"The idea of the fourth nephite effect is strangely powerful. I found myself crying as the concept was laid out, which clearly shows the great power ordinary people have to influence and literally save a life of the forgotten, the broken or the helpless...and sometimes that's us. Short book but an absolutely invaluable concept. The fourth nephite effect will stay with me for the rest of my life."
"We could all benefit from being reminded just how often the hand of God is evident in our lives. This quick read instantly motivated me to reach out and express gratitude to those that have been “ fourth Nephites” in my life and made me mindful that I too-can be Lord’s hands here upon earth."
"Such a great message about service for the sake of giving service. There is strength in giving."
In the 28th chapter of Third Nephi, Mormon tells us the story of the three Nephites.
These three anonymous Nephites were devoted followers and faithful servants of Christ for many years.
When the Savior asked them what they desired before he left the scriptures say, “And they sorrowed in their hearts, for they durst not speak unto him the thing which they desired” (3 Nephi 28:5).
What were those thoughts and desires?
These three Nephites loved their callings, responsibilities, and their spiritual labors so deeply that they never wanted them to end.
They wanted to serve as long as “the world shall stand.” They wanted their fellow saints and every soul to come unto Christ.
A Fourth Nephite is someone who shares that same desire.
As a full-time missionary, my companion and I were traveling home in our car one night in a rural area of Sydney, Nova Scotia. It was dark, snow was falling, and the roads became very slick. Being from Arizona, driving in snow was a challenge for me; suddenly, I lost control of the car, and we went off the road into a ditch on the right side of the road. Gratefully, both the car and my companion and I were unharmed, but we quickly realized we were in a tough spot. It was late at night on a very cold evening. These were not the days of cell phones and OnStar emergency systems when we were one call away from help. It was late enough that minimal traffic was coming or going on this rural highway. My companion and I climbed out of the car and scrambled up to the road wondering what to do. I don’t remember all of the details or what we immediately did, and I don’t even remember having much time to pray, but I am certain I uttered a quick, silent prayer.
I remember making the climb up to the road, and—in that very instant—a truck slowed down and pulled up to us on the side of the road. The driver got out of the truck, assessed the situation, said a few words, and jumped back in his truck. It turned out the driver was driving a tow truck. He pulled forward on the road in front of our car and proceeded to release his tow chain and tow bar, walk it down to the front of our little car, and hook it up. He then pulled our car from the ditch and back up onto the road. Before we could even say anything, he jumped out of his truck, unhooked our car, and started walking back to his truck. We ran to thank him and offered to pay him, but he refused and jumped in his truck and departed as quickly as he came. Just like that, we were back on our way. What could have been a serious emergency was solved in a matter of minutes!
This man performed a remarkable service for us on a dark, cold night in a desperate time of need. I don’t think we realized how bad of a spot we were in, but Heavenly Father did, and He sent someone—almost like a Fourth Nephite