The Book of Mormon
~124 BC

Mosiah 3

Listen, my brothers and sisters—I need to tell you more. I have something important to share about what’s coming.

An Angel Appears to King Benjamin

What I’m about to tell you came from an angel of God. He said to me, 'Wake up!' I opened my eyes, and there he was, standing right in front of me. He said, 'Wake up and listen carefully. I’ve come to bring you incredibly good news.' 'The Lord has heard your prayers and sees your faithful heart. He sent me so you can celebrate—and so you can tell your people this news and they can celebrate too.'

The Coming of Christ

'The time is coming soon—the Lord Almighty, who has always existed and always will, is going to come down from heaven. He’ll take on a human body and walk among people, performing incredible miracles. He’ll heal the sick, raise the dead, make the paralyzed walk, give sight to the blind, open deaf ears, and cure every kind of disease.' 'He’ll drive out demons and evil spirits that have taken hold of people’s hearts.'

'He’ll face temptation. He’ll endure physical pain, hunger, thirst, and exhaustion beyond what any human could survive—except death itself. Blood will seep from every pore because of the terrible anguish he’ll feel over the evil and wickedness of his people.' 'His name will be Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, creator of everything from the beginning. His mother’s name will be Mary.'

'He’s coming to his own people so they can be saved through faith in his name. But even after everything he does, they’ll see him as just a man. They’ll say he’s possessed by a demon. They’ll beat him and nail him to a cross.' 'Three days after his death, he’ll rise again. Then he’ll stand ready to judge the world. All of this will happen so people can receive a fair judgment.'

The Power of His Sacrifice

'His blood will pay for the sins of those who died because of Adam’s choice—people who never knew God’s will for them, or who sinned out of ignorance.' 'But terrible suffering awaits anyone who knowingly rebels against God! The only way they can be saved is through genuine repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.'

'The Lord God has sent his holy prophets to every people, every nation, every language group—declaring these truths. Anyone who believes that Christ is coming can have their sins forgiven and experience deep joy, as if he’d already arrived.'

'The Lord God saw that his people were stubborn, so he gave them a law—the law of Moses.' 'He showed them countless signs, wonders, symbols, and glimpses of Christ’s coming. Holy prophets spoke to them about it. Still, they hardened their hearts. They didn’t understand that the law of Moses means nothing without Christ’s atoning blood.'

'Even if little children could sin, they wouldn’t need saving—but I tell you, they’re already blessed. Just as all people fall because of Adam’s nature, Christ’s blood covers their sins.'

'Listen carefully: there is no other name, no other way, no other means by which people can be saved—only through the name of Christ, the Lord Almighty.' 'He judges, and his judgment is just. Babies who die in infancy don’t perish. But adults bring destruction on themselves unless they humble themselves and become like little children—believing that salvation came, exists now, and is coming through Christ’s atoning blood, the Lord Almighty.'

Becoming Like a Child

'Our natural human self is God’s enemy—it has been since Adam fell, and it always will be. But when someone listens to the Holy Spirit’s invitation, sets aside that natural self, and becomes a saint through Christ’s sacrifice—when they become childlike, gentle, humble, patient, loving, and willing to accept whatever the Lord allows, just as a child trusts their father—then they find life.'

'The time will come when knowledge of the Savior spreads to every nation, every people group, every language, everywhere.' 'When that day arrives, no one will be found innocent before God—except little children—unless they come through repentance and faith in the Lord God Almighty.'

'Right now, after you’ve taught your people what the Lord your God commanded you to teach, they’re no longer innocent before God unless they follow the words I’ve given you.'

'I’ve spoken the words the Lord God commanded me to speak.'

The Final Judgment

'The Lord says these words will stand as clear evidence against these people on judgment day. Each person will be judged by their actions—whether good or evil.' 'If their actions are evil, they’ll be forced to face the full horror of their guilt and sins. They’ll shrink back from the Lord’s presence into a state of misery and endless suffering, with no way back. They’ll have brought destruction on themselves.'

'They’ll have drunk from the cup of God’s judgment. Justice demands it as surely as it demanded Adam’s fall when he ate the forbidden fruit. Mercy can no longer reach them.'

'Their suffering will be like a lake of fire and burning sulfur, flames that never go out, smoke that rises forever and ever. This is what the Lord has commanded me to tell you. Amen.'

Influences

  • 3:1 — Ephesians 1:21 (KJV)
    Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
  • 3:3 — Luke 2:10 (KJV)
    And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
  • 3:4 — 2 Timothy 1:4 (KJV)
    Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
  • 3:5 — Revelation 19:6 (KJV)
    And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
  • 3:5 — Westminster Confession chapter 3:1
    God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin,
  • 3:5 — Matthew 15:31 (KJV)
    Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
  • 3:5 — Matthew 11:5 (KJV)
    The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • 3:6 — Matthew 7:22 (KJV)
    Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
  • 3:6 — Acts 19:12 (KJV)
    So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
  • 3:8 — Mark 1:1 (KJV)
    The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
  • 3:8 — Matthew 13:55 (KJV)
    Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
  • 3:9 — John 1:11 (KJV)
    He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
  • 3:9 — Acts 3:16 (KJV)
    And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
  • 3:9 — Matthew 11:18 (KJV)
    For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
  • 3:9 — Mark 10:34 (KJV)
    And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
  • 3:9 — Matthew 20:19 (KJV)
    And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
  • 3:10 — Mark 9:31 (KJV)
    For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
  • 3:10 — John 7:24 (KJV)
    Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
  • 3:11 — Mark 3:35 (KJV)
    For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
  • 3:13 — Revelation 14:6 (KJV)
    And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
  • 3:13 — Luke 1:77 (KJV)
    To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
  • 3:13 — Matthew 2:10 (KJV)
    When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
  • 3:15 — Acts 5:12 (KJV)
    And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
  • 3:16 — 1 Corinthians 15:22 (KJV)
    For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
  • 3:16 — Ephesians 2:13 (KJV)
    But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
  • 3:17 — Acts 4:12 (KJV)
    Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
  • 3:18 — 1 Corinthians 11:29 (KJV)
    For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
  • 3:18 — Matthew 18:3 (KJV)
    And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • 3:19 — 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)
    But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
  • 3:20 — John 16:4 (KJV)
    But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
  • 3:20 — Revelation 5:9 (KJV)
    And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
  • 3:21 — 1 Timothy 3:10 (KJV)
    And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
  • 3:22 — 1 Corinthians 1:8 (KJV)
    Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 3:24 — Revelation 20:13 (KJV)
    And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
  • 3:26 — Revelation 14:10 (KJV)
    The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
  • 3:27 — Revelation 14:10-11 (KJV)
    The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
  • 3:27 — Acts 13:47 (KJV)
    For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Mosiah 2Mosiah 4