The resurrected Jesus, whom the Nephites heard and saw, was and is the same Jehovah who was seen and heard by Moses and other ancient prophets. He is the great “I Am” (see Exodus 3:14; John 8:56-58); the “Holy One of Israel” (see Isaiah 45:11-15; 2 Nephi 25:29); the “Shepherd of Israel” (see Psalms 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; John 10:11, 14-18).
To Moses on Sinai he gave the law which pointed men to its fulfillment in him in Gethsemane and on Golgotha. He is both the Lawgiver and the fulfillment of the law (see 3 Nephi 15:5). Perhaps no more clearly and profoundly is it taught anywhere that Jesus Christ was and is a God- premortally, mortally, and postmortally- than in the Book of Mormon.
As he stands before the Nephites we do not see him merely as a great moral teacher or prophet; neither is he described as our Elder Brother, but truly and literally as “the God of Israel”- the very God in heaven, who Abinadi said would “come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people” (Mosiah 15:1).
“Went a Little Way Off from Them”
While all the multitude was engaged in earnest prayer, the Savior separated himself and also prayed to the Father in behalf of the Nephites. He expressed gratitude for their faith and the spiritual manifestations that had been poured out upon them, and prayed that they might be one with God (compare the Savior’s high priestly intercessory prayer in John 17).