3 Nephi 23

Chapter Overview

What happens in 3 Nephi 23

Christ commands the Nephites to search the words of Isaiah diligently, corrects an omission in the Nephite records, and commands that all the prophecies and their fulfillments be written down for future generations.

Scripture

Christ commands the people to search Isaiah

Study note

Jesus declares, 'Great are the words of Isaiah,' and commands the Nephites to search them diligently, for they speak of all things concerning the house of Israel. His personal endorsement of Isaiah's writings gives them unmatched authority and invites readers in every age to study them with care.

1 And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.

2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.

3 And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.

4 Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles.

5 And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things.

Christ corrects the records and commands completeness

Study note

Jesus asks to see the Nephite records and discovers that the fulfillment of Samuel the Lamanite's prophecy about saints rising from the dead at Christ's resurrection was not recorded. He commands that it be written, teaching that all things -- both prophecy and fulfillment -- must be preserved for the benefit of future generations. This demonstrates Christ's deep care for scriptural accuracy.

6 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.

7 And it came to pass that he said unto Nephi: Bring forth the record which ye have kept.

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

9 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?

10 And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled.

11 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?

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

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

14 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.

Key Themes

Themes in 3 Nephi 23

The importance of searching IsaiahChrist's personal endorsement of scripture studyAccuracy and completeness in record keepingFulfillment of prophecy as a witness of truthThe value of preserving spiritual records for the future

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

3 Nephi 23:1-3 John 5:39

Christ's command to search the scriptures (especially Isaiah) echoes His teaching in John: 'Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.'

3 Nephi 23:9-13 Matthew 27:52-53

The saints rising from the dead at Christ's resurrection, which Christ insists be recorded, parallels Matthew's account of the graves opening and saints appearing in Jerusalem.

Apply This Today

Living 3 Nephi 23

If the resurrected Lord of all creation took time to review the Nephite records and insist on their accuracy, how much more should we value our own scriptures and personal journals? His command to 'search diligently' is an invitation to go beyond casual reading and to study with real intent, expecting to find treasures.

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