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.
Gospel Doctrine Lesson #40: Then Will I Gather Them In
Scripture Block
3 Nephi 16, 20, 21
To help class members understand the latter-day work of gathering Israel and establishing Zion.
Lesson Manual
KnoWhys
Who is the Servant of Isaiah 49/1 Nephi 21?
1 Nephi 21:3
Why Did Jesus Mix Together Micah and Isaiah?
3 Nephi 20:25
Who is the Servant Spoken of by Christ?
3 Nephi 21:10
Articles
Overview
Benson, Ezra Taft. "The Savior's Visit to America." General Conference Address April 1987.
A conference address from President Ezra Taft Benson on Christ's ministry among the Nephites in 3 Nephi.
Bokovoy, David E., and John A. Tvedtnes. "Christ in the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon." In Testaments: Links between the Book of Mormon and the Hebrew Bible, 7-23. Toelle, UT: Heritage Press, 2003.
All of the key events, doctrines, and people of the Hebrew Bible point directly to Jesus’ role as the Anointed One of Israel. This is the inspired message proclaimed so passionately by the ancient authors of the Book of Mormon: Jesus is the link between the Book of Mormon and the Hebrew Bible.
Holland, Jeffrey R.. Atonement of Jesus Christ In Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan, 1992.
An encyclopedic entry on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, as explained by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. The Atonement is the core tenet of Christianity, and is the central focus of the Book of Mormon.
Ludlow, Victor L.. "Covenant Teachings in the Book of Mormon." In The Fulness of the Gospel: Foundational Teachings from the Book of Mormon, edited by Camille Fronk Olson, Brian M. Hauglid, Patty Smith and Thomas A. Wayment, 225-245. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, 2003.
This article discusses all the cases where Christ made covenants with his people in the Book of Mormon. Of note is the instance in 3 Nephi, when Christ visites the Nephites in the Americas and puts away the Law of Moses for a new covenant.
Matthews, Robert J.. "Jesus the Savior in 3 Nephi." In The Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 9-30, This is My Gospel, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 25-39. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, 1993.
This article discusses Jesus Christ's role in 3 Nephi. Third Nephi offers greater insight into the activity and scope of Jesus' work than that found in the New Testament alone. Matthew discusses the anticipation of Christ's coming, his miraculous appearance in the Americas, the doctrines he taught, and how Jesus Christ's coming is significant for the message of the Book of Mormon and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Millet, Robert L., Gary Lee Walker, Jerry C. Giles, Gerald Hansen, Jr., Andrew C. Skinner, Philip J. Schaelling, Daniel C. Peterson, Merril C. Oaks, Tad R. Callister, John Gee et al. Jesus Christ In Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow. Vol. 2. New York: Macmillan, 1992.
Encyclopedic entry on Jesus Christ, as he is understood in Mormon theology. Jesus Christ plays a central role in the Book of Mormon, especially when he appears to the Nephites in 3 Nephi.
Nelson, Russell M.. "Jesus the Christ - Our Master and More." In A Book of Mormon Treasury: Gospel Insights from General Authorities and Religious Educators, 19-31. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, 2003.
In a thoughtful overview, Elder Russell M. Nelson discusses how Jesus Christ fulfills each of Biblical and Book of Mormon titles attributed to him.
Seely, David R.. Jehovah, Jesus Christ In Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow. Vol. 2. New York: Macmillan, 1992.
An Encycopedic entry emphasizing the messianic role of Jesus Christ in Mormonism. Jesus Christ is the Jehovah and God of the Old Testament and was prophesied to come down to earth to redeem his people.
Tanner, N. Eldon. "Christ in America," Ensign. May 1975.
A Conference address from the First Counselor in the First Presidency on Christ in America. Starting with Biblical prophecies of Christ, President Tanner tells the story of Christ's appearance, expounding on the doctrines Christ layed out to the Nephites.
Turner, Rodney. "Christ's Church in America." Ensign. March 2000.
The Church of Jesus Christ experienced three phases in Book of Mormon times: the Old Testament-era Church among the early Nephites, the revitalization of the Church in Alma’s time, and the Church organized by the risen Lord.
Welch. John W. "Seeing Third Nephi as the Holy of Holies of the Book of Mormon." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Restoration Scripture 19, no. 1 (2010): 36-55.
Third Nephi and its account of the ministry of the resurrected Jesus to the Nephites has long been seen as the pinnacle of the Book of Mormon. This text can also be viewed as the Holy of Holies of the Book of Mormon. Everything in 3 Nephi, especially the ministry of the Savior, echoes themes related to the temple and the presence of the Lord in the Holy of Holies. Themes such as silence, timelessness, unity, awe, and consecration confirm this interpretation.
Hyde, Paul Nolan. A Comprehensive Commentary of the Book of 3 Nephi. Orem, UT: Parrish Press, 2015.
Kimball, Linda Hoffman. "The Coming of Christ." In The Reader's Book of Mormon: The Coming of Christ: Helaman 5 – 3 Nephi, edited by Robert A. Rees and Eugene England, vii-xxix. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 2008.
3 Nephi 16
Davis, Garold N. "Pattern and Purpose of the Isaiah Commentaries in the Book of Mormon." In Mormons, Scripture, and the Ancient World: Studies in Honor of John L. Sorenson. Edited by Davis Bitton. Provo, UT: FARMS, 1998.
The last full chapters of Isaiah quoted in the Book of Mormon, Isaiah 52 and 54, are quoted by the Savior himself in 3 Nephi 16, 20, and 22 and are preceded by a lengthy and detailed commentary beginning in 3 Nephi 16. This article expounds on why Jesus would spend so much time on explaining and teaching Isaiah to the Nephites.
FAIR Mormon entry on "Deutero-Isaiah."
The sections of Isaiah quotes in 3 Nephi are from the later sections designated by some scholars as "Deutero-Isaiah." This entry addresses how the Book of Mormon could contain passages of Isaiah that purportedly were not written until much later.
Welch, John W. “Echoes from the Sermon on the Mount.” In The Sermon on the Mount in Latter-day Scripture, ed. Gaye Strathearn, Thomas A. Wayment, and Daniel L. Belnap (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010), 312–40.
Quotations from the Sermon on the Mount and the Nephite "Sermon at the Temple" are seen throughout the Book of Mormon. He gave the Sermon in 3 Nephi 12–14 and then quoted from it significantly in 3 Nephi 15–28. This article helps readers understand the importance of the Sermon on the Mount and how it contributed to 3 Nephi as a whole.
3 Nephi 20
Davis, Garold N. "Pattern and Purpose of the Isaiah Commentaries in the Book of Mormon." In Mormons, Scripture, and the Ancient World: Studies in Honor of John L. Sorenson. Provo, UT: FARMS, 1998.
Jesus quotes Isaiah 52 in 3 Nephi 20 and teaches on the gathering of Israel. This article shows the changes Jesus makes to the Isaiah text and how this shows the Isaiah quotations as meaningful, and not repetitive.
Graham, Eric William. "Covenants Taught through Chiasmus." In BYU Religious Education 2009 Student Symposium
A prophecy of the Restoration of the gospel is found in chiasmic pattern in 3 Nephi 20-21.
Ludlow, Victor L. "Jesus' Covenant Teachings in Third Nephi." In Rediscovering the Book of Mormon: Insights that You May Have Missed Before. Edited by John L. Sorenson and Melvin J. Thorne. Provo, UT: FARMS, 1991.
In 3 Nephi 20, Jesus begins a discourse on what it means to be a covenant people. This article explains the doctrines and teachings found therein that are unique to the Book of Mormon. These teachings help Latter-day Saints fulfill their covenants and await the promised blessings of the Lord.
McConkie, Joseph Fielding. "The Doctrine of a Covenant People." In A Book of Mormon Treasury: Gospel Insights from General Authorities and Religious Educators, 357-377. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, 2003.
This article explains the nature of covenants in the gospel and how they have been used throughout history in the Old and New Testaments. This article focuses on Christ's ministry in 3 Nephi and how Christ made the Nephites a covenant people at Bountiful. This process included the calling of the twelve, Christ's sermon on covenants, the administration of the sacrament, and the preaching of the gospel.
Nelson, Russell M. "Remnants Gathered, Covenants Fulfilled." In The Voice of My Servants: Apostolic Messages on Teaching, Learning, and Scripture
The gathering of remnants (3 Nephi 20: 12-13) and the fulfilling of that divine covenant are occurring in our day. Yet this big picture is obscure to the eye of many who focus upon bargains at supermarkets and rankings of favorite football teams. Let us examine our place in God's plan for HIs children and for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint. We are part of a destiny known by relatively few people upon the earth.
Rust, Richard Dilworth. "Annual FARMS Lecture: The Book of Mormon, Designed for Our Day." Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 2, no. 1 (1990): 1-23.
Rust examined literary aspects of the book that develop the primary purposes set out on the title page. He discussed the elements characteristic of an epic that will allow modern-day Lamanites to trust in the Lord’s deliverance and detailed literary (especially poetic) presentations of covenants in the Book of Mormon. The covenants presented in the Book of Mormon can be found particularly in 3 Nephi. His promises to the house of Israel and the Gentiles can be found in 3 Nephi 20.
Strathearn, Gaye. "Christ's Interpretation of Isaiah 52's "My Servant" in 3 Nephi." Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 18, no. 1 (2009): 4-15.
3 Nephi 20-23 quotes Isaiah and refers to a "servant" of the Lord. Interpretations for this figure include Isaiah himself, the people of Israel, Joseph Smith, and Jesus Christ. This paper claims that the Book of Mormon itself may be the servant referenced in 3 Nephi 20–23. Both the servant and the Book of Mormon are portrayed as filling the same “great and marvelous” works in the gathering of Israel, reminding the Jews of their covenants with God, and bringing the Gentiles to Christ.
3 Nephi 21
Ball, Terry B. “Isaiah’s ‘Other’ Servant Songs.” In The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, The 38th Annual BYU Sidney B. Sperry Symposium (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2009).
Terry Ball discusses the various chapters of Isaiah that mention a special "servant" and are often referred to as the "servant songs." While there are many interpretations of who the servant might be, this paper argues that the servant is Jesus Christ.
Reynolds, Noel B. "The True Points of My Doctrine." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 5, no. 2 (1996): 26-56.
Reynolds identifies various Book of Mormon passages that specify aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as outlined in his previous 1991 article. These aspects such as repentance, baptism, the receiving of the Holy Ghost, can be found in abundance in the ministry of Christ in 3 Nephi.
Rust, Richard Dilworth. “‘All Things Which Have Been Given of God . . . Are the Typifying of Him’: Typology in the Book of Mormon.” In Literature of Belief: Sacred Scripture and Religious Experience, ed. Neal E. Lambert (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1981), 233–44.
The Book of Mormon fulfills its basic mission of testifying of Christ through a “pervasive typology” as well as by its direct statements, prophecies, and quotations. This paper defines typology, discusses Book of Mormon teachings regarding it, and then shows its application to Book of Mormon individuals, groups, and objects—with the golden book itself a type of Christ, the ultimate treasure.