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Okay, I know the chapter in the Book of Mormon I need to go to to read about this (3 Nephi 28). What I would like to know is have there been any commentaries by the Brethren on this topic that I could share with a very antagonistic and hostile Baptist preacher? It seems we don’t hear much about the Three Nephites or John the Beloved except in stories that often sound more like “Mormon Myths” than documented accounts of their latter-day ministry. I have told him I’ll get back to him tomorrow, and I would just like to have as much information as I can on the subject when I do. Also, is there anything at all in the Bible that reflects the Savior’s words in verse 6 of 3 Nephi 28? I can’t recall ever having seen anything, but I’d like to be sure. As far as I know, no church leaders have stated that any of the mormon myth three nephite stories were true. The account of the discussion with John is in John 21:20-23. The Book of Mormon manual says this:
Quote:Note: Stories often circulate about the three Nephites who were translated. Members of the Church should be careful about accepting or retelling these stories. You should not discuss them in class.
I don’t think you’ll find anything much definitive to share with the Baptist preacher. Good luck.
Baptist preacher? If he accepts the account of John as traditionally understood, he has to accept the possibility of the Three Nephites – at least in theory. If not, not. This is one of those things that won’t have a satisfactory conclusion, imo. He has a built-in objection no matter what.
Old-Timer wrote:Baptist preacher? If he accepts the account of John as traditionally understood, he has to accept the possibility of the Three Nephites – at least in theory. If not, not.
This is one of those things that won’t have a satisfactory conclusion, imo. He has a built-in objection no matter what.
I was unaware of any other faith tradition that holds that John still lives.
The wikiThe NT passage used to support the tradition is John 21:21-24.
I agree with Ray that there will be no satisfactory conclusion.
Old-Timer wrote:Baptist preacher? If he accepts the account of John as traditionally understood, he has to accept the possibility of the Three Nephites – at least in theory. If not, not.
This is one of those things that won’t have a satisfactory conclusion, imo. He has a built-in objection no matter what.
But what is the account of John “as traditionally understood”? If I could show this guy that there is such a tradition, it would be helpful. Obviously, though, he is not exactly listening with an open mind to anything I have to say, and consequently I don’t expect the Spirit to be guiding the conversation. It was just that when he brought up the subject, all I could think was that I’d heard a few stories in the past about the Three Nephites but they had always struck me as more like folklore than anything else. And since it is clearly a canonical teaching, I wonder why it has not been addressed much by our leaders.
I’m not sure what the exact angle of this discussion or debate is with the preacher. It seems like a rather tertiary, cultural side myth in Mormonism. If he is arguing that the LDS Church is false because of the story of the Three Nephites … well, that’s just kind of stupid. There are so many other more important and significant topics to argue about. If he is hostile, I can’t think of anything that will change his mind. I think it’s a fruitless discussion.
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