From Scripture Club
In 3 Nephi 11–28, we find one of the most profound accounts of Jesus Christ’s post-resurrection ministry. This sacred visit to the Nephites provides significant insights into the Savior’s teachings and mirrors early Christian writings that describe Christ’s ministry during the 40 days after His resurrection in the Old World. These similarities offer compelling evidence of the Book of Mormon’s divine authenticity and demonstrate how Christ’s teachings were preserved across both hemispheres.
The 40-Day Ministry: An Overview
The New Testament mentions Christ appearing to His apostles after His resurrection for a period of 40 days, during which He taught them “the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). While the Bible provides limited details, other early Christian texts, collectively known as the 40-day literature, delve deeper into this period. These texts describe Christ teaching His apostles about sacred ordinances, the apostasy, and the resurrection.
Hugh Nibley, a Latter-day Saint scholar, was one of the first to draw parallels between the Book of Mormon and the 40-day literature. He noted that many of the teachings Christ shared with the Nephites closely align with what early Christian writings reveal about His post-resurrection ministry. Nibley famously stated:
“The account of Christ’s ministry in the New World fits naturally into the body of early Christian writings” (Since Cumorah).
1. Prophecies of Apostasy
A common theme in both the 40-day literature and 3 Nephi is the prophecy of a future apostasy. In the Book of Mormon, Christ sorrowfully predicts that the Nephites will fall into sin after several generations:
“For they will sell me for silver and for gold, and for that which moth doth corrupt” (3 Nephi 27:32).
Similarly, in the Epistle of the Apostles, Christ warns His disciples of false teachers who would lead many astray. This sobering reminder in both records reflects the pattern of apostasy that would occur in both the Old and New Worlds after Christ’s ascension.
2. Sacred Ordinances and Their Secrecy
The importance of sacred ordinances is emphasized throughout both the 40-day literature and 3 Nephi. Early Christian texts describe how Christ clothed His apostles in sacred garments, while in 3 Nephi, Christ appears in a robe “whiter than anything on earth” (3 Nephi 12:8). The Book of Mormon also records the administration of the sacrament and other sacred ordinances, which closely parallels ancient Christian practices.
Both texts emphasize the sacredness of these experiences and the need for secrecy. In 3 Nephi, Mormon writes that the Nephites “saw and heard unspeakable things” that could not be written (3 Nephi 26:16). This echoes the 40-day literature, where it is explained that certain teachings of Christ were reserved only for His closest disciples and were not shared with the general public.
3. Jesus’s Descent to the Dead
Another significant teaching found in the 40-day literature is Christ’s descent into the world of the dead, where He offers salvation to the spirits. This event is paralleled in LDS doctrine, which teaches that Christ visited the spirit world to preach to the dead (see Doctrine and Covenants 138). While the Book of Mormon does not directly reference this event, Hugh Nibley observed that Christ’s descent to the Nephites at Bountiful mirrors His descent into the spirit world. Both instances depict Christ bringing salvation to those who are ready to receive it.
4. The Resurrection of the Dead
Both the Book of Mormon and the 40-day literature include teachings about the resurrection of the dead. In the early Christian texts, Christ promises His apostles that He will continue to appear to them during their ministry. Similarly, in 3 Nephi, Christ teaches the twelve Nephite disciples about their role in the resurrection and promises that they will not taste death until they have fulfilled their mission (see 3 Nephi 28:1–9). These teachings highlight the ongoing role of the Savior in the lives of His apostles in both hemispheres.
Conclusion: A Divinely Revealed Record
The striking parallels between Christ’s teachings in the Book of Mormon and those found in early Christian writings support the divine origin of the Book of Mormon. Many of the texts referenced in the 40-day literature were not even discovered until long after the Book of Mormon was published. Hugh Nibley concluded that 3 Nephi “belongs to the earliest stratum of Christian writing” and stands as a powerful witness of the truths Christ taught both in the Old and New Worlds.
The Book of Mormon continues to reveal divine truths, shedding light on Christ’s ministry and reminding us of the sacred ordinances and eternal doctrines that draw us closer to Him. As we study these sacred records, we gain a deeper understanding of the Savior’s love and His desire for us to prepare for eternal life.
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