The Book of Mormon records that when Jesus visited the inhabitants of ancient America, He commanded that they bring forth any that were "leprous" so that he could heal them (3 Nephi 17:7). According to Richardson, Richardson and Bentley, Book of Mormon critics have pointed out that there is no medical evidence for the existence of leprosy in ancient America.
In replying to these critics, one should realize that there has been some question as to what the word leprosy really meant in biblical times and whether or not the biblical use of the word is translated correctly. But regardless of the conflicting opinions as to the specific type of skin disease that has been labeled as leprosy in the Bible, we find that one of the early Spanish Padres in America, Father Sahagun, reported that one of the diseases attributed to the god Tloac was what he labeled "leprosy." (cited in Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies Update, September 1994, p. 2)[18] [Allen H. Richardson, David E. Richardson and Anthony E. Bentley, 1000 Evidences for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Part Two-A Voice from the Dust: 500 Evidences in Support of the Book of Mormon, p. 143]
3 Nephi 17:7 Bring them hither and I will heal them ([Illustration]): Jesus Healing the Nephites. [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel Art, #317]
3 Nephi 17:9 [Christ] did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him ([Illustration]): Christ in America [Gary Kapp, Verse Markers, Book of Mormon, Vol. 1, p. 1]
3 Nephi 17:9 He did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him ([Illustration]): Christ Healing the People in America. Artist: Gary Kapp. [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Ensign, April 1994, front cover]
3 Nephi 17:9 He did heal every one as they were brought forth unto him ([Illustration]): Christ Healing the Sick. "Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them." Artist: Gary Kapp. [Thomas R. Valletta ed., The Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families, 1999, p. 541]
3 Nephi 17:12 They brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him ([Illustration]): Christ with Children [Robert T. Barrett, Verse Markers, Book of Mormon, Vol. 1, p. 6]
3 Nephi 17:12 They brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst ([Illustration]): Christ Appears to the Nephites. Artist: Ron Crosby. [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Ensign, February 1978, pp. 52-53]
3 Nephi 17:17 We heard him pray for us unto the Father ([Illustration]): The Resurrected Lord Prays with Nephites at Bountiful. Artist: Ted Henninger. [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Ensign, April 1982, inside front cover]