The Three Nephites: Saints, Service, and Supernatural Legend

By: Eric A. Eliason and Jill Terry Rudy and Christopher James Blythe and Julie Swallow

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Synopsis: Stories of encounters with the Three Nephites, immortal saint-like figures, dominate the folklore of the Latter-day Saint tradition. The authors of this volume use hundreds of legends collected by the renowned folklorist William A. Wilson from across a lifetime of research, study, and interviews to focus on the different themes exhibited by the Three Nephites and show that LDS culture, beliefs, and values are embodied by and through the Three Nephites. Each chapter focuses on a different theme from Three Nephites lore. “Vanishing Hitchhiker Nephites” addresses stories of the Nephites’ travels. “The Worldwide End of the World” considers the Nephites as harbingers of the Second Coming. “Proclaiming-the-Gospel Stories” examines the interactions of the Three Nephites with missionaries. “Mix-ups, High Jinks, and Jokes” explores Nephite stories aimed at getting laughs. “That Your Joy Might Be Full” analyzes the types of service the Three Nephites render and reflects on the connection to the Church’s injunction to serve others. A one-of-a-kind collection, The Three Nephites allows readers to see the extent that this supernatural legend has played in Latter-day Saint lore.