THE THIRD BOOK OF NEFI Chapter 5

    Yeshua HaMashiach showed himself unto the people of Nefi, as the multitude were gathered together in the land Bountiful, and did minister unto them; and in this manner did he show himself unto them.

  1. And now it came to pass that there was a great multitude92 gathered together of the people of Nefi, round about the Temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place. And they were also conversing about this Yeshua HaMashiach, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.
  2. And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice93 as if it came out of Heaven. And they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice. Nevertheless, and despite it being a small voice, it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake, yes, it did pierce them to the very soul and did cause their hearts to burn. And it came to pass that again they heard the voice and they understood it not. And again the third time they did hear the voice and did open their ears to hear it, and their eyes were towards the sound thereof, and they did look steadfastly towards Heaven, from where the sound came. And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard, and it said unto them, Behold my Beloved Son94 in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name; hear you him.
  3. And it came to pass, as they understood, they cast their eyes up again towards Heaven. And behold, they saw a man descending out of Heaven, and he was clothed in a white robe, and he came down and stood in the midst of them. And the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him and they dared not open their mouths, even one to another, and could not imagine what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
  4. And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand95 and spoke unto the people, saying, Behold, I am Yeshua HaMashiach, of whom the prophets testified should come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father has given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning. And it came to pass that when Yeshua had spoken these words, the whole multitude fell to the earth, for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Mashiach should show himself96 unto them after his ascension into Heaven.
  5. And it came to pass that yhwh spoke unto them, saying, Arise and come forth unto me,97 that you may thrust your hands into my side, and also that you may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that you may know that I am the Elohim of Isra’el, and the Elohim of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.98
  6. And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet. And this they did do, going forth one by one, until they had all gone forth and did see with their eyes, and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety, and did bear record that it was he — of whom it was written by the prophets99 — that should come, and when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying, Hoshianna! Blessed be the name of the El Elyon! And they did fall down at the feet of Yeshua and did worship him.
  7. And it came to pass that he spoke unto Nefi100 (for Nefi was among the multitude) and commanded him that he should come forth. And Nefi arose and went forth, and bowed himself before yhwh, and he did kiss his feet. And yhwh commanded him that he should arise. And he arose and stood before him. And yhwh said unto him, I give unto you power that you shall wash this people by immersion101 when I am again ascended into Heaven.
  8. And again, yhwh called others and said unto them likewise, and he gave unto them power to wash by immersion. And he said unto them, In this way shall you immerse to wash, and there shall be no disputations among you. Truly I say unto you that whosoever repents of his sins through your words and desires to be washed by immersion in my name, in this way shall you immerse them: behold, you shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall you immerse them. And now behold, these are the words which you shall say, calling them by name, saying, Having authority given me of Yeshua HaMashiach, I immerse you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Ruach HaKodesh. Amen. And then shall you immerse them in the water and come forth again out of the water. And after this manner shall you wash by immersion in my name, for behold, truly I say unto you that the Father and the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh are echad; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are echad. And according as I have commanded you, thus shall you immerse to wash. And there shall be no disputations among you, as there have previously been, neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have previously been. For truly, truly I say unto you, he that has the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of HaSatan, who is the father of contention; and he stirs up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another, but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.
  9. Behold, truly, truly I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine.102 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father has given unto me — and I bear record of the Father, and the Father bears record of me, and the Ruach HaKodesh bears record of the Father and me — and I bear record that the Father commands all men everywhere to repent103 and believe104 in me. And whoever believes in me, and is washed by immersion,105 the same shall be saved, and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of Elohim. And whoever believes not in me, and is not immersed, shall be damned. Truly, truly I say unto you that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father. And whoever believes in me believes in the Father also, and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Ruach HaKodesh.106 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Ruach HaKodesh will bear record unto him of the Father and me, for the Father and I and the Ruach HaKodesh are echad. And again I say unto you, you must repent, and become as a little child,107 and be immersed in my name, or you can in no way receive these things. And again I say unto you, you must repent, and be washed by immersion in my name, and become as a little child, or you can in no way inherit the kingdom of Elohim. Truly, truly I say unto you that this is my doctrine. And whosoever builds upon this builds upon my rock,108 and the gates of She’ol shall not prevail against them. And whoever shall declare more or less109 than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same comes of evil and is not built upon my rock, but he builds upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of She’ol stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them. Therefore, go forth unto this people and declare the words which I have spoken unto the ends of the earth.
  10. And it came to pass that when Yeshua had spoken these words unto Nefi and to those who had been called — now the number of them who had been called, and received power and s’mikhah to wash by immersion, was twelve — and behold, he stretched forth his hand110 unto the multitude and cried unto them, saying, Blessed are you if you shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you and to be your servants. And unto them I have given power111 that they may immerse you with water; and after that you are washed by immersion with water, behold, I will immerse you with fire and with the Ruach HaKodesh. Therefore, blessed are you if you shall believe in me and be immersed after you have seen me and know that I am.
  11. And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that you shall testify that you have seen me and that you know that I am. Yes, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility,112 and be washed by immersion, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Ruach HaKodesh and shall receive a remission of their sins.
  12. Yes, blessed are the poor in spirit113 who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
  13. And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.114
  14. And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.115
  15. And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Ruach HaKodesh.
  16. And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.116
  17. And blessed are all the pure in heart,117 for they shall see Elohim.
  18. And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of Elohim.
  19. And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. And blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake, for you shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.
  20. Truly, truly I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth,118 but if the salt shall lose its savor, with what shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thereafter good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trampled under foot of men.
  21. Truly, truly I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people.119 A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? No, but on a candlestick, and it gives light to all that are in the house. Therefore, let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
  22. Think not that I am come to destroy the Torah or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill;120 for truly I say unto you, not one yud nor one stroke has passed away from the Torah, but in me it has all been fulfilled.
  23. And behold, I have given unto you the Torah and the mitzvot of my Father, that you shall believe in me, and that you shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.121 Behold, you have the mitzvot before you and the Torah is fulfilled. Therefore, come unto me and be saved. For truly I say unto you that except you shall keep my mitzvot which I have commanded you at this time, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
  24. You have heard that it has been said by them of old time, and it is also written before you, that you shall not kill,122 and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment of Elohim. But I say unto you that whosoever is angry with his brother123 shall be in danger of his judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca,124 shall be in danger of the council, and whosoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of Gehinnom.
  25. Therefore, if you shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and remember that your brother has anything against you, go your way unto your brother and first be reconciled to your brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart and I will receive you.
  26. Agree with your adversary quickly while you are in the way with him, lest at any time he shall seize you and you shall be cast into prison. Truly I say unto you, you shall by no means come out from that place until you have paid the uttermost senine. And while you are in prison, can you pay even one senine? Truly, truly I say unto you, no.
  27. Behold, it is written by them of old time that you shall not commit adultery;125 but I say unto you that whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already in his heart. Behold, I give unto you a mitzvah that you allow none of these things to enter into your heart, for it is better that you should deny yourselves of these things, in which you will take up your Tz’lav,126 than that you should be cast into Gehinnom.
  28. It has been written that whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a get.127 Truly, truly I say unto you that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever shall marry her who is divorced commits adultery.
  29. And again it is written, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform unto yhwh your oaths;128 but truly, truly I say unto you, swear not at all, neither by Heaven, for it is Elohim’s throne, nor by the earth, for it is his footstool,129 neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair black or white, but let your communication be, Yes, yes, no, no; for whatsoever comes of more than these is evil.
  30. And behold, it is written, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth;130 but I say unto you that you shall not resist evil, but whosoever shall strike you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue you at the law and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him two. Give to him that asks you, and to him that would borrow from you, turn not away.
  31. And behold, it is written also that you shall love your neighbor131 and hate your enemy; but behold, I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be the children of your Father who is in Heaven, for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good. Therefore, those things which were of old time, which were under the Torah, in me are all fulfilled. Old things are done away132 and all things have become new. Therefore, I would that you should be perfect, even as I or your Father who is in Heaven is perfect.
  32. Truly, truly I say that I would that you should do tzedakah133 unto the poor, but take heed that you do not your tzedakah before men to be seen of them; otherwise, you have no reward of your Father who is in Heaven. Therefore, when you shall do your tzedakah, do not sound a shofar before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But when you do tzedakah, let not your left hand know what your right hand does, that your tzedakah may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret himself shall reward you openly.
  33. And when you pray, you shall not do as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray134 to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. But when you pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not, therefore, like unto them, for your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask him.
  34. After this manner, therefore, you should pray: Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.135 And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.136 And lead us not into temptation,137 but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,138 for ever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
  35. Moreover, when you fast,139 be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Truly, I say unto you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that you appear not unto men to fast, but unto your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.
  36. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust do corrupt and thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures140 in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
  37. The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, your eye be single,141 your whole body shall be full of light. But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness.
  38. No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve Elohim and mammon.142