The disciples “had formed a church” (v. 1) is past tense, and refers to the time prior of the thirty-fourth and the thirty-fifth year having passed away. The disciples of Christ began to baptize, and the Holy Ghost was given on the second day of Christ’s Nephite ministry (see 3 Nephi 18:1–15). Therefore, the baptism and the receiving of the Holy Ghost (4 Nephi 1:1) was begun in the thirty-fourth year, and continued throughout the thirty-fifth year.
All of the people upon all the face of the land being converted in the thirty-sixth year (v. 2) was a tremendously successful effort. The telestial type people had been destroyed by the terrible storm (see 3 Nephi 8). Those who “received the prophets and stoned them not [celestial type people],” and those “who had not shed the blood of the saints [terrestrial type people] … were spared” (3 Nephi 10:12). While all the Nephites and Lamanites had been converted, they were still required to endure to the end before their celestial glory was guaranteed. Nevertheless, they were well on the path to eternal life and were now a celestial type people.
The life of Jesus Christ from the age of twelve to thirty is given in just one verse in the New Testament, but it does inform us that he developed in all four areas of life. He “increased in wisdom [intellectually], and stature [physically], and in favor with God [spiritually], and man [socially] (Luke 2:52). Someday we will learn more about this period of his life, but we know enough for it to be a guideline for us today. All of the Nephites and Lamanites who were converted likewise grew collectively in these four areas as the text of 4 Nephi shows. We will examine these four areas and supplement our findings with other scriptures as possible interpretations.
The converts had no contentions and disputations among them. They dealt justly one with another (4 Nephi 1:2). They had grown socially “in favor with man” (Luke 2:52). All things common among them (4 Nephi 1:3) further showed their social development. However, their society was not a communal order. They undoubtedly were living the law of consecration and stewardship. All the people were free (v. 2), or had their agency, an eternal principle advocated by God and opposed by Satan (see Moses 4:1–3). They dealt with one another (4 Nephi 1:2). Therefore, they had individual stewardships. The first step of the law of consecration is to consecrate all of one’s property to the bishop of the church. This consecration is by “a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken” (D&C 42:30–31). The Nephites had apparently been “made accountable unto [the Lord], a steward of his own property, or that which he had received by consecration, as much as is sufficient for himself and family” (D&C 42:32). The purpose of the law, to “consecrate of the riches of those who embrace [Christ’s] gospel among the Gentiles unto the poor of my people who are of the house of Israel” (D&C 42:39) had been accomplished. There “were not rich and poor” among all the Nephites and Lamanites (4 Nephi 1:3). This great economic law had brought social equity among them.
The converted nation had also grown spiritually or “in favor with God” (Luke 2:52). They were all partakers of the heavenly gift (4 Nephi 1:3). The heavenly gift was the Holy Ghost which they had received after baptism (v. 1; see Ether 12:8–9). They were on the path to becoming Zion people. Peace in the land continuing (4 Nephi 1:4) was certainly a product of the heavenly gift of the Holy Ghost. Jesus taught:
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. [John 14:26–27]
Also, when Jesus appeared to the disciples in Jerusalem, after his resurrection, he said: “Peace be unto you” twice, and then said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:19–21).
The miracles performed by the disciples were also through the gifts of the Spirit (see Moroni 10:8–18, D&C 46:11–26; 1 Corinthians 12:3–11). All of these miracles were done under the authority, or in the name of Jesus (4 Nephi 1:5). These gifts all come from God, or Christ, as the above references show, but in the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith: “They are all the gifts of the Holy Ghost” (TPJS, 245).
Although all the gifts of the Spirit are ascribed to the thirty-eighth year (v. 6), they continued with the converted Nephites and Lamanites for the next twenty-one years (A.D. 39–59). Thus twenty-two years, counting A.D. 38, are covered in two verses (5–6). The record is brief, but the message is lengthy. The blessings of the Lord are many, great, marvelous, and varied when the commandments are kept.