow ones self to advance to the joy and thanksgiving described in verse 10.  This is one of the cleanest verse of all scripture in teaching the next step of repentance after godly sorrow. (3 Nephi 10:10)

As we approach the 2nd coming, many wonder when the line will be drawn between who will be burned and who will be spared. We understand the more righteous to be these who are at least living a terrestrial lifestyle feel a description of this lifestyle. (D&C 73:71-80)

Occasionally a student of the Book of Mormon will become confused about the timing of the Savior's visit to the Nephites and Lamanites in 3 Nephi because of verse 18.  The phrase "in the ending of the 30 and 4th year is the source of concern since the destruction and 3 days of darkness began in the thirty and fourth year in the first month on the fourth  day of the month (3 Nephi 8:5). Some wonder if it was right after or one year later. At the end of verse 18 Mormon says that the visit came soon after the ascension of Christ.

The fact that the multitude had gathered at the temple and were pointing out to each other the great changes that had occurred is evidence that this was an event immediately following the resurrection of our Lord.  If this event had occurred one year later, the multitude would have been perfectly familiar with these great changes, and they would not have been so awed by them.  It as in great astonishment and wonder that they had gathered and were pointing out to each other what had occurred.

Moreover it is contrary to reason that Jesus would make the Nephites and Lamanites, who had been faithful, wait for one whole year before he would make his appearance and give them instruction in relation to the closing of the period in which the law of Moses was in force, and the period when the fulness of the gospel was ushered in.