Jesus Christ taught the descendants of Lehi in the Americas (who were of the house of Israel) many of the same gospel principles He taught to His Jewish disciples in the Old World. The teachings as recorded in the book of Matthew, found in the New Testament, known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) were again taught by the Savior when he visited Lehi’s descendants.
The passages below show the words from verses 25 and 26 of the King James version of Matthew and the comparable verses from 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon.
“Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou has paid the uttermost farthing.” (Matthew 5:25-26)
“Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him, lest at any time he shall get thee, and thou shalt be cast into prison. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence until thou hast paid the uttermost senine. And while ye are in prison can ye pay even one senine? Verily, verily, I say unto you, Nay.” (3 Nephi 12:25-26)
Questions:
-Is this admonition from the Savior geared toward the apostles and missionaries to steer them clear of legal entanglements? (see quote below)
-If so, is this also a warning from the Savior that He will not apply His divine powers to rescue those who do not heed his teaching and warning?
Teachings of Prophets, Seers, and Revelators
“Counsel to avoid law suits and entangling legal difficulties, lest fine and imprisonment result, is directed particularly to the apostles and missionaries as they go forth to carry the gospel message to a wicked world. It is more important that they suffer legal wrongs than that their ministries be hindered or halted by legal processes.” (Bruce R McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 1:223)
Messages of the Book of Mormon 