Did Jesus Christ Visit Ancient Americans?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to 3 Nephi 8-11 in a lesson titled “Arise and Come Forth unto Me.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world” (3 Nephi 11:10). With these words, the resurrected Savior introduced Himself, fulfilling over 600 years of Book of Mormon prophecies. “That appearance and that declaration,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland wrote, “constituted the focal point, the supreme moment, in the entire history of the Book of Mormon. It was the manifestation and the decree that had informed and inspired every Nephite prophet. … Everyone had talked of him, sung of him, dreamed of him, and prayed for his appearance—but here he actually was. The day of days! The God who turns every dark night into morning light had arrived” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 250–51).

The above-described experience took place in ancient America and is depicted in a video titled “Jesus Christ Appears in the Ancient Americas.” The video is described with these words: “It is about AD 34. In the Americas, great storms, earthquakes, fires, and floods witness to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion in Jerusalem.” 

As with all scripture blocks, the lesson included several principles, including the following: (1) Jesus Christ is the Light of the World (3 Nephi 8-11), (2) Jesus Christ is eager to forgive

(3 Nephi 9-10), (3) The Lord requires “a broken heart and a contrite spirit,” and (4) Jesus Christ invites me to gain a personal witness of Him (3 Nephi 11:8-17). The principle that I feel prompted to discuss is “I can learn to hear and understand God’s voice” (3 Nephi11:1-8).

Have you heard God’s voice speaking to you? How do you know that you have or have not? The experience of the people in 3 Nephi 11:1-8 teaches some principles about hearing and understanding God’s voice. While reading the following verses, note the characteristics of God’s voice that the people heard and what they did to better understand it.

1 And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, 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.

2 And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.

3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice 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 notwithstanding 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; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.

4 And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.

5 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 whence the sound came.

6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:

7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.

8 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 durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them. (3 Nephi 11:1-8; emphasis added.)

The above verses tell us that the ancient Americans were near the temple and discussing Jesus Christ. The first and second times that they heard the voice, they could discern what was said. After the second time, they turned their eyes and ears towards the direction from which the voice came. The third time, they heard the voice and understood what was said. Then they continued looking in that direction and saw Jesus Christ coming down from heaven.

So, what can you do to hear the voice of God when He speaks to you. We can hear more about God’s voice and learn from Elijah’s experience:

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12; emphasis added.)

We may not hear a voice, but we can know that God is near us as shown in Galatians 5:22-23:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

There are other scriptures that discuss communication from God. We can also benefit from hearing for today’s prophets, apostles, and other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have experience hearing and following God’s voice. Several of them share their experiences in a video collection titled “Hear Him!” located in the Gospel Library. 

The big question is, “How will you apply what you learned to hear and recognize the voice of God more clearly?”

I personally have heard God speaking to me – His Spirit (the Holy Ghost) speaking to my spirit. Sometimes, He gives me a sudden idea. Other times, He speaks peace to my soul. I recommend that you listen for His voice because He loves all of His children, including you and me.