“Scriptures repeatedly warn that the father of contention opposes the plan of our Heavenly Father. Satan’s method relies on the infectious canker of contention. Satan’s motive: to gain personal acclaim even over God Himself.
“The work of the adversary may be likened to loading guns in opposition to the work of God. Salvos containing germs of contention are aimed and fired at strategic targets essential to that holy work. These vital targets include—in addition to the individual—the family, leaders of the Church, and divine doctrine” (Nelson, “Canker of Contention,” 69).
Nephi, son of Nephi and great-grandson of Helaman, wrote 3 Nephi. Dr. Sidney B. Sperry observed: “The book known to us as Third Nephi was originally called ‘The Book of Nephi’ as the caption immediately below the title in our modern editions indicates. The title ‘3 Nephi’ was first added by Elder Orson Pratt in the 1879 edition to distinguish this book from the first two books in the Nephite record, known respectively as ‘The First Book of Nephi’ and ‘The Second Book of Nephi.’ In other words, ‘Third Nephi’ is not a part of the original text of the Book of Mormon” (Book of Mormon Compendium, 389).
Beginning with the miraculous fulfillment of the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite concerning the birth of Christ (see 3 Nephi 1), the record concludes with Mormon’s discourse on the nature of translated beings and his plea to those who read these sacred words (see 3 Nephi 28–30). The opening chapters contrast those who are righteous, converted to the Church, and led by the prophet Nephi with the wicked, who infiltrate and corrupt the government. Eventually the wicked succeed in creating anarchy, which divides the people into family tribes and bands of robbers. This collapse is followed by a physical destruction and cleansing of the land before the coming of Jesus Christ. His appearance is the dramatic and spiritual zenith of the Book of Mormon. Third Nephi also highlights both the Savior’s mortal life and miraculous post-Resurrection appearance: His miraculous birth in Bethlehem (see 3 Nephi 1) and His postmortal ministry as the resurrected Lord visiting and teaching the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 11–27). Third Nephi contains the Lord’s inspiring account of the points of His doctrine (see 3 Nephi 11) and His two-day sermon at the temple in Bountiful. Jesus heals the sick, and angels minister to Nephite children (3 Nephi 17). Christ institutes the sacrament (3 Nephi 18) and calls twelve special disciples (3 Nephi 19), three of whom are translated (28:16–23).
The superscription to 3 Nephi, which appears just under the title, was part of the ancient record translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith and dictated by him to his scribe (see also, for example, 1 Nephi, Alma 5, and 4 Nephi).
Distinct from the superscription is the chapter summary, which is presented in italics between the chapter number and the beginning of the scriptural text. Chapter summaries, originally added in the 1920 edition of the Book of Mormon, give the reader an overview of what each chapter contains.