3 Nephi 28

This is the great mystery of the Book of Mormon, who are the three Nephites,
and where are they and what do they do? First, think of the sacrifice these
three are making. They have had to live in the earth as we do. Think of
the terrible and also the wonderful things they have witnessed. In staying
on the earth, they are separating themselves from their families for over
two thousand years.

The other nine disciples were all told they would live at least 72 years
before they would die. I don't know that I would want to know that. Once I
was 72, I think I would be wondering, "is it today?" There are two
important things to remember about the three Nephites. One is they will be
among all people but the people will not know it. They can reveal
themselves to certain people, just like they did to Mormon, but generally
the people they minister to will not know who they are.

The second thing is to bring souls to repentance. I don't think they will be
found hitchhiking across southern Wyoming to warn drivers about food storage
and then disappear. Somehow, southern Wyoming doesn't seem like the place
designated for any ministry, let alone one by the three Nephites. No one
wants to stay there long enough.

It will be interesting one day to learn what their work has been, what
prophets did they reveal themselves to, and will we be surprised to find
that at one time, we knew of them without knowing who they were? And even
though Mormon is forbidden to reveal their names, my money is on Nephi's son
Jonas being one of them. I don't know why, but I can picture him wanting to
continue his father's ministry.

I like this chapter because this is one of the few where Mormon stops his
narration and just talks to us about what he thinks is important. To me,
one important teaching of Mormon's is this; if we do not believe the
Savior's words as they are given in the scriptures, we do not accept him as
the Savior. He and his words go together. Mormon then takes it one step
further and says that if we do no accept his words, we also do not accept
the prophets he has sent, and all of this offends God. At the least, we
should carefully and prayerfully consider all that is written and all that
is taught by his prophets. Because if it is true, it is the greatest
knowledge that can be revealed to mankind.