You are here
Book of Mormon Central is in the process of migrating to our new Scripture Central website.
We ask for your patience during this transition. Over the coming weeks, all pages of bookofmormoncentral.org will be redirected to their corresponding page on scripturecentral.org, resulting in minimal disruption.
3 Nephi 8–11
Scripture Central Media
Watch videos from Gospel scholars and teachers to learn more about these Book of Mormon passages.
Other Creator Videos
KnoWhys
Evidences
Commentary
Book of Mormon Minute is a commentary series made especially for the free ScripturePlus app, which features insights from Book of Mormon scholar Brant A. Gardner. John W. Welch's notes for Come, Follow Me are also available for free.
John W. Welch, General Editor
Reading Plan
Structure your personal scripture study by following a 15-minute, day-by-day plan. Each day's assignment includes the required scripture passages from the Come, Follow Me curriculum, as well as suggestions for additional resources to bring context and understanding to your study. For the best experience, use our Reading Plan in the free ScripturePlus app! You can track your progress and have access to the best resources.
Monday
- Scripture: 3 Nephi 8:1-18
- Commentary: Questions to Ponder
- Commentary: Faith and Doubt
- Commentary: Terrible Destruction at Christ’s Death
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 8:5
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 8:12-14
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 8:15-17
- Additional Study
Tuesday
- Scripture: 3 Nephi 8:19-25
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 8:18-19
- Evidence: Darkness in Third Nephi
- Additional Study
Wednesday
- Scripture: 3 Nephi 9:1-22
- Commentary: How Many Will Be Prepared When Christ comes Again?
- Commentary: Jesus Relates the Names of Destroyed Cities
-
Additional Study
- Commentary: A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 9:1-2
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 9:3-6
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 9:19-20
- Evidence: Sunken Cities
- KnoWhy: Is There Evidence for Great Destruction in the Land Northward at the Death of Christ?
- KnoWhy: Why Did Jesus Tell All People to Sacrifice a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit?
Thursday
- Scripture: 3 Nephi 10:1-8
- Commentary: Are the Righteous to Be Preserved?
- Commentary: As a Hen Gathereth Her Chickens
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 10:3-7
- KnoWhy: Why Did Jesus Christ Compare Himself to a Hen?
Friday
- Scripture: 3 Nephi 10:9-19
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 10:8-10
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 10:11-13
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 10:14-17
- KnoWhy: Why Is So Little Said about the Timing of Christ’s Temple Ministry?
-
Additional Study
- Evidence: Brass Plates Consistencies
Saturday
- Scripture: 3 Nephi 11:1-21
- Commentary: Study Questions
- Commentary: When and How Many Times Did Jesus Visit the Nephites?
-
Additional Study
- Commentary: The Savior Descends Slowly from Heaven
- Commentary: Jesus Introduces Himself
- Commentary: The Nephites Shout Hosanna
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 11:13-14
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 11:15-17
- KnoWhy: What Can We Learn from the Savior’s First Words at Bountiful?
- KnoWhy: Why Did the People Fall Down at the Feet of Jesus?
Sunday
- Scripture: 3 Nephi 11:22-41
- Video: Come, Follow Me with John Hilton III (3 Nephi 8-11)
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 11:20-27
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 11:28-31
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 11:32
- Commentary: 3 Nephi 11:33-35
- Additional Study
Additional Resources
Explore art, charts, and more.
Images
Charts
- Writings of Mormon
- Samuel the Lamanite's Prophecies
- Destructions at the Death of Christ
- The Coming of Christ to the Nephites: A Pattern for His Second Coming
- Does Christ Have a Body?
- Key Doctrinal Chapters: Helaman–Moroni
- The Gospel in the Book of Mormon
- Missionary Work
- Nephite Cycle of Righteousness: Mormon's Warning for Us Today
- Nephite Cycles: Years A.D. 1–34
- Metals in the Book of Mormon
- Whose Words Are Found in the Book of Mormon?
- Number of Pages in Books of the Book of Mormon
- Average Number of Pages Covering One Nephite Year
- Nephite Books Compared by Length and Years Covered
- Nephite Books Listed Chronologically
- Names Used for Christ by Major Book of Mormon Authors
- Names and Concepts Associated with Christ by Major Book of Mormon Authors
- Number of Names Used for Christ by Major Book of Mormon Authors
- Number of Names for Christ Used Exclusively by Individual Authors
- Ten Essential Features of Book of Mormon Geography
- Geographical Names Listed Alphabetically
- Geographical Names Listed by Scripture Reference
Bibliography
3 Nephi 8
Anonymous. “Out of the Dust: When the Day Turned to Night.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 10, no. 2 (2001): 66–67, 71.
How Does The Book Of Mormon Help Date Christ’s Death?. Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2017.
Benson, Alvin K. “Geological Upheaval and Darkness in 3 Nephi 8-10.” In The Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 9–30, This is My Gospel, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 59–72. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1993.
Grover, Jr., Jerry D. “Destruction Timeline.” In Geology of the Book of Mormon, 73–76. Vineyard, UT: n.p., 2014.
Grover, Jr., Jerry D. “A Textual Analysis of the Locations of the Cities Identified in 3rd Nephi.” In Geology of the Book of Mormon, 149-154. Vineyard, UT: n.p., 2014.
Jordan, Benjamin R. “Volcanic Destruction in the Book of Mormon: Possible Evidence from Ice Cores.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12, no. 1 (2003): 78–87, 118–119.
Jordan, Benjamin R. “Review of Geology of the Book of Mormon.” BYU Studies Quarterly 56, no. 2 (2017): 156–159.
Kowallis, Bart J. “In the Thirty and Fourth Year: A Geologist’s View of the Great Destruction in 3 Nephi.” BYU Studies Quarterly 37, no. 3 (1997): 136–190.
Rappleye, Neal. “’The Great and Terrible Judgments of the Lord': Destruction and Disaster in 3 Nephi and the Geology of Mesoamerica.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 15 (2015): 143–157.
Tvedtnes, John A. “Historical Parallels to the Destruction at the Time of the Crucifixion.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 3, no. 1 (1994): 170–186.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Destructions at the Death of Christ.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 49.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “The Coming of Christ to the Nephites: A Pattern for His Second Coming.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 51.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Nephite Cycles: Years A.D. 1–34.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 147.
3 Nephi 8:1
Book of Mormon Central. “How Can We Know What to Believe about Joseph Smith’s Personal Character? (3 Nephi 8:1).” KnoWhy 413 (March 6, 2018).
3 Nephi 8:3
Cummings, David B. “Three Days and Three Nights: Reassessing Jesus’s Entombment.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 17, no. 1 (2007): 56–63, 86.
3 Nephi 8:11–12
Jordan, Benjamin R. “Investigating New World Volcanism at the Time of Christ’s Death.” Insights: A Window to the Ancient World 23, no. 6 (2003): 4–5.
3 Nephi 8:14
Jordan, Benjamin R. “’Many Great and Notable Cities Were Sunk’: Liquefaction in the Book of Mormon.” BYU Studies Quarterly 38, no. 3 (1999): 119–122.
Roper, Matthew. “A Note on Volcanism and the Book of Mormon.” Insights: A Window to the Ancient World 29, no. 4 (2009): 4.
3 Nephi 8:20–22
Book of Mormon Central. “What Caused the Darkness and Destruction in the 34th Year? (3 Nephi 8:20).” KnoWhy 197 (September 28, 2016).
Gee, John. “Another Note on the Three Days of Darkness.” In Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormon: The FARMS Updates of the 1990s, edited by John W. Welch and Melvin J. Thorne, 219–227. Provo, UT: FARMS, 1999.
3 Nephi 8:23
Ball, Russell H. “An Hypothesis concerning the Three Days of Darkness among the Nephites.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 2, no. 1 (1993): 107–123.
Tvedtnes, John A. “Events Surrounding Christ's Death and Resurrection.” In The Most Correct Book: Insights from a Book of Mormon Scholar, 246–250. Salt Lake City: Cornerstone Publishing, 1999.
3 Nephi 9
Benson, Alvin K. “Geological Upheaval and Darkness in 3 Nephi 8-10.” In The Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 9–30, This is My Gospel, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 59–72. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1993.
Blanch, Mae. “Repentance: The Gift of Love.” In The Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 9–30, This is My Gospel, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 73–87. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1993.
Jordan, Benjamin R. “Review of Geology of the Book of Mormon.” BYU Studies Quarterly 56, no. 2 (2017): 156–159.
Rappleye, Neal. “’The Great and Terrible Judgments of the Lord': Destruction and Disaster in 3 Nephi and the Geology of Mesoamerica.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 15 (2015): 143–157.
Tvedtnes, John A. “Historical Parallels to the Destruction at the Time of the Crucifixion.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 3, no. 1 (1994): 170–186.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Destructions at the Death of Christ.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 49.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “The Coming of Christ to the Nephites: A Pattern for His Second Coming.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 51.
3 Nephi 9:2
Bowen, Matthew L. “’O Ye Fair Ones’ - Revisited.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 20 (2016): 315–344.
3 Nephi 9:7
Book of Mormon Central. “Is There Evidence of Sunken Cities in Ancient America? (3 Nephi 9:7).” KnoWhy 429 (May 1, 2018).
Sorenson, John L. “The Submergence of the City of Jerusalem in the Land of Nephi.” Insights: A Window to the Ancient World 22, no. 4 (2002): 2–3.
3 Nephi 9:9
Book of Mormon Central. “Is there evidence for great destruction in the land northward at the death of Christ? (3 Nephi 9:9).” KnoWhy 530 (September 6, 2019).
3 Nephi 9:10
Ricks, Stephen D. “Some Notes on Book of Mormon Names.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 4 (2013): 155–160.
(Josh) Tvedtnes, John A., John Gee, and Matthew Roper. “Book of Mormon Names Attested in Ancient Hebrew Inscriptions.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9, no. 1 (2000): 40–51, 78–79.
3 Nephi 9:14
Calabro, David. “’Stretch Forth Thy Hand and Prophesy’: Hand Gestures in the Book of Mormon.” Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 21, no. 1 (2012): 46–59.
3 Nephi 9:19–20
Baker, LeGrand L. “What does it mean to be the ‘salt of the earth’?” Ensign 29, no. 4 (1999).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Jesus Tell All People to Sacrifice a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit? (3 Nephi 19–20).” KnoWhy 198 (September 29, 2016).
Bowen, Matthew L. “’In the Mount of the Lord It Shall Be Seen’ and ‘Provided’: Theophany and Sacrifice as the Etiological Foundation of the Temple in Israelite and Latter-day Saint Tradition.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 5 (2013): 201–228.
3 Nephi 9:22
Tvedtnes, John A. “Becoming as Little Children.” In The Most Correct Book: Insights from a Book of Mormon Scholar, 278–281. Salt Lake City: Cornerstone Publishing, 1999.
3 Nephi 10
Benson, Alvin K. “Geological Upheaval and Darkness in 3 Nephi 8-10.” In The Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 9–30, This is My Gospel, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 59–72. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1993.
Jordan, Benjamin R. “Review of Geology of the Book of Mormon.” BYU Studies Quarterly 56, no. 2 (2017): 156–159.
Tvedtnes, John A. “Historical Parallels to the Destruction at the Time of the Crucifixion.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 3, no. 1 (1994): 170–186.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Destructions at the Death of Christ.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 49.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “The Coming of Christ to the Nephites: A Pattern for His Second Coming.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 51.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Nephite Cycle of Righteousness: Mormon's Warning for Us Today.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 144.
3 Nephi 10:4
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Jesus Christ Compare Himself to a Hen? (3 Nephi 10:4).” KnoWhy 200 (October 3, 2016).
3 Nephi 10:12–13
Rust, Richard Dilworth. “The Book of Mormon, Designed for Our Day: Annual FARMS Lecture.” Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2, no. 1 (1990): 1–23.
3 Nephi 10:14–17
Ludlow, Daniel H. “Zenos.” In Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow. Vol. 4. New York: Macmillan, 1992.
3 Nephi 10:18
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Is So Little Said about the Timing of Christ’s Temple Ministry? (3 Nephi 10:18).” KnoWhy 481 (December 1, 2018).
Brown, S. Kent. “When Did Jesus Visit the Americas?” In From Jerusalem to Zarahemla: Literary and Historical Studies of the Book of Mormon, 146–156. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1998.
3 Nephi 10:19
Bowen, Matthew L. “’In the Mount of the Lord It Shall Be Seen’ and ‘Provided’: Theophany and Sacrifice as the Etiological Foundation of the Temple in Israelite and Latter-day Saint Tradition.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 5 (2013): 201–228.
3 Nephi 11
Bassett, Arthur R. “Jesus’ Sermon to the Nephites.” Ensign 8 (1978): 58–62.
Benson, Ezra Taft. “The Savior’s Visit to America,” General Conference April 1987.
Brown, S. Kent. “When Did Jesus Visit the Americas?” In From Jerusalem to Zarahemla: Literary and Historical Studies of the Book of Mormon, 146–156. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1998.
Christ in America Timeline. Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2016.
Callister, Tad R. “Teaching the Atonement.” Religious Educator 3, no. 1 (2002): 51–64.
Oaks, Dallin H. “Resurrection.” General Conference April 2000.
Sweat, Anthony. “Active Learning and the Savior's Nephite Ministry.” Religious Educator 10, no. 3 (2009): 75–86.
Tvedtnes, John A. “The Timing of Christ's Appearance to the Nephites.” In The Most Correct Book: Insights from a Book of Mormon Scholar, 251–269. Salt Lake City: Cornerstone Publishing, 1999.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “The Gospel in the Book of Mormon.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 56.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “People to Whom Jesus Christ or the Angel of the Lord Appeared.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 41.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Does Christ Have a Body?.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 52.
What Would Jesus Do? (3 Nephi 11-28). Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2016.
3 Nephi 11:1
Bokovoy, David E. Holiness to the Lord: Biblical Temple Imagery in the Sermons of Jacob the Priest. The Interpreter Foundation, 2012.
Book of Mormon Central. “Is there Precedent for General Conference in the Book of Mormon? (3 Nephi 11:1).” KnoWhy 1999 (September 30, 2016).
Jones, Clifford P. “The Great and Marvelous Change: An Alternate Interpretation.” Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 19, no. 2 (2010): 50–63.
Welch, John W. “The Sermon at the Temple.” In Reexploring the Book of Mormon, edited by John W. Welch, 253–256. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: FARMS/Deseret Book, 1992.
3 Nephi 11:3–7
Peterson, Daniel C. “The Small Voice.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 22 (2016): vii–xii.
3 Nephi 11:8
Bowen, Matthew L. “’In the Mount of the Lord It Shall Be Seen’ and ‘Provided’: Theophany and Sacrifice as the Etiological Foundation of the Temple in Israelite and Latter-day Saint Tradition.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 5 (2013): 201–228.
3 Nephi 11:9
Calabro, David. “’Stretch Forth Thy Hand and Prophesy’: Hand Gestures in the Book of Mormon.” Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 21, no. 1 (2012): 46–59.
3 Nephi 11:10–11
Book of Mormon Central. “What Can We Learn from the Savior’s First Words at Bountiful? (3 Nephi 11:10–11).” KnoWhy 341 (July 19, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Has 3 Nephi Been Called “the Focal Point, the Supreme Moment” in the Book of Mormon? (3 Nephi 11:10).” KnoWhy 201 (October 4, 2016).
What Can We Learn From The Savior’s First Words At Bountiful? (3 Nephi 11:10-11). Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central , 2017.
3 Nephi 11:12
Smith, Joseph F. “Questions and Answers - Time of Christ's Visit to the Nephites.” Improvement Era 8, no. 3 (1905): 225–226.
3 Nephi 11:17
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did the People Fall Down at the Feet of Jesus? (3 Nephi 11:17).” KnoWhy 202 (October 5, 2016).
3 Nephi 11:18
Nyman, Monte S. “The Judgment Seat of Christ.” In The Book of Mormon: Fourth Nephi Through Moroni, From Zion to Destruction, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 199–213. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, 1995.
3 Nephi 11:24–25
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did the Lord Quote the Book of Mormon When Reestablishing the Church? (3 Nephi 11:24).” KnoWhy 282 (March 3, 2017).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Joseph and Oliver Seek Authority to Baptize? (3 Nephi 11:24–25).” KnoWhy 279 (February 24, 2017).
3 Nephi 11:27
Book of Mormon Central. “How Are the Book of Mormon’s Teachings About the Godhead Unique? (3 Nephi 11:28).” KnoWhy 266 (January 25, 2017).
3 Nephi 11:28
Benson, Ezra Taft. “A Sacred Responsibility.” General Conference April 1986.
3 Nephi 11:30–32
Reynolds, Noel B. “The True Points of My Doctrine.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 5, no. 2 (1996): 26–56.
3 Nephi 11:31–41
Bowen, Matthew L. “Founded Upon a Rock: Doctrinal and Temple Implications of Peter’s Surnaming.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 9 (2014): 1–28.
Reynolds, Noel B. “The Gospel as Taught by Nephite Prophets.” In Reexploring the Book of Mormon, edited by John W. Welch, 257–259. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: FARMS/Deseret Book, 1992.
Reynolds, Noel B. “’Come unto Me’ as a Technical Gospel Term.” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 31 (2019): 1–24.
Reynolds, Noel B. “The Gospel According to Mormon.” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 29 (2018): 85–104.