JC - Chapter 12

As Nicodemus approached the Savior in the dark of night, we find the Savior teaching much of the pure doctrine of Christ where Nicodemus -

"...came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."  New Testament | John 3:2)

To which the Savior taught -

"...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  (New Testament | John 3:3)

Because Nicodemus did not quite understand, the Savior explained -

"...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  (New Testament | John 3:5)

Obviously, Nicodemus had been highly trained in Jewish or Mosaic law and this was different and new to him.  So the Savior continued -

"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."  (New Testament | John 3:7 - 8)

Nicodemus had been taught that just being the children of Abraham seemed to guarantee the privilege of entering the kingdom of God.  Now he is taught that this doctrin applies to all, not just the privileged Jews.  Confused, Nicodemus asks -

"...How can these things be?"  New Testament | John 3:9)

Then the Savior explains the truth -

"...Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 ¶ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 ¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 ¶ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."  (New Testament | John 3:10 - 21)

I love the comments of Elder Talmage concerning the pure doctrine of Christ taught that evening -

"The narrative of this interview between Nicodemus and the Christ constitutes one of our most instructive and precious scriptures relating to the absolute necessity of unreserved compliance with the laws and ordinances of the gospel, as the means indispensable to salvation. Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, through whom alone men may gain eternal life; the forsaking of sin by resolute turning away from the gross darkness of evil to the saving light of righteousness; the unqualified requirement of a new birth through baptism in water, and this of necessity by the mode of immersion, since otherwise the figure of a birth would be meaningless; and the completion of the new birth through baptism by the Spirit—all these principles are taught herein in such simplicity and plainness as to make plausible no man’s excuse for ignorance."

We hear very little after that of Nicodemus other than he provided a small defense for the Savior before the cruxificion and would offer oils for his burial.  Elder Talmage tends to suggest that Nicodemus may have waffled to much to become a true disciple of the Lord.  In defense of Nicodemus, I am going to take a little different approach even though I have no evidence that Nicodemus ever joined the Church and became a faithful convert.

The night Nicodemus approached the Savior, there appears to be only the two of them present.  None of the other writers mention this experience.  Either the Savior told John or Nicodemus told John.  I wonder if at some later date, may have repented and been converted.  He easily could have told this experience to John years later.  No proof...just a thought.