Jesus continues His sermon: The coming forth of the Book of Mormon will be a sign that the gathering of Israel has already begun. As Isaiah promised, God will do a marvelous work. As Moses prophesied, those who don’t heed the voice of Jesus will be cut off. As Micah prophesied, Israel will be unstoppable. The power of heaven will come down, and they will be gathered home.
Chapter Outline
- A sign that the gathering has begun (v. 1-7)
- God will do a great and marvelous work (v. 8-11)
- Micah 5:8-15 will be fulfilled (v. 12-21)
- The remnant of Jacob will build the New Jerusalem (v. 22-29)
My Takeaways
- The Book of Mormon is a sign that God remembers His covenants and is gathering His people.
- Those who make covenants with God receive power from Him.
- With God’s help, we can establish a peaceful and holy society, prepared to meet the Savior when He returns.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ The Book of Mormon as a sign of the gathering – 3 Nephi 21:1-7
“When These Things…Shall Come Forth…” – 3 Nephi 21:1-7
The longest sentence in the Book of Mormon—392 words long—is 3 Nephi 21:1-7. In this sentence, Jesus reveals a sign by which we can know that the gathering Israel has begun. Here is the complete sentence, with some commentary in brackets: And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may…
The Work of the Father Hath Already Commenced – 3 Nephi 21:7
5 Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity; 6 For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto…
❖ Prophecies of Micah – 3 Nephi 21:12-21
How Will the Remnant of Jacob Be Like a Lion Among Sheep?
The prophet Micah, who was a contemporary of Isaiah, wrote about a time when the children of Israel would not be oppressed any more. In a future day, he prophesied, God’s people would be far more powerful than their enemies. In contrast with earlier times, when they were scattered and taken captive, they would be…
❖ The New Jerusalem – 3 Nephi 21:22-29
The New Jerusalem
The Savior prophesied that He would establish a group of people on the American continent, that they would build a city called the New Jerusalem, and that He would gather His people to this new city: And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel. And behold, this people will I…
I Will Be Their Rearward – 3 Nephi 21:29
29 And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward. (3 Nephi 21:29, Isaiah 52:12) It is a lot easier to do a good job when you feel safe,…
Old Testament Foundations
The Remnant Shall Return
Isaiah’s prophecy about the remnant of Israel returning to God assures that no matter how far they are from home, they are not out of God’s sight. Book of Mormon authors echo this sentiment: God is mindful of you, wherever you are, and you can come home.
Strongholds
The Hebrew word mauz (מָעוֹז) means a place of safety or protection. In the King James Version of the Bible, it is usually translated “strength,” sometimes “rock,” “fortress” or “fort,” and once, in the book of Nahum, it is translated “strong hold:” The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them…
One of a City, and Two of a Family
The gathering of Israel sounds like a massive family reunion, but it’s actually something quite different. Israel was scattered thousands of years ago. They have intermarried with other nations, and their descendants are everywhere. Furthermore, as Nephi clarified, “As many of the Gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lord” (2 Nephi…
The Abrahamic Covenant
God repeated a set of promises to Abraham over and over again. When some of the promises seemed unlikely to happen, God reaffirmed to Abraham that they would all literally be fulfilled. These promises appear for the first time in Genesis 12:2-3. Here is that passage, as it appears in the King James Version of…
They Shall Not Go Out in Haste, Nor Go By Flight – 3 Nephi 21:26-29
26 And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been…
New Testament Parallels
Insiders Beware!
There is comfort in being included and valued, but there are dangers in feeling that we are uniquely chosen. God loves all of His children and blesses them in different ways at different times. Wd should celebrate all of those blessings.
Church History Connections
Old Testament Prophecies of the Second Coming
Four Old Testament prophecies quoted by Moroni to Joseph Smith teach us how to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ: 1. Strengthen families with priesthood power 2. Gather Israel and preach the gospel 3. Hear Him 4. Receive personal revelation
All Posts Referencing 3 Nephi 21
- Inheriting the Covenant, Part 3: Planted Promises and Turned Hearts (3/6/2026)
- Contents of the Brass Plates (1/3/2026)
- Speak Often One with Another (11/21/2025)
- “I Will Be in the Midst of You” (11/20/2025)
- Zarahemla, Nashville, or Nauvoo (11/8/2025)
- “My Strange Act” (9/3/2025)
- Remember the New Covenant (8/2/2025)
- Old Testament Prophecies of the Second Coming (1/24/2025)
- Lists of Sins (10/25/2024)
- The Remnant Shall Return (3/5/2024)
- Belonging (1/6/2024)
- Insiders Beware! (8/17/2023)
- Strongholds (12/2/2022)
- One of a City, and Two of a Family (10/13/2022)
- Moses (3/22/2022)
- Abram and Lot: No Strife (2/10/2022)
- The Abrahamic Covenant (2/8/2022)
- The Living Christ and the Book of Mormon (12/26/2021)
- “Build Up Cities” (11/3/2021)
- “Armed with Righteousness” – 1 Nephi 14:14 (4/30/2021)
- Wisdom > Cunning (2/6/2021)
- The Work, the Sword, the Sickle, and the Prayer (1/28/2021)
- Old Testament Scriptures Quoted by Moroni to Joseph Smith (1/13/2021)
- “Cut Off from Among the People” (1/2/2021)
- How to “Come unto Christ” (12/22/2020)
- “When These Things…Shall Come Forth…” – 3 Nephi 21:1-7 (10/14/2020)
- The New Jerusalem (10/13/2020)
- “I Know My Sheep, and They Are Numbered” – 3 Nephi 18:31 (10/11/2020)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Clarify? (12/31/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Fulfill? (12/30/2019)
- What Is Wisdom? (12/13/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the United States of America? (10/28/2019)
- Who Is the House of Israel? (8/14/2019)
- What Is the Gathering of Israel? (8/13/2019)
- What Is the New Jerusalem? (8/1/2019)
- How Will the Remnant of Jacob Be Like a Lion Among Sheep? (6/15/2019)
- Which of Isaiah’s Writings Are Quoted in the Book of Mormon? (5/31/2019)
- What Is Priestcraft? (4/9/2019)
- How Does the Savior Invite Us to Come Unto Him? (2/12/2019)
- I Will Be Their Rearward – 3 Nephi 21:29 (12/18/2018)
- I Will Be Their Rearward – 3 Nephi 21:28-29 (6/27/2018)
- The Work of the Father Hath Already Commenced – 3 Nephi 21:7 (12/28/2017)
- I Will Establish My Church Among Them – 3 Nephi 21:20-22 (7/5/2016)
- They Shall Not Go Out in Haste, Nor Go By Flight – 3 Nephi 21:26-29 (10/29/2015)