Come unto Him and Find Peace
I want you to ponder this statement from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and determine in your mind what commandment he is referring to. Elder Holland said, "I submit to you, [this] may be one of the Savior's commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful Latter-day Saints, almost universally disobeyed; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to this invitation could be any more grievous to the Lord's merciful heart."1
With this statement, Elder Holland was referring to a commandment found in John. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. ...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."2
Elder Holland said in that same talk, "The Lord has probably spoken enough such comforting words to supply the whole universe, it would seem, and yet we see all around us unhappy Latter-day Saints, worried Latter-day Saints, and gloomy Latter-day Saints into whose troubled hearts not one of these innumerable consoling words seems to be allowed to enter."3
I would like to speak today on the invitation repeated over and over in the scriptures to Come Unto Christ and more specifically this pleading invitation from our Savior, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."4
I will share a few witnesses of the Savior's ability to bring that peace to our souls as recorded in the scriptures and also what we can do to obtain that peace.
John the Baptist was to prepare the way for Jesus. John spent his days preaching of the Messiah. John taught many. He baptized many, including the Savior. After the baptism of the Savior, he bore witness of His divinity as the Son of God.
In the presence of two of his disciples, John witnessed of the Savior. "And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?"
The Savior responded with a simple yet inviting phrase, "Come and see."5
They did go with Him and even stayed with Him that day.
One of these two men sought out his brother and witnessed of the Savior. "We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ."6 Together, these brothers came to follow Jesus.
The next day, an invitation was given to Philip by the Savior to "Follow me."7
Philip in turn invited Nathanael to "Come and see" the good thing that had come of Nazareth.8
Just as Jesus invited these disciples to come and see and to follow Him, He calls to us to do likewise.
Immediately after His disciples were called, "Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."9 Many heard of His healing power and "they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them."10
They came unto Him and He healed them. He healed all of them.
As we continue reading in the New Testament, we read one account after another of Jesus healing those who came unto Him. The number of healings is recorded innumerable. This testifies to me that Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, has the power to heal whatever ails me. He can heal me of my diverse diseases and afflictions. He can mend my broken heart. I simply must come unto Him and He will heal me.
Jesus' power to save was also demonstrated when He stilled the tempest. After a full day of teaching, Jesus and His disciples decided to cross the Sea of Galilee.
"And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, (you'll note that immediately when called upon, He responded) and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."11 After witnessing this miracle, they looked to one another and asked, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"12 Jesus not only has the power to heal, He has the power over the elements. There is no end to His power and what He can accomplish. Again, this witnesses to me that there is nothing I can present Him with that He does not have the power toovercome.
Jesus' endless capacity to care for our every need is demonstrated in the record of the feeding of the 5,000.
Jesus had sent out His apostles to preach the gospel and to perform miracles. After a time, they gathered together around Jesus when they heard of the beheading of John the Baptist. They also wanted to report all that they had done. Jesus suggested they privately depart by ship to a desert place. "And when the people had heard [that they were leaving], they followed Him on foot out of the cities."13 Upon arrival to this desert place, "Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and the healed their sick"14 "and he began to teach them many things."15
The evening hours were fast approaching, so His apostles suggested they "send [the people] away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat."16
"But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up the fragments that remained twelve baskets full."17
We need not worry if our burden is too great for the Lord. He has demonstrated His power to provide all and even more than we need to sustain us. If we but come to Him, He will provide for our very being. He will never run out of ability or desire to help and heal us. The Crucifixion and Atonement were far too great to bear for Him to change His mind. His grace is sufficient.
Elder Holland then explained what happened next. "After Jesus had fed the multitude, he sent them away and put his disciples into a fishing boat to corss over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He then 'went up into a mountain apart to pray' (Matt. 14:23). It was toward the evening, and a night of storm. The winds have been ferocious from the start, and then the men labored with the oars until sometime between three and six in the morning. By then, they had gone only a few kilometers and the ship was caught up in a violent storm.
"But, as always, Christ was watching over them. Seeing their difficulty, the Savior took the most direct approach to their boat, striding out across the waves to help them. In their moment of great extremity, the disciples looked and saw in the darkness this wonder coming toward them on the waves. Then, through the storm and darkness there came the reassuring voice of their Master: 'It is I; be not afraid' (Matt. 14:27)."18
I want to repeat a part of that quotation. "Seeing their difficulty, the Savior took the most direct approach to their boat." I know that is how my Savior reaches me in my times of trouble. He comes directly. He comes quickly to my aid.
The apostles were frightened when they saw Jesus approaching, because they thought He might be a ghost. Sometimes I respond in the same way when the Savior's arm is outstretched so quickly and directly. His coming to us may, as Elder Holland worded, "fill us with something very much like terror. It shouldn't, but it sometimes does. One of the great ironies of the gospel is that the very source of the succor and safety being offered us is the thing from which we may, in our mortal shortsightedness, flee."18
But I offer, if we listen closely through the storms and darkness of our lives, we will hear His reassuring voice "saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."19
The story continues. "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."20
"Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."21
I want you to think back to the first trip across the sea when the Master stilled the tempest. You'll recall that the apostles questioned "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"22 Despite the fact that they had been with Him for quite some time and witnessed healings and miracles, and listened as He preached the gospel, they still didn't understand the full extent of His power. Yet when He calmed the sea the second time, they all bore firm testimony, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God."23
As I read and reread these verses this week, I tried to determine what made the difference. Then two words caught my eye. And wondered. "And they were sore amazed...and wondered."24
It is only when we take the time to wonder about Jesus Christ and His works that we begin to understand. The accounting in Mark states that the apostles had "considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened."25 The footnote explains this to mean that they did no understand. Despite the fact that they were physical witnesses of this miracle, they hadn't received a spiritual witness of it, because they didn't take the time to wonder, or to ponder, about it.
It is possible that we are like the apostles after the miracle of the loaves and fishes who did not understand. We may even be those "unhappy Latter-day Saints, worried Latter-day Saints, and gloomy Latter-day Saints" who very well may know of the Savior and can recite scriptures pertaining to His life and ministry, yet we haven't taken the time to wonder and to let the Spirit witness of his comforting power.
We may not have accepted the Savior's invitation to "learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit," promising that "you shall have peace in me."26
In this scripture, Jesus has outlined what we can do to receive that personal witness, that sincere understanding, which is necessary to allow His peace to permeate our souls.
First, He invited us to Learn of Him and Listen to His Words. He has promised, "Seek me diligently and ye shall find me." We need to be proactive in our learning of Him. We need to study our scriptures diligently. As we read the scriptures, "[we] can testify that [we] have heard [His] voice, and know [His] words."
We need to diligently listen to and heed the words of the prophets. For we know that we should "search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled...whether [these commandments come] by [His] own voice or by the voice of [His] servants, it is the same."27
Again, I will stress that it is not merely enough to read the words or know the words. We must ponder them and receive a witness of the Spirit before we can comprehend and use the infinite power of the Savior that is described in the scriptures and by the holy prophets.
Second, He invites us to walk in the meekness of His Spirit. "If any man will do his will, he shall know the doctrine."28
As we become familiar with His teachings, we must begin to live them. As stated in an issue of the New Era, "If you want a testimony of tithing, pay it. If you need a testimony of prayer, get on your knees. If you want a testimony of the Word of Wisdom, obey, and see how your life is blessed."29 To that I will add, if you want a testimony and understanding of Jesus Christ, live as He did. Do as He did. Love as He does. Act as though His power is sustaining you. You will soon recognize that it truly does.
Elder Holland offered meaning to the words of Christ when He said "come and see" and "come unto me." Elder Holland suggested that Jesus was saying, "Come see what I do and how I spend my time. Learn of me, follow me, and in the process I will give you answers to your prayers and rest to your souls."
Elder Holland continued, "I know of no other way for your to carry your burdens or find what Jacob called 'that happiness which is prepared for the saints' (2 Ne. 9:43). That is why we make solemn covenants based on Christ's atoning sacrifice, why we take upon his name. In as many ways as possible, both figuratively and literally, we try to take upon us his identity."30
I would like to share one more scriptural account. This time from the Savior's visit to the Americas as recorded in Third Nephi in the Book of Mormon. My increased understanding of this passage of scripture came after reading an article in the Ensign titled "The Root of Christianity".
Jesus came to the Nephites shortly after His resurrection to show himself unto these people and to establish His gospel. Just like the people of Israel, the Nephites knew of His coming, as it had been prophesied.
A great destruction had come to the land. After the state of greatest fear had passed, the people began to gather and marvel at the great changes that had taken place. Three time they heard a voice, but it wasn't until the third time that they understood it.
"Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name--hear ye him.
"And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again toward heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he ccame down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon Him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
"And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
"And behold, I am the light and 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.
"And it came to pass that when Jesus has spoekn these words, the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven."31
Recognizing the prophesied Jesus, they fell to the earth.
However, I want you to note their slightly different response after they received a further witness of who Jesus Christ was and the vital role plays in their live, in our lives.
"And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:
"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.
"And it came to pass that the multitudes went forth, and thrust their hands into this 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 utnil 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 reacord, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets that should come.
"And when they had all gone forth and witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:
"Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him."32
After both instances, the people fell to the earth. However, the second time they cried Hosanna! or being translated means Save Us Now!
So, what was the difference?
The difference was the physical contact the people had with the emblems of the Sacrifice. Every one of the 2,500 people present thrust their hands in His side and felt the nail prints in His hands and feet. They felt the marks that represented His triumph over death. At that moment, they knew Jesus Christ not only as the one prophesied to come but also as their Savior and Redeemer. They knew that He had the power to save them form their physical death and through His atonement from their spiritual separation from God. He could relieve them of their sufferings, pains, and afflictions.
We, too, ahve the opportunity to have that physical contact with the emblems of the Sacrifice each week as we partake of the Sacrament. During the Sacrament, we are able to handle the bread that represents His body and the water that represents His blood. As we ponder this sacred renewal of covenants, we can have that very same witness that will lead us to crying out Hosanna!
Jesus Christ has infinite power to heal us from our physical, emotiona, and spiritual infirmities. His power is without end. There is nothing we face in our lives that He cannot remove from us or give us the strength to endure. As we come to Him, He will immediately come to us. "[His] arm is lengthened out [to us] all the day long."33
When we try to go about it alone, our lives are like the first verse of a favorite hymn of mine. "Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high! The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness. No shelter or help is nigh! Carest thou not that we perish? How canst thou lie asleep when each moment so madly is threat'ning a grave in the angry deep?" But we can do like Jesus' apostles did and go to Him with a request to be saved. "Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today. The depths of my sad heart are troubled. Oh, waken and save, I pray! Torrents of sin and of anguish sweep o'er my sinking soul, and I perish! I perish! dear master. Oh, hasten and take control." When we seek the Savior's peace, we, too, will recieve this relief. "Master, the terror is over. The elements sweetly rest. Earth's sun is the calm lake is mirrored, and heaven's within my breast. Linger, O Blessed Redeemer! Leave me alone no more, and with joy I shall make the blest harbor and rest on the blissful shore."34
He will come to us directly. We can also seek Him directly as well by taking the quickest path to IHim: the straight course.35
Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life"36 and "there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ." 37
Seek that personal relationship with the Savior so that His peace can permeate your soul. Allow His spoken words to comfort you. "Take [His] yoke upon you...and ye shall find rest unto your souls." 38
And no matter what befalls us or what goes on in the world around us, rest assured that He is there waiting for you. He has promised, "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills shall be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee." 39
I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer and in Him I can find peace. I testify of these things in His holy name. Amen.
1 Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come and See," Liahona, Aug 1998, 44
2 John 14:27
3 Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come and See," Liahona, Aug 1998, 44
4 Matthew 11:28
5 John 1:36-38
6 John 1:41
7 John 1:43
8 John 1:46
9 Matthew 4:23
10 Matthew 4:24
11 Mark 4:36-39
12 Mark 4:41
13 Matthew 14:13
14 Matthew 14:14
15 Mark 6:34
16 Mark 6:36
17 Matthew 14:16-20
18 Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come and See," Liahona, Aug 1998, 44
19 Matthew 14:27
20 Mark 6:51
21 Matthew 14:33
22 Mark 4:41
23 Matthew 14:33
24 Mark 6:51
25 Mark 6:52
26 Doctrine and Covenants 19:23
27 Doctrine and Covenants 1:38-39
28 John 7:17
29 "Q&A: Questions and Answers," New Era, Jun 2002, 16
30 Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come and See," Liahona, Aug 1998, 44
31 3 Nephi 11:7-12
32 3 Nephi 11:13-17
33 2 Nephi 28:32
34 Hymn 105, "Master, the Tempest is Raging"
35 2 Nephi 9:32
36 John 14:6
37 Alma 38:9
38 Matthew 11:29
39 3 Nephi 22:10
With this statement, Elder Holland was referring to a commandment found in John. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. ...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."2
Elder Holland said in that same talk, "The Lord has probably spoken enough such comforting words to supply the whole universe, it would seem, and yet we see all around us unhappy Latter-day Saints, worried Latter-day Saints, and gloomy Latter-day Saints into whose troubled hearts not one of these innumerable consoling words seems to be allowed to enter."3
I would like to speak today on the invitation repeated over and over in the scriptures to Come Unto Christ and more specifically this pleading invitation from our Savior, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."4
I will share a few witnesses of the Savior's ability to bring that peace to our souls as recorded in the scriptures and also what we can do to obtain that peace.
John the Baptist was to prepare the way for Jesus. John spent his days preaching of the Messiah. John taught many. He baptized many, including the Savior. After the baptism of the Savior, he bore witness of His divinity as the Son of God.
In the presence of two of his disciples, John witnessed of the Savior. "And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?"
The Savior responded with a simple yet inviting phrase, "Come and see."5
They did go with Him and even stayed with Him that day.
One of these two men sought out his brother and witnessed of the Savior. "We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ."6 Together, these brothers came to follow Jesus.
The next day, an invitation was given to Philip by the Savior to "Follow me."7
Philip in turn invited Nathanael to "Come and see" the good thing that had come of Nazareth.8
Just as Jesus invited these disciples to come and see and to follow Him, He calls to us to do likewise.
Immediately after His disciples were called, "Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."9 Many heard of His healing power and "they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them."10
They came unto Him and He healed them. He healed all of them.
As we continue reading in the New Testament, we read one account after another of Jesus healing those who came unto Him. The number of healings is recorded innumerable. This testifies to me that Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, has the power to heal whatever ails me. He can heal me of my diverse diseases and afflictions. He can mend my broken heart. I simply must come unto Him and He will heal me.
Jesus' power to save was also demonstrated when He stilled the tempest. After a full day of teaching, Jesus and His disciples decided to cross the Sea of Galilee.
"And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, (you'll note that immediately when called upon, He responded) and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."11 After witnessing this miracle, they looked to one another and asked, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"12 Jesus not only has the power to heal, He has the power over the elements. There is no end to His power and what He can accomplish. Again, this witnesses to me that there is nothing I can present Him with that He does not have the power toovercome.
Jesus' endless capacity to care for our every need is demonstrated in the record of the feeding of the 5,000.
Jesus had sent out His apostles to preach the gospel and to perform miracles. After a time, they gathered together around Jesus when they heard of the beheading of John the Baptist. They also wanted to report all that they had done. Jesus suggested they privately depart by ship to a desert place. "And when the people had heard [that they were leaving], they followed Him on foot out of the cities."13 Upon arrival to this desert place, "Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and the healed their sick"14 "and he began to teach them many things."15
The evening hours were fast approaching, so His apostles suggested they "send [the people] away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat."16
"But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up the fragments that remained twelve baskets full."17
We need not worry if our burden is too great for the Lord. He has demonstrated His power to provide all and even more than we need to sustain us. If we but come to Him, He will provide for our very being. He will never run out of ability or desire to help and heal us. The Crucifixion and Atonement were far too great to bear for Him to change His mind. His grace is sufficient.
Elder Holland then explained what happened next. "After Jesus had fed the multitude, he sent them away and put his disciples into a fishing boat to corss over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He then 'went up into a mountain apart to pray' (Matt. 14:23). It was toward the evening, and a night of storm. The winds have been ferocious from the start, and then the men labored with the oars until sometime between three and six in the morning. By then, they had gone only a few kilometers and the ship was caught up in a violent storm.
"But, as always, Christ was watching over them. Seeing their difficulty, the Savior took the most direct approach to their boat, striding out across the waves to help them. In their moment of great extremity, the disciples looked and saw in the darkness this wonder coming toward them on the waves. Then, through the storm and darkness there came the reassuring voice of their Master: 'It is I; be not afraid' (Matt. 14:27)."18
I want to repeat a part of that quotation. "Seeing their difficulty, the Savior took the most direct approach to their boat." I know that is how my Savior reaches me in my times of trouble. He comes directly. He comes quickly to my aid.
The apostles were frightened when they saw Jesus approaching, because they thought He might be a ghost. Sometimes I respond in the same way when the Savior's arm is outstretched so quickly and directly. His coming to us may, as Elder Holland worded, "fill us with something very much like terror. It shouldn't, but it sometimes does. One of the great ironies of the gospel is that the very source of the succor and safety being offered us is the thing from which we may, in our mortal shortsightedness, flee."18
But I offer, if we listen closely through the storms and darkness of our lives, we will hear His reassuring voice "saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."19
The story continues. "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered."20
"Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."21
I want you to think back to the first trip across the sea when the Master stilled the tempest. You'll recall that the apostles questioned "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"22 Despite the fact that they had been with Him for quite some time and witnessed healings and miracles, and listened as He preached the gospel, they still didn't understand the full extent of His power. Yet when He calmed the sea the second time, they all bore firm testimony, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God."23
As I read and reread these verses this week, I tried to determine what made the difference. Then two words caught my eye. And wondered. "And they were sore amazed...and wondered."24
It is only when we take the time to wonder about Jesus Christ and His works that we begin to understand. The accounting in Mark states that the apostles had "considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened."25 The footnote explains this to mean that they did no understand. Despite the fact that they were physical witnesses of this miracle, they hadn't received a spiritual witness of it, because they didn't take the time to wonder, or to ponder, about it.
It is possible that we are like the apostles after the miracle of the loaves and fishes who did not understand. We may even be those "unhappy Latter-day Saints, worried Latter-day Saints, and gloomy Latter-day Saints" who very well may know of the Savior and can recite scriptures pertaining to His life and ministry, yet we haven't taken the time to wonder and to let the Spirit witness of his comforting power.
We may not have accepted the Savior's invitation to "learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit," promising that "you shall have peace in me."26
In this scripture, Jesus has outlined what we can do to receive that personal witness, that sincere understanding, which is necessary to allow His peace to permeate our souls.
First, He invited us to Learn of Him and Listen to His Words. He has promised, "Seek me diligently and ye shall find me." We need to be proactive in our learning of Him. We need to study our scriptures diligently. As we read the scriptures, "[we] can testify that [we] have heard [His] voice, and know [His] words."
We need to diligently listen to and heed the words of the prophets. For we know that we should "search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled...whether [these commandments come] by [His] own voice or by the voice of [His] servants, it is the same."27
Again, I will stress that it is not merely enough to read the words or know the words. We must ponder them and receive a witness of the Spirit before we can comprehend and use the infinite power of the Savior that is described in the scriptures and by the holy prophets.
Second, He invites us to walk in the meekness of His Spirit. "If any man will do his will, he shall know the doctrine."28
As we become familiar with His teachings, we must begin to live them. As stated in an issue of the New Era, "If you want a testimony of tithing, pay it. If you need a testimony of prayer, get on your knees. If you want a testimony of the Word of Wisdom, obey, and see how your life is blessed."29 To that I will add, if you want a testimony and understanding of Jesus Christ, live as He did. Do as He did. Love as He does. Act as though His power is sustaining you. You will soon recognize that it truly does.
Elder Holland offered meaning to the words of Christ when He said "come and see" and "come unto me." Elder Holland suggested that Jesus was saying, "Come see what I do and how I spend my time. Learn of me, follow me, and in the process I will give you answers to your prayers and rest to your souls."
Elder Holland continued, "I know of no other way for your to carry your burdens or find what Jacob called 'that happiness which is prepared for the saints' (2 Ne. 9:43). That is why we make solemn covenants based on Christ's atoning sacrifice, why we take upon his name. In as many ways as possible, both figuratively and literally, we try to take upon us his identity."30
I would like to share one more scriptural account. This time from the Savior's visit to the Americas as recorded in Third Nephi in the Book of Mormon. My increased understanding of this passage of scripture came after reading an article in the Ensign titled "The Root of Christianity".
Jesus came to the Nephites shortly after His resurrection to show himself unto these people and to establish His gospel. Just like the people of Israel, the Nephites knew of His coming, as it had been prophesied.
A great destruction had come to the land. After the state of greatest fear had passed, the people began to gather and marvel at the great changes that had taken place. Three time they heard a voice, but it wasn't until the third time that they understood it.
"Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name--hear ye him.
"And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again toward heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he ccame down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon Him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.
"And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
"And behold, I am the light and 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.
"And it came to pass that when Jesus has spoekn these words, the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven."31
Recognizing the prophesied Jesus, they fell to the earth.
However, I want you to note their slightly different response after they received a further witness of who Jesus Christ was and the vital role plays in their live, in our lives.
"And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:
"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.
"And it came to pass that the multitudes went forth, and thrust their hands into this 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 utnil 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 reacord, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets that should come.
"And when they had all gone forth and witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:
"Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him."32
After both instances, the people fell to the earth. However, the second time they cried Hosanna! or being translated means Save Us Now!
So, what was the difference?
The difference was the physical contact the people had with the emblems of the Sacrifice. Every one of the 2,500 people present thrust their hands in His side and felt the nail prints in His hands and feet. They felt the marks that represented His triumph over death. At that moment, they knew Jesus Christ not only as the one prophesied to come but also as their Savior and Redeemer. They knew that He had the power to save them form their physical death and through His atonement from their spiritual separation from God. He could relieve them of their sufferings, pains, and afflictions.
We, too, ahve the opportunity to have that physical contact with the emblems of the Sacrifice each week as we partake of the Sacrament. During the Sacrament, we are able to handle the bread that represents His body and the water that represents His blood. As we ponder this sacred renewal of covenants, we can have that very same witness that will lead us to crying out Hosanna!
Jesus Christ has infinite power to heal us from our physical, emotiona, and spiritual infirmities. His power is without end. There is nothing we face in our lives that He cannot remove from us or give us the strength to endure. As we come to Him, He will immediately come to us. "[His] arm is lengthened out [to us] all the day long."33
When we try to go about it alone, our lives are like the first verse of a favorite hymn of mine. "Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high! The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness. No shelter or help is nigh! Carest thou not that we perish? How canst thou lie asleep when each moment so madly is threat'ning a grave in the angry deep?" But we can do like Jesus' apostles did and go to Him with a request to be saved. "Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today. The depths of my sad heart are troubled. Oh, waken and save, I pray! Torrents of sin and of anguish sweep o'er my sinking soul, and I perish! I perish! dear master. Oh, hasten and take control." When we seek the Savior's peace, we, too, will recieve this relief. "Master, the terror is over. The elements sweetly rest. Earth's sun is the calm lake is mirrored, and heaven's within my breast. Linger, O Blessed Redeemer! Leave me alone no more, and with joy I shall make the blest harbor and rest on the blissful shore."34
He will come to us directly. We can also seek Him directly as well by taking the quickest path to IHim: the straight course.35
Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life"36 and "there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ." 37
Seek that personal relationship with the Savior so that His peace can permeate your soul. Allow His spoken words to comfort you. "Take [His] yoke upon you...and ye shall find rest unto your souls." 38
And no matter what befalls us or what goes on in the world around us, rest assured that He is there waiting for you. He has promised, "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills shall be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee." 39
I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer and in Him I can find peace. I testify of these things in His holy name. Amen.
1 Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come and See," Liahona, Aug 1998, 44
2 John 14:27
3 Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come and See," Liahona, Aug 1998, 44
4 Matthew 11:28
5 John 1:36-38
6 John 1:41
7 John 1:43
8 John 1:46
9 Matthew 4:23
10 Matthew 4:24
11 Mark 4:36-39
12 Mark 4:41
13 Matthew 14:13
14 Matthew 14:14
15 Mark 6:34
16 Mark 6:36
17 Matthew 14:16-20
18 Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come and See," Liahona, Aug 1998, 44
19 Matthew 14:27
20 Mark 6:51
21 Matthew 14:33
22 Mark 4:41
23 Matthew 14:33
24 Mark 6:51
25 Mark 6:52
26 Doctrine and Covenants 19:23
27 Doctrine and Covenants 1:38-39
28 John 7:17
29 "Q&A: Questions and Answers," New Era, Jun 2002, 16
30 Jeffrey R. Holland, "Come and See," Liahona, Aug 1998, 44
31 3 Nephi 11:7-12
32 3 Nephi 11:13-17
33 2 Nephi 28:32
34 Hymn 105, "Master, the Tempest is Raging"
35 2 Nephi 9:32
36 John 14:6
37 Alma 38:9
38 Matthew 11:29
39 3 Nephi 22:10
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