3 Nephi 26:6-11 -- Trial of Faith

6 - And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people;

What exactly is taught by Jesus in 3 Nephi? Do some of the events seem cryptic? If so, why are they included in the record by Mormon? He had to expend great effort to engrave each and every thing on the plates. Each and every thing he wrote had a purpose. Based on what we have of the Savior's teachings to the Nephites after His resurrection, what would it be like to have at least 100x more of those teachings?

7 - But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people.

So even more of the things that Jesus taught to the Nephites were recorded on other plates, just not those compiled by Mormon. Why?

8 - And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.

Here we start to have a categorization of some of the things that Jesus taught the Nephites into a "lesser part". Who are "this people"? If the Gentiles are going to bring the teachings of Jesus to the Nephites to a different group of people, what does this imply about who the Gentiles are?

9 - And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.

Who is "they" referred to in this verse? Is it just the remnant of the seed of Lehi, or does it include the Gentiles as well? What about other groups of people who may receive the words in the latter days? Now, this next thing is amazing, these things ( teachings of Jesus that are in 3 Nephi ) are given to us to try our faith. Why? Isn't enough to just read the Book of Mormon? Doesn't the word 'faith' imply that some sort of action is needed? What actions, related to faith, could possibly be required? Doesn't the word 'try' used in this context imply that adversity is involved? Is adversity necessary? Why?

The promise at the end of this verse is that if our faith is tried and we pass the trial, then the greater things will be manifested to us. Between verses 8 and 9 there is a classification of the things that Jesus taught to the Nephites into "lesser part" and "greater things" categories. Do you want the teachings of Christ that are in the "greater things" category made manifest to you? Are you willing to go through a trial to get to that point?
 
10 - And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.


The implication in verse 10 is that if you do not pass the trial of faith concerning the "lesser part" of the teachings of Jesus to the Nephites, then you will be condemned.


11 - Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.


Mormon wanted to put all the teachings of Christ to the Nephites that were in both the "lesser part" and "greater things" categories into the record he was compiling. He knew the importance of them to those who would receive that record in the latter days. The Lord wouldn't let him do and an once again told him that the only way have access to the "greater things" was to pass through a trial of faith.

These verses highlight the fact that the content of what Jesus taught the Nephites is of eternal importance. It is serious enough that condemnation comes to those who are unwilling to go through the trial of faith required to have the "greater things" manifested to them.

...Great things 2 ponder upon.