3 Nephi 15

Jesus Christ looked out at the Nephite crowd and said, “You have now heard the things that I taught in the Old World before I ascended to my Father in heaven. Whoever remembers these words of mine and acts in accordance with them will be raised up by me on judgment day.”

Having said this Jesus Christ became aware that there were people who were confused about the application of the laws of Moses. They didn’t understand that the old ways had passed and that new ways had arrived.

“Don’t confuse yourselves with my words concerning the passing of the old ways and the arrival of the new ways. The laws that were given to Moses are fulfilled. It was me who gave those laws to Moses. It was me who made the covenants with my people of Israel. In me, the laws are fulfilled. Because my coming fulfills the old laws, these old laws have come to an end in me. I do not negate the prophets. All their prophecies that are unfulfilled in me, will yet be fulfilled. Just because I have said that the old ways have passed doesn’t mean that I have denied the prophecies yet to come. The covenant that I made with my people is not yet complete, but the laws that were given to Moses have ended in me. I am now the law and I am the light unto my people. Look to me and endure to the end, and you will find eternal life. I have given you new commandments. Obey them. This is the new law that the prophets have foretold through me.”

After saying this Jesus Christ turned to his chosen twelve. “You are my disciples, and you are the light to your people who are descended from Joseph of Egypt. This land is your inheritance, given to you by my Father in heaven. My Father didn’t want me to tell your relatives in Jerusalem about you or about the other tribes of Israel that he has led away. Only this much was I instructed to say to them, ‘There are other sheep who are not part of this flock who will also be brought to me. They too will hear my voice and know there is really just one flock and one shepherd.’”

“Because of their stubbornness and skepticism the people of Jerusalem didn’t understand my words, and I wasn’t instructed to say any more. My Father in heaven has instructed me to tell you that your people have been separated from them. It is because of their sinfulness that they know nothing of you or the other separated tribes. When I spoke about my other sheep who were not part of their flock, it was you that I referred to. Mistakenly, they presumed that I was speaking of the Gentiles who should be converted through their preaching. I clearly said that these other sheep of mine would hear my voice, but I have never spoken to the Gentiles except as the Holy Ghost. But you have seen me and heard my voice. You are my sheep. You are counted among those whom my Father has given to me.”