<< WHOSOEVER WILL COME, HIM WILL I RECEIVE >>
3 Nephi 8–11
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(1.) SIMILAR RECOGNIZABLE SIGNS:
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On both sides of the earth, signs of the Savior’s death and atonement agony had already been foreshadowed.
Terrible storms and an unusual darkness fulfilled their prophets’ predictions. Similar signs are contained in the plagues of Egypt when the Children of Israel sought deliverance, including storms
and darkness. These were signs of a needed Deliverer, one who would provide salvation in the future. WEATHER: "And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail
. . ." (Exodus 9:22-25) DARKNESS: "And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days . . ."
(Exodus
10:20-23)
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(2.) SIGNS IN BOTH HOLY LANDS:
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In the Land of Israel, physical phenomena also occurred that parallels signs given to ancient Israel as well as
what occurred in the Book of Mormon lands. "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land . . ."
(Matthew 27:45-51)
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(3.) THE LESSON OF THREES:
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Most of the ninety-one scriptural references Latter-day Saints use are a type or sign of being saved. In Judaism, the
holiest day of the year is Yom Kippur. It is preceded by ten days of repenting which are followed by a day of fasting. Most significantly, the Book of Jonah is read, an account of his boat journey and
three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish before he delivered. Jesus reiterated that experience as the only sign to the Pharisees of his Messianic role.
(Matthew 12:39-40)
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(4.) MEANING OF JESUS’ NAME:
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Jonah knew that "Salvation is of the Lord," (Jonah 2:9). A Hebrew way of saying that would be "Jeho"
(shortened version of Jehovah - The Lord) and "Shua" (shortened version of salvation). Together they make "Jehoshua." That name has been derived into Greek and Latin and eventually
into English as "Jesus." He identified himself to the Nephites. (
Nephi 11:8-12)
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(5.) BELIEVING BY FAITH – BEFORE A SIGN:
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Those who had already made the "leap of faith" before the signs were saved. They
experienced the fulfillment of signs that they did not seek but recognized through their faith and repentance . . . and they were received unto Him.
