Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/122

Disciples they were afraid to express it. Then He told them that He knew their thoughts, that they haddesired that they might bring souls unto Him, while the world stood. And because of the purity and disinterestedness of this desire He promised the three Disciples that they should never taste of death, but when He should come in His glory, they should be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality, and should sit down in the kingdom of the Father, and their joy should be full. And further, that while they dwelt in the flesh, they should not suffer pain, nor experience sorrow, save it were for the sins of the world. Then Jesus with His finger touched the nine who were to die, but the three who were to live He did not touch, and then He departed. Aftefwards the heavens were opened, and the three were caught up into heaven, and a change was there wrought upon their mortal natures. But, Mormon says (III Nephi, 28:39, 40):

"This change was not equal to that which should take place at the last day but there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Satan could have no power over them, that he could not tempt them, and they were sanctified in the flesh, that they were holy, and that the powers of the earth could not hold them; and in this state they were to remain until the judgment day of Christ; and at that day they were to receive a greater change, and to be received into the kingdom of the Father to go no more out, but to dwell with God eternally in the heavens." They also saw unspeakable things, which they were forbidden to utter; in fact, the power to tell these mysteries was withheld from them.

The sacred record gives no information as to who the three were who were not to taste of death. Mormon was about to write their names, but the Lord forbade him.

After the final ascension of the Savior the twelve