The Ordination Prayer by the Savior

Daniel H. Ludlow

In 3 Nephi 18:39,Mormon tells of the departure of the resurrected Jesus Christ from his chosen twelve disciples at the end of his first visit to them. Before departing, the Savior "touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen, . . . even until he had touched them all, and spake unto them as he touched them. . . . the disciples bear record that he gave them power to give the Holy Ghost. And I will show unto you hereafter that this record is true." ( 3 Nephi 18:36-37.) Here in chapter 2 of his own book, consisting primarily of a series of small "appendices," Moroni includes the exact words of the Savior in this prayer. In speaking to his disciples, the Savior said: ". . . in my name shall ye give it [the Holy Ghost], for thus do mine apostles." (Moroni 2:2.) This is the only time the word apostles is used in the Book of Mormon in such a way that it might refer to the twelve Nephite disciples. (For further information as to the use of the words apostle and disciple, see the material following 3 Nephi 28.)

A Companion To Your Study of The Book of Mormon

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