Book of Mormon Commentary - 3 Nephi 30

by Don R. Hender

Beginning back in 3 Nephi 28:24, Mormon, the primary abridger of the Book of Mormon record begins to speak in direct commentary addressing whom the record he was preparing was to come. This continues through all of 3 Nephi 29 and 30. Thus it is Mormon's ending prophetic words direction by Jesus Christ for him to write to us that we are reading in this chapter.

Scriptural Text [& Editorial] Commentary & Explanation Footnotes ~ References ~ JST

             CHAPTER 30
The latter-day Gentiles are commanded to repent and come unto Christ and be numbered with the house of Israel. [Between A.D. 34 and 35]

Christ's Invitation Unto the Gentiles

1 HEARKEN, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath ^acommanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should write, saying:
2 Turn, all ye ^aGentiles, from your wicked ways; and ^brepent of your evil doings, of your ^clyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your ^dmurders^a, and your ^epriestcrafts, and your ^fenvyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be ^gnumbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.

2^a your murders Murder is a relative thing. In His great sermon (3 Nephi 12:21-22), Christ compares killing to whosoever is angry with his brother and calling to his brother 'Raca', of being in danger of judgement and hell fire. Beyond the actual taking of one's live, there are other aspects of 'murder' whereby people take advantage of their brother in order to get gain. Such things as character assasination, career assasination whereby one takes advantage by destorying a brother's livelihood and professional career. Those in 'power' have the ability to effect, manipulate and even control the lives of others. And when they do so to the harm and detrement of another, they are in effect committing a 'civil or social murder' of that man's character, being, livelihood and there is a tendancy to manipulate, control and enslave if not to outright destory another's place in life. Thus life is being taken by one from another, usually for one's own benefit or act of power and self aggrandisement over another, putting them down to their expense and to one's own increase and pride in the power that one has in so exercising such upon the head of an other. These 'civil or social murders' can often have a more lasting and devestating effect than that momentary taking of one's life. At least that last for only the moment of death, where the other is often prolonged in its effects over the lifetime of another in hurt, damage and suffering. 1^a 3 Ne. 5:13 (12-13)
2^a Rom. 15:10 (8-21)
   ^b TG Repentance
   ^c Alma 16:18; 3 Ne. 21:19-21
   ^d 3 Ne. 16:10; Morm. 8:31
   ^e TG Priestcraft
   ^f TG Envy
   ^g Gal. 3:29 (27-29); 2 Ne. 10:18-19;
     3 Ne. 21:22-25; Abr. 2:10

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Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 30 The latter-day Gentiles are commanded to repent and come unto Christ and be numbered with the house of Israel. [Between A.D. 34 and 35]
Christ's Invitation Unto the Gentiles
1 HEARKEN, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath ^acommanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should write, saying: 2 Turn, all ye ^aGentiles, from your wicked ways; and ^brepent of your evil doings, of your ^clyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your ^dmurders^a, and your ^epriestcrafts, and your ^fenvyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be ^gnumbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.	2^a your murders Murder is a relative thing. In His great sermon (3 Nephi 12:21-22), Christ compares killing to whosoever is angry with his brother and calling to his brother 'Raca', of being in danger of judgement and hell fire. Beyond the actual taking of one's live, there are other aspects of 'murder' whereby people take advantage of their brother in order to get gain. Such things as character assasination, career assasination whereby one takes advantage by destorying a brother's livelihood and professional career. Those in 'power' have the ability to effect, manipulate and even control the lives of others. And when they do so to the harm and detrement of another, they are in effect committing a 'civil or social murder' of that man's character, being, livelihood and there is a tendancy to manipulate, control and enslave if not to outright destory another's place in life. Thus life is being taken by one from another, usually for one's own benefit or act of power and self aggrandisement over another, putting them down to their expense and to one's own increase and pride in the power that one has in so exercising such upon the head of an other. These 'civil or social murders' can often have a more lasting and devestating effect than that momentary taking of one's life. At least that last for only the moment of death, where the other is often prolonged in its effects over the lifetime of another in hurt, damage and suffering.	1^a 3 Ne. 5:13 (12-13) 2^a Rom. 15:10 (8-21) ^b TG Repentance ^c Alma 16:18; 3 Ne. 21:19-21 ^d 3 Ne. 16:10; Morm. 8:31 ^e TG Priestcraft ^f TG Envy ^g Gal. 3:29 (27-29); 2 Ne. 10:18-19; 3 Ne. 21:22-25; Abr. 2:10