About 5 years ago, President Nelson came to Arizona and I got to attend the devotional where he was speaking.
But it was actually Sister Nelson’s words before the prophet spoke that I still remember.
She shared about her experience with her husband’s recent calling as prophet and president of the church.
And she even shared a few experiences where she knew that he was having profound spiritual experiences or receiving revelation.
Regardless of her exact words, the distinct impression I received that evening was:
Christ does not hide Himself from His prophets.
I thought about this a lot as I read Nephi testifying that he had seen his Redeemer. And that he knew Jacob had seen his Redeemer as well. And then he quoted Isaiah who speaks about seeing his Savior.
“And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah… for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him. And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him;” (2 Nephi 11:2-3)
Christ has not hidden Himself from His prophets in any dispensation.
I have felt the Spirit witness that this is true.
But I also know that Christ does not hide Himself from any of us who truly seek Him.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie famously said in his final talk in April 1985: “In a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears.
“But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer”.
Do we KNOW who our Savior is, just like Isaiah, and Nephi, and Jacob, and our modern prophets?
Would seeing our Savior today change our faith, or just solemnly confirm what we already know?
Isaiah, as complicated as his writings can be, always centered his prophecies around CHRIST.
What a pure reminder of our most important priority.
Not serving in a calling, not having perfect church attendance, not staying up on Come Follow Me.
But KNOWING who our Savior is. Recognizing His love. Praising Him for His miracles.
And when we are able to find that knowledge here in this mortal state, imagine the joy that the reunion will bring in the next life!
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
