The Book of Mormon records perhaps the identifying claim made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: that Christ established His Church in the New World.

While it is common and understandable to think that Christ only did this in His personal ministry in 3 Nephi, it is perhaps more accurate to conceive of the establishment of Christ’s Church as a three phase process. This has been done by Rodney Turner, an emeritus professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. ⁴⁴

The first stage might be considered the Old Testament-era Church among the Nephites. The Nephites had arrived from Jerusalem with the Brass Plates (See #15 THE BRASS PLATES) and they were endeavoring to keep the law of Moses (2 Nephi 5:10). Nephi was clearly made a king and spiritual leader over the Nephites (2 Nephi 5:18; 2 Nephi 6:2; Jacob 1:9–11; Mosiah 25:13). Nephi and his colony built a temple to serve as the center of Nephite Christianity (2 Nephi 5:16). “Thus a theocracy was established wherein Nephi served both as spiritual leader and king, the first in a line of kings who bore his name (see 2 Ne. 5:18; 2 Ne. 6:2; Jacob 1:9–11; Mosiah 25:13). The political, family-related dynasty continued for nearly 500 years until 91 B.C., when it was replaced with a system of governors and judges (see Mosiah 29:41–47).”⁴⁵

The second stage might be found in the church that was established by Alma following the transition from a theocratic government to a system of judges and governors. He had been one of King Noah’s priests and converted to the faith following the ministry and death of the prophet Abinadi (Mosiah 17). He baptized many people (Mosiah 18:13, 16-18). And, after these baptisms, “they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward” (Mosiah 18:17; 3 Nephi 5:12).

The third and final phase would be the Church established by Christ in the New World following His Resurrection (see #12 THE SAVIOR VISITS THE AMERICAS). Christ came, taught the true order of baptism, instituted the sacrament, called twelve disciples to lead the Church, preached His doctrine, and left to minister to other nations (see #31 ‘STILL OTHER SHEEP’--TO THEM I MUST GO). This Church would eventually fall away as wicked Nephites and Lamanites either imploded the Church from within or attacked its followers from without.

All of these phases were inaugurated and presided over through revelation given by Jesus Christ to His followers. Thus, in one way or another, Christ established His Church in all three phases.

The scripture in 3 Nephi 16 may be Christ insinuating that he would personally minister to different nations other than Israel and the Americas. The author is not aware of any study by a Latter-day Saint to examine that possibility.

Truly, this is a unique and exclusive gift to believers in the Book of Mormon