Messianic Ministry

Jesus’ Return and Prayers

3 Nephi 19:15

Jesus comes back, and stands among the angels and the people.

And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them.

3 Nephi 19:16

Jesus tells everyone to kneel down.

And it came to pass that he spake unto the multitude, and commanded them that they should kneel down again upon the earth, and also that his disciples should kneel down upon the earth.

3 Nephi 19:17–18

Jesus commands his disciples to pray; they begin to pray to him.

And it came to pass that when they had all knelt down upon the earth, he commanded his disciples that they should pray. And behold, they began to pray; and they did pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God.

3 Nephi 19:19–23

Jesus steps away, and begins to pray himself, thanking his Father for the bestowal of the Holy Ghost upon the people and asking for increased faith among them.

And it came to pass that Jesus departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed himself to the earth, and he said:

“Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world.

“Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words.

“Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.

“And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one.”

3 Nephi 19:24

Jesus goes back to his disciples, who are still praying to him.

And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.

3 Nephi 19:25

Jesus blesses his disciples and smiles upon them.

And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.

3 Nephi 19:26

Jesus tells his disciples to keep praying.

And Jesus said unto them:

“Pray on, ”

Nevertheless they did not cease to pray.

3 Nephi 19:27–29

Jesus again steps away to pray a second time; he asks that his followers may be purified, and be one with him.

And he turned from them again, and went a little way off and bowed himself to the earth; and he prayed again unto the Father, saying:

“Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.

“Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.”

3 Nephi 19:30–32

Jesus goes back to his disciples, smiles to see they are still praying, and again steps away to pray to his Father for the third time.

And when Jesus had spoken these words he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesus. And it came to pass that he went again a little way off and prayed unto the Father; And tongue cannot speak the words which he prayed, neither can be written by man the words which he prayed.

3 Nephi 19:33–34

Jesus’ prayer is so great and marvelous that they cannot be repeated or recorded.

And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed. Nevertheless, so great and marvelous were the words which he prayed that they cannot be written, neither can they be uttered by man.

3 Nephi 19:35–36

Jesus finishes praying, and commends his followers for their great faith.

And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying he came again to the disciples, and said unto them:

“So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles, because of their unbelief. Verily I say unto you, there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen; neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard.”