The Book of Mormon records the advent and ministry of the risen Jesus Christ among people here in the Americas. Of the multitudes of people that gathered to hear Him as he began to taught, the Savior chose twelve to be the earthly leaders of the Church he would establish in the Americas.

As the Savior was about to depart to another land, three of these disciples asked to remain on the earth indefinitely to preach the Savior’s Gospel (3 Nephi 28:6–10). They were given the status of “translated being” which simply means that you do not taste death but remain on earth until the Resurrection in order to perform a specific role. 

Some have questioned how the Great Apostasy could have happened and priesthood not be on the earth if the Three Nephites and John the Apostle––all translated beings––possessed the priesthood. The question confuses the difference between the power of the priesthood and the keys of the priesthood. The power of the priesthood is God’s power and he decides when it will be made manifest on earth. The keys of the priesthood are various authorizations that God gives to exercise His power in particular ways. The latter were missing during the Great Apostasy and not the former. As explained by FAIR, a Latter-day Saint apologetics group:

John the Apostle "desired [of Christ] that he might bring souls unto [him]," or "that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men than what he has before done" (Doctrine & Covenants 7:4-5). He was made "as a flaming fire and a ministering angel" to "minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth" (Doctrine & Covenants 7:6).The Three Nephites were made to do a similar work that John the Apostle did. Prior to the great apostasy [sic], Mormon records that they ministered unto "all the people," uniting and baptizing as many as would believe into the Church (3 Nephi 28:18). They apparently ministered unto Mormon and Moroni (3 Nephi 28:26; Mormon 8:11). The Lord took them away from the Nephites, though, because of their prevailing wickedness (Mormon 1:13). Mormon tells us that there would be a moment in the Lord's timetable in which they would again "minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls, that their desire may be fulfilled, and also because of the convincing power of God which is in them" (3 Nephi 28:29). By praying to God they can show themselves unto whomever seems good to them (3 Nephi 28:30). A ministering angel is not necessarily one that has to convert you to the religion. They can comfort you in times of affliction, annoyance, or discomfort. They can guide you and instruct you gently toward the light in moments of confusion. They don't have to baptize and convert you. They likely were not given the authority to baptize, perform other ordinances, and receive revelation on behalf of the whole human family. That authorization was given to Joseph Smith at the commencement of the dispensation of the fulness of times 200 years ago.³⁸

The Three Nephites remain on the earth today. When will you see them?