In Mormonism the Three Nephites are three Nephite disciples of Jesus described in the Book of Mormon who were blessed by Jesus to "never taste of death; but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled according to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory with the powers of heaven."[1] As described in Third Nephi chapter 28, this change occurred when they were caught up in to heaven.[2][3] Since they will never "taste death", in the Book of Mormon the Nephite prophet Mormon contemplates if they are already immortal.[4] After Mormon prays for wisdom, Jesus tells him that there would be another change made at his coming so that they may become immortal.[5]
Similar to Mormon beliefs about John the Apostle, the Three Nephites were granted immortality so that they could "bring the souls of men unto Jesus, while the world shall stand".[6] The account in the Book of Mormon reads that they "did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the church as would believe in their preaching; baptizing them, and as many as were baptized did receive the Holy Ghost." [7] Also similar to other stories about missionaries and martyrs, the text says that they suffered severe persecution from those who did not believe.
Their immortality is referred to later by Mormon, who lived about four hundred years after the three Nephites in the Book of Mormon's timeline. He says "I have seen them, and they have ministered unto me." [8] Mormon also wrote that they will be among the Jews and the Gentiles, and the Jews and Gentiles "shall know them not." "[And] when the Lord seeth fit in his wisdom that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls."[9]
Stories about modern encounters with one or more of the Three Nephites are common in Mormon folklore. In 1963, a 24 year old man in Salt Lake City, Utah declared that "The three Nephite Apostles, who, like John, never die, come to the aid of the faithful when they're threatened by evil.[10]
In the LDS-themed film Baptists At Our Barbecue, the Three Nephites are portrayed as three mechanics in spotless, white coveralls in two scenes (one scene is only noticeable after listening to the DVD commentary). In the film The Singles 2nd Ward, the Three Nephites are portrayed near the end of the film as three men in off-white coveralls.