“Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi: Prophet Nephi—Knowing through Faith and Works” by grego

“Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi: Prophet Nephi—Knowing through Faith and Works”
grego
(c) 2009

I was thinking about prophets and what they know. So often we think they know it all (if they’re actually *a real* prophet, ya know…). Here’s something from the the Book of Mormon that I find very interesting.

In 3 Nephi, the believers in Christ are about to be killed:
3 Nephi 1:5 But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite.

3 Nephi 1:6 And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.
…
3 Nephi 1:9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.

Nephi, the current prophet, prays about this situation:
3 Nephi 1:10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.

3 Nephi 1:11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were *about to be destroyed* because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.

3 Nephi 1:12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

3 Nephi 1:13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

3 Nephi 1:14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son–of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.

3 Nephi 1:15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.

What, Nephi hadn’t known? No, he hadn’t, really; he was just like everyone else, living by faith. How did he get a revelation? He spent a day praying mightily about the situation. And then, the answer comes: it’ll be ok, it’ll happen tonight. Was all that prayer worth it, if it was just going to happen that night? I believe it was, for a few reasons.
1. It was a fulfillment of the word of the Lord (prophecy) to Nephi, given as a sign to Nephi and the other believers.
2. It was good news—even if it was just known a few hours ahead of time: you’re not going to die, your faith was not in vain, I know what’s happening, the wicked will not be victorious, the sign will be given.
3. It was a witness that the other signs that had been prophesied, and all the other words of the prophets, would also be completely fulfilled.
4. It once more shows faith + works = revelations + blessings.