Messianic Ministry

Jesus’ Private Appearance to his Disciples

3 Nephi 27:1

One day, the disciples gather together to pray and fast.

And it came to pass that as the disciples of Jesus were journeying and were preaching the things which they had both heard and seen, and were baptizing in the name of Jesus, it came to pass that the disciples were gathered together and were united in mighty prayer and fasting.

3 Nephi 27:2

Jesus appears to them, and asks them what they want of him.

And Jesus again showed himself unto them, for they were praying unto the Father in his name; and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them:

“What will ye that I shall give unto you?”

3 Nephi 27:3

The disciples ask what the church’s name should be.

And they said unto him:

“Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us
the name whereby we shall call this church;
for there are disputations among the people
concerning this matter.”

3 Nephi 27:4–32

Jesus explains that his church should bear his name, should be built upon his gospel, be as him, and he warns of the eventual spiritual demise of the civilization.

And the Lord said unto them:

3 Nephi 27:33

Jesus adds that his people should enter into the narrow gate that leads to life.

And it came to pass that when Jesus had ended these sayings he said unto his disciples:

“Enter ye in at the strait gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad the way which leads to death, and many there be that travel therein, until the night cometh, wherein no man can work.”

3 Nephi 28:1

Jesus then asks his disciples what they would like after Jesus leaves.

And it came to pass when Jesus had said these words, he spake unto his disciples, one by one, saying unto them:

“What is it that ye desire of me,
after that I am gone to the Father?”

3 Nephi 28:2

Nine of the twelve express their desire to live good lives, and then quickly enter the kingdom of God when they die.

And they all spake, save it were three, saying:

“We desire that after we have lived unto the age of man, that our ministry, wherein thou hast called us, may have an end, that we may speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom.”

3 Nephi 28:3

Jesus commends them for their desire, and declares that their wishes will be granted.

And he said unto them:

“blessed are ye because ye desired this thing of me;
therefore, after that ye are seventy and two years old
ye shall come unto me in my kingdom;
and with me ye shall find rest.”

3 Nephi 28:4

He then turns to the remaining three disciples, and asks them what they want.

And when he had spoken unto them, he turned himself unto the three, and said unto them:

“What will ye that I should do unto you,
when I am gone unto the Father?”

3 Nephi 28:5

The three disciples are too embarrassed to answer.

And they sorrowed in their hearts, for they durst not speak unto him the things which they desired.

3 Nephi 28:6–11

Jesus reads their thoughts, and knows that they want to stay alive until the Second Coming; Jesus grants their wishes, and says that they will minister in the world until he comes again, feeling no pain except for sorrow for the world’s evils.

And he said unto them:

3 Nephi 28:12

Jesus touches the nine other disciples one by one, then ascends into heaven.

And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he touched every one of them with his finger save it were the three who were to tarry, and then he departed.