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In Mormonism, the Three Nephites are three wise and kind men who, throughout history, have assisted in spreading Mormon theology. Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, believe that following Jesus’ death and resurrection, He visited the New World to share the gospel with the native peoples. Mormons believe that Jesus came to the New World to gather the “other sheep” into His flock “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”, (John 10:16). While in the New World, Jesus chose three men from the Nephite community to be His disciples. Mormons also believe that Jesus was married, had children, and after His resurrection attained the fullness of Godhood—beliefs that differ from the Bible’s account of Him.
According to the Book of Mormon, the Nephites were an ancient people in the Americas descended from the Jewish prophet Nephi, son of Lehi. The Nephites separated from the Lamanites (2 Nephi 5:5-17) and were delivered because of the prayers of the righteous Alma 62:40. As per 3 Nephi 11:1—28:12, Jesus preached and ministered among the Nephites. Once they embraced the faith, they experienced numerous blessings, but later succumbed to pride and vanity 4 Nephi 1:43. This led to violence and bloodshed, as documented in Mormon 2:8, and they became so corrupt that Mormon, a prophet, declined to lead them (Mormon 3:9-11). The majority of the Nephites were killed (Mormon 6:7-15). The lesson to be learned is that the Nephites met their demise due to their wickedness and arrogance D&C 3:18,39. It is crucial to acknowledge that the B
The Bible never mentions Nephites, Lamanites, or the prophet Mormon, and it never suggests that ancient Hebrews settled in the New World.
As for the Three Nephite disciples of Jesus, they desired immortality so that they could “bring the souls of men unto Jesus, while the world shall stand,” i.e., until the second coming of Jesus Christ. According to the Book of Mormon, they were caught up into heaven, although Mormon was told that there would be another change made at the second coming of Christ to give them immortality. The Three Nephites are understood to be “translated beings,” individuals who do not experience pain or death until their resurrection to immortality. Mormons consider Enoch, Moses, Elijah, and the apostle John to also be “translated beings.” They refer to John 21:20–22 as “evidence” that John did not die and that he is still roaming the earth, waiting for Jesus to return, a notion John himself dismissed in John 21:23.
According to Mormonism, the Three Nephites “did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the church as would believe in their preaching; baptizing them, and as many as were baptized did receive the Holy Ghost.” The Nephites’ purpose was to minister to all the nations on the American continents (3 Nephi 28:27-29). They also suffered severe persecution from those who did not believe. The Three Nephites are still operating in the world today: they can appear and disappear at will, perform miracles, and increase the ranks of the Mormon faithful.
Mormon, who supposedly lived about four hundred years after the Three Nephites were blessed by Jesus, wrote, “I have seen them, and they have ministered unto me.” Mormon intended to write the names of the Three Nephites (possibly Enoch, Elijah, and John), but God forbade him to do so.
None of the history recorded in the Book of Mormon can be substantiated from the Bible or from archaeology. There is absolutely no evidence, outside the Bible or from archaeology, that supports the events described in the Book of Mormon.In the Book of Mormon itself, it is claimed that Nephites once existed, they were Hebrews, and they migrated from Jerusalem to South America around 600 BC (1 Nephi 18:23-25). The theology of Mormonism is even more problematic than its historical claims, as it directly contradicts the Bible on various points. Unlike what Mormonism teaches, we will not become gods; there is only one gospel message, which was delivered to the saints once: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3). Salvation does not come through baptism or any other good work, and the existence of Nephites is questionable.
(Editor’s note: many references in our articles on Mormonism are from Mormon publications like Mormon Doctrine, Articles of Faith, Doctrines of Salvation, History of the Church, Doctrine and Covenants, and others. Some references are from the Book of Mormon itself, including books such as 1 Nephi, 2 Nephi, and Alma.)
