During personal scripture study, I had the opportunity to read in the Book of Ether when I stopped at the 41st verse of chapter 12 that teaches us about a principle found in other revelations both ancient and modern. I want to share the content with you:
“And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen.”[1]
This principle discussed below we will call it: Seek Jesus Christ. I love the way Moroni experienced it as he sought, and finally saw Jesus Christ face-to-face because of the love he felt and had for Him. He shared it this way with us, and I quote here once again from the 12th chapter, where in the 39th verse he said:
“…And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things…”[2]
Could you ever imagine seeing Jesus Christ face-to-face, and then hearing Him tell you the following words:
“…And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father”[3]?
Such experience shared by Moroni was also experienced by other prophets whose accounts are so clear that we have the feeling we were also present at that time. For example, Abraham was visited by Jesus Christ in a way so detailed and clear that I shouted with joy from the depth of my soul when I read it. Let’s go to the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price to also taste the same joy I have tasted when reading how Abraham met the Lord from Whom he learned the following truth, and at the same time received a promise:
“…My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore, my hand shall be over thee”[4]
Then he kept receiving other joyful blessings from the Lord after He withdrew Himself from the face of the prophet. Abraham teaches us the main way to diligently seek Jesus Christ in order to find Him:
“…Now, after the Lord had withdrawn from speaking to me, and withdrawn his face from me, I said in my heart: Thy servant has sought thee earnestly; now I have found thee;”[5]
We must continue searching, following the same formula applied by others to seek Jesus Christ. In fact, they overcame many challenges so they could teach us that great lesson also taught by Nephi in the Book of Mormon:” … For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them…” [6]
Now we can go to the account of Luke in the New Testament. Luke said that an Angel came and brought to some country shepherds good tidings of great joy which is the birth of the Son of God. And, a sign was given to them that: they shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger[7]. They applied exactly the instructions of the Angel, which is called, if you remember, to seek Jesus Christ. Such obedience (the formula to seek Him) helped them to experience the following:
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”[8]
I experienced the same thing as a young man. I remember that I used to talk to any person that could help me find my way by having a fruitful discussion regarding Jesus Christ. I was very open to learn anything that could draw me closer to the Lord, Jesus Christ. Since then I found the full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, so I can testify that I found what I was looking for: The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today we are blessed to have the missionary work that brings to all inhabitants of the world the invitation to learn, ponder, and apply the same formula (Obedience to the words of God) that will help them to find the Lord who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
As I look back on my teenage years, I become more and more grateful for what we get as we strive to live according to the precepts of Jesus Christ through the teachings of both his living and his ancient prophets.
My dear brothers and sisters have you ever experienced that same formula described below? Have you ever found yourself in a situation to seek for something diligently, and then you happened to find it?
Whether your answer is “Yes” or “No”, I invite you once again to follow this simple, yet profound formula: Obey the Lord from the depth of your soul in anything that He asks you to do through His prophets. In fact, he extends to us the invitation to seek him, by the mouth of Jeremiah, when He says:
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. “[9]
Never cease to have your personal scripture study, your personal prayers at least twice a day, and renew your covenants every Sunday for the remission of your sins. By doing so, you are following His commandment to:
“Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”[10]
His richest blessings are received by those who always find a way to obey Him either in good or difficult times.
I know that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen (or had learned to seek Him), because of their faith, and He will make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. (emphasis added)[11]
[1] Ether 12: 41
[2] Ether 12: 39
[3] Excerpt from of Ether 12: 37
[4] Abraham 2: 8
[5] Abraham 2: 12
[6] 1 Nephi 10:19
[7] Luke 2: 8-12
[8] Luke 2: 8-12 Luke 2: 15-16
[9] Jeremiah 29: 13
[10] D&C 88:63
[11] 1 Nephi 1: 20