“And It Came to Pass”

This is the third part of the series. The first part was The Question, and the second was The Answer, and now, the third is The Reality.

Some years ago, I came home early one afternoon and decided to relax in my bedroom and do some reading. As I was reading, I put the following three scriptures together. These scriptures were talking about events 365 years after the Three Nephites were given their desire.

The first scripture is 3 Nephi 28:23-26.

“And it came to pass that thus they did go forth among all the people of Nephi, and did preach the gospel of Christ unto all people upon the face of the land; and they were converted unto the Lord, and were united unto the church of Christ, and thus the people of that generation were blessed, according to the word of Jesus.

And now I, Mormon, make an end of speaking concerning these things for a time.

Behold, I was about to write the names of those who were never to taste of death, but the Lord forbade; therefore I write them not, for they are hid from the world.

But behold, I have seen them, and they have ministered unto me.“

Mormon said “they have ministered unto me.”

The second scripture is Mormon 8:10-11.

“And there are none that do know the true God save it be the disciples of Jesus, who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great that the Lord would not suffer them to remain with the people; and whether they be upon the face of the land no man knoweth.

But behold, my father and I have seen them, and they have ministered unto us.“

Moroni writes, “my father and I have seen them, and they have ministered unto us.”

The third scripture is 3 Nephi 28:30.

“And they are as the angels of God, and if they shall pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus they can show themselves unto whatsoever man it seemeth them good.”

As I read, I started praying to the Lord and asked, “Lord, what was like to have the Three Nephites minister unto them?” As I finished the question, the Power of God came into the room, and while I did not see them, I knew they were there. I felt such an overwhelming feeling of joy and excitement as I have only felt a few other times in my life. Don’t get me wrong, the gospel has brought me much joy all my life, but, on a few occasions, I have had the scripture come to life in that my joy was full.

When the experience ended, I spent some time reflecting on what had happened and I challenged the Lord that, if it be His will, let it happen again.

Some time passed—several months—and I was invited to the Denver Mission to help out with Youth in Action. On the Saturday night of that weekend, we were gathered at one of the saint’s homes, having a meeting in their backyard. In the circle, I was preaching on Luke 10:24.

“For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”

During that sermon, I felt the same spirit and power I felt several months earlier in my bedroom. I believed that if the prophets had the opportunity, they would be in this circle with us. My prayer was answered.

But something was missing, and I did not know what. I found out the next day.

The next day at our Sunday service, a young sister got up in testimony and apologized. She said she had a vision last night during the service. While Brother Jim was speaking, there were three men dressed in white standing behind him and a fourth man dressed in white sitting in the empty chair of the circle.

“Yea even among the Gentiles shall there be a great and marvelous work wrought by them, before that judgment day.” (3 Nephi 28:32)

“And it came to pass.”

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.