"When the resurrected Jesus showed himself to the disciples in Jerusalem and the Nephites in ancient America, he used his hands as a token or symbol or recognition for who he was, which can help us better understand our own temple worship.
In Jerusalem, the disciples knew that Jesus had died. They watched it happen, so when the resurrected Christ appeared, they needed to know that he was really alive again. That this was the same person. So Christ let them clasp his hand as a token of his identity.
In the new world, the Nephites could clearly see that this man who descended from heaven was alive. In order to verify that this was the prophesied Messiah, they needed to know that he had really died. So Christ let them feel the prints in his hands and the wound in his side as a token of his sacrifice.
In the Latter-day Saint temple and in the sacrament of the Lord's supper, we make sacred covenants that help us become disciples of Jesus Christ. We promise to take upon ourselves symbols of Jesus Christ, so that when we meet our maker at the end of our lives, Christ will be in our hands, hearts, countenance, in everything we are, and we will be identified as a true follower of Jesus Christ."
Jasmin Rappleye, Scripture Plus
The previous chapters show us how to be more like the Savior, more Christ-like - 3 Nephi 17-19 really takes us into the heart of the Savior, to see what brings him joy and what brings him sorrow.
John S. Tanner, The Scriptures are Real with Kerry Muhlestein
It seems reasonable to assume that the Savior had power to heal all present among the Nephites without their being brought forth to Him. Even before His resurrection, the Savior healed people in groups without touching them and was able to heal those not within a specific proximity to Himself (see Mark 7:24–30; Luke 7:1–9). The Lord chose among the Nephites, however, to have the sick brought close to Him, and as the record implies, He touched each one personally.
According to the Book of Mormon model, ministering often occurs “one by one” as disciples come in contact with the Savior and with one another. In many cases a personal “touch” is a symbolic means of transmitting God’s love and power to an individual. In several instances, however, the touch is another way of expressing that hands were laid upon an individual. The context of these several examples among the Nephites seems to indicate that an ordinance is being performed by the laying on of hands (see 3 Nephi 18:36). Being chosen to minister is also a call to serve innocent and pure children and the faithful Saints, just as Jesus and the angels did during His appearance among the Nephites.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we should recognize that Jesus swept away the legalistic regulations of the Mosaic code and touched those who had been considered “untouchable” under the law (see 3 Nephi 17:7, see also Leviticus 13; 3 Nephi 15:2–9). He commanded the Nephite disciples to do the same and encouraged them to invite everyone to join with them in worship as they ministered to one another. Likewise, for the modern believer, a call to discipleship is more than just joining a study class. It is a call to perform the work of the Lord and His angels spontaneously, to minister as a servant among mortals. In particular, it is a call to serve the physically, mentally, emotionally, economically, and spiritually infirm, modern society’s “untouchables.” These individuals should not be “cast out from among” us but should be ministered to and touched by true disciples, as Jesus demonstrated. Through the ordinances of the gospel performed individually, and as prescribed by the resurrected Savior by His chosen disciples, “the power of godliness is manifest” (D&C 84:20).
Richard Neitzel Holzapfel - One by One: The Fifth Gospel’s Model of Service
With impressiveness similar to that attending the institution of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper among the apostles in Jerusalem, Jesus made plain the sanctity and significance of the ordinance, saying that authority for its future administration would be given; and that it was to be participated in by all who had been baptized into fellowship with Christ, and was always to be observed in remembrance of Him, the bread being the sacred emblem of His body, the wine the token of His blood that had been shed. By express commandment, the Lord forbade the sacrament of bread and wine to all but the worthy; “For,” He explained, “whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul; therefore if ye know that a man is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood, ye shall forbid him.” But the people were forbidden to cast out from their assemblies those from whom the Sacrament was to be withheld, if so be they would but repent and seek fellowship through baptism.
James Talmage, Jesus the Christ
"Every sacrament meeting is a testimony meeting. We are testifying together of Jesus Christ."
John S. Tanner, The Scriptures are Real with Kerry Muhlestein
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