3 Nephi 11

We now come to the crowning event of the Book of Mormon. Reading these chapters carefully, prayerfully, and thoughtfully can only result in a strengthened testimony of the Savior and the Book of Mormon. Sometime later, we don't know how long after 3 days of darkness and destruction, but obviously some time has passed, the people gather at the temple in Bountiful. They are amazed not only at having heard the voice of the Lord, but of how the land has completely changed in its appearance. During this, they hear the voice of the Father. Twice they do not understand it, but the third time they do. While the voice of the Father was probably heard audibly, it was felt more than it was heard because of its spiritual power. Mormon says it "did pierce them to the center... it did cause them to quake... it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn." On that last part, I know to a small degree what it feels like to have the heart physically burn as the result of the Spirit. It is a sensation that is indescribable and undeniable.

There have been several times in scripture where the Father has introduced his Son. This is the only place where he uses the words "in whom I have glorified my name," indicating that the atonement has been completed as it had been prophesied. When the Savior appears he affirms he is Jesus Christ and he is the God of Israel, meaning he is the Jehovah of the Old Testament as well as the Messiah. Then so that each person there can know of a surety for themselves, he invites them to come forward and feel the wounds of his crucifixion. I think this is a very personal and loving action, since it would have taken hours for each of the 2500 people to individually come face to face with him, meet him, and feel of his love. This is also an apostolic witness that each person is receiving. Each knows without doubt, because of a personal visitation, that he is the Christ.

It's an interesting insight into the humble character of Nephi that he isn't prominent in the crowd, but is hanging back, and when called to come forward, he falls at the feet of the Savior demonstrating how much love he has for him. The Lord gives Nephi the power to baptize and bestow the Gift of the Holy Ghost and appoints 12 others and gives them this same authority. This is not in addition to the power and authority they already had, but it's given because this is a new gospel dispensation that is opening up. The church will be new and different now that the atonement has been completed. This will be explained by the Lord more in chapter 19. The Lord then promises that those who believe in him, will naturally believe in the Father also, and the Father will bear record with fire and the Holy Ghost to those who believe that they can know and understand the true nature of himself as well as that of Christ.