Jesus asks each of His twelve disciples what they desire. Nine of them want to return to Him at the end of a life of service. The other three want to remain on the earth until His Second Coming. He grants all of their desires. They are caught up to heaven, where they see and hear unspeakable things. They are miraculously preserved as they continue their ministry.
Mormon explains the significance of the three disciples, who will perform marvelous works before the return of Jesus Christ. He explains that their bodies were not resurrected but were changed so that they would not taste of death.
Chapter Outline
- Jesus grants the desires of the nine and the three disciples (v. 1-12)
- The disciples see and hear unspeakable things and then work miracles (v. 13-23)
- Mormon describes the mission of the three disciples (v. 24-35)
- He learns that their bodies were changed, so that they would not die (v. 36-40)
My Takeaways
- Sorrow for the sins of the world is an essential part of a Christlike life.
- God loves us, and He cares about our desires.
- The first step in learning is recognizing what we don’t yet know.
- We can ask Heavenly Father specific questions with faith that He will lead us to the answers.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ The nine and the three disciples – 3 Nephi 28:1-12
“What Is It That Ye Desire?” – 3 Nephi 28:1-7
1 And it came to pass when Jesus had said these words, he spake unto his disciples, one by one, saying unto them: What is it that ye desire of me, after that I am gone to the Father? 2 And they all spake, save it were three, saying: We desire that after we have…
“Save It Be for the Sins of the World” – 3 Nephi 28:9
The Savior made an incredible set of promises to the three disciples who wanted to remain on earth until His Second Coming. He told them that they would never taste of death. He promised that they would not feel pain. He even told them that they would not feel sorrow “save it be for the…
❖ The vision and the miracles – 3 Nephi 28:13-23
But This Much I Know – 3 Nephi 28:17-18
17 And now, whether they were mortal or immortal, from the day of their transfiguration, I know not;18 But this much I know, according to the record which hath been given–they did go forth upon the face of the land, and did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the church as would…
“All Flesh Shall See It Together”
After Jesus’s ministry in ancient America, it took some time for people to be converted and united. But when He returns in our day, there will be no ambiguity. We will all be witnesses. We need to prepare now for that event, by testifying and unifying.
❖ Their bodies are changed – 3 Nephi 28:36-40
Since I Wrote, I Have Inquired of the Lord – 3 Nephi 28:36-37
36 And now behold, as I spake concerning those whom the Lord hath chosen, yea, even three who were caught up into the heavens, that I knew not whether they were cleansed from mortality to immortality– 37 But behold, since I wrote, I have inquired of the Lord, and he hath made it manifest unto…
Old Testament Foundations
Why?
When God showed Moses the earth and its inhabitants, Moses replied with a question: Tell me, I pray thee, why these things are so, and by what thou madest them? Moses 1:30 In response, God explained that this earth was created by His Only Begotten Son, that it is one of many worlds which He…
A Fulness of Joy
Speaking to God, King David testified, “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostle Peter quoted this passage to a diverse group of people on the day of Pentacost. Here is how he phrased it:…
New Testament Parallels
Caught up to Meet Him
Paul wrote that when Jesus returns to earth, those who are dead and we who are alive will be “caught up” to meet Him. Regardless of the exact nature of this event, we clearly be overjoyed to see Him and to be reunited with our deceased family and friends.
More Blessed
There are many things we can do which will be a blessing for us and for others. We should do them. Sometimes, there is an opportunity to stretch ourselves even more, in ways that will bring us even more happiness. We should take advantage of those too.
“To Go No More Out”
Near the beginning of the Book of Revelation, the apostle John quotes the Savior making the following promise: Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out. Revelation 3:12 There’s a sense of durability and reliability in this description. This person has “endured…
Church History Connections
“Inquire of the Lord”
The Book of Mormon contains many stories of people taking questions to God in prayer and receiving answers. Here are some examples: Lehi prayed to know where his son Nephi should go to hunt for food for the family (1 Nephi 16:23-26). Jacob prayed to know what he should do about the “wicked practices” he…
“What Is That to Thee?”
John and Peter had different requests, and Jesus granted them both. Three of the twelve disciples in the Americas had the same desire as John, and He granted it to them as well. As Jesus explained to Peter, there is no need for envy among his disciples. We can each find joy serving Him according…
All Posts Referencing 3 Nephi 28
- Biblical References in Doctrine and Covenants 76 (7/8/2025)
- A Crown of Eternal Life (6/22/2025)
- New Testament References in Doctrine and Covenants 63 (6/13/2025)
- Book of Mormon Elements in Doctrine and Covenants 20 (3/14/2025)
- “What Is That to Thee?” (2/7/2025)
- Joseph Smith and the Need to Know (1/15/2025)
- It Began with a Question (1/1/2025)
- Laying On of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost (12/4/2024)
- “All Flesh Shall See It Together” (10/24/2024)
- Faith Halls of Fame (11/11/2023)
- Caught up to Meet Him (10/18/2023)
- More Blessed (7/27/2023)
- Why? (1/2/2022)
- Glory (12/28/2021)
- The Teacher (12/23/2021)
- A Fulness of Joy (12/2/2021)
- “They Separated Themselves” – Alma 17:13, 17 (5/19/2021)
- “I Know” / “I Know Not” (5/13/2021)
- Every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People (4/20/2021)
- The Work, the Sword, the Sickle, and the Prayer (1/28/2021)
- “Inquire of the Lord” (1/7/2021)
- “I Inquired of the Lord” – Moroni 8:7 (12/13/2020)
- “Save It Be for the Sins of the World” – 3 Nephi 28:9 (10/25/2020)
- “To Go No More Out” (10/23/2020)
- What Should I Think About? (8/24/2019)
- How Does the Savior Invite Us to Come Unto Him? (2/12/2019)
- What Should I Do When There Are Questions I Can’t Answer? (1/6/2019)
- “What Is It That Ye Desire?” – 3 Nephi 28:1-7 (12/30/2018)
- But This Much I Know – 3 Nephi 28:17-18 (5/4/2017)
- What Is It That Ye Desire? – 3 Nephi 28:1-7 (11/8/2015)
- Since I Wrote, I Have Inquired of the Lord – 3 Nephi 28:36-37 (11/6/2015)
- 3 Nephi 28:36-37 Since I Wrote, I Have Inquired of the Lord (12/11/2014)