Book of Mormon: Day 279: A Glorious Invitation

Today’s Reading:  3 Nephi 11:1-20

14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

I have not seen His face, but my spirit knows every feature.

I have not felt the wounds in His side, hands, and feet, but I know they are there.

How can I say that I know these things?  How can I bear record and testify of someone whom my mortal eyes have never beheld?

Because I have accepted His glorious invitation, and you can to.

This section of 3rd Nephi is my most favorite part of the Book of Mormon and I know I am not alone in feeling this way about it.  I have spoken to many people who share the same tender feelings about this sacred section that tells us about our Savior’s visit and ministry to the people in the America’s.  When I read through these scriptures with the right intent in my heart, sometimes I feel like I am there.

When, in verse 3 it talks about hearing a “small voice” that “did pierce them that did hear to the center”, I know what that feels like.  I have had that small voice pierce “my very soul and cause my heart to burn.”  When I have come to the Lord with my ears open to hear Him and my spiritual eyes focused upon Him, I have felt understanding and peace.

In verse 5, there are two very important words shared– Look Steadfastly.  If you truly want to know the Savior, to feel His love and guidance in every aspect of your life, you must look steadfastly upon Him.  As you make the commitment to look to your Savior and Redeemer, you will be able to more fully push away the distractions that the adversary throws in your path.

Earlier in this post, I mentioned an invitation.  The Savior has invited me to receive a personal testimony of Him; to know that He is my Savior and Redeemer.  And He extends that same invitation to you (verse 14).  Will you accept it?

“Just as He invited the Nephites to ‘arise and come forth unto me’, so He invites each one of us to come, one by one, to Him, that we too may know that He is ‘the God of…the whole earth, and [has] been slain for the sins of the world’.  We learn how it feels to be encircled in His love when we accept that invitation.”  -Kathleen H. Hughes

Now, more than ever, it is imperative that each of us receive a personal testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Arise.  Go to Him.  See the marks of sacrifice on His body and know that He is “the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth” and feel of His eternal love for you.

arise

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