3 Nephi 11:7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.
This week let’s focus on How we hear Him!
This has been the theme challenge from Russell M. Nelson this past year, and here we have our Heavenly Father telling us to “Hear Him!” It is vital that we find the Lord in our lives, and take the time to pause and listen to what he is telling us individually. We need to be able to HEAR HIM! “It being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center.” (3 Nephi 11:3) This world is rapidly increasing in its eloquent lies which are designed by the great evil one to pull us slowly, but effectively away from the Savior. As we pay close attention to the Holy Ghost we will know truth from untruth, right from wrong, and divine from worldly. He promises to speak to each and every one of us, we just have to take the time to Hear Him! “They heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard.” (3 Nephi 11:3) “And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came. And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard.” (3 Nephi 11:4-5)
First thing he tells the Nephites is “Arise and come forth unto me!” (3 Nephi 11:13) This is the exact invitation that he has extended to us—get up and get moving! Wake up and become involved! Remember me and know who you are! ARISE and Come, Follow Me! “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.” (3 Nephi 11:13) We don’t have to be present 2000 years ago to feel the piercing truth of this moment. As you read this, feel the power of touching the Savior’s wounds that he willing took upon himself, so that he could be our Redeemer and fully understand ALL things. Close your eyes and imagine Jesus Christ himself telling you who he is, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.” (3 Nephi 10:11) This is worth silently taking a moment of peace to contemplate all that this entails. ……..(pause and think)
Christ is the light of the world, he is the source of all light. Therefore, all things that emulate light are of Him, and darkness is the absence of him. I believe this is a good place to start as we seek to “hear Him.” We need to become aware of what light and darkness feel like. Not just what they look like, but the feeling and presence of light in our lives. “There could be no light because of the darkness.” (3 Nephi 8:21) “Feel the vapor of darkness.” (3 Nephi 8:20) Light cancels darkness, but Christ’s light can’t dwell in unclean places. As we start to eliminate things, activities, and thoughts that feel dark, we will be turning the light of Christ on. As we fill our homes and lives with the love and light of Christ we will start to see his quiet tender mercies in our lives. Our hearts will be turned to gratitude and our ears and eyes will be open to His guidance.
Christ starts explaining His gospel to the Nephites by letting them know that “Contention is not of me.” (3 Nephi 11:29) What a great warning to help us understand the adversary better. Satan will do all that he can to fill our minds and hearts with hatred, anger, frustration, dissections, worries, and fears. All of these feelings instantly darken our outlook on life and create a heaviness that makes it difficult to function normally. They remove the light from our lives. “It is of the devil, who is the father of contention.” (3 Nephi 11:29) We can combat these lies by refusing to allow them to gain control of our thoughts, and work diligently to develop hope, trust, faith, love, forgiveness, and understanding. As we make the decision to come, to Christ with full purpose we will be strengthened and blessed in ways that we couldn’t do alone. “I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.” (3 Nephi 11:38-39)
We start our journey in the gospel by being immersed in the waters of baptism. “Then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.” (3 Nephi 11:26) This is a great example of how we continue our conversion in Christ. We need be immersed in Christ always—filled with His love. When we are filling our lives with His light we will feel wrapped in His loving arms, where peace is found even during difficult times. “How oft have I gathered you as a hen gathererh her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.” (3 Nephi 9:4) “Whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them, and see.” (3 Nephi 10:14) “Mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.” (3 Nephi 9:14) “Whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.” (3 Nephi 9:22) “Ye shall off for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” (3 Nephi 9:20) “And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood; and the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.” (3 Nephi 10:10)
3 Nephi 9:21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.
-Written By Sherri Jorgensen
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