Dear Gramps,
In 3 Nephi we find that in the 34th year, 1st month, 4th day that the great storm indicating the crucifixion of Christ took place. Later it indicates as the 34th year was ending Christ visited. A friend tells me that in ‘Jesus The Christ’ it says that it was a few weeks after his resurrection that he visited. What do you know of this? When was his first visit to the Nephites?
Cyrus, from Sacramento, CA
Dear Cyrus,
The Savior appeared to the Nephites various times following his resurrection. However, the first time as about three days after the was crucified. We read in 3 Nephi 6:20,23—
And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen could feel the vapor of darkness;….
And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning and howling and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them.
During that darkness the voice of Christ is heard–3 Nephi 9:1-22. When the darkness dissipated, a great multitude gathered at the temple in the land Bountiful. While they were marveling and wondering about the events that has just transpired, they heard of voice out of heaven, and the Savior appeared—
And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them: Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name–hear ye him. 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 Ne 11:6-8).
So it appears that this appearance of the Savior would have been at the end of the three days following his crucifixion.
Gramps
