Have you ever wondered why Jesus only visited a few before he returned to heaven with his father? What was so important about those people that he chose to visit them? According to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons, before Jesus returned to sit next to his father forever, Jesus visited the tribes of the Nephites and Lamanites in the Americas. The Book of Mormon summarizes in 3 Nephi Chapter 11-18; “After three days the darkness left and many people gathered around the temple. They marveled at the great destruction. Some of the people remembered the signs that had been given when Jesus was born. They also recognized that the darkness and destruction fulfilled Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecy of the signs of the Savior’s death.



Suddenly, they heard a voice that seemed to come from heaven. It was not a loud voice, but it pierced them to the very center so that every part of their being felt its message. It warmed their hearts, but still they could not understand what the voice said. Again the voice was heard, but still they did not understand. The third time they understood; the voice said, “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” As the multitude looked up, they saw a man, clothed in a white robe, descending out of heaven. He came down and stood in the midst of them. He stretched forth his hand and announced, “Behold I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.”[1] Because of my love and curiosity for history and religion, I have been inspired to look into the details of the Mormon religion and their beliefs surrounded around the Nephites and Lamanites (Native Americans) that were visited by Jesus Christ. I want to examine and research the teachings and beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ views and attitudes towards Native Americans.

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[1] Book of Mormon. 3 Nephi Verse 11-18.