Jesus Descends Out of Heaven and Declares Himself “the Light and the Life of the World”
3 Nephi 11:8–12
8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.
12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:
“When our Lord says, ‘I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world’ (Ether 4:12), He is teaching that He is the source of life, light, and truth; that He sets the perfect example in their use; and that all men must look to Him for these things.”
(Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 448.)
