Messianic Ministry

Jesus’ Teachings About Scriptures

3 Nephi 20:9

Having partaken of the bread and wine, the people glorify Jesus.

Now, when the multitude had all eaten and drunk, behold, they were filled with the Spirit; and they did cry out with one voice, and gave glory to Jesus, whom they both saw and heard.

3 Nephi 23:6

Jesus then explains some scriptures, and expresses his wish that they have more scriptures.

And now it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he said unto them again, after he had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received, he said unto them:

“Behold, other scriptures
I would that ye should write,
that ye have not.”

3 Nephi 23:7

Jesus asks Nephi to bring forward the records they have kept.

And it came to pass that he said unto Nephi:

“Bring forth the record which ye have kept.”

3 Nephi 23:8–9

Jesus looks through the records, and recalls some things he had told Samuel about the dead appearing to many.

And when Nephi had brought forth the records, and laid them before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said:

“Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them.”

And he said unto them:

“Was it not so?”

3 Nephi 23:10

The disciples concede that Samuel did indeed prophesy that, and it did indeed come to pass.

And his disciples answered him and said:

“Yea, Lord,
Samuel did prophesy according to thy words,
and they were all fulfilled.”

3 Nephi 23:11

Jesus asks why such a significant prophecy and its fulfillment was not recorded.

And Jesus said unto them:

“How be it that ye have not written this thing,
that many saints did arise and appear unto many
and did minister unto them?”

3 Nephi 23:12

Nephi remembers that the records did contain anything about that.

And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written.

3 Nephi 23:13

Jesus instructs them to make a record of that.

And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be written; therefore it was written according as he commanded.

3 Nephi 23:14

Jesus goes on to teach from the scriptures.

And now it came to pass that when Jesus had expounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, he commanded them that they should teach the things which he had expounded unto them.

3 Nephi 24:1

Jesus tells the record keepers what he told to the prophet Malachi, and they make note of it.

And it came to pass that he commanded them that they should write the words which the Father had given unto Malachi, which he should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were written he expounded them.

3 Nephi 24:1 – 25:6

Jesus expounds the words he originally gave Malachi about the preparations for the Messiah, tithes and offerings, and the mission of Elijah.

And these are the words which he did tell unto them, saying:

3 Nephi 26:1

Jesus teaches even more from the scriptures.

And now it came to pass that when Jesus had told these things he expounded them unto the multitude; and he did expound all things unto them, both great and small.

3 Nephi 26:2

Jesus explains that God wants the people to have these scriptural words, which previously were had only by those in Israel.

And he saith:

“These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations.”

3 Nephi 26:3–5

Jesus tells the people of the signs of the times, the Second Coming, and the final judgment.

and he did expound all things, even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory— yea, even all things which should come upon the face of the earth, even until the elements should melt with fervent heat, and the earth should be wrapt together as a scroll, and the heavens and the earth should pass away;

And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil— If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation; being on a parallel, the one on the one hand and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy, and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the world began.

3 Nephi 26:6–8

Unfortunately, only a fraction of Jesus’ ministry can be recorded in this volume.

And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people; But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people. And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.

3 Nephi 26:9–12

If people faithfully receive what is given, more will be added later.

And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.

Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying:

“I will try the faith of my people.”

Therefore I, Mormon, do write the things which have been commanded me of the Lord. And now I, Mormon, make an end of my sayings, and proceed to write the things which have been commanded me.

3 Nephi 26:13–14

Jesus is with the people for a total of three days, during which he breaks and blesses bread often, and many miracles occur.

Therefore, I would that ye should behold that the Lord truly did teach the people, for the space of three days; and after that he did show himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them. And it came to pass that he did teach and minister unto the children of the multitude of whom hath been spoken, and he did loose their tongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things, even greater than he had revealed unto the people; and he loosed their tongues that they could utter.

3 Nephi 26:15

After performing more miracles, Jesus again ascends into heaven.

And it came to pass that after he had ascended into heaven— the second time that he showed himself unto them, and had gone unto the Father, after having healed all their sick, and their lame, and opened the eyes of their blind and unstopped the ears of the deaf, and even had done all manner of cures among them, and raised a man from the dead, and had shown forth his power unto them, and had ascended unto the Father—