At Temple Square, Marshall and two companions dressed as the “Three Nephites” from 3 Nephi 28 in the Book of Mormon. According to Mormon teaching, these men were granted by Jesus the unique blessing to never taste death but to remain on earth, ministering until His Second Coming. While the costumes stirred curiosity and even some laughter, they also highlighted a serious theological contradiction at the very heart of LDS doctrine.
If the Three Nephites truly remained alive and continued ministering with Christ-given authority, how can the LDS Church maintain its claim of a “total apostasy” after the death of the original apostles? Mormonism teaches that all priesthood authority vanished from the earth until Joseph Smith restored it in the 1800s. But if immortal ministers were supposedly still active, the idea of a complete apostasy collapses. This inconsistency undermines the very foundation of Mormonism’s “Restoration” narrative.
By contrast, the Bible clearly teaches that while individuals may fall away, the true church of Jesus Christ cannot be destroyed. Jesus promised: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, KJV). The idea that Christ’s church disappeared for nearly 1,800 years directly contradicts His own words.
Furthermore, the New Testament gives no support for the existence of secret, immortal ministers who preserve authority in hidden ways. Instead, Scripture reminds us that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, KJV). Only Jesus Christ Himself holds the power over death and lives forever to intercede for His people: “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him” (Hebrews 7:24–25, KJV).
In other words, there is no need for hidden Nephites, restored priesthoods, or new prophets. The authority of Christ is eternal, and His gospel was delivered once for all: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3, KJV).
Marshall’s display was more than a humorous skit — it was a public reminder that the LDS claim of universal apostasy and restoration does not hold up, either against their own teachings or the truth of Scripture. The Bible assures us that Christ’s church never disappeared and that His gospel needs no restoration, only proclamation.
