Jesus Christ visited the American continent after his resurrection

In the greatest story ever re-told, Mel Gibson makes us all personal eyewitnesses to the immense suffering, sadistic torture and horrific last hours of Jesus Christ's mortal life. The story is portrayed graphically, realistically and as authentically as possible. As one viewer remarked to me, "hearing the spoken Aramaic made me feel as if I were actually there in the crowd watching it happen. It is powerful."

Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ

While the meat of the film focuses on the brutal torture and crucifixion, the true power of the story comes at the end when Jesus, a resurrected being, appears to those who knew him best and loved him most.

For Mel, as for many, the story ends there.

(But wait! There's more!)

So what did Jesus do once he overcame sin and death? What did he do once he took up his newly perfected and immortal body? Why does the story end there? Where did he go?  I mean, hey, talk about the perfect opportunity for a sequel!

The answer is found in the Book of John, and has been for years.

Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)

These "other sheep" were living on the other side of the world, in the Americas; descendants of Joseph (of the famous multi-colored coat), and later, the primary ancestors of the Native American "Indians". They too, had looked forward to the birth of Jesus, saw the same star the night of his birth, and trembled in fear as the earth shook and reeled the night Jesus was crucified.

Imagine their surprise one Western-hemisphere morning to see a white-robed man descending slowly from the sky, lighting upon the rubble that was their village.

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...

He stretched forth his hand saying: Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified would come into the world. And behold, I am the light of 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.

Come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the since of the world.

(Somebody get Mr. Gibson the phone!)

The multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety, and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

Wow. Why haven't we heard about this before?   In part, because of a crummy nickname.

The passages that describe the appearance of a glorified, resurrected Jesus Christ to the inhabitants of the American continent are found in the writings of an ancient prophet named Nephi, who was present that remarkable morning. Nephi's writings are included with the writings of many other ancient American prophets, in a collection of scripture called "The Book of Mormon."

I'll just wait quietly while you gather those preconceived notions that just spilled all over the floor. Yes, you read the word "Mormon". Please leave your polygamy jokes at the door.

Lookin' good, Mel

Mormon, an ancient American with a knack for editing and narrating (no doubt would have had a fine career working for Reader's Digest) took about 2000 years worth of family history and worked them down to a more or less concise history of the people on this side of the world - the big event being the appearance and visit of Jesus among them.

Of course it's noteworthy, because for so long, we only knew of his work and life in the Old World; now, we can read about the things he said and taught and did on this side of the world, as well. And they are remarkable.

So once you've read the Gospels and/or seen Mel's movie, go find and read a copy of the Book of Mormon (they're free if you ask the right people). You'll see that Jesus is a far better marketer than Mel Gibson because Jesus doesn't just leave open the possibility for a sequel, he promises one:

And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them must I also bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.

And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister. For they of whom I speak are they who have not yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them...therefore I go to show myself unto them.

The New Testament tells us what Jesus said and did in Jerusalem and thereabouts. The Book of Mormon tells us what Jesus said and did in the Americas.

I can't wait to find out where he went next.