The Light of His Countenance

I often return to the beautiful account of the Savior blessing the Nephite children in 3 Nephi Chapter 17. This chapter touches on the soul’s deepest-seated needs in an unforgettable way. There are things our spirits must have known before birth, such as our Father’s presence, the visitation of angels and surely other things that are unspeakable. Here, we see that Jesus Christ is able to fully meet those yearnings, which often go unrecognized, but which are present, I believe in all of us. His presence and love have become a complete and unspeakable surrogate for that of the Father, until we can actually re-enter that presence forever. In Jesus’ presence, our bodies and souls are healed from the deformities and traumas of mortality. Those who we most love are also healed of their infirmities. Our children and our children’s children are blessed with the promises of Abraham, and other things which cannot even be written. Our minds and hearts are opened up to behold that which “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath entered into the heart of man.”

Having received the fullness of the Father, he imparts unto us that which is utterly incomprehensible to the mortal mind and we are transformed into celestial beings fit for the eternities, partaking as heirs with Him of the Father’s fullness. Many of these gifts and truths are evidently not withheld from men in mortality, as is demonstrated by this remarkable account.  These ordinary people were blessed, I’m sure, as much as any have ever been blessed. I cannot deny the feeling that all those who wait upon the Lord will find Him in like manner—be it in this life or in the next. We read in D&C 88 the parable of a master who abides with his twelve servants, each in their turn. I must believe that all those who live and hope for such a communion with Jesus Christ will find Him, each in turn, and will receive as these Nephites did, more than their hearts could have dared to seek.

In the Gospel of John, we read about the Lord abiding with all those who love Him and keep His commandments, both through His own presence and through another comforter, which is the Holy Ghost. It is sweet to remember that the Nephites, after having tasted of this intimate and glorious time with the Lord desired the gift of the Holy Ghost above all things. Thus, our souls may be equally as filled as theirs were, and our yearnings equally as met as we partake continuously of the very same gift. As promised to us so very many times in the scriptures, we may hope for our turn in His presence and prepare diligently for the very same communion with Him--but as we wait upon Him, the light of His countenance may shine upon us as it did upon them, and we may be pure as His disciples, because the gift of the Holy Ghost is ours to receive in fullness (See chapter 19). 

-Ben