The Joy of the Sacrament

When Jesus made sure the multitude of Nephites received the sacrament, their reaction is explained in the scriptures. There is something we can learn from the reaction of the multitude to their opportunity to take the sacrament, and how they felt about it:

"Now, when the multitude had all eaten and drunk, behold, they were filled with the Spirit; and they did cry out with one voice, and gave glory to Jesus, whom they both saw and heard." (3 Nephi 20:9)

I read this and I wondered when the last time was that I could say that I was moved enough with the spirit that I wanted to "cry out...and give glory to Jesus". This is an area, preparing for the Sabbath and the sacrament, that I need to do better in. There is much that I can do to be more prepared and open to the spirit, and sometimes I think it becomes too "routine" in my mind, if I'm not specifically thinking about what I'm doing there.

Something to definitely work on.

Miracles Sometimes Aren't the Main Lesson

Sometimes, when I'm reading the scriptures, they sort of gloss over a miraculous fact or event, almost as if it wasn't a big deal. More likely it is explained that way because that's not the emphasis that God wanted on the story. It's not the moral He wants us to get from the message.

That being said, that doesn't take away the amazingness of it. Here is one instance. When Christ was showing them how to do the sacrament, he just broke bread:

"Now, there had been no bread, neither wine, brought by the disciples, neither by the multitude;" (3 Nephi 20:6)

So we figure there's a large congregation. I have to assume larger than the day before, at least, I would think, and there were 2,500 people there the day before! Christ just broke and blessed bread, that apparently came from nowhere! It's pretty amazing. And I love it. Perhaps this only emphasizes the real lesson, which was in the actual administration of the sacrament. It isn't focused on what they used (miraculous bread and wine that appeared out of nowhere), but rather that they actually did it at all, and the fact that everyone was able to partake.

I have had the privilege of seeing some miracles in my life. For the first time, as I'm writing this, I just got to wondering if the miracles have overshadowed other lessons that I should have learned. Perhaps, just like in these scriptural accounts, by not emphasizing some of the miracles, I could be helped to see the real lesson (or "another lesson") that God was trying to teach me at the time. That's going to take a little bit of thought.

Still, miracles are awesome!

The Sacrament Instruction

Jesus wanted to make sure the people had a chance to take the sacrament, but it had just been given to the people the previous day. I think there are a few reasons why the Savior had them take the sacrament that next day.

First, as has been mentioned, quite a few people labored through the night to be there with the Savior on this day. They had not had the experience of taking the sacrament the previous day, so I think maybe Jesus wanted them to have that opportunity.

The next reason, I think, is kind of important. I think the key is here:

"3 And it came to pass that he brake bread again and blessed it, and gave to the disciples to eat.

4 And when they had eaten he commanded them that they should break bread, and give unto the multitude.

5 And when they had given unto the multitude he also gave them wine to drink, and commanded them that they should give unto the multitude." (3 Nephi 20:3-5)

I have taken the sacrament most Sundays of my entire life, and the priests break the bread, then bless it, and then the deacons pass it to the congregation. Here, Jesus breaks the break and gives it to His disciples. When they had partaken of the bread, He told them to break bread and give it to the multitude. I think He was making sure they knew the proper way to perform the sacrament ordinance. He showed them, and then had them do what He had done.

Along every aspect of the gospel in our lives, we have been given training and instruction. That is, after all, what this life is about. We come here to earth, gain a body, and are taught line upon line, the principles we need to live by and the covenants we need to make. We have freedom to choose what we will do, but we are shown the way once we have the gospel. Jesus himself was the perfect example in all aspects of the gospel. If, when faced with decisions, we ask ourselves "What would Jesus do?", and then do it, we will be on the right path.

Ultimately, the point is that we are never left without help and instruction. Just as Christ taught His disciples how to administer the sacrament and then expected them to do it, we are given instruction and help along our way too. That may come in the form of family, or teachers, or friends. Maybe quorum or class members who help us to know our responsibilities, especially when we're new. At a minimum, we all have the ability to receive revelation and guidance from God regarding our sphere of responsibility. Hopefully we can fully use this guidance to know where we are going and what we should be doing.

I'm grateful to have this guidance, instruction, and direction. This life is difficult, but following the Savior and receiving exaltation with our families for eternity doesn't have to be.

Laboring All That Night

This is a simple but I think good lesson for all of us.

The Nephites, who had spent all day with Jesus, seeing miracles performed and hearing His words, could have just gone home and thought about what they had heard and seen, and then come back the next day, because Jesus said he would be back.

But they didn't:

"2 And it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark, that the multitude had seen Jesus, and that he had ministered unto them, and that he would also show himself on the morrow unto the multitude.

3 Yea, and even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesus; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude." (3 Nephi 19:2-3)

They started immediately spreading the word that Christ had been there, and that He would be back. I love the idea of a bunch of people, who maybe had just had a long day, maybe working in their fields, or trying to rebuild homes that were destroyed during the earthquakes or something. They are tired, and desire to just go to bed, when suddenly someone comes running and excitedly telling them about Jesus. They are left with a choice. Do they go to bed, getting rested, sad that they missed out but confident that Christ's word will get around to them? Do they go to bed and wake up early and travel to the temple, knowing they might miss some of the visit from the Savior, but that they would at least get to see Him? Or, do they drop everything and try their hardest to get there?

Well, we know that "an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto them.

The question is really, which group do you or I fall into?

Everyone is Welcome

As the Savior continued to teach the people, He taught what stood out to me as a small but important principle:

"And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world;" (3 Nephi 18:25)

This kind of stood out to me. Remember, this is after several instances of the Savior ministering to people one by one. First, He welcomed them all at the beginning of His visit to come and feel and see the nail prints in His hands and feet and the spear wound in His side. As I've mentioned before, this had to have been a very time consuming event, even if everyone took as little time as possible. Then, don't forget that He invited them to bring their sick and afflicted and he blessed and healed them. Finally, he brought all the children up and blessed them one at a time.

If the Savior showed anything during this visit, it is that He welcomes all to come to Him. He didn't send anyone away, whether He was tired or busy or had other places to be. He welcomed each one. So then we must do the same. It doesn't matter if we're tired or frustrated or busy or have other places we could be. We need to be welcoming and accepting of all. Giving people of your time doesn't have to be so exhaustive or lengthy as the Savior's visit to the Nephites. Neither should our ministry to others feel as though we barely stopped to say hi. A nice middle ground would work wonders.

I am grateful for the Savior's example, and I hope to be able to take this message to heart, to include people and love people and be there for them. That's the Savior's way of doing things.

Compassion of Christ

So Jesus had spent time teaching the multitude as well as the 12 disciples that he had chosen to lead. We learn the size of the "multitude":

"...and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children." (3 Nephi 17:25)

First off, I just want to point out how many people that is. Now think about their experiences on this day. When Christ came, the first thing he did was invite them all to feel the physical wounds he had received during and through the atonement to bear record of who he really was. 

"And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come." (3 Nephi 11:15)

Just from a practical perspective (and I credit a book called Man of Holiness by Vaughn J Featherstone for this thought process), think through this. With 2500 people, each one of them coming and feeling the feet, hands, and side of the Savior. Let's say they all lined up and they each spent even just 5 seconds of time doing that. That's just under 3.5 hours of time. That is a lot of time to spend just to stand there and let people have that 5 second experience. I think this shows that before He even tried to teach them, He wanted them to know who he was so they could gain testimony and faith.

In addition, these people had just been through a pretty harrowing experience. The death and destruction that had been over the whole land, followed by days of darkness so thick they couldn't even light a fire. Their lives had just been thrown into chaos.

So anyway, after that, He starts to teach them all and pray for them all, as well as give His disciples direction of how to lead His church when he is gone.

So after the greeting at the beginning, which was half a day, and then meetings where He taught the people and then a leadership meeting, teaching his disciples, he addressed the people again.

"1 ...Behold, my time is at hand.

2 I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.

3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again." (3 Nephi 17:1-3)

He obviously had more to teach them. But after a certain amount of time, people get tired, and brains can only take in so much information. I think this is what He meant when Jesus said "I perceive that ye are weak...". I think He knew that as humans, they were subject to the limitations imposed on them, especially given all that they had been through. He knew they needed to rest and think about what they had heard. You might compare this to the reason current general conferences are not held in one 8-10 hour block.

However, when He said this, He looked around and saw everyone in tears, and He understood that they just wanted Him to stay. His presence would mean so much to anyone, but in their situation, with them surviving what they had survived, and they had a hope of His coming, and now He was here and they didn't want him to go. When He saw this, He had compassion.

"Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy" (3 Nephi 17:7)

Think about this too. Out of 2500 people, keeping in mind all the earthquakes and destruction and death that they had just experienced, all those that were "afflicted in any manner" probably amounted to a lot of people. Let's say it was even 10% of the people (and I would bet it was more than that because of all the events leading up to this), that's 250 people who individually went up to Jesus and received a blessing and were healed by Him. That must have been a relatively lengthy process, and that was after He said He was going to leave!

As if that wasn't enough, He then invited all the children to gather around him, and He prayed for the whole multitude, and then this: 

"20...And now behold, my joy is full.

21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them." (3 Nephi 17:20-21)

I imagine that the "little children" must have amounted to at least like a third of the multitude. It seems logical to me, anyway. Let's say it was a third, that's over 800 little children that He blessed and prayed for, each one by one.

Sometimes, ministering and serving others is quick and easy. Other times, to show true compassion, care and concern, it's all about the time you spend. I imagine Christ spent multiple hours after He intended to leave. He was even going to come back the very next day!

I think to truly be like the Savior, we need to have this level of compassion on others around us. We need to be aware of peoples' needs, and we need to be close to the Spirit, so we, like the Savior, can "perceive" when others need our help or even just our presence, to be there for them. What an ideal to work toward! Hopefully I can be that way.

The Other Other Sheep

When Jesus was teaching the apostles in Jerusalem, He taught them that He is the Good Shepherd. He explains how a true shepherd knows his sheep, and they know their shepherd, and they follow him and know his voice. A true shepherd will give his life for his sheep.

While He is teaching them about Him being the Good Shepherd, He explains:

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." (John 10:16)

Later, while Christ is teaching the Nephites at the temple, he tells them that He had said this to those in Jerusalem:

"That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." (3 Nephi 15:17)

He said they didn't understand what he meant, but that he was commanded to say no more about it to His apostles.

He went on to explain that the Nephites are those other sheep:

"But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me." (3 Nephi 15:24)

He then goes on to explain:

"And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister." (3 Nephi 16:1)

So not only are the Nephites the "other sheep" he described in Jerusalem, but that there are even more sheep scattered around and that He would go to them too:

"But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them." (3 Nephi 16:3)

To be honest, I'm fascinated by this idea. The Book of Mormon is a record of the other sheep, the Nephites and Lamanites, that left Jerusalem and established a people and a civilization. But what about other people? If Christ visited them too, they would have a record of it, right? Wouldn't it be wonderful to have more of that? More of what we have in 3 Nephi, the record of Christ visiting the Americas? I would love that! 

I wonder who those people were, where they got started, and where they lived (according to today's geography). With how "big" the world was at that time (as far as travel and communication, civilizations were generally pretty isolated from each other and things), people could be relatively close to each other and have no idea of each others' existence. In fact, that happened in the Book of Mormon. The people described in the book of Ether, the Jaredites, were brought in barges to the americas. Their people overlapped with the Nephites for a couple hundred years! This means that really, the other sheep Christ told the Nephites about (the "other" other sheep), could have been in other areas of the americas, asia, europe, africa, or the many isles in the middle of the ocean. In fact, there is a record of people leaving the Nephites, led by Hagoth, who sailed off into the sea and were never heard from again. We are told that their descendants are the pacific islanders.

As fascinating as it would be to add to our scriptures the records of diverse other people around the globe that Christ visited, I can do better with what I have. Between the Bible, Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, there is a lot to be learned and studied from these books of scripture already. I can study with more depth and earnestness.

Perhaps some day we will be able to read/hear these other peoples' accounts and we will learn more of them. For now, I am trying to do better with what I already have without adding more to it.

How to Gain Eternal Life

Christ continues to teach the Nephites. He declares Himself the law and the light.

"Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life." (3 Nephi 15:9)

One way that He is the law is that He is the only way to get back to Heavenly Father and have eternal life. He overcame obstacles that make it impossible to get there on our own. Making use of the atonement He made for us allows us to get past those obstacles. Our bodies are mortal and will one day die. The only way we could live again with perfected, resurrected bodies is because Jesus gave His life and took it up again, overcoming physical death. That is a gift to all. More importantly, He overcame spiritual death by providing us a way to repent of our sins. We all come to this earth and have to learn line upon line, precept upon precept. We are all fallible and will make mistakes and sin. The ONLY way to overcome sin is through repentance and making use of the atonement.

One way that Christ is the light is that He shines as a great example, the perfect example, of who we are and what we should be. When we don't know what to do, we can follow a phrase that has been popular over the years, "What would Jesus do?" Whenever we are faced with a choice, if we would honestly ask ourselves that simple question, and then strive our best to live out the answer to that question, we will do OK. We will still make mistakes and missteps and need to repent. But largely our lives will be in line with the commandments and the Gospel.

If we look to the Savior, not just for a moment, but "endure to the end", as He taught the Nephites, we will be given eternal life.

The way Jesus speaks of that reward, that He will "...give eternal life" brings up an excellent point. We do not earn eternal life through our own merits. There's no way we could do it on our own. We need the Savior. We need His atonement and example, and then, after all we can do (doing our best throughout our lives), it is by grace that we are saved.

Thanks be to God for the matchless gift and life of the Savior. I am forever in Their debt and have desire to serve them until the end. It is a lifelong pursuit, and hopefully I can constantly look for ways to do better and improve.

Beam vs. Mote

Jesus is trying to teach the people to not be judgmental. He tries to explain what happens when we judge others:

"1 ...Verily, verily, I say unto you, Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." (3 Nephi 14:1-2)

He explained that when we judge others, the same type of judgment comes. I think the biggest problem that we have when we try to judge others is that we don't really know their full set of circumstances. We might feel like we know enough about the situation to make a judgment, but we don't really have the full picture. Not only that, but our judgement is tainted by our own experiences and life. It is said that we are our own worst critics, but we often overlook or justify things that we do as well. Christ explained with a brief parable that he would best understand, growing up in a carpenter's home:

"3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye." (3 Nephi 14:3-5)

I have always had this funny mental picture in my head when I think of a beam in someone's eye, like a big board sticking out of someone's eye. You know, it's so cumbersome that every time they turn their head, the beam swings around and around, causing all sorts of damage. A mote is a little dust particle. Now, dust in your eye can hurt, and sometimes you need help getting little things out of your eye, but would you ask someone with a big wood beam sticking out of their eye, both obstructing their view and also making it difficult to even get in a good position to help. So we must first get the beam out of our own eye before we can really be effective in helping others with their motes.

This is the truth behind us not being judgmental. When we try to judge others, we are seeing them and their situations through the lenses of our own situations, with all of our bias, ideas, and flaws. We need to work on ourselves before we could ever even hope to be helpful to others.

I try not to act judgmental, but I know there are a lot of situations in my life where I am, especially in my home with my own family. I probably justify that because I know them better than I know anyone else, but I still don't know everything. I can think of a lot of ways that I am hypocritical, especially with my kids. Hopefully I can start removing my beams before I try to help them with their motes. That is the right way to do it.

Seek First the Kingdom of God

Jesus continues to teach the Nephites. He teaches them to serve, pray, and fast in secret, not to be seen of men, and He teaches them to pray sincerely.

Then he started talking about worldly things, and how you can't serve two masters. You can't serve and pursue God and worldly wealth at the same time.

So are servants of God always going to be destitute then? No. In fact, it kind of seems like the opposite is true. Many of our prophets and apostles were successful and even wealthy before they were called to that holy calling. So how did that happen, if they weren't "serving Mammon"? Christ describes it perfectly:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (3 Nephi 13:33)

It's not that we can't seek for riches or wealth. It's about priorities. Which one do we seek first? Which one would we sacrifice for the other? 

The problem comes when we seek for riches so much that it leads us away from the kingdom of God. We might do this by working on the Sabbath, or working so much we "don't have time" to serve in other ways. We might even find ourselves not being honest in order to get gain. The apostle Paul spoke about this:

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith" (1 Timothy 6:10)

This is often misquoted as 'money is the root of all evil', which is just not the case. It's the love of money, as Paul says, that leads to evil.

On the other side of the coin, if our love is with God, all our actions will lead ourselves and others to Him. If our prove our desire is to serve God, He knows if He blesses us with money, we will use it to further His work. This, I think, is the key.

I hope to be firmly in the camp of first seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness. After that, whatever happens will happen.

Blessings to the Believers

After Jesus descended from heaven among the Nephites, he let them each come and touch his wounds showing that he was the Savior, and then he started teaching the multitude.

He chose 12 disciples and gave them authority to baptize. They were to minister unto the rest of the Nephites.

Jesus says: "...blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.

And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins." (3 Nephi 12: 1-2)

I thought about this for a minute because the people are there, and the Savior is standing right there among them, but people are more blessed if they believe the words of other people, rather than hearing it straight from Christ's mouth. I guess the blessings are a tradeoff, because I think standing or sitting or kneeling at the feet of the Savior would be a pretty big blessing.

That being said, though, it seems to me like it would take less faith to believe Christ, when you watched him descend down from heaven, felt the nail prints in his hands and feet and the spear wound in his side. At that point, you just know. It seems easier to follow something you have knowledge about.

I think we also have to consider the responsibility as well. When we get a message and sure knowledge from the Savior himself, it seems to me we are obligated to share that with others, so they have the opportunity to exercise faith and become more blessed.

How to Understand the Voice

After all the terrible and terrifying destruction and darkness the "more righteous" part of the people had experienced, they gathered themselves together around the temple in the land Bountiful and were talking about their experiences, and I'm sure comforting one another. They were also talking about the prophecies that had been fulfilled regarding Jesus Christ.

"And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, 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; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn." (3 Nephi 11:3)

So the voice they heard, even though they didn't understand what it was saying, they felt very deep and poignant feelings about it. They knew that it was a powerful voice, and probably even an important message. I love this description of their feelings at this point. The voice wasn't loud or harsh, but it pierced them to the center and caused their hearts to burn. This is the Holy Ghost bearing witness of what they were hearing. So in this case, they had the opportunity to know the power and truth of the message before they even understood the message.

They heard that same voice again and they still didn't understand it.

"5 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.

6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard;" (3 Nephi 11:5-6)

This is pretty significant if you ask me. To understand the voice (which turns out to be God's voice, introducing the Savior before he visited with the Nephites), the people who had gathered around had to open their ears and look steadfastly toward the sound. When they had done this, they finally understood.

I think it's important to note that the people weren't being wicked. They were gathering together as a group of the "more righteous" of the people (the ones who had escaped destruction). They were talking about Jesus and the words of prophets, who had prophesied of his death. They had gathered at the temple. Yet these people could not understand the voice of God until they opened their ears, and also looked toward the heavens.

When it's time for General Conference, when we get to hear the words of prophets, or at Church, during sacrament meeting and classes, or even at home, during family home evening or simple gospel discussions, are we (am I) opening my ears and looking toward the sound so that I can better understand?

I hope that I can work toward the goal of doing that better. I want to better understand the voice of God, and this seems like a good place to start.

Prophets Testified and Warned

So for many years, the prophets in the Book of Mormon would teach and testify of what was to come. Especially dividing what would happen between the righteous and the wicked. I don’t know how many times and with just slight variations the prophets taught that if the people would keep the commandments, they would prosper in the land, but if they were wicked, they would be cut off.

One common reaction to the prophets testifying of these things, unfortunately, was to reject them and run them off, or even quite a few of them had their lives threatened. This shows how important their message was, because they generally understood the danger of preaching to wicked people, but they continued to do it anyway.

This passage from 3 Nephi talks about how so many prophets had testified of the experience the Nephites ended up going through, with all the destruction and darkness.

“14 And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets.
15 Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were slain because they testified of these things.” (3 Nephi 10:14-15)

To me, this points out that we need to listen to and heed our prophets because they are only telling what God wants us to know, and we will be protected and helped if we do what God wants us to do I believe the promise is still in force: If we keep the commandments, we will prosper in the land.

The Arm of Mercy is Extended

The people had become wicked and had been warned by God’s servants of their wickedness, as per the pattern that God always follows. Many people refused to repent, and there was great destruction throughout all the land. Cities were burned, sunk into the depths of the sea, swallowed up in the earth, and pretty much all kinds of destruction happened. Yet there were some who survived. These survivors heard a voice, explaining what had happened, and what they could do now:

“13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, 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 9:13-14)

This stood out to me because it doesn’t say that they were spared because they were righteous, necessarily, but that they were more righteous than those who were destroyed. This must have been humbling, first to see all the destruction around you, and then to be told that you were just lucky enough to make the cut. The wonderful thing was that they now had the opportunity to repent and draw close to God and begin doing what they should be doing.

I love the message that they hear, about the arm of mercy being extended to them to be converted, healed, and blessed.

Then they hear this:

“Therefore, 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)

The Savior loves us and wants to bless us. He provides us with opportunities to repent and to return to God with our families forever. Without the Savior, this would not be possible. I am so grateful for the atonement and the plan of salvation that allows me this opportunity. It humbles me and makes me want to try harder to follow the promptings I receive.