faithful Nephites and Lamanites who remained after the appearance of Christ on the American continent. Then they would minister to the Gentiles, the Jews, the scattered tribes of Israel, and all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. Similar to other stories about missionaries and martyrs, the text says that they suffered severe persecution from those who did not believe. In the centuries that followed Christ's visit to the Americas, as faith decreased among the inhabitants and persecution increased, the Three Nephites were "taken away" from the people for a time. Later chapters of the Book of Mormon indicate that they were placed once again among the people to continue their ministry and work. Mormon wrote that he himself had been visited by the Three Nephites, and that they had ministered to him. Mormon also wrote that they would be among the Jews and the Gentiles, and the Jews and Gentiles shall not recognize them. Mormon stated that he intended to write the names of the Three Nephites, but God forbade him to do so. Mormon also wrote that the Three Nephites were cast into prison, buried alive, thrown into a furnace and into a den of wild beasts, but emerged unharmed on each of these occasions because of the powers Christ had endowed them with. In modern Mormonism Orson Pratt, a member the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the church, drew attention to the account of the Three Nephites while speaking at a conference in Salt Lake City in 1855, and alluded to the possibility that the three men might still be upon the earth:How pleasant—how glorious it would be, if we had proved ourselves in all things; if we had become pure in heart... Yes; how pleasing—how glorious it would be, could we see those three old Nephites whose prayers have ascended up, for something like 1800 years, in behalf of the children of men in the last days, and have them return to their native land, and find the kingdom of God prepared and pure to receive them, and could we hear their teachings, and their voices lifted up in our midst … Then let us wake up, and be assured that just as soon as we prepare ourselves for these blessings, as soon they will be upon our heads. Do you suppose that these Three Nephites have any knowledge of what is going on in this land?