This post contains spoilers for the third season of “The Chosen.”
Halfway through the third episode of the third season of the hit series “The Chosen,” we see a depiction of Jesus announcing his divinity in Nazareth. In the dramatic scene, where the Rabbi and onlookers call for Jesus’ death, Jesus leans over to his friend Lazarus and whispers something in his ear. What he said has yet to be revealed, but series creator Dallas Jenkins took to social media to poke fun at critics who say he is incorporating Latter-day Saint theology into the show.
He posted on Facebook, “Most common question after Episode 3: “what did Jesus whisper to Lazarus?” I’ll reveal the mystery in the comments.” In the comments, Jenkins then wrote that what Christ said was, “I’m about to quote the Book of Mormon.”
The joke is in reference to a phrase Christ says during the interaction: “I am the Law of Moses.” Many claimed Jenkins pulled the line from the Book of Mormon and were upset. Though this phrase is not found verbatim in the Book of Mormon, many verses speak of Christ’s fulfillment of the law. When the Savior visits the inhabitants of the ancient Americas, he says in 3 Nephi 9:17, “And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.”
A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints replied to the comment and said, “If you do anything from The Book of Mormon on The Chosen it would be awesome if you did a little bit of 3rd Nephi! Absolute respect for what you do keep bringing the spirit to the show!”
Jenkins then commented, “The Chosen takes place in the 1st century. That said, I do think it’d be a great troll for me to have Jesus on the cross and look down and wink at Joseph Smith walking by.”
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
