old they did play with the beasts, as a child with a suckling
lamb, and received no harm."[1498] Mormon avers that in answer to his
prayers the Lord had made known unto him that the change wrought upon
the bodies of the Three, was such as to deprive Satan of all power over
them, and 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."[1499] For nearly three
hundred years, and possibly longer, the Three Nephites ministered
visibly among their fellows; but as the wickedness of the people
increased these special ministers were withdrawn, and thereafter
manifested themselves only to the righteous few. Moroni, the last
prophet of the Nephites, when engaged in completing the record of his
father, Mormon, and adding thereto matters of his own knowledge, wrote
concerning these three disciples of the Lord, that they "did tarry in
the land until the wickedness of the people was so great, that the Lord
would not suffer them to remain with the people; and whether they be
upon the face of the land no man knoweth. But behold, my father and I
have seen them, and they have ministered unto us."[1500] Their ministry
was to be extended to Jews and Gentiles, amongst whom they labor
unrecognized as of ancient birth; and they are sent unto the scattered
tribes of Israel, and to all nations, kindreds, tongues and peoples,
from whom they have brought and are bringing many souls unto Christ,
"that their desire may be fulfilled, and also because of the convincing
power of God which is in them."[1501]

GROWTH OF THE CHURCH FOLLOWED BY THE APOSTASY OF THE NEPHITE NATION.

The Church of Jesus Christ developed rapidly in the land of Nephi, and
brought to its faithful adherents unprecedented blessings. Even the
hereditary animosity between Nephites and Lamanites was forgotten; and
all lived in peace and prosperity. So great was the unity of the Church
that its members owned all things in common, and "therefore they were
not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and
partakers of the heavenly gift."[1502] Populous cities replaced the
desolation of ruin that had befallen at the time of the Lord's
crucifixion. The land was blessed, and the people rejoiced in
righteous