“23 And behold, he is God, and he is with them, and he did manifest himself unto them, that they were redeemed by him; and they gave unto him glory, because of that which is to come.”
Nephi’s testimony of Christ is one of those stunning passages in the Book of Mormon which really makes you appreciate the power of this book. It testifies that all of the prophets of old from Abraham on, knew of Christ and rejoiced in him. Not only that, he manifested himself them. And not only that, he is “with them.”

This suggests that the  spirits of the already departed were able to mingle with the savior as he prepared for his mortal ministry. Perhaps he was able to visit them as they breathlessly awaited his coming. Regardless, we know that they were redeemed even before his coming because of their great faith in him.

What an extraordinary doctrine! What an extraordinary book.