Wednesday, May 3, 2006

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Before leaving the Savior’s visit to the Nephites, we may learn another important lesson by examining the next event. The lesson concerns the way in which the Lord works with us and His desire and ability to help each person. In the 14th verse of 3 Nephi 11, Jesus invited the multitude to arise and approach Him one by one, to thrust their hands into His side and feel the print of the nails in His hands and feet. Remember, there were 2,500 people. How long would it take for each person to approach the Savior, feel the print of the nails, touch His side, and perhaps receive a brief embrace? Suppose it took 15 seconds per person. The time required would exceed 10 hours for the multitude to fulfill the invitation.
Why did Jesus do it one by one? Would it not have been just as effective for Him to show the multitude all at once? The answer is no! Salvation is an individual process. Ordinances are conducted one by one. Every individual’s faith counts.
Can you imagine the extraordinary feelings you would have felt had you been there that day? Suppose you were invited to approach the Savior, feel the wounds in His hands and feet, touch His side, and hear Him quietly say how much He loves you. That would be a spiritually transforming experience.
Merrill J. Bateman, “Becoming a Disciple of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 2006, 16

“Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them. … And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him” (Matt. 17:1–3; see also Mark 9:4–9; Luke 9:30; and D&C 63:21).

2 Nephi 25:25-29
[...]we are made alive in Christ because of our faith[...]
And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
[...]And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony [...]; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.
And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.

Enos 1:26-27
And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.
And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.


Yes, Minamoto, I have some tests, of varying degress. Thank you for your love and prayers, and mine go out to you, too. Glomp!

God the Father and Jesus Christ be with you all.

"The years have come and the years have gone, but the need for a testimony of the gospel continues paramount."
—President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 20

Doctrine & Covenants 4:5
And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

Moroni 10:17-23
And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.
And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.
And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men.
Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.
And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope.
And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.
And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.


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Update

Equus: Yeah!

Xihuitl: She's happy because she and a bunch of friends get to go to a Highland Festival this Saturday.

Equus: Of course, they gave me 39 hours at work this week. And I've already gotten another half-hour (or a bit). So at least they can't ask me to really work late, or else I'll kick into overtime.

Xihuitl: But that's good as far as the paycheck goes.

Equus: I know. (sigh) But still...

Xihuitl: Anyway, we'll update after the Festival. And possibly before, too. (wink)

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Fact of the Day
Rabbits can eat red clover (which has white V's on the leaves) but not white clover (which doesn't have white V's). Red clover is called that for its purple flowers (and redbud is purplish, too) while white clover has white flowers.
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