come before that day, has appeared in the discharge of
his particular commission--that of turning the hearts of the living
children to their dead progenitors, and the hearts of the departed
fathers to their still mortal posterity.[1487]

The personal ministry of Christ on the occasion of this second
visitation lasted three days, during which He gave the people many
scriptures, such as had been before given unto the Jews, for so the
Father had commanded; and He expounded unto them the purposes of God,
from the beginning until the time at which Christ shall return in His
glory; "And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all
kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be
judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil; if
they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be
evil, to the resurrection of damnation, being on a parallel, the one on
the one hand, and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy,
and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the
world began." In merciful ministration He healed their afflicted folk,
and raised a man from the dead. At later but unspecified times, He
showed Himself among the Nephites, and "did break bread oft, and bless
it, and give it unto them."[1488]

After His second ascension from among them, the spirit of prophecy was
manifest among the people, and this extended even to children and babes,
many of whom spake of marvelous things, as the Spirit gave them
utterance. The Twelve entered upon their ministry with vigor, teaching
all who would hear, and baptizing those who, through repentance, sought
communion with the Church. Upon all who thus complied with the
requirements of the gospel, the Holy Ghost was bestowed; and those so
blessed lived together in love, and were called the Church of
Christ.[1489]

CHRIST'S VISITATION TO HIS CHOSEN TWELVE AMONG THE NEPHITES.[1490]

Under the administration of the twelve ordained disciples the Church
grew and prospered in the land of Nephi.[1491] The disciples, as special
witnesses of the Christ, traveled, preached, taught, and baptized all
who professed faith and showed forth repentance. On a certain occasion
the Twelve were assembled in "mighty prayer and fasting," seeking
instruction on a particular matter which, notwithstanding the Lord's
injunction against contention, had given rise to disputation among the
people. As they suppli