Shemnon was one of the twelve disciples Jesus chose to minister to the Nephites after his resurrection. He is named once, in the list of the twelve given when they went forth and stood in the midst of the multitude (3 Nephi 19:4); the record preserves no separate account of his acts or teachings. Jesus gave the twelve power and authority to baptize (3 Nephi 12:1). On the day after their calling, the twelve taught the multitude, had them kneel and pray to the Father in the name of Jesus, and then ministered to the people the same words Jesus had spoken, before praying to receive the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 19:5-9).